Designing What’s Next: EXPERIENCEit 2026 returns to shape the future of live experiences

Two-day Edinburgh gathering unites creatives, marketers and event professionals to rethink impact, storytelling and experience strategy.

As audiences demand more meaningful engagement and brands look to measurable impact, EVENTIT has announced the return of EXPERIENCEit 2026 — a bold, immersive two-day gathering designed to help creative, marketing and event professionals design the next generation of live experiences.

Taking place in Edinburgh on 10–11 March 2026, the event builds on last year’s radical reinvention of the traditional tradeshow model in favour of multi-venue, interactive learning and collaboration opportunity.

Judith Wilson, Events Director at EVENTIT, said:

“Events can no longer afford to be one-off moments. They must deliver return on engagement, embed social value, tell stronger stories and stand up to risk. The programme blends behavioural insight, crisis preparedness, storytelling, ESG strategy and wellness — reflecting the multi-disciplinary skillset now required across the sector.

We believe live experiences are entering a defining moment. The future belongs to experiences that shift perception, spark emotion and create genuine cultural connection. Audiences are more discerning, brands are more accountable, and the industry is being challenged to deliver deeper meaning — not just bigger moments.

EXPERIENCEit is about designing what’s next. It’s where creative and event professionals can build experiences that move people emotionally, socially and commercially. Experiences that people carry with them long after the lights go down.”

Martin Rhodes, MP for Glasgow North and Chair of the All‑Party Parliamentary Group for Events who leads the group’s work to champion and support the UK’s events sector across Parliament, will open the event and is looking forward to meeting delegates.

He said: “Scotland’s events sector is world-class, and I’m delighted to have this opportunity at EXPERIENCEit to meet with industry leaders and hear directly about the challenges and opportunities they face. As Chair of the APPG for Events, I’m committed to ensuring that the voices of Scotland’s organisers, venues and creatives are heard across Westminster, and that the sector receives the recognition and support it deserves.”

The opening afternoon and evening focus on human performance and team dynamics. At The Hoxton Edinburgh, co-founders of The Event Academy will lead the interactive Behaviour Lab, helping delegates identify communication styles and working behaviours that shape project success.

Learning is then put into practice through the Checkpoint Challenge, delivered by Maximillion Events — a fun team-based experience across the city designed to test collaboration, creativity and decision-making under pressure.

The evening concludes with Connections After Dark at Mansion House at Edinburgh Zoo, with catering by Heritage Portfolio — creating space for high-quality networking in a relaxed setting.

The second day at Brewhemia delivers keynote insights paired with facilitated mini workshops designed to turn ideas into action.

Keynote addresses include:

• Why Experiences Matter led by Global Experience Strategist Goc O’Callaghan
• It Would Never Happen to Us! – Bev Osborne, Partner at Training 4 Resilience and President of NOEA, examines crisis preparedness
• Building Charity and Social Responsibility into Events – Lynsey Greggain-Smith of BCD Meetings & Events outlines how embedding ESG and social impact can move events beyond one-off delivery to a lasting legacy.
• Heads for Tales – Alastair McCall and David Roberts of fresh reveal how storytelling can transform live experiences into narrative journeys that resonate long after delegates leave.

Meet Your Next Collab introduces a curated mix of innovative suppliers ready to support forward-thinking event delivery. Interactive idea-generation sessions encourage peer collaboration and rapid problem-solving.

The event concludes with a celebratory after-party, cementing new partnerships and reinforcing the community at the heart of EXPERIENCEit.Tickets start from £120+VAT. For further information and to register, visit eventit.org.uk