AI is Changing How People Search:

• 20% of users switched their primary search platform in the last year.
• 78% have tried Generative AI search tools.

What This Means for Your Brand:

• AI chatbots & search summaries (think Google’s AI overviews) are becoming the first stop for answers.
• SEO must evolve to ensure your brand stays discoverable

Real Talk on AI in Event Planning
As an event planning and marketing business committed to staying at the forefront of industry trends, Big Deal Company has spent a lot of time analyzing the use of AI in all of our work. New tools? New trends? We are all about it! But sometimes, it is helpful to hit the pause button, particularly when it comes to AI.
 
Don’t get us wrong - AI has some amazing uses. It can streamline a schedule, crunch data like a champ, and it is a helpful tool in brainstorming creative ideas and jumping off points. But when it comes to planning real-life events with real-life logistics (and budgets!).... Let’s just say there are some major reality checks happening.
​
When AI Inspo Gets Out of Hand
Let’s start with what’s driving planners and creatives a little nuts these days. Clients are coming in with AI-generated “inspo” pics that oftentimes look like they were ripped straight from a sci-fi fantasy - literally impossible to pull off.
 
We’re talking about extravagant chandeliers hanging from glass ceilings, flower walls defying gravity, hair that could only exist in a wind-free world. Wedding planners, stylists, and even plastic surgeons are all saying the same thing: AI is warping expectations, and it’s putting professionals in a tough spot.
 
One wedding consultant told The Washington Post she lost a five-figure gig just for saying, “Hey, maybe the Met Gala look isn’t in your $10K budget.” Ouch.

​AI Can Be Smart - But It’s Not Creative Like a Human
AI is a powerful tool for streamlining schedules and analyzing data - but it doesn’t get the vibe or vision of an event the way humans do. An AI tool might say, “Great, let’s do a Gatsby-themed party,” without realizing that you’ve already had three Gatsby parties in your circle this year - and everyone’s over it.
 
Events aren’t just schedules and color palettes - they’re emotions, energy, and connection. And you need humans to truly get that. AI-generated ideas often result in uninspiring and generic event themes, missing the emotional resonance that human planners provide.
 
Misinformation is a Real Risk
Another AI issue? AI sometimes just makes stuff up. These are often called “hallucinations,” and they’re a big deal in event planning. Imagine putting the wrong location on invites or promising a feature that doesn’t even exist - just because AI spit it out. One wrong detail and you’re dealing with big chaos on the big day.
 
For example, we ran event information for one of our clients through a design app’s AI feature to create an event poster, and this is what it spit out:

The AI-description it provided for the poster read: “A vibrant poster announcing a book release party for 'Brewed at Altitude' hosted by Mulberry Max on May 3rd. The design features a stylized illustration of a mountain range with a steaming mug of beer superimposed, set against a backdrop of sunset hues. The text ‘Brewed at Altitude Book Release Party’ is prominently displayed in a bold, elegant serif font, with supporting text detailing the event: a lecture by Colorado historians and authors and local brewery tastings. The overall style is clean, modern, and visually appealing, incorporating elements of vintage poster design.”
 
A steaming mug of beer? Misspelling? Yikes! However, on a serious note, AI missed the boat on date, time, and location. Some of that is in the design, but it is not very clear and certainly not on brand.
 
Let’s Talk About Data Privacy (Because It’s a Big Deal at Big Events)
Like we’ve already said - AI can help support large projects, whipping up personalized itineraries, automating customer service, and even generating slick marketing designs with a few pitfalls (reread that last section). However, we can’t ignore the elephant in the ballroom: data privacy.
 
When you’re planning large-scale conferences or corporate events, you’re collecting a lot of attendee data - everything from dietary restrictions to session behavior to professional affiliations. That’s a goldmine of information - and a massive responsibility to safeguard.
 
Real talk: The moment you feed that data into an AI tool, you’ve got to ask some serious questions. Who else can access it? Where is it stored? How is it used? And are you absolutely sure it’s secure?
 
Real tip: Don’t input sensitive information into just any AI app - especially not public ones. And when using tools like ChatGPT for creative stuff, keep your prompts super generic. That marketing headline? Go ahead. Internal attendee data or budget details? Steer clear.
 
If you’re managing a big event, think of AI as a helpful assistant. Great at sorting information and handling tasks - but not someone you hand the keys to the vault. Protect your attendees. Protect your organization. And be smart about how you use the technology.
 
It’s Not Cheap Either
AI is not always the budget-friendly solution it’s hyped up to be. There are a lot of free or low-cost AI tools floating around, but when you’re looking at scalable, secure, and truly effective AI for event planning - especially for corporate meetings and conferences - you’re entering serious investment territory.
 
For example, custom AI-powered event apps. Between development, software licenses, integrations, testing, and ongoing maintenance, you could easily be looking at a $25,000 - $50,000 price tag. That’s before you even account for team training, cybersecurity compliance, or system upgrades. Ouch!
 
The big takeaway? AI can definitely be powerful, but it’s not plug-and-play on a shoestring budget. You need a solid strategy and wallet to make it work without compromising on security, creativity, or control.

Take it from our 3-handed AI generated team member below.

​The Bottom Line: Keep It Real
At Big Deal Company, we love innovation. But we also love reality. While AI can be super helpful behind the scenes, it’s not ready to take over event planning yet. Your dream day, launch party, or corporate bash deserves ideas that are doable, creative, and crafted by professionals who get it.
 
So - bring the AI inspo if you want - we’ll help you filter it through what is actually possible. Because when it comes to planning an unforgettable event, the human touch still wins every time.
 
Want to see some fantastic human-created events in action? Visit our website and see how Big Deal Company can make your event dreams come true. You can stay on top of all of the latest event trends and local event calendars by signing up for our monthly newsletter. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Email and SMS marketing aren’t going anywhere—in fact, they’re
getting smarter and more personalized, thanks to AI and automation.
Businesses that tap into hyper-personalization are seeing more opens,
stronger customer connections, and better results.
See BIG DEAL's free printable for more information!

Keeping up with marketing trends is crucial for small and mid-sized businesses to remain competitive and relevant in a fast-changing marketplace. Trends like human-driven AI use, short-form video content, and sustainability resonate with modern consumers, helping businesses build stronger connections and trust. BIG DEAL Company is proud to already be using all of these predicted trends with our clients.

Short-Form Video Reigns
 
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Reels, and YouTube will remain popular for short-form videos. Creative, bite-sized content that quickly grabs attention will be key to engaging audiences surrounded by marketing content on social media. Generational targeting will remain essential in determining which video platforms best suit your audience, which is why we sit down with each new client to determine which social media platforms will get the highest return on investment.
 
Personalization of AI Tools
 
Artificial Intelligence (AI) will be central to marketing strategies, enabling quick research, efficient content creation, and optimized ad creation – when used correctly. While AI excels at streamlining operations, personalizing content, and handling repetitive tasks, it lacks the human ability to empathize and connect emotionally, and it lacks the knowledge you and your marketing team have about your business – why we NEVER recommend our clients use purely AI-generated blogs or social posts.
 
Human oversight in AI-driven interactions and content is essential for accuracy and emotional connection. This balance helps build trust and loyalty, as customers are more likely to engage with businesses that prioritize genuine content and interactions over purely automated writing.
 
Focus on Sustainability and Transparency
 
Ethical and sustainable practices will appeal to eco-conscious consumers. We not only prioritize sustainability in our event planning services but prioritize it in our personal lives. Community support is one of our team’s core values, which is why we volunteer, donate, and market for nonprofits as individuals and as a company. We partner our marketing initiatives with local nonprofits to cross-promote causes while increasing visibility for our clients.
 
Transparency about data usage, AI-generated content, and business values will become critical for building trust and loyalty with audiences.
 
Micro-Influencer Partnerships
 
Collaborating with micro- and nano-influencers will remain a cost-effective way to reach niche, engaged audiences authentically. BIG DEAL Company consistently takes advantage of our connections throughout northern Colorado to get our clients’ content in front of a larger audience, by cross-posting relevant content on company pages, sharing content and events to local groups, and shouting out our clients on our business pages, newsletters, and website.
 
Zero-Click Content
 
Businesses will increasingly use social media to provide valuable, engaging content directly on platforms, avoiding clicks to external sites. Engagement is lost with each click, which is why we strive to provide relevant information directly on social media through screenshot-able infographics and action buttons to initiate a phone call, send an email, or purchase a product without leaving your social feed.

​Omnichannel Marketing Experiences
 
Integrating online and offline touchpoints will provide cohesive customer journeys, leveraging data from both to enhance experiences. We collect data from our clients’ social media pages, websites, and in-person events to guide future marketing efforts. And, while online marketing is a large part of our business, we find there is no substitute for a conversation at a local chamber event or a holiday gift delivered to a prospective partner.
 
Conversational Search Optimization
 
Businesses should optimize content for conversational queries and emphasize local keywords to capture nearby customers, which is why we take a human approach (considering, “what would I type if I was searching for this content?”) to determine keywords for our clients’ blogs and web page content.
 
Soundless and Visual-First Ads
 
In the overwhelming social media world of auto-play ads clogging up news feeds, silent ads with emphasis on visuals and closed captions are making a comeback. Ads that get your point across without sound also enable you to capture your audience’s attention in environments where sound isn’t feasible, like a waiting room or workplace.
 
Generational Targeting
 
As always, generational targeting is essential to get the content we create with you in front of the right people. Tailoring channels and strategies to different age groups (e.g., Gen Z prefers TikTok, and Millennials like email campaigns) ensures we direct your message to those most likely to complete your call to action, whether that’s a purchase, a donation, or a post share. 

Long-Form Content Resurgence
 
While short-form still dominates social media, in-depth articles and videos will remain essential for storytelling and expertise. Blogs, podcasts, and events offer opportunities for long-term attention from your audience.
 
In-depth articles, infographics, or guides are particularly effective in nurturing leads, as they address customer pain points in detail and educate them on solutions, moving them further down the sales funnel. For businesses where being an industry expert is essential, long-form content also provides depth, authority, and increased value to audiences.
​
Contracting Is The New Workforce
The shift towards project-based work structures in various industries encourages the use of contract help. This trend has been increasing significantly in the US. Businesses prefer to assemble teams with diverse skills for specific projects, fostering innovation and efficiency. (Source: Forbes, "The Rise Of The Gig Economy And Why It's Different This Time")

Having a dedicated marketing team that actively monitors and adapts to these emerging trends ensures your business not only meets current consumer expectations but also anticipates future shifts. With the right team and tools, you can turn these trends into opportunities for stronger engagement, higher conversions, and sustained success.

Contact BIG DEAL Company now for a tailored marketing plan that suits your small business needs and budget - from a dedicated contract partner. 

TRENDING TODAY... AI INTEGRATION
See graphics below for Pros and Cons. AI can come with both benefits and challenges...

Benefits:

​Personalization
AI enables event planners to deliver highly personalized experiences for
attendees. By analyzing data such as interests, past behavior, and
preferences, AI can automatically generate customized agendas,
recommend specific sessions or exhibitors, and even guide attendees to
relevant networking opportunities.

Automation of Administrative Tasks
AI can automate many of the repetitive, time-consuming tasks that
come with event planning. This allows event planners to focus more on
strategic aspects of the event, improving overall efficiency and reducing
human error.

Content Creation and Management
AI is a powerful tool for content creation. From automating transcription
and real-time captions to creating marketing materials and
summarizing sessions, AI helps streamline content creation, ensuring
the event’s messaging is clear and consistent.

Enhanced Virtual and Hybrid Experiences
With the rise of hybrid and virtual events, AI is helping create seamless
experiences for both in-person and remote attendees. AI can
automatically adjust streaming quality based on the user’s connection
speed, provide real-time translations, and recommend sessions or
speakers to virtual attendees.