Every year, the team at BeaconHouse delivers over one hundred events across the whole of the UK, and never one to miss out on a trend we’ve put our heads together to share what we think will be shaping events and what events look like in 2025…

IN:  AI and digitally enhanced experiences

This year let’s make tech work hard for us so we can share real, human experiences. From personalised attendee journeys, chat box customer service platforms, augmented reality, unique calendars and itineraries, digital assistants, and gamification; we are going to see tech being used to enhance the human experience, streamline admin tasks and create space for connection and creativity. We love working with our clients in the tech space and are constantly learning how we can use advances in technology to take events to the next level and simplify our processes back in the office, giving us more time to focus on strategy, creative thinking, and building relationships.

OUT: Greenwashing

There’s no place for greenwashing in 2025 so let’s leave wasteful events and big promises firmly in the past. Drop the disposable, plastic event swag, put down the single use marketing materials, and step away from wasteful menu choices. Sustainability is firmly on our agenda, we think this year more clients and event agencies will be exploring how they can have a positive impact on people and the planet with the events they are designing. Sustainable thinking comes into every step of the event journey and this year we expect to see more people focusing on low-carbon travel options for events and looking at how to make more ethical decisions when it comes to catering options, including vegetarian and vegan menus and reducing food waste.

IN: Putting wellbeing on the menu

Forget the Kris, Kim, Kylie, and Kendall – this year the Ks we’re going to be talking about are Kimcho, Krout, Kefir, and Komucha! As an office of foodies, we’re always keeping an eye out for new food and drink trends that our clients will love, and these fizzy and fermented favourites are not only tasty, they are good for you too. Fermented foods like these have been associated with a range of health benefits, including better digestion and stronger immunity. This year we think we will see an increase in people building menus that not only taste good but make delegates feel good too, with an all-round focus on well-being outside of the quiet room.

OUT:  Diversity and inclusion as buzzwords

Diversity and inclusion are often on the agenda, this year though, more businesses are going to recognise that a robust and meaningful DEI strategy for events is a strategic imperative. Attendees expect to hear from a range of voices in the room, bringing a fresh perspective – leading to innovation, richer conversations, and better problem-solving. Forbes notes that inclusive events drive higher engagement and innovation, with 83% of attendees favouring events with diverse speaker lineups but it goes beyond who is speaking. In 2025 event strategies will focus on new ways to make everyone feel welcome and included, whether that’s considering how neurodivergent people consume information before, during, and after an event, food and drink choices that cater to religion, allergies or recovery, and creating spaces where everyone can participate and have their voices heard.

IN: Making memories

Events are about bringing people together, creating connections, and building environments that create lasting impact. This year events are going to be focused on designing experiences that meaningfully engage attendees and give people an opportunity to create lasting memories. Creating connection in your team is proven to lead to more trust, increased productivity and reduced levels of burnout so look out for more events focusing on immersive experiences like field trips or choosing more venues that align with interactive, hands-on moments, and unique, visually appealing environments.

Thinking about doing events differently in 2025? We would love to discuss your ideas in more detail. To speak to our team contact info@beaconhouse-events.co.uk or call 0191 691 3456.

However, with marketing and HR budgets being asked to work harder than ever, what is the best way to pitch an event strategy at your next budget meeting? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back…

1. Have a solid idea and set a clear business purpose

If you are excited about the opportunity presented by events, other people will be too. Don’t go into your meeting with a half-baked idea, really think through the concept and link your plan to the company’s broader objectives. Whether the focus is on increasing brand awareness, lead generation, or customer retention, make sure your event aligns with what you know is important to the business this year. When the decision maker sees that your plan supports the company’s mission and goals, they’ll be more inclined to support your budget request and you can get to planning.

2. Fail to plan, plan to fail

Come prepared with a detailed breakdown of your strategy. Include aspects like the event theme, location, targeted audience, marketing tactics, and a comprehensive timeline. Make use of visuals where possible—a well-designed presentation can make a world of difference. Clarity and organisation not only make your plan more understandable but also demonstrate your enthusiasm and commitment to making it happen in a realistic way.

3. Explain how you’ll increase team morale and purpose

People want to know that their role and hard work have a purpose, not just a pay cheque. A well planned and timely event can increase morale across the team, and offers the opportunity to share and celebrate everyone’s hard work, reiterating the essential role that everyone plays in achieving the overall vision for the organisation. Well executed events with a clear purpose serve as a platform for brainstorming and innovation. For instance, hackathons or brainstorming sessions during retreats can give you valuable insights and foster collaborative thinking. By creating opportunities to collaborate in an informal setting, businesses can inspire idea generation that may not have a chance to surface during typical office hours.

4. Show how events bolster collaboration, culture, and connection

Events are an amazing way to bring people together and help colleagues connect, especially if you have a remote team or offices that span different cities or countries. Creating moments for meaningful connection leads to more innovation, lower levels of burnout, and increased attraction and retention of talent, all things that business leaders will be keeping a close eye on in 2025.

5. Display cost vs impact

Here comes the crucial part – conveying value. Provide a detailed breakdown of anticipated expenses and highlight areas where you can save costs. Be prepared to justify every line item and highlight what the return on investment will be. Focus on how your event will reduce employee turnover, increase productivity, attract bright new team members, establish your brand in new or key markets, create a network or add value to existing stakeholders, generating revenue, make memories, and give you great content for your socials! Transparency is key. If your event plan is well thought through and isn’t just a vanity project, your pitch will be more likely to be backed.

6. Focus on learning and development potential

Thriving teams are productive, innovative, and dedicated – and they all have one thing in common; they are focused on growth through learning. Events offer a unique opportunity to be inspired by and learn from external speakers while gaining knowledge from colleagues in the business who you might not interact with day to day. Team up with the ‘Learning and Development’ lead for your business to present the opportunity that investing in events could bring to the organisation across the coming year.

7. Discuss risk management

Show that you’ve thought through any potential challenges and your strategies to mitigate them. Showing that you’ve considered possible hurdles and have backup plans will boost confidence in your approach and it will be more likely that you’ll get the go-ahead over a riskier proposal.

8. Know your numbers

Understand the financial metrics of previous events. Gather data on costs, revenues, attendance, and ROI. Having a clear understanding of the numbers shows you’re serious about planning events that are not only fun but financially sound. Get in touch with the team and we’ll be more than happy to have a chat about your vision and work with you to develop a quote to guide you through where we can offer support, as well as establish figures around external costs like venues and catering, where there is opportunity to save money, and the internal time and resource needed internally to make it happen. Going in armed with all the facts will make everyone around the table feel much more confident that there will be no nasty surprises along the way.

After you’ve talked through your idea be ready for questions. Decision makers may ask more detailed questions about ROI, previous event success, or specific budget lines, all of which we are happy to support you in answering in advance so you go in fully prepared with all the info you need. Answer confidently, and don’t be afraid to admit if you don’t have an immediate answer, offer to find the information and follow up promptly after the meeting.

If you are planning on building events into your 2025 strategy, we would love to discuss your ideas in more detail. To speak to our team contact info@beaconhouse-events.co.uk or call 0191 691 3456.

It’s time to ditch trying to muddle through creating experiences in-house and embrace working with experts to bring your vision to life and take your events to the next level. The event landscape is constantly shifting and there is a lot to think about when it comes to staging an event with impact – not only is there the logistical planning of making sure that you have all of the right people in the right place at the right time (and they’re all fed and watered), it’s also important to consider strategy, diversity and inclusion, sustainability and accessibility, all things that will make sure that you are delivering an event with purpose. Partnering with a creative events team will enhance your delegate’s overall experience with you and make sure that you get true value out of your investment in bringing people together.

Whatever the size or scope of the event brief, at BeaconHouse we endeavour to become an extension of your internal team, pairing our skills with your internal expertise to bring your event to life. So, other than less stress and fewer sleepless nights, let’s discuss the benefits of outsourcing the design and delivery of your event to experts…

1. We know how to save you money

A common misconception is that hiring an event planner is an unnecessary expense. However, experienced planners often have established relationships with vendors and can negotiate better rates, saving you money in the long run. They are adept at working within budgets and can allocate resources in a way that maximises your event’s potential without overspending. An experienced event planner will also be a pro at spotting loopholes in contracts and tackling challenges before they become an issue and cost you unnecessary expenses in the long run.

2. Innovation and creative thinking

Whether this is your first foray into creating events or you have been delivering events in-house for years, getting fresh eyes on your strategy from an outside perspective will help you to consider new ways of doing things. Event planners bring fresh, creative ideas to the table and help you consider your brief from a new perspective. Our exposure to diverse events and industries enables us to suggest innovative concepts you might not have considered and we keep our finger on the pulse of future trends so our clients are ahead of the game. Whether it’s interactive elements, unique themes, new ways to attract sponsors, or cutting-edge technology, the creative input of an expert team can elevate your event and leave a lasting impression on attendees.

3. The power of a whole team

Professional event planners possess a wealth of experience in orchestrating a whole range of corporate events, from large conferences to small-scale meetings so this isn’t our first rodeo! We’ve spent years cultivating the skills and experience to make sure events run smoothly from the planning stage right through to evaluation after the delegates have headed home. By partnering with an expert team like the one here at BeaconHouse Events, you get over a century (!) of tried and tested event expertise joining your team without the overheads of bringing in an internal team member, plus we can hit the ground running right away.

4. Continuity and consistency

We’re experts in events, and you’re experts in your sector and making sure your organisation is running smoothly. Planning and executing an event is exciting, but when done well, it is incredibly time-consuming, distracts away from the day job, and leaves teams feeling like they are spinning a lot of plates, especially if there is not a dedicated events role within the business. Experienced event managers streamline the process by handling logistics, coordinating with vendors, and managing schedules, which significantly reduces the burden on your team and ensures the event is executed smoothly and efficiently. Let us get our hands dirty and focus on the details so you can focus on what you do best in the lead-up, and then enjoy extending your network, connecting with your team, and being inspired by the energy in the room on the day.

5. We’ve got your back

Don’t worry, you’ll still retain full ownership of your event and we love to talk through creative ideas and strategy as we go through the journey together. We’re always fully transparent about our process so you feel informed and excited every step of the way. While you can have as much, or as little, involvement as you would like, we will always be your biggest team of cheerleaders, administrative support gurus, health and safety experts, sustainability superstars, and financial wizards.

6. Risk mitigation

Organising an event comes with a certain level of risk, and we are pros at identifying where things might go wrong and nipping it in the bud right away. Your dedicated manager will anticipate potential issues and have contingency plans in place, ensuring that problems are swiftly resolved with minimal impact. Expertise in risk assessment and management provides peace of mind to our clients, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your business and get excited about your event.

7. Attention to detail and personalisation

With the best will in the world, it is hard to have your finger on the detail when you have a day job to concentrate on too. We’re here to make sure that no ball gets dropped and pay meticulous attention to detail, ensuring every element of your event aligns with your vision and values. We work with you to customise each aspect according to your company’s brand and culture, creating a bespoke experience that resonates with the people in the room, and even throwing in some surprises along the way too…

7. Our supplier networks

Our little black book of contacts is chocka block with the best in the business when it comes to venues, photography, lighting, catering or sustainable goodie bag giveaways. Not only do we know who will be a good fit for your business, but we only work with suppliers who do good business and share our values when it comes to working sustainably. Over 10 years, we’ve done the research to source high-quality services and products that will fit your budget and our relationships are invaluable in securing venues, catering, technology, and other necessary components swiftly and without the back and forth.

Event planning can be fraught with stress and uncertainties but by partnering with an expert external team you can alleviate the pressure on your people and ensure a stress free and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.

We’d love to hear from you about your event plans for 2025 and beyond. To speak to our team contact info@beaconhouse-events.co.uk or call 0191 691 3456.