The Top Festival Trends of 2022

What do festival-goers want to see in 2022?

Each year, millions of people flock to their favorite festivals and consumer events. Are they coming to yours? In a saturated market, events that don’t evolve quickly become irrelevant. You can’t rest on a sold-out success — to sell out your next event, you need to constantly up-level your attendee experience, reach new audiences, and best your competition. All of which is easier said than done. So how can you make your brand, your marketing, and your event stand out? Use this guide to explore the five event trends shaping the future — and learn how to make them your own.

Personalized Experiences

There’s a premium on experience these days, and audiences want hands-on, personalized experiences now more than ever. In fact, over 75% of millennials and 59% of baby boomers say they value experiences over possessions. To capitalize on this trend, event planners are generating bigger audiences and revenue by offering more levels of VIP experiences, customized event apps, speedy admission, behind-the-scenes access, and even VIP restrooms for greater convenience.

Hybrid Festivals

As niche passions and hobbies spur new types of festivals and shows, another emerging trend is to broaden an event’s appeal by adding complementary activities and attractions. Within the industry, this is called “hybridization,” and by offering guests more things to see and do, they’re more likely to come with a larger group, stay longer, spend more, and mark their calendars for your next event.

Mobile Technology

New mobile technology is changing the landscape of how onsite logistics is managed in a really big way. When equipped with smartphones and tablets armed with barcode scanners event staff can instantly verify tickets right at the gate, allowing for shorter lines and quicker entry. Fraudulent behavior is also virtually eliminated, and real-time entry data helps organizers plan ahead for next year’s crowds.

In-field mobile devices with a simple credit card reader attachment, can also serve as mobile cash registers increasing sales of t-shirts, souvenirs, food and beverages, and premium experiences

Ticketing Integration

Advances in technology are also changing the festivals and consumer events business in some pretty significant ways. Metrics gathered during your online sales can be invaluable in helping you make better decisions about when to staff up, what to expect in terms of attendee flow, and how to avoid shortfalls in planning and logistics.

Data from online ticketing can also tell you how effective your marketing efforts are. That’s because it’s possible now to directly link a ticket transaction with the referral source, such as emails, online ads, search engines, and other websites. With this information, coupled with the available geographic data you can make smarter marketing decisions as you plan and tweak your marketing roadmap leading up to your event.

RFID Technology

Wearable” technology is the trending tool used by festival-goers. This technology not only enhances your fan’s experience, it can also spur more spending and greater marketing awareness and allows you to better know your audience. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) built into wristbands worn by festival-goers, allows for ticketless entry and cashless in-festival purchases. Additionally, RFID bracelets can be synchronized with the wearer’s social networks. This turns your participants into promoters as the bracelet performs automatic check-ins and status updates.

Tap into festival trends!

Festivals, and festival-goers’ expectations, are constantly evolving. It’s important to keep your finger on the pulse of the latest festival trends, and adapt your events to suit them. No matter what kind of event you plan,

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