The Privilege of Connection
A significant part of my role involves attending awesome events, meeting incredible speakers, and connecting with people from all walks of life. It’s a privilege that also makes me acutely aware of the inequities in event access—cost, ability to be away from home, and inclusivity. These barriers remind me that, as an industry, we must prioritise accessibility through scholarships, local engagement, hybrid options, and diverse speaker lineups.
We believe deeply in reciprocity—sharing knowledge while gaining it—which is why we attend and sponsor many industry events. The lessons I’ve learned over the past few months, through listening, observing, and personal experiences, have been invaluable.
The Changing Landscape of Events
The mantra this year has been “Survive to 25,” but realistically, it’s more like mid-to-late 2025. It’s been a tough year globally and locally, with uncertainty forcing us to adapt. Big shifts are happening that require real change, and it’s clear we need to prepare for a very different future.
Here are some trends shaping the events industry:
- Attendee engagement is key. Content— aka speakers 😊 —is the most valued aspect of events, rated at 38%.
- Meeting spend is on the rise. People are craving connection and returning to in-person gatherings.
- Virtual and hybrid are here to stay. Changing work trends and concerns over cost and the environment mean these formats will remain essential.
- Diversity and inclusion are imperative. While progress is being made, we have far to go. Representation must reflect the audience and showcase a range of voices and perspectives.
Lessons for Leaders
Leaders today face an overwhelming pace of change and mounting pressure to adapt. Based on recent observations, here’s what I believe leaders must prioritise:
- Wellbeing advocacy. Leaders must champion wellbeing within their teams and organisations, provide support to prioritise workloads to enable wellbeing.
- Flexibility with structure. Adapting to rapid changes requires frameworks that allow for creativity and agility. A focus on systems and frameworks need to be proritised in the new world of work.
- Collaboration is the future. Business, government, and community leaders need to work together to tackle global challenges effectively.
It’s also critical to provide tools for leaders and teams alike. DE&I (diversity, equity, and inclusion) is evolving into DEIB—adding “belonging,” which focuses on psychological safety. This will be a key organisational priority. And don’t forget financial wellbeing! Money stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety for employees, and addressing it should be part of any comprehensive wellbeing strategy.
Wellbeing and Inclusion: A Call to Action
This year, I noticed some of the progress we made on wellbeing post-COVID took a step back. Economic pressures and a reactive mindset seem to have pushed wellbeing down the agenda. But we can’t let this continue. To survive and thrive, businesses must make wellbeing and resilience central to their strategies. If it’s fallen off your priority list, bring it back—it’s an investment you won’t regret.
Conferences, in particular, are uniquely positioned to drive positive societal change. With 83% of attendees reporting that conferences leave a lasting impact, these gatherings are vital for sparking innovation, collaboration, and inclusion.
However, we must keep striving for better:
- Ensure programmes feature diverse voices. Representation matters.
- Include structured, inclusive networking opportunities—internationally, this is one of the most valued aspects of conferences.
- Think local. Small gestures, like inviting local school kids or offering community scholarships, can have a profound impact.
A Hopeful Future
AI is creating anxiety across industries, but I see it as an opportunity. Technology, when viewed as an enabler, can free us to focus on what truly matters: human connection. I believe this will lead to more in-person events—something worth celebrating! To succeed, we must train our teams and embrace a mindset of curiosity and learning.
As Dave Letele says, “If you can, you should.” There are so many people struggling out there, and giving back feels good. Let’s use every opportunity to uplift others, foster inclusion, and make a lasting impact.
