Balich and the Dubai World Cup.

Balich uses drones at the Dubai World Cup.

Balich and its "Intimissimi on Ice" show in Italy.

Another view.

“'Story' has become a trend," Broadstreet management says, "but many events misconstrue theme and decor for story. Story and context has been and will remain critical to creating deep connections with audiences across events.

How to create great stories? "The key to good stories is understanding your audience wants, needs, fears and desires. Tell stories that reflect your audience’s emotions and your event will be a success," Broadstreet says.

Broadstreet mixes tech elements with old-school outdoor camaraderie.

Events over the past year have included the premiere of the Audi A5 Coupe, the first auto launch using real-time motion-tracking technology, Departament says with pride.

Although it might seem that consumers want to live on their smartphones, live events are thriving, management says.

"Business events, conferences, workshops, and edu-tainment: "The main purpose of such events is not the information, which people can get and consume online, but networking," says co-owner Yulia Sigunova. "Lots of sports and music events are held in Russia--as many as never before."

"People want to get offline, meet and share energy with each other," Departament says. "It's a wonderful trend!"

The team from Drury Design Dynamics advising paying attention to the influence of millennials, including "the need for smaller sessions, more fun networking activities and hipper/funkier spaces, much more gaming, and social media around the event." Here, a dive bar.

Drury notes: "This is the first time that we’ve had four generations--Boomers, Xers, millennials and Y-ers--in the workforce with varying needs and preferences for communicating, so it’s imperative to design events and activations that speak to and engage each group, as well as find ways to encourage cross-pollination and two-way mentorship/networking opportunities

Enterprise Events Group has seen a trend toward fewer sessions dominated by keynote speakers, instead working toward co-created content, "which allows attendees to feel as if their voices are heard, which leads to increased investment in the content."

A highlight event: EEG’s “unconference,” where the team took a raw space in San Francisco and created a nontraditional networking event for 2,500. Although the space fit only 1,300, EEG got creative in order to use every inch of the venue’s footprint to produce a world-class event, including more outdoor space than indoor. EEG created a tented general session; breakouts and executive meetings were held in Airstreams and yurts.

The Maybach review from Eventum Premo.

Eventum Premo sees both opportunities and threats: "The first wave of enthusiasm associated with new technologies has passed. The idea and the strategy have returned to the fore," they say.

For an airplane presentation for S7 airlines for 500 guests, Eventum created Boogel Woogel. 

"The acceleration of communication creates the illusion of making a big project or complex content really fast. This is not quite true," management says. "For good projects, you still need time."

S7 event from Eventum Premo.