new year, old school.
2026 PREDICTIONS
January is the month to reassess the year prior and set the tone for the year to come. We asked our team to pause from working in the weeds and consider how people actually want to connect this coming year. In doing so, in reflecting about trends and changes, we realized that the trend itself is: stepping back and connecting as humans, unplugged.
We all feel it, every one of us: we are constantly connected through tech, screens, media, phones, news, alerts. Everything is blue-screened. In our industry, we know how crucial connection is, and technology often facilitates and furthers those connections - but often only surface level. How well do you really know that person on Instagram? Does swapping emails or digital business cards truly connect you with that person? Tapping phones has become the new handshake, but we’re making a case for bringing back the old one. One thing is clear, we need more substantial, deeper connections, ones rooted in warmth and human connection rather than cold, tech-taps.
At RED VELVET, we’ll take the liberty of speaking on behalf of (most) who work in this industry - we’re here because we’re passionate about bringing people together for magical moments. PEOPLE. Not their wires and cords and wifi bubbles and cloud sharing and live streaming. Real, heart-beating humans gathering around as a collective, sharing ideas, conversing.
It’s a new year, but let’s go old school.
Presence Over Proof
You walk into an event, activation or conference and your phone is the de facto conduit - you need it to up your email verification, scan this QR code, snap a picture at this photo opp.
But what if you checked your phone at the door? Imagine an experience where your phone is checked like a coat check. Phone valet. Instead of being half-immersed, you’re fully present, making eye contact, having focused conversations, creating real memories. We value UGC (user-generated content) as it’s used as a vital experiential KPI, but what if we rely on the good ol’ word-of-mouth and let the hired professional photographer capture the true magical moments? If someone walks away from an experience, having only experienced it through the lens of their screen, we, as experiential marketers, have failed.
Putting the “REAL” in Reality
There is so much in our world that we literally cannot grasp. The data, the algorithm, the likes, the impressions, the videos and images that demand an AI double take.
Equinox recently launched a campaign with the slogan “Question Everything. But Yourself” which gently, or maybe not-so-gently reminds us that WE are what’s real and tangible. If events are focused on the people and tactical experiences, the impact extends beyond what we can measure in Instagram Story views.
So in 2026, we invite you to trade VR headsets for visually striking creations that you can touch. Create moments that invite you to see imperfection that comes from real life, not airbrushed life - artist installations, hands on moments, moments happening live IRL. At RED VELVET, we’re gleefully going back to the roots of nature, craft, and tangibility in experiences. Call it old-fashioned, we call it the RED VELVET touch.
Image: Equinox
Permanent > Performative
Alongside this return to human-first connection, we’re also seeing a shift in how people want to remember experiences. In 2026, permanence is on the rise. Over the last few years, we’ve watched permanent jewelry, piercing artists, and even tattoo artists move into the activation space. This signals that people are craving commitment, not just temporary moments. As analog experiences gain momentum and social media avoidance grows, the fleeting nature of the ephemeral feels less compelling. The trend is moving away from “posting with an expiration” and towards experiences that stick around… whether that’s a lasting swag item (not a tchotchke), an in-feed social post (not a 24-hour story), or a take-home Polaroid picture (not a digital link).
Ephemeral is transitory. Permanence is here to stay. (See what we did there?)
The Humans Behind the Brand
Eggs with the name of your chicken on the carton. T-shirts with the picture of the designer on the tag. The person filming the social media content. Who are the people behind the brand? Let’s pull back the RED VELVET curtain if you will…
Consumers are hungry for intel - they want to meet the creators, see their designs being sketched, and learn about the thought process that inspired the work. This insight transforms a touch point into an invitation. Viewers are invited to see the messy middle and they appreciate the process. When people are excited about the backstory and uniqueness of what they are getting, they are emotionally invested in a brand’s story. Brands are run by people. When we feel like we have a connection to the singular behind the many, this makes brands feel human, familiar, and trusted.
Smaller Circles, Stronger Bonds
Certain experiences can thrive in a setting of sensory overload. However, in 2026, you will see intimate, selective events in the experiential marketing landscape. Think supper clubs, mini retreats, and experiences that invite loyal brand advocates to have a front row seat.
These smaller, more intimate gatherings will then be strategically paired with larger launches that extend to everyone, filling the entirety of the marketing funnel. With this style of experiential, brands create something tailored to longtime supporters, making them feel seen and appreciated. A true “inner circle” event.
“That’s So Aesthetic"
A designer, creator, or curator’s ultimate compliment. Aesthetic means “an appreciation of beauty” and now thanks to the Pinterest mood board era, aesthetic is no longer contained within a board, it’s your style, through line, and inspiring qualities which others long to emulate.
Mood boards are back as a brand style direction; they give a feeling and tone to collections, collaborations and events that make consumers feel like they’re in the studio. It doesn't have to be overly polished - in fact, it shouldn’t. It’s blue sky. Imagine everything that it could be without fear of failure or scrutiny. Mood boards allow for controlled chaos, with the purpose of sparking curiosity and conversation.
2026 experiential marketing isn't bigger, it’s closer.
We’re designing experiences that people attend AND remember. We’re creating moments where brands are reachable, they are welcoming you. You get to meet the teams behind the brand. See their sketches. By designing experiences that prioritize intimacy over scale, substance over spectacle, and connection over consumption, brands have the opportunity to build lasting loyalty and meaningful relationships.
The future of experiential isn't about reaching more.
Connect with less but do it with purpose and people.
You’ll make more of an impact.
2026: Quality over Quantity.
