5 event technology trends reshaping in-person, hybrid & virtual events in 2026

Events are experiencing a massive resurgence and the tools used to power them are evolving just as quickly. The global events industry is projected to reach $1.55 trillion by 2028, driven by the rapid growth of event technology platforms, virtual event technology, and hybrid event experiences.

Today’s event producers, event management companies and corporate teams overseeing internal or customer-facing events have more tools than ever before. From AI-driven captioning and real-time event transcription to immersive VR activations and mobile event apps, modern event technologies are unlocking new ways to attract attendees, increase engagement, and deliver exciting and accessible experiences. From AT&T’s 5G hologram interviews with NBA players to Dell’s 360° augmented reality, event producers are using more technology to innovate and create unique and memorable experiences.

Below are five ways to take your in-person, virtual, and hybrid events to the next level using the latest event tech trends, including examples from leading global brands and event producers.

1. Keep offering hybrid experiences using flexible hybrid event technology

Event producers continue to see value in hybrid events, allowing participants to join in person or online. Hybrid events initially gained momentum as COVID-19 restrictions lifted and contactless check-in was needed, but they continue to provide attendees with greater choice and also expand your potential reach – a win-win. They continue to thrive because they remove barriers like travel limitations, scheduling conflicts or budget constraints. By adopting hybrid event technology, you broaden access to your content and ensure your messaging reaches more attendees.

Hybrid setups also support pre-recorded sessions that can be played for both in-person and virtual audiences. Pre-recording allows producers to edit, refine, and enhance presentations, which eliminates last-minute tech issues like weak Wi-Fi or missed cues. This approach delivers polished, high-quality content and reduces stress for your speakers and event team.

With hybrid events, you can launch a mobile event app or event networking app and even offer virtual event booths so remote attendees can pay booth ‘visits’, easily connect and engage. Virtual networking tools fill in the gap of coffee and session breaks and the days of waiting in line for event badge printing where a lot of the exciting in-person connections are made.

In action

At Adobe SUMMIT—one of the leading global technology conferences—all sessions were fully pre-recorded. Producers coached speakers on lighting, setup and presentation tips. This approach also allowed Adobe to feature high-profile guests who couldn’t attend live through a virtual event platform, opening participation to a much wider roster. Attendees received clean, high-quality sessions and on-demand access after the event.

Pro tip

Even when pre-recording, incorporate a live element. Live Q&A sessions, moderated discussions, interactive chats and audience response tools help the audience engage with your content rather than passively watch.

2. Use virtual event technology to expand reach and meet accessibility standards

Advances in virtual event tech make it easy to host global audiences. However, reaching a wider audience means supporting attendees in different languages, with various engagement preferences, and meeting wide-ranging accessibility needs.

Luckily, the same technologies used for event accessibility help to engage just about everyone. One of the most effective ways to increase engagement and inclusivity is by offering real-time captioning or live transcription to attendees. These event tools can be provided for in-person conferences and Zoom webinars alike to help attendees visually follow content, whether they’re watching live sessions, joining workshops or reviewing recorded sessions. They also support individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, those watching without audio, and those watching in non-native languages. International audiences also appreciate live translation of event panels or translated subtitles shared on recordings to engage in their native languages. Many have come to expect them from the global events they’re attending, especially when they’re technology conferences.

These accessibility features are not only valuable for engagement – they’re often essential. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, for livestreamed content, the FCC, often require accessible formats for events. Verbit supports event producers like Reuters Events, for one, by providing Venue Live, a solution that offers conference producers and event broadcasters with real-time captioning, transcription and note taking options for an all-in-one event tech stack. These tools easily integrate into your existing event tech platform to increase engagement with a one-time simple set up.

In action

LinkedIn Audio Events incorporate real-time captions into every live conversation. Attendees can raise their hand to join speakers “on stage,” participate in discussions and message other participants. Captioning expanded the platform’s overall reach and made the experience inclusive for individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing, showcasing how accessibility-focused event technology benefits all participants.

3. Create immersive touchpoints with VR and next-gen event technologies

More companies are shifting from passive presentations to immersive, experiential learning. Virtual reality (VR) is a standout component of emerging event technology trends, helping audiences connect with content more deeply.

VR allows event teams to demonstrate concepts, products or stories in fully immersive environments—without requiring travel or elaborate physical setups. At virtual events, VR can help online attendees feel present in a shared space, providing an experience far more engaging than watching a traditional webinar or screen-based session.

In action

At the Dell EMC World Conference, attendees use VR headsets to experience 360° journeys like how Columbia Sportswear uses Dell technology. Participants soar above treetops via drone footage and watch the design process from a unique vantage point. This storytelling method brings Dell’s work to life in a memorable way, highlighting how brands can use immersive event technologies to stand out.

Pro tip

Not every organization has the resources to build highly customized VR experiences. Companies like MeetinVR or platforms such as exVo by Allseated and MootUp offer immersive environments accessible through laptops or smartphones—no headset required. These solutions can be integrated into your broader event technology platform to support hybrid or virtual attendees.

4. Enhance personalization with mobile event apps & event management platforms

It probably goes without saying that mobile apps have become a must-have for modern events. Tech-savvy audiences want every aspect of the event they are attending at their fingertips. From personalized schedules to networking connection opportunities to and real-time event updates, all of these app features can improve the attendee experience. These apps can also serve as your event analytics platform and deliver helpful engagement metrics to your sponsors and partners.

Apps help attendees bookmark sessions, learn about speakers, build personalized agendas, participate in discussions and even network ahead of time. Many event management platforms also support deep insights, matchmaking tools, in-app messaging and real-time alerts, which turn a traditional agenda into a dynamic event companion.

In action

Companies like Hilton and Vice use Walls.io to create private social environments for event attendees. This app allows participants to share photos, post updates and engage with each other during the event, creating a richer networking experience. Others love Cvent, which Verbit has a partnership with to deliver live captions and other helpful engagement elements directly in the event platform.

For customization, event producers at organizations like Esri Australia and BUMA Music leverage the Eventbrite Onsite app. With it, teams can deliver real-time updates, push targeted notifications, and facilitate live polls and contests. Instead of looking at these as standard apps, they can really serve as a comprehensive event management system that enhances engagement and attendee experience when used to their full potential.

5. Boost participation by gamifying your events with event technology

Gamification is one of the most effective—and fun—ways to increase audience engagement. Even for serious industry conferences, games energize attendees and encourage interaction. Using your event technology platform, you can launch:

• Photo-sharing challenges
• Virtual scavenger hunts
• Live trivia with real-time scoring
• Attendee-generated content prompts
• Polls or prediction games during sessions

These interactive elements work seamlessly across in-person, hybrid and virtual settings, helping you create memorable event experiences while gathering useful engagement data.

In action

As part of Salesforce’s World Tour Sydney Reimagined virtual event, they implemented a live “battle of the apps” competition between exhibitors, called AppExchange Demo Jam. During this session, Salesforce AppExchange partners were given three minutes each to do a live demo demonstrating their apps. The audience was then asked to vote for their favorite, and the winner was announced on Twitter the next day.

Not only was this a creative way to provide engaging demos while also getting the audience involved, this is the kind of gaming activity that will have people checking and engaging with the event’s social media pages to see the winners and rewatch recorded moments.

Key takeaways even the best event management professionals can benefit from

Successful events do more than just provide information to attendees. Every aspect of the experience, from the event planning platform you use to the event ticketing software to your digital event invitations matter. Events that are designed creatively with participants’ interests, preferences and desire to have fun prove to be the most engaging ones. If repeat attendees or larger numbers next year is what you’re after — as most event producers are — these strategies can help make the event investment worthwhile to attendees. Although it may take some trial and error to see what works for your brand or business, the best place to start is by understanding what your audience wants out of your event. Engaging them in a survey or poll in advance is a great way to prepare.

Verbit is helping event organizers further their audience reach, boost event engagement and create more inclusive experiences with solutions like live captioning and translation. By assisting companies in implementing the latest inclusive technology solutions, Verbit can help you create engaging, next level events. Contact us to learn more about how we can work together to enhance your next event and make sure your meeting today’s accessibility standards.