7 Data-Backed Reasons to Keep Your Events In-Person
When you immerse yourself in a hands-on Activation at Ignite (axe throwing, laser engraving, or a full-blown “office-olympics”), you are giving your team something a Zoom meeting can’t replicate: authentic human connection. The data below shows why in-person opportunities are critical in 2025.
1. People show up to see one another
A Microsoft Work Trend Index survey of 20,000 employees found that 84 % would choose to commute to work, specifically to socialize with coworkers, and 85 % to build team bonds. Microsoft
2. In-person meetings spark richer discussion
The NIH’s Center for Scientific Review compared 4,000+ reviewers and saw a clear hierarchy: face-to-face rated 1st for personal engagement and discussion quality, hybrid 2nd, and virtual 3rd (or last). public.csr.nih.gov
3. Remote work boosts “busy” but hurts overall wellbeing
Gallup’s 2025 State of the Global Workplace shows fully remote employees top the charts for work engagement (31 %) yet report more loneliness and stress than on-site peers. Gallup.com
4. In-person events deliver the strongest ROI
78 % of organizers call live events their most impactful marketing channel. Bizzabo
47 % of event marketers say in-person gatherings generate the highest return on investment, beating hybrid and virtual formats. remo.co
82 % of attendees flat-out prefer attending on site. ATN Event Staffing
5. Budgets are following the buzz
American Express GBT’s 2025 Global Meetings & Events Forecast reports that two-thirds of planners expect bigger budgets, and in-person meetings “continue to dominate” priority lists. Amex GBT
6. Live events drive real economic impact
UK conferences alone pumped £19.3 billion in direct spending during 2024, with similar gains forecast for U.S. markets. Financial Times
7. Relationship-building tops planners’ goals
In a July 2025 survey of corporate event coordinators, 73 % said their #1 aim is forging relationships, edging out pure “fun” and far outranking communication drills. watsonadventures.com
What This Means for You
Lean into interactivity. Activities that get people moving, laughing, and problem-solving together amplify the results that the data above suggests.
Sell the Social. When pitching to clients, cite the figures above to quantify why a hands-on build station or competitive challenge beats a virtual meeting every time.
Design for story-worthy moments. Face-to-face events create memories that last a lifetime for team members. Worth it, right?
Invest in experiences—not items. Your people will thank you.
Written by Zacary Campa w/ Ignite Experiences—Colorado’s leader in immersive event rentals, corporate team-building, and experiential marketing activations.
