To stay ahead, stay human in an AI-driven world

Despite geopolitical uncertainty and digital disruption, the global events industry is doubling down on creating real human connection – the key message from Cvent Accelerate 2025, where industry leaders shared how technology, data, and creativity are converging to future-proof business events.

Here are key insights from the opening session by Cvent VP sales, Brian Ludwig, and Graham Pope, VP, sales supplier & venue solutions, as well as event engagement tips from creative consultant and keynote speaker Hossan Leong.

A place for brands to come alive

In a digital-first world, human connection is not just a “nice to have but our industry’s greatest advantage”, said Ludwig.

Even amid disruption, the business events sector remains resilient and increasingly essential. According to the Cvent Event Industry Report 2024 – Asia Edition, 64% of organisations are planning to increase events, and 62% plan to increase their event programme budget.

Ludwig added that long-term success in times of rapid change comes from maintaining a clear mission while staying adaptable and innovative.

From generative AI to agentic AI

The industry is rapidly evolving from generative AI such as ChatGPT which primarily creates content, to agentic AI, which plans, reasons, decides and executes complex tasks without limited supervision towards a specific goal.

Whilst the interest and momentum remain for meeting planners to tap into AI’s potential, the question now is how to move from experimentation to real ROI.

Cvent is delivering this through its Cvent IQ which offers predictive registration, allowing automatic adjustment of room blocks and marketing plans via the use of machine learning and AI to surface relevant event patterns and trends to make smarter decisions and offer faster RFP response time.

Another product, the AI 3D Event Designer, allows planners to type in what they need to see 3D setups of a meeting room at different times of the day, allowing for easier visualisation of events.

Value of connection for in-person meetings

As AI-generated content increasingly floods the digital world, in-person meetings and events remain one of the last spaces for authentic connection.

This trend is driving demand for more intimate formats – VIP dinners, executive roundtables, and community meetups – that foster deeper engagement. Despite the rise in tech adoption, the fundamentals remain unchanged: handshakes, conversations, and connection over meals.

Knowing how to craft these event features “more intelligently” is key to success.

Setting the right tone

Keynote speaker Hossan Leong emphasised the power of emotional connection and context. “How do you want people to feel when they walk in?” he asked.

Planners must consider not just what entertainment is chosen, but when and why. For example, comedy might not work if the audience is fatigued or focused on networking. Leong cited an incident when he was engaged for a networking event to do standup comedy for 300 pax, but attendees were more interested in networking than comedy.

Every audience is different so “start with where they are at” to align with the mindset of the guests, he added, and then begin to engage them from there by setting the right tone for the event with the right music, food and greeting style to reconnect with them.

Understanding and supporting Gen Z

Leong stressed the importance of being patient with younger staff, especially Gen Z, and the need to understand where they are coming from, why they speak differently, and how they are influenced by social media.

“If you don’t understand what they’re doing or how they think, then how are you going to train them to take over you,” he said. “We need to give them a little bit more because they are young.”

Source: Meetings-conventions-asia.com