Engagement Is Everything 

In 2025, audiences are no longer content to passively sit back, they demand participation. Over 61% of millennials and 63% of Gen Z plan to attend more global events in 2025, signalling a growing appetite for dynamic and interactive experiences. Further, nearly 55% of Americans say events make them feel more connected to their communities. The days of monologue-style sessions are numbered. Attendees expect to be heard, seen, and involved. 

Hybrid Events: The New Event Baseline 

Hybrid events are firmly cemented as the industry standard, not a novelty. According to Bizzabo, 40.6% of attendees now prefer hybrid formats. In North America, around 15% of events are projected to be hybrid in 2025, and 74.5% of event professionals agree they’re here to stay. These formats combine the energy of in-person events with the accessibility of virtual participation, reaching global audiences while preserving personal connection. 

Virtual Events: Bigger, Smarter, More Strategic 

The virtual events market continues its meteoric rise. One forecast projects it to reach USD 98.6 billion in 2024 and grow to over USD 615 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of around 20.1%. Another source predicts a whopping CAGR of 24.9% from 2023 to 2028, with the market hitting USD 526 billion by 2028. Clearly, virtual events are now a central strategy, not just a backup. 

Interactivity is Non-Negotiable 

Today’s attendees want to touch, talk, vote, and collaborate. Event content that’s interactive and immersive wins every time. 

• Polls 
• Q&As 
• And breakout discussions are now essential. 

One Reddit user suggested: “Live polls, breakout rooms for small group discussions, [and] gamification… keep participants involved.” 

• Immersive technologies like AR, VR, and XR are transforming engagement. High-contrast displays, mixed reality environments, and real-time interactivity are shifting participants from passive to engaged contributors 
• On the AV hardware front, ultra-low-latency streaming tech is enabling audiences to comment, react, and connect in real time. Fundamentally changing how live content is consumed 

Promotional Strategy: More Channels, Less Room to Expand 

Event marketing is becoming more diversified and more competitive. 

• Promoters now leverage an average of 9.5 marketing channels, nearly double since 2022 
• AI adoption in event marketing has surged, only 25% of promoters now operate without it (down from 50%) 

These stats underscore how organizers must smartly segment, personalise, and deliver content across platforms to stand out. 

PAAQ Events: Activating Engagement at Every Stage 

While this article focuses on industry trends, PAAQ Events offers: 

• Instant engagement tools to help hosts integrate quick polls, live Q&As, and breakout invites directly into event flow 
• Hybrid-first frameworks that design both in-person and virtual moments using the same seamless interface 
• Data & AI matchmaking to surface the right sessions and people to each attendee based on behaviour or profile, helping drive active participation 

Final Thought 

Eventing in 2025 is about inviting attendees in. Events must be immersive, data-backed, inclusive, and seamlessly blended between physical and digital realms. Tools like PAAQ Events, which elevate interactivity at every touchpoint, will be the engines of next-gen events.