Event Dispatch - November 2024

Hey there 👋

Welcome to the first monthly edition of Event Dispatch from Eventcube! As we navigate the final quarter of 2024, the events industry continues to evolve in fascinating ways. From Gen Z's growing influence to groundbreaking ticketing innovations, this month's newsletter unpacks the trends reshaping our sector.

Inside this edition, you'll discover Chris Norton's masterclass on digital PR for events, explore how virtual events are breaking new ground, and learn from the inspiring community-focused success of Le Freak & Friends in Dundee. We've also got exciting product updates and crucial market insights as our industry heads toward a projected $1.2 trillion valuation.

Let's dive in!

🧠 Event Industry Intel You Need To Know

Gen Z is Bringing Big Changes to Events 

Gen Z is reshaping the events landscape, and Freeman's latest Q4 2024 Trends Report reveals fascinating shifts in our industry's dynamics. With Gen Z now officially outnumbering Boomers in the workforce, event organizers are facing a pivotal moment of transformation.

Key insights from the report:

• Value alignment is becoming crucial, with organizers needing to bridge the gap between traditional event formats and Gen Z expectations

• Event outcomes are being reprioritized to reflect changing attendee demographics

• Cost control strategies are evolving to meet new market demands

"The Next Gen has become the Now Gen," notes Freeman's analysis, highlighting the urgent need for event professionals to adapt their approach. The report draws from two years of industry data, examining how well organizers are aligning with both exhibitors and attendees in this changing landscape.

Want to dive deeper? The full Freeman 2024 Organizer Trends Report explores how events are evolving and whether they're keeping pace with generational shifts.

Live Events Market Set to Hit $1.2 Trillion 

The live events landscape is experiencing unprecedented growth, with new market research revealing a transformative trajectory. Moving from $652.60 billion in 2022 to an anticipated $1.2 trillion by 2032, our industry is witnessing a robust 5.9% CAGR that signals exciting opportunities ahead.

Key insights from the report:

• Corporate events and seminars are dominating the market, capturing 28.5% of global market share

• The 21-40 age group is driving growth through active participation in exhibitions, conferences, and music concerts

• Sponsorship has emerged as a pivotal revenue stream, helping offset rising costs while expanding reach and impact

The analysis notes, highlighting how this demographic is reshaping event preferences and delivery formats.

Want to dive deeper? The full industry report explores regional dynamics, with Europe maintaining market leadership while Asia-Pacific shows promising growth through innovative formats like sports leagues and digital activation.

Source: Allied Market Research

💭 From the Founder's Desk: The Virtual Events Myth

This quarter, I'm kicking off a series debunking the biggest myths in our industry. First up: "Virtual events can't compete with in-person experiences."

I want to hear your comments! Get involved in the conversation over on LinkedIn

The Reality of Virtual Events in 2024

After studying three years of virtual event data, we've uncovered some fascinating insights about the virtual events landscape. Bizzabo reports that attendees are engaged for 61% of a virtual event or 37 minutes of a 60-minute session. This presents a new challenge to keep sessions short. Expert corporate event planer Agnès Canonica calls this “microdosing content”, a proven method to keep audience engaged. Think TED Talk style-content delivery in under 20 minutes.

According to vFairs, the ability to reach broader audiences remains the primary driver, with 64% of event professionals citing this as their main reason for going virtual.

The economics are equally interesting - Cvent's analysis shows that technology solutions account for 75% of virtual event costs, while University of Michigan highlights 66 times less greenhouse gas emissions than an in-person event.

Why Virtual Events Still Matter Post COVID

The implications of these findings are transformative. Beyond the obvious benefits of eliminating travel costs, virtual events are opening up entirely new possibilities. Real-time translation is breaking down language barriers, sophisticated analytics are providing unprecedented insights into attendee behavior, and hybrid networking solutions are creating richer connection opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, the shift to on-demand content access means the value of your event continues long after the live session ends.

Join the conversation on LinkedIn - I'll be responding to comments all week!

🎤 Featured Voice: Chris Norton on Digital PR That Actually Works For Events

Chris Norton (host of the UK's 7th largest marketing podcast and founder of Prohibition PR) has spent the last decade watching event promotion evolve from traditional press releases to complex digital strategies. We were lucky to have him write for the Eventcube blog. In it, he breaks down why everything you know about event promotion might need a refresh.

The Digital PR Revolution

Traditional PR relied on press releases and media relationships. Today's digital landscape offers unprecedented reach and measurable impact for event promotion. Chris shares how to craft a digital PR strategy that gets noticed.

The key is creating shareable, newsworthy content that resonates beyond ticket sales. This means crafting compelling press releases that answer the crucial who, what, where, when, and why while incorporating relevant quotes from industry experts and event partners.

Strong media relationships remain vital - but now you can reach journalists through multiple channels and provide downloadable press kits with all the assets they need.

Building credibility through third-party endorsements is more important than ever. Chris recommends leveraging industry experts and influential voices who can authentically speak to your event's value, helping you reach new audiences while boosting your reputation.

→ Read Chris's complete strategic guide here.

📺 Deep Dive: The Ultimate Event Promotion Guide

Our latest video and blog post combo breaks down 40 proven promotional strategies that won't cost you a dime. Based on data from 100,000+ events, here are the platforms driving real results:

• Meetup has emerged as the go-to for community-focused events

• Facebook Events continues to lead in social sharing potential

• DICE is showing impressive results for cultural and entertainment events

• LinkedIn Events remains unmatched for professional gatherings

In this deep dive, you'll discover how to build momentum well before your event kicks off. We'll walk you through creating engaging social assets that attendees actually want to share, show you how to identify and approach the right micro-influencers for your niche, and reveal the content strategy that keeps potential attendees excited from announcement to event day. Plus, learn our proven framework for building community partnerships that expand your reach without expanding your budget.

→ Watch the complete breakdown over on our YouTube channel

✨ Event Spotlight: Community First in Dundee

Meet Le Freak & Friends, a DJ collective proving that authentic community building is alive and well in the events space. Their story caught our eye because they've done something remarkable: sold out their flagship event for five straight years while growing a vibrant movement in Dundee, Scotland.

But here's what makes them special: they've partnered with Art Angel, a local charity supporting mental health through art therapy, turning their events into a fusion of music, art, and social impact. Their events feature creative installations framing the stage and activities that bring their 200+ attendees together in meaningful ways.

Their philosophy is simple but powerful: "If you come to one of our events, even if you come on your own, you should talk to one of us, talk to somebody, and you will hopefully have a friend leaving," Tim shares.

→ Follow their journey on Instagram.

🎉 Product News: Global Payments Revolution

This is big. Eventcube now supports over 100 payment methods through our new Stripe integration, transforming how attendees can purchase tickets. Your customers can now use digital wallets, buy-now-pay-later services, local payment methods, and even cryptocurrency (beta).

Early results have been remarkable

• 42% reduction in cart abandonment

• 35% increase in international sales

• 28% faster checkout times

What's New?

• Digital Wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay

• Buy Now, Pay Later: Klarna, Afterpay, Clearpay

• Local Payment Methods: From Alipay to iDEAL

• Cryptocurrency options (beta)

Already have an Eventcube store? Log in to your Stripe dashboard to explore Payment Settings. New to Eventcube? Visit eventcube.io to learn how our platform can power your next event.

👋 Until Next Time!

That's all for this month's Events Dispatch! We're excited to see how these industry shifts play out, especially with the massive growth projected in our sector. Whether you're organizing corporate seminars or community-driven experiences like Le Freak & Friends, there's never been a more dynamic time to be in events.

Have thoughts on any of these stories? I'd love to hear from you - drop me a line on LinkedIn or check out our latest content on the Eventcube blog.

Here's to creating extraordinary experiences,

*P.S. Forward this newsletter to a friend in events - they might thank you for it! And if you received this from a friend, you can subscribe here