As we move into 2025, two major forces are shaping the future of online experiences: the growing influence of Gen Z and the rapid evolution of AI from generative to agentic. The key for event professionals? Adapt, innovate, and create experiences that truly resonate.

Here are the top takeaways that stood out:

Virtual Events: Fewer but Larger

The pandemic-era explosion of virtual events has settled into a new rhythm. Instead of a flood of webinars and online conferences, we’re seeing fewer but much larger virtual events. Based on Crawford Group’s virtual events data,  attendance per session has nearly doubled, climbing from an average of 115-200 participants (2020-2022) to around 300 today.

Why? Attendees are getting picky. They’re choosing quality over quantity, prioritizing events that deliver high-value content, engaging experiences, and real opportunities for interaction. Event pros should take note: The goal isn’t just to host more virtual events, it’s to make them better.

By the Numbers:

• 61% of organizers report higher webinar attendance in the past year according to Bizzabo
• 59% of event professionals say virtual events are here to stay according to Forrester
• 43% believe webinars offer the best learning opportunities according to Bizzabo
• 53% of attendees rely on online events for professional development according to Freeman
• Yet, only 1% prefer remote events over in-person options according to Freeman

The takeaway? Hybrid and in-person events still have a place, but virtual remains a powerful tool, especially when done right.

Gen Z is Reshaping Virtual Events

By 2030, Gen Z and Millennials combined will make up 70% of the workforce, meaning they’re not just attendees, they’re soon to be decision-makers. And their expectations are totally different from past generations.

• Tech-Native & High Standards: They expect seamless, glitch-free experiences with high production value.
• Experience Over Everything: Forget the slide decks, Gen Z craves interactive, memorable moments.
• Social by Nature: Ironically, the “most connected” generation craves real connection, even in virtual space

The Gen Z engagement trailblazers we’re watching:

• Remo: Creates immersive virtual spaces that feel less like webinars and more like networking lounges.
• Voxo: AI-powered real-time event summaries for those who want instant takeaways.
• Camo: High-quality virtual backgrounds to boost presentation aesthetics.

Event planners who embrace these tools, and the Gen Z mindset will have a competitive edge in the virtual event landscape.

The Rise of Agentic AI

We’ve all seen what generative AI can do, but 2025 is about something even bigger: Agentic AI. AI that doesn’t just generate content, but actively does things for you.

Imagine an AI event assistant that:

• Auto-summarizes meetings and prioritizes tasks
• Schedules follow-ups and books networking meetings
• Sorts event emails and creates calendar invites
• Pulls attendee insights and generates reports in seconds

Sounds great, right? But with great AI comes great responsibility. The risk? Agent sprawl, too many AI tools creating complexity instead of streamlining workflows. Security concerns will also be a growing conversation as these AI agents gain more autonomy.

The 2025 Buzzword Shift: Data and Experience Overtake AI

For the first time in years, AI took a backseat in industry buzz. Instead, “data” and “experience” dominated conversations. This signals a shift from theoretical AI hype to real-world applications, where AI enhances experiences, rather than just existing as a flashy buzzword. 

The winners will be those who effectively leverage data to create seamless, personalized attendee journeys.

Looking Ahead

The playbook for 2025 is clear: Virtual events must be high-value and well-produced, as attendees are more selective than ever. To stay relevant, event professionals need to adapt to Gen Z’s expectations by making experiences interactive, social, and tech-forward. At the same time, the rise of Agentic AI presents new opportunities, but success lies in leveraging its power wisely while staying mindful of security and complexity. 

Virtual events aren’t disappearing, but the way we approach them is evolving rapidly. Those who embrace these shifts and innovate alongside their audiences and technology will lead the way.