Event Tech Trends That Will Define 2025 with Brandon Wernli

Session Overview

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Brandon Wernli, President of BW Events Tech, joined us for an engaging exploration of the event technology landscape.

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We highlighted the key innovations and challenges that shaped 2024 and dove into the top tech trends poised to redefine the events industry in 2025.

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This session is packed with insights to help event professionals stay ahead of the curve, optimize their strategies, and create exceptional attendee experiences.

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Key Takeaways:

1. A comprehensive overview of the major event tech innovations and challenges that defined 2024.

2. Expert predictions on the top emerging technologies and trends shaping the future of events in 2025.

3. Actionable insights on how to leverage these trends to drive engagement and business outcomes in your events strategy.

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Get ready to future-proof your event technology roadmap!

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Session Transcript

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Bryan Funk [00:00:00]

Thank you so much for joining us. I’m thrilled about this week’s live session, one of our final ones for 2024. Today, we’ll take a retrospective look at the event tech trends that defined this year, discuss the challenges we faced, and explore the technologies poised to shape 2025.

Without further ado, Brandon, welcome! Thanks so much for joining us.

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Brandon Wernli [00:00:30]

Thanks for having me. It’s great to be here.

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Bryan Funk [00:00:35]

Before we dive in, could you introduce yourself and provide some background on BW Events Tech?

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Brandon Wernli [00:01:00]

Sure. I’m Brandon Wernli, CEO and founder of BW Events Tech. I’ve been in the event space for about 20 years, focusing on event technology. My journey started at Wingate Web, managing event tech projects. Later, I worked with Cisco on global conference tech strategies. About 12 years ago, I launched BW Events Tech.

Our team consists of over 250 event technologists supporting clients worldwide. We specialize in three main areas: event technology consulting, professional services for implementation, and custom development to augment or integrate platforms. Essentially, we’re a Swiss Army knife for our clients, offering everything from white-glove service to mobile app development.

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Bryan Funk [00:03:00]

Your platform-agnostic approach is impressive. Let’s start by reflecting on the past year. What trends and challenges stood out in the event tech landscape?

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Brandon Wernli [00:03:30]

Several trends emerged this year. Post-COVID, many clients grappled with transitioning from virtual to hybrid or in-person events without budget increases. This required creative technology solutions.

We also saw consolidation in the event tech market as companies sought to streamline their tech stacks. Facial recognition technology gained traction for both convenience and security applications. Additionally, artificial intelligence began to show its potential in personalization and content recommendations, though adoption in the event space remains nascent.

Finally, there’s been a shift away from bespoke platforms toward SaaS solutions, with platforms focusing on efficiency and scalability.

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Bryan Funk [00:06:30]

The financial constraints you mentioned are a recurring theme. What advice do you have for teams balancing tight budgets with ambitious goals?

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Brandon Wernli [00:06:45]

Flexibility is key. Invest in platforms that integrate well and offer APIs to extend functionality. Standardizing your tech stack can reduce redundancies and costs. For hybrid events, consider “always-on” environments—a single portal housing virtual libraries, live sessions, and personalized content. This approach maximizes resources and provides attendees with a seamless experience.

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Bryan Funk [00:10:00]

Let’s talk AI. What roadblocks are preventing widespread adoption, and have you seen any success stories?

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Brandon Wernli [00:10:15]

Two main roadblocks are limited platform options and data privacy concerns. AI often requires opt-ins for data usage, which can limit adoption. Educating attendees on the benefits of sharing data and providing clear, user-friendly options can improve participation.

One success story involved leveraging AI for personalized agendas. Attendees entered preferences during registration, and AI curated their schedules. This increased engagement and opt-in rates dramatically once attendees experienced the benefits firsthand.

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Bryan Funk [00:14:00]

How can AI enhance post-event content strategies?

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Brandon Wernli [00:14:15]

AI simplifies content syndication. Previously, this required large teams; now, one person can manage it efficiently. AI can analyze attendee behavior to identify popular topics and optimize future events. This not only saves time but also provides actionable insights to improve content strategies.

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Bryan Funk [00:16:30]

What trends should event teams focus on as we approach 2025?

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Brandon Wernli [00:16:45]

Flexibility will remain critical. Look for platforms offering open APIs and modular components to allow customization. Facial recognition will become more cost-effective, enhancing check-ins and personalization. AI will continue to evolve, enabling hyper-personalized experiences, from agenda curation to real-time content recommendations.

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Bryan Funk [00:20:00]

You’ve mentioned several times the importance of a unified tech stack. Could you elaborate?

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Brandon Wernli [00:20:15]

A unified tech stack integrates marketing automation, CRM, and event platforms. This streamlines data flow, enabling better personalization and ROI tracking. For example, with centralized data, sales teams can identify high-value accounts and tailor their outreach. It also facilitates seamless collaboration across teams, breaking down silos.

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Bryan Funk [00:24:00]

Final thoughts?

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Brandon Wernli [00:24:15]

Focus on attendee experience and data-driven strategies. Technology is a tool to enhance connections and drive impact. Stay flexible and innovative, and you’ll be well-positioned for the future.

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ryan Funk [00:25:00]

Brandon, thank you for sharing your insights. This has been a fantastic session. To everyone joining us, thank you, and we’ll see you next time!

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Brandon Wernli [00:25:15]

Thank you, Bryan. It’s been a pleasure. Looking forward to what’s next!