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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