If your event agenda looks the same for every attendee, you’re not designing for people — you’re designing for averages. And averages don’t attend events. People do.
Recently, I sat in on a session at an industry event about creating event agendas with “space” beyond standard education offerings —adding things like early-morning yoga or facilitated networking to encourage connection.
The intent was solid. The execution? A little too familiar.
It assumed everyone’s needs and preferences were the same. But attendees are not “default.” They bring a mix of ages, work rhythms, learning preferences, personality types, and even sensory needs to an event.
In 2025, the most forward-thinking organizers are going beyond the one-size-fits-all model:
– IMEX Frankfurt 2025 moved past “wellness” as just yoga or meditation. They incorporated neuro-inclusion programming, sober-curious social options, and sessions built using behavioral design principles—acknowledging that well-being is personal and nuanced.
– Persona-driven planning is gaining traction, segmenting audiences into groups like early-career professionals, mid-management, executives, or certification-seekers—each with tailored tracks, networking formats, and session styles. When design starts with motivation instead of assumption, experiences resonate far deeper.
– RainFocus INSIGHT 2025 showcased adaptive agendas in action—using real-time data to adjust schedules on the fly, repeat popular content, and send personalized in-event recommendations based on attendee behavior.
Here’s how to move from “standard” to “intentional” in your own agendas:
– Ask first, design second. Use pre-event surveys to understand energy levels, networking preferences, accessibility needs, and preferred learning formats.
– Create pathways, not programs. Offer multiple formats running in parallel—quiet learning spaces, high-energy networking zones, hands-on labs, and wellbeing options—so attendees can self-select.
– Build in flexibility. Leave space in the agenda to repeat popular sessions, add emergent topics, or pivot based on real-time attendee feedback.
– Design for all senses and all speeds. Include options for those who thrive in stimulation as well as those who need calm to process and recharge.
These approaches share something in common: they center the human experience. They challenge us to ask:
– Who are we designing for when we build a “standard” agenda?
– What possibilities open up when we let attendees self-direct their journey?
– How can we replace assumptions with precision, creating multiple paths for engagement?
Inclusive, personalized agendas aren’t about adding more activities to check a box. They’re about designing with empathy—so more people can connect, learn, and recharge in ways that work for them.
