From Holograms to Heartbeats: Real Trends in Events
The most meaningful trends in events rarely show up on a forecast—they show up in the hearts of audiences who feel something different, something deeper, something real. That’s what we talked about when I joined Troy Peters, Chief Experience Officer at SeasPro, for a conversation that wasn’t just about keynotes or technology, but about what it really takes to move people.
As a speaker who blends emotional intelligence with immersive storytelling (and yes, a few holograms), I see trends in events differently. I see them not as flashy tactics, but as shifting expectations—what audiences need, what planners value, and how those of us on stage are being called to show up.
So what are the real trends in events worth paying attention to?
Key Takeaways
- The biggest trends in events are rooted in emotion, not technology.
- Audiences don’t want more content—they want more connection.
- Immersive experiences like holograms are only powerful when they serve the message.
- Customization is no longer optional—it’s the new baseline.
- Collaboration between speakers, clients, and production teams defines great events.
- The future of events will belong to those who design for transformation, not just information.
The most enduring trend? Being a good human.
Some partnerships are built over contracts. Others are built over years of shared ambition, creative risks, and a deep respect for what it takes to move an audience.
My relationship with Troy Peters—Chief Experience Officer at SEAS Productions—is the latter. He and his remarkable team were the very first to bring my 3D immersive keynote experience to life in 2023 at the National Speakers Association‘s annual conference, setting a new standard for how stories could be told on stage. Since then, we’ve collaborated on client events that pushed boundaries, broke molds, and raised the bar.
Troy doesn’t just produce events—he helps shape them. And I’m grateful for every moment we get to build something extraordinary together.
Why Trends in Events Are Emotional, Not Just Technological
Let’s start with the misconception: that trends in events are all about AI, VR, holograms, and the latest gadgetry. Sure, those things are exciting (I love them too). But if you think the magic is in the tech, you’ve missed the real point.
Audiences don’t remember just the tech. They remember what they felt.
That’s why emotional intelligence matters more than ever. Because the hardest job at an event isn’t the production. It’s not the keynote. It’s being in the audience. Sitting still. Being open. Being asked to care. My job, as a speaker, is to respect that by delivering not just insights—but impact.
As a speaker, I see it as my responsibility to respect the audience’s attention—not just with polished slides or good storytelling, not with the fanciest holograms swirling around me on stage, but with something deeper: a moment that makes them pause, reflect, or change. Because impact isn’t measured by applause. It’s measured by what people remember—and what they do afterward.
Immersive Storytelling Isn’t About Tech. It’s About Transfer.
Immersive storytelling has become one of the biggest trends in events, and for good reason. But here’s where I see some get it wrong: if the technology becomes the headline, the message gets lost.
You see, I never wanted to be known for the holograms. I wanted to be known for what the holograms make you feel. Because the moment the tech overshadows the story, it distracts instead of deepens. That’s why I treat every immersive element like punctuation—not the sentence itself. It supports. It emphasizes. But it doesn’t compete.
To get it right, technology has to be intentional. Not gimmicky. I build every visual sequence not for shock value, but to trigger an emotional shift. Not to impress, but to imprint.
Because one of the biggest misconceptions about trends in events is that “immersive” automatically means digital. But immersive can also mean deeply human. It’s the story that pulls people in. The vulnerability. The shared moment. When that’s enhanced by just the right visual or audio cue—it becomes unforgettable. And when used well? It turns a keynote into a movement. One they not only see—but remember and apply.
Customization Is No Longer a Differentiator—It’s the Minimum
One of the most meaningful trends in events today? The end of copy-paste keynotes—and the rise of real, intentional customization.
Clients want to feel seen. Audiences want to believe that every word, every moment, was designed specifically for them—because it was. Whether I’m speaking to a room full of tech innovators, healthcare leaders, retail disruptors, or financial services executives, I begin in the same place: by listening and learning. I study websites, press releases, brand tone, internal language, challenges, and triumphs. Only then do I start to build.
And no, this doesn’t mean swapping out one anecdote or pasting a logo onto a slide. Customization is a full-body commitment. It’s about walking into that room with the mindset that this isn’t another keynote—it’s the keynote. For this audience. On this day. At this moment.
It’s one of the most important trends in events because true customization does more than impress—it creates connection. It earns trust. And in a world flooded with generic content and recycled narratives, that trust is gold. When done right, customized keynotes don’t just deliver insight—they deliver relevance. They say to the audience, “You matter. I see you.”
Trends in Events Are Being Set Backstage
You want to know where the most powerful trends in events are born? Backstage. In the conversations between event planners, production teams, and speakers—long before the audience takes their seats.
This is where the tone of the entire experience gets set. When a professional speaker walks in and says, “What can I take off your plate?” instead of rattling off a list of last-minute demands. When they show up prepared, kind, collaborative, and with a deep respect for the work others have done before they ever step on stage.
I’ve been on both sides—as the client and as the speaker. And I can tell you: the real difference-makers are the ones who are low-drama, high-impact. The ones who treat everyone with respect. The ones who don’t add pressure, but relieve it. Because when even one person in that chain doesn’t collaborate—when one element falters—it creates a ripple effect that can be felt across the entire event.
That’s why backstage matters just as much as the main stage. It’s not just about AV checks and timing cues—it’s about mutual trust, creative partnership, and shared commitment to a greater outcome. It’s where real innovation is born and real relationships are built.
The future of events isn’t only shaped by what happens under the spotlight. It’s shaped by the tone in the green room, the calm during tech run-throughs, the kindness in hallway handshakes. That’s where transformation begins. And that’s a trend I hope never goes out of style.
Events as Shared Experiences
As technology gets smarter and budgets get tighter, one of the most important trends in events is this: moving from information delivery to emotional engagement. Because let’s face it—AI can give you the facts, but it can’t give you the feeling.
AI can transfer knowledge. But only humans can transfer meaning. And that meaning? It lands best when the content isn’t just delivered, but deeply felt.
That’s why the best events now prioritize connection over content. They use immersive storytelling to create emotional anchors. They spark curiosity, empathy, and moments of shared reflection. They invite audiences not just to think—but to feel. They craft journeys, not just sessions.
This trend is showing up everywhere—from opening general sessions to breakout workshops. The events that truly stick are the ones where people say, “I didn’t just learn something—I felt something.”
As a speaker, I don’t want to be remembered for the cool visuals. I want to be remembered for the insight that stuck, the mindset that shifted, the question that lingered. For the feeling in the room when the lights came up—not just applause, but awareness. Not just wow—but why.
Be a Good Human First
With all the innovation, it’s easy to forget the basics. But here’s one I live by: Be a good human. Just that. Be someone the client doesn’t need to worry about. Be the speaker who makes their life easier, not harder.
As I said plainly: “As a speaker, your number one responsibility is you must be at the very end of this list, the last thing to worry about. In fact, you must make sure that you don’t add to this list or help your client and your event producer or your meeting professional to remove some things from that list.”
Backstage is often where the real pressure lives. So if I can show up, smile, be kind to the crew, stay out of the way, and still deliver something unforgettable on stage? That’s the win.
I truly believe, at the end of the day, it comes back to one thing: be a good human. That’s the trend I’ll always follow.
MORE ABOUT HOLOGRAPHIC PRESENTATIONS
Sylvie di Giusto is a globally recognized professional speaker who helps organizations shape perception and inspire transformation through customized keynotes and immersive audience experiences. Known for integrating emotional intelligence with innovative tools like holographic visuals, she brings depth, insight, and intentionality to every stage—empowering leaders to navigate change and lead with impact.
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