The report looks at how the year was marked by a return to human connection, a reassessment of priorities and a more considered approach to how events are designed and experienced. Rather than presenting a technical analysis, the report brings together 25 themes that illustrate how the business events community responded to shifting expectations, post-digital fatigue and the growing desire for meaningful, people-centred experiences.
Across these 25 reflections, IMEX highlights an industry that is both adapting and leading change. The report explores how the sector continued to prioritise people and human connection, recognising events as powerful spaces for supporting mental wellbeing and countering the rising sense of disconnection felt across societies. It also points to the rise of a more intentional, purpose-driven design.
2025 also brought a noticeable shift in pace: the trend is to slow down and make space for rest. Digital fatigue, wellbeing concerns and new conversations around mental health led to new approaches in wellness, inclusive design and neurodivergent support. Movements like digital detoxing and the call for clearer mental health standards gained momentum.
Alongside technological change, the report notes a growing appreciation for authenticity, human craft and spaces that blend the physical and digital with intention. As the industry looks toward 2026, IMEX presents a picture of a sector committed to innovation and to delivering meaningful experiences.
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