When it comes to destination management, the Association of Destination Management Executives International (ADMEI) is where the industry’s top players come to connect, learn, and set the tone for the year ahead. ADMEI 2025 was no exception, bringing together planners, vendors, and industry leaders to discuss the biggest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the future of events. And if there’s one thing we learned, it’s this: activations aren’t just a nice-to-have—they’re the number one opportunity for sales growth in 2025, according to a live poll during a breakout session.
With that in mind, we came prepared with a lineup of experiences designed to capture attention, drive engagement, and leave attendees with a taste (literally) of what’s possible when innovation meets interactivity.
Robo Ice Cream: A Taste of the Future
Meet Robo the Robot, the AI-powered dessert maestro who stole the show. Our Robo Ice Cream experience let attendees customize their frozen treat with a selection of toppings and syrups, proving that even something as simple as ice cream can be turned into an unforgettable moment. Beyond the sweet indulgence, it showcased how automation and AI can be leveraged to create engaging, seamless experiences that elevate an event from standard to spectacular.
Experiential Vending Machine: The Ultimate Event Giveaway
Swag shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be an experience. Our Experiential Vending Machine took giveaways to the next level by adding a layer of mystery and interactivity. Attendees scanned a QR code, filled out a custom form, and entered a unique pin code to receive a surprise prize.
What did they get? A mix of exclusive merch and goodies, including:
Mystery T-Shirts featuring clever event planner humor (think Itinerary Wizard and Chaos Coordinator)
Dunkin’ Gift Cards to fuel those early morning site visits
Mood Balls—stress balls that shift from purple to pink, a playful nod to the highs and lows of event planning
Through this activation, we gathered valuable insights from attendees, reinforcing some key industry takeaways:
Budget constraints are top of mind, but planners are still investing in high-quality, unique activations.
Trade shows and vendor relationships drive decision-making, but referrals and online research still play a significant role.
Planners prioritize immersive, tech-forward experiences, with photo and video activations leading the way.
Most attendees manage a high volume of events with mid-to-high budgets, meaning scalability and innovation must go hand in hand.
Logistics challenges remain a concern, highlighting the importance of seamless execution and reliable vendors.
Soundtrack Sweepstakes: What Powers Your Travel Playlist?
Event planners know that the right playlist can make or break a road trip, a site visit, or a long day of back-to-back meetings. So we put their music knowledge to the test with our Soundtrack Sweepstakes. To enter, attendees had to follow our Instagram, like the post, and comment with the artist who powers their travel playlist.
The lucky winner? @asherrgrace, who walked away with a Bose Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker—because great music deserves great sound. Their winning artist? Boy Genius, proving that indie vibes are alive and well in the world of event planning.
Final Takeaway: Activations Are Driving Sales Growth in 2025
ADMEI 2025 confirmed what we’ve known all along—activations aren’t just about engagement; they’re a key driver of business growth. As event planners navigate budget constraints, logistical challenges, and an increasing demand for immersive experiences, the right activations can create standout moments that translate into real value. Whether it’s AI-powered ice cream, interactive vending, or social media-driven sweepstakes, the future of events is all about blending technology, creativity, and strategy.
Missed us at ADMEI 2025? Let’s talk about how we can bring interactive experiences to your next event.
