We closed out Q1 with strong momentum and a clear signal about where the corporate events landscape is headed in 2026: attendees are prioritizing intentional, high-value experiences.
From curated executive dinners to experiential activations, the events that performed best this quarter were built around exclusivity, relevance, and meaningful connection. Here’s a look at what stood out and what we see for the months ahead.
Quarter Highlights & Stats
This quarter, we brought together 1,056 attendees across major markets including Austin, Seattle, New York City, San Francisco, Boston, and Chicago, continuing to deepen engagement within our clients’ core audiences.
Key metrics from Q1 include:
1,056 total attendees
81% average show rate
70 attendees average event size
Top industries: Healthcare and SaaS
Highest-engagement market: San Francisco
Most notably, our 81% average show rate significantly outperformed the the industry average of 52%, signaling not just strong registration volume, but real attendee commitment and engagement.
We usually see a natural uptick in Q1 participation due to the “reset” that a new year brings. We always urge our clients to take advantage of this momentum by:
Sending out intentional pre-event comms
Curating each guest list
Doing research before finalizing event dates to ensure attendees won’t have many conflicts
The more thought out the planning process is, the more attendees will see value in attending your event! If you want more tips like this, make sure to check out our top 5 mistakes to avoid when planning a corporate event.
Healthcare and SaaS remained the top industries represented this quarter, reinforcing our focus on gathering leaders at the forefront of innovation and growth. With an average event size of 70 attendees, we maintained a balance between scale and intimacy, ensuring high-quality interactions while still reaching a broad audience for our clients.
Notably, San Francisco emerged as our highest-engagement market this quarter. Between repeat attendees, high show rates, and strong in-room participation, it remains as a key hub for both community-building and experimentation with new event formats. While San Francisco continues to be a popular destination for in-person events, we’re seeing more and more popularity in Seattle, Austin, and Boston for smaller, more tailored events. This quarter, we hosted 3 private dinners in Seattle, Boston, and Austin for around 30 people each.
What’s causing this trend? Likely a few things:
More companies are expanding their presence across a variety of cities like Seattle and Austin.
We’re noticing both attendees and clients valuing highly curated events rather than the standard conference or summit.
Cost savings are a nice benefit for these locations as well. Both Boston and Austin came in around $7k cheaper overall than the same sized event in San Francisco or New York.
What We’re Experimenting With
This quarter, we tested new ways to streamline how we manage and measure our events. We tested AI tools designed to automatically update our event databases with the goal of reducing manual lift and improving data accuracy and usability across the board, and helping our team narrow down what areas AI can be the most effective while not overcomplicating tasks.
At the same time, we’ve seen growing curiosity from our clients around how their attendees are employing AI, both in practical ways and in more “extra” or creative ways, prompting new opportunities to better capture and share these insights as part of the event experience.
While still early, this is an area we’re excited about. The goal isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about unlocking better visibility into what’s working across events and giving clients clearer, more actionable insights post-event. As we continue testing, we’re doubling down on improving data visibility across our programs and building smarter reporting that goes beyond surface-level metrics.
What’s Next
Looking ahead to Q2, we’re gearing up for an exciting slate of events that continue to stretch our creativity and impact. On the horizon:
An AI symposium
A multi-track product conference
A hackathon (👀)
An increased cadence of private dinners and happy hours
An elevated President’s Club experience in Costa Rica that promises to be a highlight!
High-impact moments that blend access, exclusivity, and fun: like a private suite at a San Diego Padres game.
These programs allow us to create even more immersive environments, deepen attendee engagement, and deliver unforgettable experiences as we head into the second quarter of 2026.
