Positive Predictions for 2025 (Part 2)

As we wind down 2024 and prepare ourselves for 2025, it's time for our annual Positive Predictions. This forecast checks in with select industry professionals to see what good things might be in store for the upcoming year. This tradition started in 2020, with event leaders seeking hope in difficult times. This year feels no different—with politics, economy, and staffing concerns, we are all looking for a kernel of hope. 

We asked several event pros what they think the new year holds. Here is a bit of what they predict—read the full version at specialevents.com. — Amanda Nicklaus 

7. Julie Roth Novack 

CEO & Co-Founder, PartySlate  

In many areas of the country, the event industry has more than rebounded—it has boomed—and we’re excited by all of the innovation we are seeing. Event professionals from around the world have uploaded over 3 million professional photos to their PartySlate profile pages, giving us an inside view of what’s trending and capturing unique celebrations of all kinds.  

As Maya Angelou put it well, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” Personalization at events has grown immensely, with live experiences that create lasting memories. From live champagne and perfume etching to personalized, on-the-spot leather travel tags, these touches bring a new level of meaning and luxury to celebrations.  

 We are also seeing people embracing value-based choices, with a strong focus on sustainability and customization. Hosts and couples are increasingly choosing locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to reduce environmental impact and opting for plant-based or vegan menus that appeal to all guests. Caterers are also adding mocktail bars with sophisticated alcohol-free options, reflecting the demand for health-conscious experiences. Customizable food stations further enhance guest engagement, allowing people to tailor meals to their preferences and dietary needs.    

 The last trend we are excited to see is that event professionals are embracing AI to save time and streamline their processes. PartySlate launched a new AI image recognition photo organization and search tool last month that also can create Instagram formatted credits in seconds. An Instagram post that once could take 30 minutes now takes 3 seconds.    

8. Julie Sabatino 

Founder, The Stylish Bride  

Brides in 2025 are setting themselves apart from previous years. This generation is informed, well-researched, and passionate about discovering something truly original. We’re noticing a strong trend toward “vintage” or nontraditional pieces, with brides seeking a deeper meaning in their choices—a “why” behind each selection that goes beyond simply finding “the one.”  

Brides are also focused on storytelling through fashion, not just for themselves but for their closest family members. Rather than prioritizing large wedding parties, many are incorporating their family into a meaningful fashion narrative. This shift highlights a growing appreciation for intention, history, and the craftsmanship of designers.  

We're thrilled to collaborate with brides who approach fashion with curiosity and purpose. We believe bridal style will continue to be a cornerstone of the wedding experience, and we can’t wait to support a new year of brides who are embracing both tradition and innovation with open hearts and optimism.  

9. Katie Mast 

Director of Community Engagement, Rock Paper Coin  

As we look toward 2025, the wedding and event industry continues to shine as a beacon of creativity, community, and resilience. In regards to events, I predict a significant rise in hyper-personalized events as couples and clients are leaning into storytelling like never before. The guest experience will reflect deeper, more meaningful connections, making each event as unique as the individuals behind it. From a community standpoint, this focus on authenticity can help drive professionals to refine their offerings and collaborate with other pros in new ways to elevate creativity and create higher client satisfaction.  

I also foresee the continued embrace of technology, not as a replacement for the human touch but as a way to streamline operations and foster collaboration among teams. It's almost 2025, and you've heard it everywhere by now - automation and platforms empower small business owners to reclaim their time and ensure you're delivering an unforgettable experience for your clients. Embrace tech, don't be left behind!   

Additionally, sustainability will be at the forefront of event planning. With a growing consciousness about our environmental footprint, eco-friendly practices—from zero-waste initiatives to the use of sustainable materials—will become the norm rather than the exception.  

As the industry becomes more efficient, this will create a ripple effect that leads to improved work-life balance, higher morale, and a greater passion for artistry across the board. Despite the challenges we've faced, 2025 promises to be a year of growth, innovation, and meaningful connections in our field. The future looks bright, bold, and full of possibilities!  

10. Scott Frankel 

President, Animatic Media, LLC  

2025 is going to be the year of “don’t get caught with your pants down.” 2024 started fast and ended even faster. AV costs for events have never been more expensive and I am urging everyone to lock in your AV needs ASAP.  

The post-pandemic effect on our industry has brought all of us back busier than ever. But along with that comes the reality that the better audiovisual partners are booking up quickly, and in a supply and demand driven world, this means costs are through the roof.  

If you are planning an event for Q3 or Q4 of 2025, I urge you to get your AV RFPs out right away. Lock a provider in on their rates, put holds on equipment and more importantly labor. Let’s not forget that we had a lot of good people decide to transition away from the industry and we have finally backfilled a lot of these jobs but many of these people are new. There is nothing wrong with fresh faces, but I know when people call us to lock us in months in advance they are also expecting us to provide them with seasoned AV talent.  

11. Sebastien Centner 

Founder, Eatertainment Events & Catering/Lead Consultant, Assemble Advisors  

For me I see an amazing number of opportunities for our industry as we head into 2025, from trends that are exploding like immersive events and culinary curated events, to new technologies that are available like live attendee tracking or AI tools that are designed specifically for the event industry, but what excites most is how the past few years will shape our resilience and our determination going forward. 

There is a famous quote that goes “There is no education like adversity,” and to me that is exactly what the past few challenging years have offered us, an education in perseverance and adaptability. We have made it through a period never before seen in our lifetimes where our entire industry and virtually every business was put on “pause” as the world sheltered in place and awaited the passing of the global pandemic. I won't pretend it wasn't immensely challenging, but we survived and I think it changed all of us for the better. Our outlook is more optimistic, we see challenges not as roadblocks but as opportunities, and we realize that we can overcome anything.

This empowerment will lead us to do great things in the coming years and I for one can't wait to have a front row seat to see it unfold! 

Click here for Part 1 of Positive Predictions for 2025!