Dan Berger, CEO of Social Tables, spoke at a breakout session to Lanyon Live attendees on the future of the hospitality industry.

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5. Over 1.5 billion sq. ft. of event space
1.3 million events created
150 million attendees impacted
4,200 customers

8. A world where face-to-face events
achieve great things.

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32. 2026

33. The “Golden Age of Travel” will continue.

34. More events, with bigger budgets.

35. We won’t be able to tell the difference
between real and virtual events.

36. Robots will setup and teardown rooms.

37. Artificial intelligence will make events better
for everyone.

38. Complex productions will be easier to
organize.

39. Group business will be booked mostly online.

40. Second tier cities will become premier
destinations.

41. The room block will play second fiddle to
economic impact.

42. A governing body for the meetings industry
will emerge.

43. The Annual Meeting will become endangered.

44. More event professionals will report to CEOs

45. The hospitality industry will be more
profitable than ever.

46. 9 Ways to Prepare as a
Planner

47. Become Best
Friends with Data
1. Experiment with measuring NPS.
2. Surprise stakeholders with metrics.
3. Backup your ideas with data.

48. 1. Find inspiration outside of the events world.
2. Lean on your creative partners. Challenge them
and you’ll be surprised.
3. Be deliberate about every design detail.
Creativity
is Key

49. 1. Pick a destination based on the message it sends.
2. Leverage the CVB.
3. Integrate cultural learnings into your destination
event.
Unleash Your Inner
Anthropologist

50. 1. Encourage social interactions throughout the
event.
2. Remember everything is a backdrop for a photo.Pics, Or It
Didn’t Happen

51. 1. Pay it forward.
2. Find mentors and serve as a mentee.
3. Ask for introductions.
Find People You
Trust and Grow
Your Network

52. Be Proactive,
Ask and You
Shall Receive
1. Ask properties to offer you a customized site visit,
specific to your event.
2. Have partners join you on site visits.

53. 1. Invest in your learning.
2. Volunteer your time with an industry organization.
3. Remember that learning happens outside of your
comfort zone.
If You Rest,
You Rust

54. 1. Ask about sustainability programs at the venues
you’re working with.
2. Use it as a selling point, promote your event as a
“Green Event”.
Make Meetings &
Events Green Again

55. 1. Set goals for yourself.
2. Find an accountability partner.Be a Hero, Save the Day
(and Do It Over Again)