After dealing with the coronavirus pandemic the last two years, restrictions on gathering, and constant anxiety about safety, people are ready to move on to this new normal and that includes a return to celebrations.
The events industry is adapting trends and experiences to help consumers plan memorable events with friends, family, and co-workers. I saw some of those ideas recently during The Event Planner Expo in New York City.
The expo’s trade show floor was filled with vendors showing off what’s ahead for events in 2022, and while there are some new trends emerging, there are also a few ideas that are a remix of some old favorites. Let’s take a look:
Yes, you can have velvet couches or leather chairs at your venue, but what’s more glam than a throne? The Throne Kingdom has endless options for Instagram-worthy, over-the-top seating in just about every color you can imagine. Plus, there are royal love seats, royal lounges, and mini thrones for kids.
Shrunken versions of larger menu items — think tiny charcuterie boards, small cupcakes, or mini quiches — have been around for a while and they’re not going away. The trade show featured multiple vendors displaying sweet and savory bites, from fig and cheese crostini to tiny tarts. The tiny desserts at The Perfect Table’s booth were a feast for the eyes and the stomach.
Cotton candy is not at the top of the list of snacks for most adults, but there was a long line at NPA Party Productions for their cotton candy art. The event company spins cotton candy into colorful creations like pigs, unicorns, flowers, and more.
One of the events that people have missed the last two years is the office party. They returned in a virtual version in 2020 but now that co-workers are returning to the office, in-person experiences are returning too. TeamBonding offers 21 different categories of in-person and virtual activities, like scavenger hunts, game shows, seasonal events, and culinary experiences.