A message from our founder, Kevin Van der Straeten
Dear event professional,
A new year always brings a strange mix of excitement and realism. We start with fresh energy and big plans, but we also know the world isn't getting simpler. Budgets are under pressure, expectations are higher than ever, and the pace of change in our industry can feel relentless.
And yet, if there's one thing the events industry has proven time and again, it's this: we are resilient.
We've adapted through uncertainty, reinvented formats, embraced new technologies, and kept doing what we do best: bringing people together. Not because it's easy, but because it matters.
Real moments still matter most
In a world overflowing with digital noise, algorithms, and screens, one thing remains unchanged: real, live moments create the most profound impact. A shared experience. A conversation that sparks a new idea. A room full of people feeling the same energy at the same time.
Events aren't just 'back'. They've matured. They've evolved into one of the most powerful marketing and communication channels available today, because nothing replaces human connection.
That's also why we recently published our in-depth article on event industry trends for 2026. Not to chase hype, but to highlight a clear truth: our industry is becoming more strategic, more data-driven, more professional, and more essential than ever. For the same reason, 2025 also marked the launch of EVENTPLANNER 4, the next evolution of our book, built on years of real-world experience and designed to help event professionals navigate this more mature, demanding landscape with confidence.
Growth doesn't come without friction
Let's be honest: the economic climate isn't always forgiving. Organising events today requires sharper choices, better planning, and flawless execution. There’s less margin for error and more pressure on teams to do more with less.
But pressure also drives progress.
Over the past years, we've seen event professionals raise the bar, structuring their workflows, collaborating more efficiently, and demanding smarter tools to support them. That evolution is exactly what motivates us at eventplanner.net. Making the complex feel manageable
Our mission remains unchanged: to make the organisational side of events smoother, faster, and safer.
Not by adding complexity, but by removing it. By replacing scattered emails, endless spreadsheets, and uncertainty with clarity, structure, and collaboration. By building event management software that actually reflects how events are organised in real life: under pressure, with many stakeholders, and zero room for mistakes.
And yes, we'll keep improving. Because the better the tools behind the scenes, the more space you have to focus on what truly matters: creating unforgettable experiences.
Looking ahead
If the past years have taught us anything, it's that the events industry doesn't stand still. It adapts. It learns. It grows stronger.
The year ahead will bring new challenges, but also new opportunities, new formats, new audiences, and countless moments that a screen cannot replace.
On behalf of the entire eventplanner.net team, thank you for your trust, creativity, and perseverance. We're proud to be part of this industry, and even prouder to support the professionals who shape it every day.
Here's to a year full of meaningful events, bold ideas, and genuine human connection.
See you out there.
Warm regards,
Kevin Van der Straeten
Founder, eventplanner.net
