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Julius Solaris at Boldpush surveyed 800 event professionals to find out what separates winning events from declining ones in 2026.
Here’s what caught our attention 🙂
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“The wrong AI focus is a signal of a declining event.”
“Events are outperforming by using AI to elevate the attendee experience. Underperformers focus on saving time.” — Julius Solaris, Boldpush
Notice what this data is really saying.
Your conference isn’t remembered because it ran efficiently. It’s remembered because of what people did there — what they felt, who they became for a few hours. When people are fully in it — not watching, but living it — that’s when the room changes.
EU’s take: We turn attendees into participants. We always have. AI is a tool. Engagement is the point.
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“Virtual events are the best marketing tool for in-person events.”
“Events spending the most on virtual software have better in-person registration outcomes than any other tech category.”— Julius Solaris, Boldpush
Three years of “virtual is dead.” The data disagrees.
Virtual doesn’t replace the live room — it fills it. The organizations that stayed in the virtual game kept their audiences warm, curious & coming back for more.
EU’s take: We never stopped doing virtual. Live, hybrid, virtual — the platform changes. Our job doesn’t. Get the room engaged, or nothing else matters.
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“Big sponsors want content & activations — not just booth space.”
“Booth space is less important to sponsors who spend more at events. Sponsors with larger budgets require either content or experiential.” — Julius Solaris, Boldpush
Real estate isn’t enough anymore.
Sponsors need a reason for people to stop, turn & lean in. Something that pulls people out of their own heads and into the moment. That’s engagement.
EU’s take: We are that reason. We design the moment that turns a sponsor’s presence into a conversation — and a conversation into a connection.
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The research confirms what a lifetime in events has taught us:
Engagement is an ADVANTAGE. It’s not an add-on to a great event; it’s WHAT MAKES a great event.
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Roger + Michael | Engagement Unlimited | The Engagement Advantage
PS. Silence is golden, unless… 
