Top 5 Audio Visual Trends to Implement at Your Next Event
July 24, 2024
After a long pause, live events are officially back and better than ever. Since the pandemic’s damper on in-person gatherings, much has changed in the world of technology, AI, and audio-visual capabilities. Hence, the rise of new audio-visual trends is taking live events by storm.
Are you looking to stay ahead of your event planning game, or make your next event one to remember for guests? This is the guide for you. Here, we’ll dive deep into all the latest AV trends that are helping to make corporate events, trade shows, and presentations unforgettable.
In addition to exploring how to implement these trends at your next event and learning more on Creative Day, one of the leading audio-visual providers of live event technology.
Top 5 Audio Visual Trends in 2024
In an industry that’s ever-evolving, it’s hard to keep up with the latest and greatest. Luckily, our experts at Creative Day, have done the work for you. So, without further ado, here are the top 5 most recent audio-visual trends you need to know in 2024.
Digital Signage
Digital signage is by far one of the fastest-growing audio-visual trends in the realm of
corporate and live events. Digital signs are slowly but surely revolutionizing the way information is disseminated and experiences are curated. You’ve likely seen digital signs before, but by definition, digital signage involves the use of electronic displays to present multimedia content, ranging from static images to dynamic videos.
Event planners are now leveraging this technology to create immersive environments, enhance communication, and elevate attendee engagement. For instance, LED screens can transform an event space, proiding vibrant backdrops for presentations, live performances, and branded content.
At registration areas, or near exhibitor halls, interactive kiosks with touch-screen capabilities allow attendees to navigate event schedules, maps, and information about speakers or exhibitors, thereby personalizing their experience.
In corporate settings, digital signage is utilized to streamline communication and reinforce brand messaging. Displays are often kept in lobbies or conference rooms and can showcase:
- Corporate achievements
- Real-time social media feeds
- Live streaming of ongoing sessions
- Event news or updates
- And beyond…
Ensuring that attendees remain informed and engaged. For live events, digital signage can serve as a dynamic tool for wayfinding, helping guests navigate large venues with ease. Moreover, it offers unique sponsorship opportunities, allowing brands to advertise their products or services in visually compelling ways.
Event planners are also integrating digital signage with social media, creating real-time, interactive experiences. For example, social media walls display live tweets, Instagram posts, or Facebook updates, encouraging attendees to engage with the event online.
Augmented reality (AR) elements (which we’ll cover later!) when paired with digital signage can further enhance the attendee experience by providing interactive content that can be explored through mobile devices.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are trending across the board, especially when it comes to audio-visual in corporate and live events. AR and VR offer innovative ways to engage audiences and create unforgettable experiences. These technologies combine the physical and digital worlds, allowing event planners to push the boundaries of traditional event formats.
So, how do you implement them at your next corporate or live event? Here are just a few ideas for both.
Augmented Reality
AR can enhance the real world by overlaying digital information, such as graphics, text, or animations, onto the physical environment.
This can be seen in interactive exhibits where attendees can use their smartphones or AR glasses to view additional content about products or services. For example, at trade shows, AR can bring brochures to life with 3D models or videos, providing a more engaging way to showcase offerings.
AR can also be used for interactive games or scavenger hunts, encouraging attendee participation and engagement.
Virtual Reality
VR, on the other hand, immerses users in entirely virtual environments. This can be especially useful for event demonstrations or training sessions. By stepping into a world of virtual reality, attendees can experience a virtual simulation of a product or process.
In corporate settings, VR can be used for virtual meetings or conferences, allowing remote participants to feel as if they are physically present. This not only enhances collaboration but also reduces travel costs and logistical challenges.
For live events, VR can transport attendees to different locations or times, offering immersive storytelling opportunities.
Additionally, these technologies are being integrated into stage design, with AR creating dynamic visual effects that interact with live performers and VR offering backstage tours or behind-the-scenes experiences to attendees.
Videos > Text
Like the trends of internet content, consumers are moving away from reading content (i.e. blogs and emails) and moving towards watching content (YouTube, TikTok, etc.). The way you display information at your event or convey information before the event is subject to the same trend.
The next audio-visual trend is none other than videos being used in place of text or copy. Videos are inherently more captivating than text, offering a multi-sensory experience that can convey messages more effectively and memorably. .as those with
Event planners are capitalizing on this trend to enhance communication, boost engagement, and create immersive experiences. Videos are now used to :
- Highlight key points
- Demonstrate product features
- Tell compelling brand stories
Interactive video content is another innovative approach being utilized. For instance, live polling and Q&A sessions integrated into video presentations allow attendees to interact in real-time, making the experience more participatory. Additionally, video walls and large LED screens are commonly used to display dynamic content such as live streams, promotional videos, and social media feeds, creating a vibrant and visually stimulating environment.
In the realm of live events, videos play a crucial role in entertainment and storytelling.
- Event planners use videos to set the tone and mood, from impactful opening sequences to emotional closing highlights.
- For festivals and concerts, videos can enhance performances with visually synchronized backdrops and special effects, elevating the overall experience. ‘
- Behind-the-scenes videos or live feeds from different parts of the event can also be streamed, providing a comprehensive view and making attendees feel more connected.
Moreover, the rise of hybrid events, which combine in-person and virtual elements, has further cemented the importance of video. Event planners use video content to bridge the gap between physical and online attendees, ensuring a cohesive and inclusive experience. By harnessing the power of videos, event planners can deliver richer, more engaging content that resonates with audiences and elevates the overall impact of their events.
Bigger, Better Displays
The next AV trend carries on the video > text trend but in a bigger and better way. Event planners across the US are now seeking to fulfill the demand for high-quality videos, such as those with 8K resolution and HDR (High Dynamic Range).
The 8K resolution supports the next trend by making the videos more detailed and immersive, being 2 times more detailed than what most people are used to with 4K. HDR technology takes the video quality a step further by improving color accuracy and contrast, making the graphics or images appear more realistic.
The improvement of high-speed internet across the nation and users streaming video and playing video games from home are major drivers of this trend. Since the population can access HDR and 8K content from home, event attendees begin expecting the same type of developed displays, from your event, too.
Immersive Experiences
Similar to AR and VR, immersive sound, or audio, is another AV trend that’s hitting corporate and live events. A borrowed trend from movies, music, and video games, immersive audio is now being implemented at events to enhance an attendee’s experience.
As opposed to traditional surround or stereo sound, which emits sound from a fixed location - immersive sound set-ups create a 3D space that immerses the listener in what you want them to hear.
To do so, AV experts will incorporate sound objects, height channels, and spatial cues where immersive audio simulates the experience of being in the middle of the action. This together creates a more captivating and engaging experience for event-goers and adds an extra element to presentations, keynotes, or entertainment for event planners.
Keeping up with Audio Visual Trends at Creative Day
Want an event planning industry secret? The key to keeping up with audio-visual trends is partnering with an elite and experienced audio-visual team. Such as the experts, and creatives, found at Creative Day.
Creative Day is the merger of industry veterans, who rose to the top of their professions and came together with one goal in mind: to offer their creative and professional expertise with unmatched service and standards. Providing event planners across the US with the combined skills of camera production, broadcast news, live touring, corporate audio-visual events, and more.
Explore these AV trends and more with Creative Day by getting a small taste of our past work and learning more about our team. Ready to start planning your next event with these audio-visual trends and beyond? Get in touch to chat!
