Planners Prioritized Attendee Connection in 2026
Event organizers are shifting strategies to foster networking through breakout sessions and personalized agendas.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Remote Work
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According to new research from Encore, event planners overwhelmingly identified attendee connection as their primary experience priority for 2026. This focus on engagement is driving a shift toward small-group interaction as a core operational strategy for meetings.
Why it matters
Planners are emphasizing connection because they believe attendees increasingly demand authentic engagement rather than passive listening. However, with budget constraints cited as the primary hurdle to innovation, operators must balance these expensive experience goals against fiscal reality.
59% of planners rank connection as their top priority compared to 27% for personalization and 15% for innovation. Meanwhile, 85% of respondents cite budget as the leading constraint on adopting new event innovations.
The players
Encore
A global event production company based in Schiller Park, Illinois, that provides technology and strategy services for professional meetings.
IMEX America
A major annual trade show held in Las Vegas that serves as a central marketplace and knowledge hub for the meetings and events industry.
The details
To execute these engagement goals, 55% of planners are utilizing small breakout groups to facilitate direct collaboration among participants. Planners are leveraging registration data, stakeholder feedback, and surveys to tailor these experiences, with nearly 75% of events now incorporating some level of personalization. Despite these tactical shifts, budgetary limitations remain the primary gatekeeper for implementing more advanced event technologies or creative formats.
Timeline
October 13-15, 2026: Encore presented the research findings at IMEX America in Las Vegas.
Market Landscape
The findings from the 2026 Planner Pulse research mark a shift toward social-centric design in professional event planning. This trend follows a broader industry movement prioritizing high-touch interpersonal networking over the passive, lecture-style event formats that dominated prior years.
Event operators should prepare for increased client requests for flexible breakout infrastructure and data-driven personalization. Given that 85% of planners face budget hurdles, procurement focus should remain on high-impact, low-cost networking tools like facilitated breakout sessions.
The takeaway
Operators must pivot their service offerings toward facilitating human connection to align with current planner demands. Review your venue or platform capabilities to ensure you can support small-group breakouts, as four in five planners now view this as a primary driver of event success.
Further reading
For more context on how shifts in professional meetings are influencing workplace strategy, see our Remote Work coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EXHIBITOR Online.
Live Poll
Do you find that professional events provide enough opportunity for meaningful networking and personal connection?
