25 Positive Predictions for 2024, Part 2

Editor's note: This is part two in our Positive Predictions series. Check out part one here.

Let's start off the new year with some positivity! We asked several top industry thought leaders to share their perspectives on 2023 as it ends, and what we can look forward to as we round the corner into a shiny new year.

9. Ryan Corvaia

Founder & Owner, Dish Food & Events

Since we have all been paying more for just about everything in 2023 and into 2024, client expectations at catered events are on the rise. I predict the hospitality landscape will continue to evolve as our clients place a stronger emphasis on an elevated guest experience at special events.

I see this as a fantastic opportunity for caterers and event companies to focus on training their teams to not only deliver top notch service, but to go above and beyond in creating “wow moments” and thus providing only the best hospitality. Is it even possible to treat every guest like they are the last guest on earth?

To do this, we must create a company culture where our entire service team feels empowered to go above and beyond for each guest we serve. When you encourage your team to bring their creativity to the guest experience, they will become more willing to work hard to make sure that experience is great.

10. Tayler Cusick Hollman

Founder, Enji

If you've been chasing page-one rankings on search engines, 2024 is going to be the year you can make serious moves! Because the thing no one is talking about, but should be talking about, is how AI is impacting how people search for things on the internet.

My prediction is that as more people use ChatGPT as a search engine and as Google makes a shift to a chat-like interface, the rankings slate will be "wiped clean" to a certain extent as businesses don't adapt their SEO strategy—and we all can take advantage of that. Websites and web pages that have historically ranked high will start to slip if the people in charge of them don't have their eyes on this change, so even though this prediction isn't great for some businesses, it is a very positive opportunity for others!

11. Meghan Ely

Owner, OFD Consulting

Having a front seat to WIPA’s record growth post-pandemic, I’m confident we’ll see event brands continue to prioritize association membership and networking events as part of their visibility strategy. 

I’m also seeing the desire to serve as a leader at an all-time high. In fact, we experienced a 30% increase in nomination applications to the WIPA International Board this year. Event pros are ready to give back in droves and help shape what is to become of the hospitality industry for the next generation of clients and companies. 

Better yet, associations with a future-forward mindset will thrive, recognizing that the needs of event pros today look different than 10, 15 years ago. Expect reimagined education, innovative attendee experiences, and thoughtful partnerships with leading brands.

12. Scott Frankel

President, Animatic Media, LLC

Things for the events industry have never looked brighter. As those of us who survived the greatest test of our industry, I feel like 2023 proved that we are back in a strong way and it’s looking like 2024 will break some records. It has been specifically challenging on the production side of things as we lost a lot of talented people during the pandemic for a number of reasons. However, that staffing pool has begun to renew itself with a new generation of upcoming talent. We are looking at some new groundbreaking technology that, combined with creative thinking, will undoubtedly result in some unique and memorable audience experiences. 

13. Cristian Hernandez

Director of Business Development, Rosendale Events

When it comes to new food and beverage trends, our culinary director Certified Master Chef Rich Rosendale doesn’t miss a beat. From marvelous and artistic dessert presentations to the most unique and sophisticated serving robots, he is looking at what the future may bring. In fact, we recently opened R3 Rosendale Concepts, a restaurant located in the downtown Atlanta area, and took a sustainable and innovative approach by eliminating the use of hoods, grills, and fryers found in traditional restaurants. This demonstrates a new model for opening fine-dining restaurants that lowers costs while still ensuring quality. 

With labor shortage still being a predominant issue that caterers are facing, we are also looking to see how we can better utilize our employees. Our main focus is on training and retaining employees to lower the turnover rate. We hold monthly training sessions, offer incentives, and recognize our staff for their efforts and achievements. The future of catering is bright and with the right people, the right mindset, and obtainable goals, you can reach the stars.

14. Julia Kendrick Conway

Owner, Assaggiare Mendocino

We are booking new events at a brisk pace for 2024. Definitely different from this time last year. While overall planning timelines have shortened back to pre-pandemic levels, clients seem to be more optimistic about forward planning than last year. Most of our events are destination weddings, and overall, headcounts are down but budgets are not. While being conscious of their budgets, clients are willing to spend on items that are significant to them. This allows us more flexibility in planning unique and special menus and service elements tailored to the respective couples and their celebrations. Our clients seem to be more focused on personal details that reflect their values, experiences, and aspirations rather than sticking to the tried-and-true rituals. They want their celebration to be an inclusive and immersive experience for their families and guests, celebrating the things that make them special as a couple. They often want to incorporate special cocktails, appetizers, and snacks that reflect their shared histories and heritages. Since we are full-custom, this fits well within our business model.

15. Sarah Kuhlberg

Creative Marketing Director, Colette's Catering & Events

In the upcoming year, individuals will be redefining their spending preferences to prioritize experiences of special significance. The human yearning for meaningful connections and mindful experiences has never been more pronounced. Special occasions, travel, upscale dinner parties, and curated events are all set to be on the rise in 2024. The event industry is perfectly poised to deliver those coveted moments of connection and mindfulness that we so deeply desire! Whether it's corporations celebrating their achievements, families and friends reuniting in joyous gatherings, or weddings with larger guest counts, there's a resounding shift towards valuing experiences over material possessions.

Also, food and cocktail trends we currently see at innovative, cutting-edge restaurants are increasingly making their way to the catering table and bar. Catering companies that offer curated, chef-driven menus will be in higher demand. This forthcoming year promises to be one where culinary innovation and thoughtful event design converge to create lasting impressions in the hearts and minds of individuals.

16. Anthony Lambatos

Co-Owner, Footers Catering and MIBE

While hiring has gotten easier over the past year, I think it will still be a challenge moving into 2024, specifically attracting and retaining top talent in the catering and events industry. Employees have more options than ever on where they want to work, how they want to work, who they want to work with, and what work they want to do. I believe this will inspire companies to be more creative than ever when it comes to looking out for the overall well-being of their employees. Creating a place where team members love working and others aspire to work for starts with valuing people for more than the job they do. To demonstrate this, companies are going to look beyond traditional benefits and find unique ways to respond to the mental, physical, relational, and financial well-being of their team members. Leadership development training, access to mental health resources, childcare support, home buying assistance, flexible work schedules, community involvement, and wellness programs are just a few of the areas that companies will add or enhance to meet the needs of their employees. And the companies that are able to do this well will reduce time spent hiring and training and they are going to see a surge in engagement, collaboration, and innovation. 

Hear More Perspectives from the Pros 

You can get even more insight from these industry professionals when they present during this year’s Catersource + The Special Event: 

Check back next week for part three in our Positive Predictions series.