Bringing it all together Trends can be a pain if you approach them in a restrictive manner, but they can also be a great tool for inspiring creativity. “At the end of the day, our clients are going to be influenced by trends, but we’re doing a disservice to them if we’re being puppeteered by it,” said Banta. “So, if we want to excite audiences by being one step ahead of them and what they’re seeing on Pinterest, then we have to dive deeper, and we have to be willing to take risks.” Even if a risk doesn’t play out as you want it to, keep in mind: it’s not the trend that your guests will remember so much as the emotions it evokes. “We all know that trends come and go, but what truly matters is how we make our clients and their guests feel,” says Green. “Make sure your events tell a story, whether it’s a corporate gathering or a social celebration. It’s not just about what’s ‘on trend,’ but how well we understand our clients and their goals, and how we can bring their vision to life in an unforgettable way.” If you see something take hold of your peers, but doesn’t speak to you, that’s okay too. “Identify what works for you , even if everyone else is doing it,” Harris encouraged. It’s a delicate dance, but sometimes you stand out for what trends you don’t partake in as much as for those you do. “Trends are exciting because they push creativity forward. But at the end of the day, it’s not about doing what’s trendy—it’s about telling a story that feels personal, thoughtful, and true,” says Watson. “When you focus on how people feel at the event, not just what they see, that’s when magic happens.”
LED curtains have been trending the past few years. Pictured here: an attendee at Catersource + The Special Event’s Opening Night Party 2025 enters the celebration in vogue. Photo courtesy Ivan Piedra Photography/AGNYC Productions Inc./SpotMyPhotos
Projection mapping creates an aquatecture look at a movie premiere by Kristin Banta Events, Inc. Photo courtesy Kristin Banta Events, Inc.
30
SPECIAL EVENTS SUMMER 2025
Powered by FlippingBook