--- title: "The 6 Forces Shaping the Future of Meetings" id: "39222" type: "post" slug: "the-6-forces-shaping-the-future-of-meetings" published_at: "2017-08-04T11:30:37+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T20:04:53+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/08/04/the-6-forces-shaping-the-future-of-meetings/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/08/04/the-6-forces-shaping-the-future-of-meetings.md" excerpt: "From what attendees expect as the \"new status quo\" to how venues—and entire metropolis’—are being forced to upgrade their technology infrastructure." taxonomy_category: - "Meetings / Events" taxonomy_post_tag: - "AssociationsNow" - "brandconnection" - "event planning" - "Meetings" - "Technology" - "Trends" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » The 6 Forces Shaping the Future of Meetings Like everything else these days, the [meeting experience (opens in a new tab)](http://www.smithbucklin.com/circuit2017/) is changing. Technology trends, sustainability concerns, experiential programming, next-level food and beverage, wellness options, and bleisure travel are potentially more important to your meeting attendees than in the past. (Or at least some subset of that list is.) Is your host city a true partner in helping you navigate this shifting conference landscape? Let’s take a closer look at each trend and evaluate how cities can partner with association executives and meeting planners to meet these changing member needs. **1. Tech-expectations** Conferences need to deliver high-level technology content and experiences. Some industries are more affected by the [technology revolution (opens in a new tab)](https://www.wired.com/insights/2014/04/digital-darwinism-disruptive-technology-changing-business-good/) than others, but no one is immune to these seismic changes. Holding your annual conference in a city with a strong tech scene is a great way to ensure your meeting is getting speakers that can touch on the important tech topics that your members need to know. But that doesn’t mean every conference needs to be in Silicon Valley. There are now a number of growing tech hubs throughout the United States, where startups grew successful, got bought, and are now spawning a raft of new startups. Indianapolis is a [great example (opens in a new tab)](http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/story/35750477/steve-case-startup-momentum-building-in-indianapolis) of this phenomenon: Salesforce [bought (opens in a new tab)](https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/06/04/salesforce-to-buy-exacttarget-for-2-5-billion/) marketing-tech success ExactTarget, enabling a cadre of newly-anointed entrepreneurs to launch their own ventures and startups, further spurring activity in the city. Indy nonprofit [TechPoint (opens in a new tab)](http://techpoint.org/) can help conferences source keynote and panel speakers that can cover the latest and future tech trends that matter (or should matter) to your members. **2. Meetings with sustaining impact** The conversation on meeting sustainability is expanding. Recycling and digital handouts are great, but your attendees might be expecting more on the sustainable meeting front these days. Take your conferences to the next level of green by upcycling or attempting to go zero waste. You might think a zero-waste meeting is way too ambitious, but it’s doable. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis’ natatorium achieved a 93 percent waste diversion rate when it hosted the 2016 U.S. Olympic diving trials. (Hint: Offering composting is key.) As for upcycling, Indy-based [People for Urban Progress (opens in a new tab)](http://www.peopleup.org/) takes discarded materials and uses them to create products for individual use or for the city’s benefit. The nonprofit can turn conference banners that would otherwise be trashed into nifty totes and executive bags. Could there be a better VIP gift? **3. Events as immersive, seamless experiences** Conference attendees are looking for that [wow-factor (opens in a new tab)](http://www.iacconline.org/iacc-meeting-room-of-the-future) at every conference. Delivering strong programming and multiple networking opportunities are always going to be your conference priorities. But your meeting attendees now also expect you to deliver an experience—that truly memorable moment. One way to do this is to take a good look at your host city’s off-site event spaces. There are probably a couple that can deliver an experience your attendees will remember (and Tweet, Instagram, and Facebook about). For example, the Indianapolis Zoo recently opened a new, eco-conscious [private events pavilion (opens in a new tab)](http://www.indianapoliszoo.com/events-and-groups/private-group-events/facility-rentals/bicentennial-pavilion) . Attendees can roam the zoo and catch fascinating animal presentations—all after hours and without the crowds. Also, consider letting your host city do most of the work for you. Are there [cool events (opens in a new tab)](http://www.indianasportscorp.org/events/events-calendar/indy-ultimate) that you can latch onto? You promote the event to attendees, organize a participant group, and then the event works its experience-making magic. **4. Culinary relevance** Meeting attendees care a lot about good food and beverage options. Food trucks, craft beers, and farm-to-table meals continue to be hot trends across the country. Incorporate them into your meeting and your attendees will eat (and drink) it up. Indy’s [craft beer scene (opens in a new tab)](https://www.visitindy.com/indianapolis-whats-on-tap-indy-breweries) is no joke. And Ross Bailey, owner of Tastings Wine Bar in Indianapolis, operates a [vintage wine truck (opens in a new tab)](https://www.tastingsbar.com/indianapolis/vintage-wine-truck) —a customized [1952 International Harvester Metro (opens in a new tab)](https://www.tastingsbar.com/vintage-wine-truck/) —that can deliver more than 1,000 servings of wine virtually anywhere in the city (including the convention center). On the food front, farm-to-table favorites [Milktooth (opens in a new tab)](http://www.bonappetit.com/restaurants-travel/best-new-restaurants/article/milktooth-no-10) and [Bluebeard (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cntraveler.com/galleries/2014-09-12/15-best-new-restaurants-in-the-midwest/3) , among others, are putting Indy’s dining scene on the foodie map. **5. Embracing—not evading—healthy choices** Wellness options is a win-win proposition. Your members who have made fitness, mindfulness, and/or a healthy diet a priority will really appreciate your efforts to help them stay on track. And happy, satisfied attendees are repeat attendees. Consider organizing (or getting your hotel to organize) an exercise, yoga, or meditation class before sessions begin. You might be surprised how many attendees show up. And here’s a huge benefit for you: [Exercise (opens in a new tab)](https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/jun/18/how-physical-exercise-makes-your-brain-work-better) and [meditation (opens in a new tab)](https://www.forbes.com/sites/dinakaplan/2017/03/24/10-minute-mindfulness-meditation-to-reduce-stress/#2622fab96d02) improve brain function, potentially boosting attendee engagement in your programming. **6. Business or pleasure? Both** [Bleisure travel (opens in a new tab)](http://www.cnn.com/travel/article/bleisure-travel/index.html) is important to some business travelers. It’s no secret that a good host city will boost attendance. San Francisco, Las Vegas, and New York will entice attendees to take a day or two for themselves. But many smaller cities can also deliver some great nights out or a fun mini-vacation—for much less money. Some important factors: Can you [walk (opens in a new tab)](http://indyculturaltrail.org/) to cool places? Is there a [happening (opens in a new tab)](http://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2017#indianapolis-indiana) local restaurant and bar scene? Are the [main attractions (opens in a new tab)](http://cdn.visitindy.com/map/VisitIndy_Downtown_0717.pdf) close to downtown hotels? Staying on top of what your attendees want from your meetings is critical to keeping conference attendance—and membership levels—high. Make sure you are you choosing conference cities that can help you not only meet but exceed each one of these shifting expectations. [ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/) [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/) Tags: [#brandconnection](https://associationsnow.com/tag/brandconnection/) [#event planning](https://associationsnow.com/tag/event-planning/) [#Meetings](https://associationsnow.com/tag/meetings/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) [#Trends](https://associationsnow.com/tag/trends/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [ArticleReport: Cost, Stability Top Meeting Planners’ AgendasOctober 20, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/20/report-cost-stability-top-meeting-planners-agendas/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [VideoThe Graham Report: New CEO Trends in 2024January 31, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/01/31/the-graham-report-new-ceo-trends-in-2024/) - [VideoIntroducing the Graham Report Short Intro V2December 16, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/12/16/introducing-the-graham-report-short-intro-v2/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F08%2F04%2Fthe-6-forces-shaping-the-future-of-meetings%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !