1st Half of 2025 Huddle: What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Going
Real talk from our community of event pros.
We just wrapped up a powerful conversation with some of the smartest minds in the event world — and wow, did we cover ground.
From AI burnout and overloaded agendas to moments of joy, ROI, and reconnecting with purpose, this mid-year check-in gave us insight and energy to take into H2.
Let’s break down what stood out. 👇
Strategy vs. Stress: How Are We Showing Up?
We’re all asking it: Are we getting the right people in the room?
Lisa Gregory reminded us that it's not just about filling seats — it’s about creating conversations that actually drive the business forward.
✅ Strategy matters
✅ ROI matters
✅ Sales cycles matter
But maybe most of all: We matter — and how we show up as event professionals is changing.
Audience Development Is Getting More Complex (But We’re Getting Smarter)
Tracey Major said it best:
“We tried it. It didn’t work. Now we try again — better.”
Audience acquisition isn’t just pulling a list and sending invites. It’s knowing who would care and why.
We heard ideas like:
Pairing email nurture with sales conversations
Rebuilding trust between sales + marketing
Creating VIP experiences that feel real, not performative
We’re all navigating the same question: What actually moves people to attend — and stay engaged?
ROI You Can Feel
Kortni Butterton flagged a truth many of us felt: AI fatigue.It was everywhere at trade shows and often underwhelming.
What worked instead?
Useful giveaways (high-end golf balls are a hit with all!)
Non-alcoholic options (attendees appreciated the choice)
Meaningful 1:1 time (happy hour that sparked real deals)
Katie Spell shared that product demos right after keynotes helped land attention while energy was high, fueling follow-up for Sales.
Smaller, Smarter, More Human-Centered Events
Amy Yan brought the heat here:
Internal events for distributed teams are booming
More people want to bring their families to events
Sustainability is top of mind (CO₂ tracking, conscious travel)
Attendees want intimacy — not just impact
We’re in the era of work + play and we need to design for both.
What Locations Are Trending?
Thinking ahead to Fall of 2025 and beyond? Here’s where people are booking:
🟢 Hot Picks: Seattle, Vegas, Southern California
🟢 Steady Favorites: Austin, Scottsdale, Nashville, Pittsburgh, Boston
🟢 East + West Coasts Resurging: NYC, SF, Portland
(Yes, Seattle is having a moment. 🌲)
What’s Surprised Us in 2025
✨ Agendas are too packed. And are you including the right people in the room when you are building them?
✨ Exhibitor expectations are rising. Are you able to make them happy and involved?
✨ Some of the best moments happen outside the agenda. Think making Networking a priority for all attendees.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going
This was one of those discussions that left us thinking and energized. The kind of talk that reminds us: we’re better together.
If you're already part of EPN, we can’t wait to see you at the next session.
If you’re not yet a member, now’s the time.
✅ No pitches.
✅ Just real talk, smart people, and shared wins (and struggles).
✅ One meetup a month — always full of ideas you can use right away.
Register here to join the Event Professionals Network
Come for the insight. Stay for the community. ✨
