The COVID-19 pandemic forced event professionals to rework every assumption about gatherings: distribution shifted to virtual and hybrid formats almost overnight, attendee expectations changed, and digital touchpoints multiplied. That disruption did not diminish the underlying driver of event economics, human connection, but it reframed how and where those connections must be engineered.

The necessity for robust event networking tools surged following the global shift to virtual and hybrid events, accelerated by the pandemic. In the B2B sector, artificial intelligence (AI) does not replace, but rather amplifies the human element of events by eliminating friction and surfacing strategic opportunities that were previously unavailable. The overall event management software market, estimated at USD 15.5 billion in 2024, is projected to reach USD 34.7 billion by 2029, indicating rapid adoption, partly driven by the integration of AI. The future of successful events is defined as being AI-supported, allowing organizations to streamline workflows and increase productivity while making event interactions more efficient and personalized.

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Event professionals are no strangers to operational pressure. Between managing repetitive manual tasks, proving measurable ROI, and delivering ever-more memorable attendee experiences, the demands are relentless. Amid these challenges, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force, promising not just efficiency, but strategic reinvention.

Yet, the strategic impact of AI extends far beyond automation or chatbot convenience. When implemented thoughtfully, AI unlocks deep personalization, data-driven decision-making, and new dimensions of business intelligence. This isn’t just about doing things faster, it’s about doing them smarter.

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In today’s complex market, marked by fierce competition for buyer attention and persistent economic uncertainty, events have transitioned from a mere marketing activity to a core engine for business expansion. Event-Led Growth (ELG) defines a go-to-market approach that utilizes events as the primary channel for both customer acquisition and retention. This strategy relies on creating data-driven programs that integrate marketing efforts across various channels, thereby driving measurable value and engagement at scale.

The data underscores the power of this strategic shift. Organizations incorporating ELG are seeing outstanding results: US-based teams that adopted this approach were 75% more likely than those who did not to see a growth rate of over 50% in 2023. Furthermore, 93% of US companies using ELG successfully meet their pipeline and revenue goals, compared to 76% of those who operate without this strategy.

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The COVID-19 pandemic forced event professionals to rework every assumption about gatherings: distribution shifted to virtual and hybrid formats almost overnight, attendee expectations changed, and digital touchpoints multiplied. That disruption did not diminish the underlying driver of event economics, human connection, but it reframed how and where those connections must be engineered. In 2026, organizers face an imperative: pair the scale and convenience of digital delivery with technologies that reliably create the high-value one-to-one and small-group interactions attendees seek.

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The event landscape is evolving rapidly, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a fundamental component of successful strategy. Event leaders who aim to remain at the forefront of innovation must act now to align next year’s budgets with accelerated technological advances. According to data from this year, half of corporate professionals managing meetings plan to integrate AI in 2026. This adoption demonstrates that AI enhances data-driven experiences while complementing human creativity. A global Amex GBT survey shows that 42% of respondents expect to use AI in the coming year, with adoption particularly high in Asia-Pacific at 57%, compared to 42% in North America.

Event organizers worldwide recognize the importance of integrating technology. Updating technological capabilities is the area where 38% of respondents focus most intensely to improve their meeting programs. If budgets were to increase by 10%, 19% of planners would allocate the additional resources to technology adoption, placing AI at the top of investment priorities.

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