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Elina jutelyte - 12 DEcember 2025

Opportunities for Event Freelancers in 2026

How the Industry is Evolving, and How Plannernet Is Building a Stronger Future for Independent Talent

The events industry has always been one of the world’s most dynamic ecosystems: an environment where innovation, human connection, technology, and creativity collide.

For freelancers and solopreneurs, this dynamism has long translated into opportunity: the chance to build a flexible career, develop a wide-reaching client base, and design work around one’s strengths and passions.

But as we approach 2026, the landscape is shifting in profound and exciting ways. Hybrid experiences have matured. AI has moved from novelty to essential workflow partner. Companies are rethinking workforce models altogether. And freelancers, once viewed as supplemental resources, are now becoming core contributors to global event strategies.

This article, inspired by a webinar featuring:

Elina Jutelyte (Founder, Freelance Business Community and Endo-Exo - Event ROI Consultancy)
Sarah Robbins (VP Talent and Partner Network, Plannernet), and
Staci Hutchinson (COO North America, Plannernet), explores those shifts in depth.

More importantly: it outlines how experienced freelance event professionals can prepare, position themselves for long-term success, and leverage a trusted partner like Plannernet to expand opportunity, strengthen client relationships, and future-proof their business.

The Big Picture: A Freelance Revolution in Events

If you are already an established freelancer or solopreneur in meetings and events, you’ve felt the shift firsthand. Demand patterns have changed, client expectations have expanded, and the skill sets required for modern event delivery are wider, and deeper, than ever before.

According to Staci Hutchinson, the past few years have accelerated a transformation that was already underway:

“Post-pandemic, companies began reorganizing their event departments—reducing or eliminating full-time teams and leaning more heavily on specialized freelance talent. What started out of necessity has evolved into a sustainable, strategic workforce model.”

This shift is driven by several global forces:

1. The rise of hybrid, multi-format engagement

Hybrid events aren’t just a response to global disruption, they’ve become a standard expectation in many industries. That means more roles requiring dual skill sets: digital production blended with in-person operations; technical fluency blended with audience engagement.

2. Specialisation over generalisation

Companies are no longer looking for “one-size-fits-all” freelancers. They want very specific expertise, from virtual platform technical directors, to sustainability strategists, to niche industry-specific event leads. This turning point benefits freelancers who have built niche offerings and clear value propositions.

3. A growing reliance on flexible, agile workforce models

Organisations need the ability to scale up and down quickly, and freelancers offer that agility.

As Staci notes:

“Today’s workforce model includes four components: full-time employees, part-time employees, freelancers, and AI. Freelancers aren’t just filling gaps—they’re part of the plan.”

That’s a powerful shift. It formalises the role of flexible talent in organisational strategy and creates a runway for long-term, stable opportunities.

4. Technology accelerating, rather than replacing, human expertise

AI is reshaping everything from registration workflows to content design to project management. But rather than eliminating roles, AI is enabling freelancers to work smarter and focus on uniquely human skills like creativity, strategic thinking, and relationship-building.

5. Workforce demographic changes

The freelance sector continues to grow across all generations, not just among younger professionals. Interestingly:

9% of freelancers entering the market today are Boomers, drawn by flexibility and autonomy.
Mid-career professionals are increasingly using freelance work to diversify income and explore new segments of the industry.

In short: the freelance market is broader, more diverse, and more active than ever.

Emerging Skills Event Freelancers Need to Stay Competitive

If you want to thrive into 2026 and beyond, it’s not enough to be good, you must be evolving.

Sarah Robbins, who oversees Plannernet’s global network of thousands of event professionals, sees clear patterns in the skills that clients increasingly value.

1. AI Fluency: A New Core Competency

AI won’t replace event professionals, but event professionals who use AI will replace those who don’t.

Key areas to develop:

AI-assisted project planning
Agenda building and content brainstorming
Real-time data analysis
Workflow automation
AI-enhanced creative work (copywriting, design, storytelling)

This isn’t just about efficiency, it’s about protecting your mental bandwidth so you can focus on strategic and creative work.

2. Hybrid and Technical Skills

Even if your specialisation is in-person events, technical awareness is no longer optional.
Opportunities are expanding for freelancers with experience in:

Virtual platform management
Interactive content tools
Audience engagement technology
Integrations between registration, CRM, and analytics systems

The more you can speak the language of technology, the more valuable you become to clients planning multi-channel experiences.

3. Stronger Personal Branding and Online Visibility

Clients need to find you, and feel connected to your expertise, quickly.

Sarah emphasises:

“A personal brand isn’t a logo. It’s your voice, your perspective, your values, and how you show up publicly.”

Your LinkedIn, portfolio, website, and even your email signature should reflect:

What you specialise in
What kind of work lights you up
What type of organisations you support
What differentiates your approach

Visibility leads to credibility.
Credibility leads to opportunity.

4. Strategic, Consultative Thinking

Event freelancers today are no longer order-takers, they’re advisors. Clients increasingly want freelancers who can:

Anticipate risks
Recommend better solutions
Identify unnecessary costs
Offer creative alternatives
Contribute to long-term event strategy

This consultative value is what transforms one-off gigs into multi-year partnerships.

Concrete Actions Event Industry Freelancers Can Take to Strengthen Their Business

Based on insights shared by Sarah and Staci, here are three practical actions freelancers should prioritise:

1. Keep Your Portfolio Alive, Fresh, and Relevant

Your portfolio should evolve with every project, not just once a year. Regularly update:

Event descriptions
Metrics and outcomes
Photos and screenshots
Case studies
Testimonials

A modern portfolio is a living sales tool, not an archived archive.

2. Expand Your Hybrid Skill Set

Consider small, high-impact training investments:

A course on AI tools for event production
Certifications in sustainability (ISO 20121, for example)
Virtual platform mastery badges
Data analytics for events
Crisis management or risk planning training

Even one or two new certifications can significantly elevate your market value.

3. Be Visible, Approachable, and Memorable

Post regularly on LinkedIn. Share perspectives. Publish quick insights. Comment on industry trends. Showcase your personality and expertise. Clients increasingly choose freelancers they recognise and trust.

Global Factors Affecting Demand:
What Freelancers in the Event Industry Should Expect

Staci offered an important overarching message: the events industry is growing, not shrinking.
In fact, global industry forecasts project the sector to reach $1 trillion by 2029. That means more events, more formats, and more opportunities, especially for flexible, specialized talent.

So, is demand increasing or decreasing?

According to Staci: It’s increasing, and becoming more strategic.

Why?

Companies want specialised expertise they don’t need full-time.
Budgets are tighter, and freelancers provide cost-effective flexibility.
Teams want access to diverse talent globally.
Digital and hybrid experiences require skill sets that many in-house teams don’t have.

Freelancers are becoming critical components of workforce planning, not just temporary support.
In this environment, alignment is everything.

Building Strong, Lasting Client Relationships

Sarah emphasised one overarching truth: Clients remember how you make their lives easier.
A freelancer who is reliable, proactive, flexible, and communicative will always stand out, even more than a freelancer with exceptional technical skills.

Here are the behaviours that matter most:

1. Embrace varied opportunities

Not every job will be high-profile. Smaller engagements can:

Expand your portfolio
Fill income gaps
Introduce you to future long-term clients

Build skills you might not otherwise develop

2. Make the process seamless for clients

Be the freelancer who:

Responds quickly
Clarifies expectations
Provides proactive updates
Anticipates needs
Manages deadlines without being chased

3. Treat every engagement like a long-term partnership

Even if the project is small, approach it as the start of something bigger. That mindset builds reputation and repeat business.

Where Event Freelancers Can Find Clients in 2026

With so many options available today, sourcing clients can feel overwhelming. Staci highlighted three primary channels freelancers rely on, each with pros and cons.

	Souring clients via	Advantages
1	Your Personal and Professional Network	The most trusted source, but the most time-consuming. Great for highly personalised opportunities, but difficult to scale.
2	High-volume marketplace platforms	Good for one-off gigs and global exposure, but typically transactional, algorithm-driven, and competitive.
3	Full-service provider partners (like Plannernet)	This category is increasingly valued by experienced freelancers because it provides: - Human review and matching - Personalised onboarding - Support during client engagement - Access to established enterprise clients - Operations, compliance, and invoicing handled behind the scenes - Consistent opportunities

Many freelancers ultimately use a blend of all three approaches, but full-service partners offer the most stability and long-term value.

How Plannernet Is Innovating to Support Freelancers

Plannernet has spent more than 30 years building a global network and infrastructure that connects over 3,500 specialized freelancers in 70+ countries with enterprise clients. They support 200,000+ hours of work annually, and their model continues to scale as demand for flexible event talent grows.

But what sets Plannernet apart isn't just scale, it's how the company invests in the freelancer experience.

Sarah and Staci highlighted several key innovations:

1. Evailable: Plannernet’s Proprietary Talent Platform

Evailable helps freelancers:

Find relevant opportunities
Manage projects
Track updates
Receive fast payments
Communicate seamlessly with Plannernet and clients
Stay visible for future assignments

It’s not just a job board, it's an end-to-end work management ecosystem

2. Robust, Personalised Onboarding

Unlike platforms that rely exclusively on algorithms, Plannernet conducts detailed onboarding conversations to understand:

Your expertise
Your passion areas
Where you want to grow
The types of clients and events you prefer
What opportunities align best with your long-term goals

This human approach ensures better, more meaningful matches.

3. Upskilling, Resources, and Professional Development

Freelancers gain access to:

Guides and templates
Certifications
Webinars and workshops
Industry insights
Community learning

Plannernet provides tools that help freelancers not just work, but grow.

4. Supplier Consultancy Council

This council brings freelancers directly into the decision-making process, ensuring:

Their voices influence improvements
Their needs are heard
Their feedback shapes future innovations

Few platforms offer this level of partnership.

5. Commitment to Community and Connection

Plannernet is investing deeply in community-building initiatives, creating environments where freelancers can meet, collaborate, and access shared knowledge or opportunities.

6. Global Scale Paired with Local Expertise

Plannernet’s network has expanded significantly. Europe alone has grown more than 50% this year. This global reach unlocks opportunities for freelancers wanting:

International assignments
Multi-market projects
Remote event roles
Exposure to global brands

And because Plannernet works with 260+ clients annually, freelancers benefit from diverse, ongoing engagements.

Looking Ahead: What Plannernet Is Most Excited About for 2026

Sarah and Staci shared their excitement about several upcoming initiatives focused on enhancing the freelancer experience, including:

Continued development of Evailable to make it even more intuitive
Expanded learning opportunities in AI, sustainability, and hybrid skills
Stronger community-building opportunities across global markets
Deeper integration between clients and freelancers to create long-term, recurring work
More support for new specialties emerging in the event space

As Sarah said:

“We’re committed to ensuring freelancers feel supported, valued, and connected, not just to opportunities, but to a community that understands and champions them.”

One Final Piece of Advice for Future-Proofing Your Freelance Career

Sarah closed the webinar with a core message:

“Stay adaptable. Stay curious. Keep learning. The freelancers who succeed are the ones who evolve with the industry, not the ones who wait for the industry to evolve for them.”

This means embracing:

New tools
New skills
New business models
New types of events
New technologies
New collaborations

2026 will reward proactive professionals who understand that freelancing is not just a service, it’s a business.

The Bottom Line: 2026 Will Be a Landmark Year for Event Freelancers

The event industry is expanding. Workforce models are changing. Companies are investing in flexible, specialised talent. AI is transforming workflows. Hybrid experiences are creating new roles and capabilities. And freelancers who position themselves strategically, and align with the right partners, will find more opportunity than ever before.

In this environment, Plannernet stands out as a uniquely supportive partner: an organisation that blends the power of technology with the irreplaceable value of human relationships. For experienced freelancers and solopreneurs looking not just for “more gigs” but for meaningful, long-term opportunity, Plannernet offers a trusted path forward.

If you’re preparing for 2026, now is the moment to:

Update your skills
Strengthen your brand
Expand your network
Embrace new tools
Align with strategic partners
Position yourself for the next era of event work

The opportunity is real. The demand is rising. And for freelancers willing to grow and innovate, the future of the events industry has never looked more promising.

Freelance Opportunities Across Europe with Plannernet

Plannernet’s clients have requested, and continue to request, experienced freelance professionals to support meetings and events across Europe.

While these highlight specific client requests and locations, Plannernet is actively expanding its European network of freelance professionals. Complete this interest form to join Plannernet.

Recent and Upcoming Locations: Vienna • London • Budapest • Amsterdam • Madrid • Berlin • Dublin • Barcelona

Types of Opportunities:

Event logistics and registration management
Food and Beverage coordination
Conference and breakout session support
Booth setup and technical assistance
VIP engagement and hospitality services
Compliance and customer service support
Ground transportation and accommodation coordination
Directing and attendee assistance

Frequently Asked Questions

The industry is becoming more hybrid, more technology-driven, and more reliant on flexible freelance talent as companies redesign their workforce models.

Organizations need specialized expertise, cost-effective flexibility, and scalable support. Freelancers provide niche skills in both in-person and digital event formats.

Key skills include AI fluency, hybrid and technical production knowledge, strong personal branding, and consultative thinking.

Plannernet provides personalized onboarding, access to global enterprise clients, operational support, community resources, and long-term growth opportunities.

Evailable is Plannernet’s talent platform that helps freelancers find opportunities, manage engagements, communicate with clients, and receive payments efficiently.

Roles include event logistics, registration, F&B coordination, breakout session support, technical assistance, customer service, VIP hospitality, transport coordination, and more.

Vienna, London, Budapest, Amsterdam, Madrid, Berlin, Dublin, and Barcelona.

You can complete the interest form https://plannernet.ai/suppliers/join.cfm to express your interest in upcoming freelance opportunities across Europe.