As 2025 kicks off, the event industry is buzzing with fresh trends and exciting innovations. At Sequence, we’ve been closely tracking these developments, blending industry forecasts with real-world insights and ideas from our wildly creative team members.
Drawing from SEQ’s own groundbreaking work—along with the latest ad campaigns, venues, color palettes, and other inspirations that have caught our eye—here are seven creative trends we're excited about for the new year.
1. Reinvented Photo Ops
While the classic photo op never goes out of style, we’re finding that younger crowds crave something different. Think vintage—like @oldfriendphotobooth on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, which has taken Gen Z by storm, drawing long lines of young people craving an analog experience. Coach also launched a free vintage photo booth for this year’s holiday season.
We're also seeing a surge in selfie-centric installations, like the selfie room at Monday.com's recent SEQ-produced holiday party—which we found actually doubled engagement compared to traditional photo booths. Another great example we spotted was Aritzia’s giant shopping bag installation at its 5th Avenue bicentennial celebration, which drew crowds eager for a selfie in its mirrored exterior.
2. AI and Robotics
Cutting-edge technology continues to revolutionize event experiences—and we expect things to reach new levels in 2025. Auto subtitles were instrumental at Faire’s recent FaireFest employee event, produced by SEQ, and AI can also live-translate speakers in exciting and useful ways.
Other playful tech incorporations we’ve loved recently have included Coco Events’ 3D gummy printer and Richtech Robots’ automated bartending service. These innovations are already making waves at tech-centric conferences like Google Cloud Next and CES—but in a sign of things to come, Richtech’s full-sized humanoid bartender, Adam, joined the 2024 MLB All-Star Game in Texas. More of that in 2025, please!
3. Experience-Focused Venues
2025 will open doors to some exciting new venues that we can’t wait to try out. NYC will see the opening of Convene at 30 Hudson Yards, which promises breathtaking city views, and The Riverline at Governor’s Island featuring Michelin-starred executive chef Eduard Frauneder. Nationwide, we're excited about music venue Channel 24 in Sacramento, Calif., and internationally, The Sage arena and conference center in the UK promises to be a highlight.
We’re seeing a rise in new immersive venues that bring experiential components into our daily routines, too. This reflects a shift away from traditional consumerism and shopping, reiterating that attendees and consumers are craving new ways to engage. Netflix, for example, is opening two new experiential retail venues in 2025, and Dick’s Sporting Goods is expanding its experience-focused House of Sport concept in New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
4. Leaning Into Local
Embracing local culture creates memorable and authentic experiences. A recent example we’re crushing on is Heineken’s Pub Museums initiative, which is transforming historical Irish pubs—often the beating heart of Ireland’s social scene—into museums through virtual exhibitions.
Another standout example was Hubspot’s “Sensurreal,” a private event at Art Basel 2024 that was inspired by the festival’s surreal artistry; details nodded to the five senses through a blend of art and inspiration along with business and technology, helping guests feel immersed in Art Basel’s overall themes and Miami locale.
5. Genre Crossovers
We’re hoping that “sticking to your lane” is a concept of the past—and we’re loving the creative mashups that have transpired from some unexpected recent crossovers. Non-event examples included Gap’s Linen Moves Campaign, which used dance to represent a new collection, along with Jaguar’s attention-grabbing rebrand that used fashion as the vehicle for the release (no pun intended!).
For events, this means integrating art, fashion, and music into tech or sports events, or utilizing unconventional venues that naturally support diverse experiences.
6. New Social Media Strategies
We’ve been observing a decline in social media engagement when relying solely on event hashtags; instead, we’re encouraging attendees to tag specific social media accounts—and if you’re using a hashtag, introduce it well before event day so engagement starts right when the event is announced.
These days, it’s all about using social to engage with your followers and build an online community. One brand we’re crushing on here is Duolingo and its playful, sometimes chaotic, yet surprisingly effective social interactions.
7. Luxury Color Palettes
Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2025 is Mocha Mousse, a rich brown that feels both comforting and ethereal, conveying a sense of quiet luxury. “Sophisticated and lush, yet at the same time an unpretentious classic, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse extends our perceptions of the browns from being humble and grounded to embrace aspirational and luxe,” explained Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.
That contrasts with Pinterest’s 2025 trends, Pinterest Predicts, which expects to see more bright and bold motifs. But overlap comes in that sense of luxury, through materials like pearls and gold along with ornate tablescapes. That’s something we can get behind!
At Sequence Events, we’re not just watching these trends—we’re actively integrating them into our event design and strategic development, ensuring every event is ahead of the creative curve. Here's to a dynamic and innovative 2025!
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