Event Dispatch - November 2025

Hey there 👋

Welcome to the November edition of Event Dispatch! This month, we’re exploring the major shifts shaping the future of live events, from the rise of direct-to-consumer ticketing to the growing role of AI and connected experiences.

Inside this issue, you’ll find insights on how D2C models are redefining ticketing strategies and why event connectivity is fast becoming a key measure of success. From the founder’s desk, we unpack the “Refund Riddle” and share perspectives on how scalable tech is helping organizers stay adaptable.

You’ll also hear from Jeff Fromm on AI’s growing influence in live event tourism and discover why UK festivals are emerging as the new family getaway. Let’s get to it!

🧠 Event Industry Intel You Need To Know

The Steady Rise of Direct-to-Consumer Ticketing

The ticketing ecosystem is entering a new phase as direct-to-consumer (D2C) models gain steady traction among promoters, artists, and rights holders. According to IQ Magazine’s International Ticketing Report 2025, this shift reflects a growing desire for greater ownership of sales, data, and audience relationships, reducing dependence on traditional intermediaries.

Key insights from the report:

• D2C platforms give organizers stronger control over ticketing operations, fan engagement, and customer data.

• Independent and white-label solutions are enabling rights owners to sell directly, bypassing large B2C operators.

• Benefits include faster cash flow, scalability, personalized marketing, and new upselling opportunities.

• Emerging innovations, such as AI-driven promotion tools and NFT-based ticketing are expanding the D2C landscape.

Rather than a passing trend, the rise of D2C represents a deeper realignment in how live events reach and retain audiences. For many in the industry, it signals a move toward smarter, data-led growth and more meaningful fan connections.

Want to explore further? The full IQ Magazine feature, The Rise of D2C Ticketing, offers insights into how promoters and artists are rethinking ticketing and audience engagement.

Event Connectivity Becomes a Strategic Priority for 2026

Connectivity is moving from the background to the forefront of event strategy. As the industry heads into 2026, network performance is no longer viewed as a technical add-on but as a foundation for attendee satisfaction, operational efficiency, and overall event success.

Key insights from the report:

• Wi-Fi 7 takes the lead: The next generation of wireless connectivity is set to dominate new installations, delivering faster speeds and greater reliability.

• 5G and private networks gain traction: Bonded 5G and dedicated cellular systems are becoming vital for maintaining uninterrupted, high-density event coverage.

• Connectivity becomes a KPI: Once a background utility, network performance is now a measurable factor influencing attendee satisfaction and event delivery.

• Economic benefits come into focus: Purpose-built internet solutions are demonstrating cost efficiencies while opening new revenue opportunities for organizers.

• Attendee demand drives investment: Expectations for seamless, high-speed access are pushing event planners to strengthen infrastructure and upgrade digital capabilities.

The findings suggest a decisive shift: Connectivity is now shaping how events operate and how success is defined. For many organizers, it represents the next step in building more responsive, data-driven event environments.

For more insights, AZ Big Media’s recent feature explores how advancing network technologies are redefining event performance and attendee engagement.

💭 From the Founder's Desk: Finding Balance in Refund Policies

Refunds may sound like a back-office detail, but they often define how attendees perceive trust and fairness in an event brand. In his latest post, our founder reflects on why refund policies have become one of the most delicate balancing acts for organizers today.

Between rigid “no refund” rules that risk damaging goodwill and overly flexible “yes to everything” approaches that drain budgets, the challenge lies in finding a middle ground. A balanced policy can uphold both financial stability and attendee confidence.

The real takeaway is intent. When organizers explain the reasoning behind their policies and build in fair alternatives like event credits or transfers, refunds stop feeling like conflict and start becoming part of a shared understanding.

How do you structure refund policies at your events? Join the conversation on LinkedIn and share your thoughts. I’ll be reading and replying all week!

Scalable Tech Solutions Are Shaping the Future of Event Planning

Technology is becoming the cornerstone of resilience in event planning. As Special Events Magazine notes, the ability to scale and adapt has shifted from a competitive advantage to a core requirement. In an industry where disruptions are inevitable, scalable tech solutions are helping organizers maintain consistency, engagement, and trust.

Key insights from the article:

• Adaptability drives performance: Modern events rely on flexible systems that can expand or contract to meet changing needs.

• Future-proofing through foresight: Building events that anticipate problems ensures smoother operations and long-term stability.

• Technology as an enabler: Strategic tech integration enhances both engagement and efficiency across event scales.

• Security and modularity matter: Robust data protection and modular frameworks are central to reliability and attendee confidence.

• Hybrid tools elevate reach: Interactive and hybrid technologies continue to bridge physical and virtual audiences with lasting impact.

These top planners show that the essentials of a great event stay the same, no matter the budget. Their focus on storytelling, detail, and guest experience provides a clear guide for making any event more memorable.

Want to dive deeper? For more insights, Special Events Magazine explores how scalable technology is helping organizers build adaptable, future-ready events.

🎤 Featured Voice: Jeff Fromm on AI and the Rise of Live Event Tourism

Forbes contributor Jeff Fromm recently joined Skift’s Chief Research Officer, Seth Borko, to discuss how AI and live event tourism are reshaping global travel. The conversation highlights a growing trend: travelers are increasingly planning trips around experiences rather than destinations.

Festivals, major sporting events, and cultural milestones are now driving tourism decisions, especially among younger audiences. Skift estimates the live events ecosystem contributes up to $3 trillion globally, with one in five travelers prioritizing trips around a live event. This experience-first approach is changing how cities, brands, and organizers think about travel, loyalty, and local economic growth.

AI is amplifying this evolution. From personalized discovery tools to predictive planning, it’s becoming a key part of how travelers choose and engage with events. Together, live event tourism and AI form a new backbone for travel: one driven by emotion, data, and discovery.

Jeff Fromm’s latest Forbes feature offers a deeper look at how AI is redefining travel behavior and shaping the future of live event experiences.

📺 Deep Dive: UK Festivals Evolve Into Family-Focused Experiences

UK music festivals are undergoing a quiet transformation. Once seen as rites of passage for young audiences, they’re increasingly becoming shared family experiences. Ticketmaster’s State of Play: Festivals report points to a shift in who attends, how they plan, and what they value.

Key shifts shaping the festival landscape:

• Festivals as family holidays: 43% of parents now see festivals as an alternative to traditional summer vacations.

• Multi-generational attendance grows: 51% of UK festivalgoers now bring family members spanning multiple generations.

• Solo attendance normalizes: Nearly one in three Brits attends festivals alone, reflecting growing comfort with individual experiences.

• Sustainability drives decisions: 56% of attendees say environmental impact plays a bigger role in their choices than in previous years.

These trends highlight a broader evolution in audience behavior. Families tend to plan earlier, prioritize clarity and safety, and value flexibility in payment options. Solo attendees look for community touchpoints and secure, inclusive environments. At the same time, sustainability has moved from a preference to an expectation.

For organizers, these shifts signal an era that balances entertainment with accessibility, comfort, and conscious planning. What was once a youth-centric space is now expanding into a multigenerational experience that redefines what a festival holiday can mean.

Eventcube News explores how UK festivals are evolving into family-focused experiences shaping the 2025 season.

AI Tools Redefine How Events Are Planned

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is moving from buzzword to backbone in event planning. Recent insights from Convene highlight how AI is helping organizers streamline operations, personalize experiences, and make smarter, data-driven decisions.

Key ways AI is reshaping event planning:

• Smarter logistics: AI automates planning tasks such as scheduling, staffing, and resource allocation to reduce inefficiencies.

• Predictive insights: Attendance forecasting powered by AI helps minimize waste and optimize event scale.

• Efficient venue matching: Intelligent systems analyze requirements across databases to recommend the best-fit locations.

• Personalized programming: AI curates sessions and content to match attendee interests, driving deeper engagement.

• Continuous assistance: AI-powered chatbots handle real-time inquiries, freeing human teams for high-value interactions.

• Sustainable operations: AI-led energy management reduces costs while improving comfort and environmental performance.

• Inclusive experiences: Real-time translation and captioning tools enhance accessibility across global audiences.

As Convene notes, AI’s influence extends well beyond automation. It is now reshaping how creativity, strategy, and efficiency intersect in modern events. By integrating these systems thoughtfully, organizers can deliver more adaptive, inclusive, and impactful experiences.

For more insights, read Convene’s feature on AI in event planning and explore how technology is redefining what’s possible for event professionals today.

👋 Until Next Time!

That’s all for this edition of Event Industry Dispatch! This month, we explored the rise of D2C ticketing, the growing importance of event connectivity, the family-first evolution of UK festivals, and how AI continues to reshape planning across the industry. Together, these stories reflect an events landscape defined by innovation, adaptability, and renewed creativity.

Have thoughts on any of these themes? I’d love to hear from you — share your perspective on LinkedIn or drop me a message directly.

Here’s to building meaningful and memorable experiences. 🥂

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