GITNUXREPORT 2025

Events Industry Statistics

Events industry rapidly evolving with digital, hybrid, and sustainability innovations.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

68% of event attendees prefer hybrid events to fully virtual or in-person formats

Statistic 2

60% of event organizers in 2023 reported challenges with attendee engagement

Statistic 3

The percentage of event attendees using mobile apps for event information has risen to 80%

Statistic 4

The average length of virtual events increased from 2 hours pre-pandemic to 4 hours in 2023

Statistic 5

90% of event organizers reported improved event ROI through digital and virtual engagement strategies

Statistic 6

40% of event professionals say that attendee networking remains their top priority

Statistic 7

56% of events in 2023 used demographic data to personalize attendee experiences

Statistic 8

85% of event professionals plan to incorporate more experiential elements in their future events

Statistic 9

47% of event marketers use influencer marketing to increase event exposure

Statistic 10

65% of event attendees between 25-34 prefer virtual or hybrid formats

Statistic 11

The use of live streaming in events increased by 65% in 2023, enabling remote audience participation

Statistic 12

33% of event organizers reported that attendee fatigue is a significant challenge in virtual events

Statistic 13

The use of facial recognition technology at events increased by 40% in 2023, primarily for security and personalized experiences

Statistic 14

69% of event attendees expect more personalized experiences in future events

Statistic 15

The impact of virtual reality on attendee engagement increased by 45% in 2023, according to industry reports

Statistic 16

42% of event attendees in 2023 expressed a desire for more sustainable food options at events

Statistic 17

55% of event organizers said that virtual networking tools helped improve attendee engagement in 2023

Statistic 18

72% of event professionals reported increased budgets for hybrid events in 2023

Statistic 19

65% of event marketers plan to invest more in virtual event platforms in 2024

Statistic 20

85% of organizers consider data analytics crucial for measuring event success

Statistic 21

45% of event professionals report that their largest expense is venue rental

Statistic 22

The average cost of a major corporate event is approximately $50,000

Statistic 23

77% of event professionals believe sustainability practices are increasingly important for attendees

Statistic 24

The average spend on event catering accounts for 25% of total event expenses

Statistic 25

65% of event organizers plan to adopt more eco-friendly practices in the next year

Statistic 26

The average ROI on virtual events increased from 15% in 2022 to 35% in 2023 according to industry surveys

Statistic 27

The average duration of a corporate trade show is 2-3 days, with about 65% lasting 2 days

Statistic 28

80% of event organizers in 2023 plan to increase their investment in immersive experiences like VR and AR

Statistic 29

50% of event organizers are planning to incorporate more data security measures post-pandemic

Statistic 30

78% of event professionals believe that sustainable event practices can lead to cost savings

Statistic 31

The average in-person event attendance decreased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic

Statistic 32

The number of virtual events held in 2020 increased by over 1000% compared to 2019

Statistic 33

43% of event attendees in 2023 used eco-friendly transportation options, such as bikes or electric shuttles, to reduce carbon footprint

Statistic 34

The average size of virtual event teams decreased by 15% during the pandemic, indicating efficiency improvements

Statistic 35

46% of event organizers reported increased demand for outdoor event spaces in 2023, due to health and safety considerations

Statistic 36

The average number of event cancellations dropped by 10% in 2023 as a result of improved health protocols

Statistic 37

The global events industry was valued at approximately $1.1 trillion in 2018

Statistic 38

The use of augmented reality in events increased by 80% in 2023

Statistic 39

The global corporate event management market size was valued at $737.8 billion in 2020

Statistic 40

The global incentive travel market was valued at $76 billion in 2019

Statistic 41

The events industry employed over 1.5 million people globally in 2019

Statistic 42

72% of event professionals in 2023 stated that sustainability initiatives influenced venue selection

Statistic 43

The global wedding event industry is expected to reach $300 billion by 2028

Statistic 44

The global business events market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 45

The use of drone technology at events increased by 70% in 2023, primarily for aerial videography and crowd monitoring

Statistic 46

The average ticket price for major music festivals has risen by 15% from 2022 to 2023

Statistic 47

59% of event professionals anticipate continued growth in virtual and hybrid events through 2025

Statistic 48

The global sports event market size was valued at $66 billion in 2020

Statistic 49

The virtual event market is expected to reach $774 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23% from 2023

Statistic 50

54% of event professionals in 2023 plan to increase their use of eco-friendly materials like biodegradable signage and reusable decor

Statistic 51

The global conference industry revenue was estimated at $37 billion in 2019

Statistic 52

The global festivity and carnival industry was valued at approximately $30 billion in 2020

Statistic 53

29% of corporate events in 2023 focused specifically on health and wellness themes, reflecting current trends

Statistic 54

The adoption of eco-friendly transportation options for events increased by 35% in 2023, according to transportation sustainability reports

Statistic 55

Virtual event registration platforms saw a 60% increase in new users during 2023, indicating rising demand

Statistic 56

The global festival market size was projected to surpass $75 billion by 2024

Statistic 57

The use of artificial intelligence in event planning increased by 35% in 2023

Statistic 58

70% of event managers expect to see more use of 3D virtual venue tours in 2024

Statistic 59

Over 55% of event professionals started using social media advertising tools in 2023

Statistic 60

52% of events in 2023 incorporated some form of contactless technology

Statistic 61

The use of blockchain technology in ticketing processes increased by 50% in 2023

Statistic 62

According to surveys, 82% of event planners believe technology improves overall event management efficiency

Statistic 63

70% of event professionals surveyed in 2023 plan to improve attendee data collection via mobile apps

Statistic 64

67% of event professionals believe that technology advances will continue to simplify event planning processes

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Key Highlights

The global events industry was valued at approximately $1.1 trillion in 2018
72% of event professionals reported increased budgets for hybrid events in 2023
The average in-person event attendance decreased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic
65% of event marketers plan to invest more in virtual event platforms in 2024
The number of virtual events held in 2020 increased by over 1000% compared to 2019
85% of organizers consider data analytics crucial for measuring event success
45% of event professionals report that their largest expense is venue rental
The use of augmented reality in events increased by 80% in 2023
68% of event attendees prefer hybrid events to fully virtual or in-person formats
The global corporate event management market size was valued at $737.8 billion in 2020
60% of event organizers in 2023 reported challenges with attendee engagement
The average cost of a major corporate event is approximately $50,000
77% of event professionals believe sustainability practices are increasingly important for attendees

The events industry is experiencing a dynamic revolution, with virtual and hybrid experiences soaring in popularity, technological innovations like AR, AI, and blockchain transforming engagement and security, and sustainable practices becoming central to future planning—changing the landscape of global events worth over a trillion dollars.

Event Attendance and Engagement Trends

68% of event attendees prefer hybrid events to fully virtual or in-person formats
60% of event organizers in 2023 reported challenges with attendee engagement
The percentage of event attendees using mobile apps for event information has risen to 80%
The average length of virtual events increased from 2 hours pre-pandemic to 4 hours in 2023
90% of event organizers reported improved event ROI through digital and virtual engagement strategies
40% of event professionals say that attendee networking remains their top priority
56% of events in 2023 used demographic data to personalize attendee experiences
85% of event professionals plan to incorporate more experiential elements in their future events
47% of event marketers use influencer marketing to increase event exposure
65% of event attendees between 25-34 prefer virtual or hybrid formats
The use of live streaming in events increased by 65% in 2023, enabling remote audience participation
33% of event organizers reported that attendee fatigue is a significant challenge in virtual events
The use of facial recognition technology at events increased by 40% in 2023, primarily for security and personalized experiences
69% of event attendees expect more personalized experiences in future events
The impact of virtual reality on attendee engagement increased by 45% in 2023, according to industry reports
42% of event attendees in 2023 expressed a desire for more sustainable food options at events
55% of event organizers said that virtual networking tools helped improve attendee engagement in 2023

Event Attendance and Engagement Trends Interpretation

As the event industry navigates the hybrid revolution—with 68% preferring blended formats, 80% relying on mobile apps, and 90% boosting ROI through digital engagement—it's clear that personalization, innovation like VR and facial recognition, and a focus on attendee experience remain paramount, even as organizers grapple with challenges like fatigue and engagement—all while attendees increasingly demand sustainability and tailored connections.

Event Planning and Investment Strategies

72% of event professionals reported increased budgets for hybrid events in 2023
65% of event marketers plan to invest more in virtual event platforms in 2024
85% of organizers consider data analytics crucial for measuring event success
45% of event professionals report that their largest expense is venue rental
The average cost of a major corporate event is approximately $50,000
77% of event professionals believe sustainability practices are increasingly important for attendees
The average spend on event catering accounts for 25% of total event expenses
65% of event organizers plan to adopt more eco-friendly practices in the next year
The average ROI on virtual events increased from 15% in 2022 to 35% in 2023 according to industry surveys
The average duration of a corporate trade show is 2-3 days, with about 65% lasting 2 days
80% of event organizers in 2023 plan to increase their investment in immersive experiences like VR and AR
50% of event organizers are planning to incorporate more data security measures post-pandemic
78% of event professionals believe that sustainable event practices can lead to cost savings

Event Planning and Investment Strategies Interpretation

As the event industry surges toward a future where budgets expand for hybrid and virtual experiences, data-driven sustainability, and immersive technologies—driven by nearly universal recognition of analytics importance and ROI growth—it's clear that professionals are seamlessly blending innovation with responsibility to craft memorable, eco-friendly events that balance expense with attendee engagement.

Impact of COVID-19 and Cancellation Trends

The average in-person event attendance decreased by 20% during the COVID-19 pandemic
The number of virtual events held in 2020 increased by over 1000% compared to 2019
43% of event attendees in 2023 used eco-friendly transportation options, such as bikes or electric shuttles, to reduce carbon footprint
The average size of virtual event teams decreased by 15% during the pandemic, indicating efficiency improvements
46% of event organizers reported increased demand for outdoor event spaces in 2023, due to health and safety considerations
The average number of event cancellations dropped by 10% in 2023 as a result of improved health protocols

Impact of COVID-19 and Cancellation Trends Interpretation

While in-person attendance dipped by 20% and virtual teams slimmed by 15%, the industry’s resilience shone through with a 1000% surge in virtual events, nearly half embracing eco-friendly transit and outdoor venues rising in favor—proving that even amidst challenges, the events industry is pivoting toward safer, greener, and more efficient horizons.

Industry Growth and Market Valuation

The global events industry was valued at approximately $1.1 trillion in 2018
The use of augmented reality in events increased by 80% in 2023
The global corporate event management market size was valued at $737.8 billion in 2020
The global incentive travel market was valued at $76 billion in 2019
The events industry employed over 1.5 million people globally in 2019
72% of event professionals in 2023 stated that sustainability initiatives influenced venue selection
The global wedding event industry is expected to reach $300 billion by 2028
The global business events market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.2% from 2023 to 2030
The use of drone technology at events increased by 70% in 2023, primarily for aerial videography and crowd monitoring
The average ticket price for major music festivals has risen by 15% from 2022 to 2023
59% of event professionals anticipate continued growth in virtual and hybrid events through 2025
The global sports event market size was valued at $66 billion in 2020
The virtual event market is expected to reach $774 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23% from 2023
54% of event professionals in 2023 plan to increase their use of eco-friendly materials like biodegradable signage and reusable decor
The global conference industry revenue was estimated at $37 billion in 2019
The global festivity and carnival industry was valued at approximately $30 billion in 2020
29% of corporate events in 2023 focused specifically on health and wellness themes, reflecting current trends
The adoption of eco-friendly transportation options for events increased by 35% in 2023, according to transportation sustainability reports
Virtual event registration platforms saw a 60% increase in new users during 2023, indicating rising demand
The global festival market size was projected to surpass $75 billion by 2024

Industry Growth and Market Valuation Interpretation

With the events industry booming to over a trillion dollars and embracing cutting-edge technology like AR (up 80%) and drones (up 70%), it's clear that as attendees seek greener venues and virtual experiences projected to hit $774 billion by 2030, event professionals are not only managing crowds but also navigating sustainability and innovation at an unprecedented pace.

Technological Innovations and Digital Transformation

The use of artificial intelligence in event planning increased by 35% in 2023
70% of event managers expect to see more use of 3D virtual venue tours in 2024
Over 55% of event professionals started using social media advertising tools in 2023
52% of events in 2023 incorporated some form of contactless technology
The use of blockchain technology in ticketing processes increased by 50% in 2023
According to surveys, 82% of event planners believe technology improves overall event management efficiency
70% of event professionals surveyed in 2023 plan to improve attendee data collection via mobile apps
67% of event professionals believe that technology advances will continue to simplify event planning processes

Technological Innovations and Digital Transformation Interpretation

As the event industry accelerates into a future where AI, blockchain, and contactless tech become staples, savvy planners are embracing innovation not just to impress, but to streamline, secure, and personalize every guest experience—proving that in today’s world, technology is the real guest of honor.