Events are getting smaller and smaller in 2026.

It’s got a lot to do with AI. Audiences are skeptical, overloaded, and craving something authentic. Intimate gatherings, personalized experiences, and IRL events foster real connection.

In this episode, Felicia Asiedu and Rachel Andrews sit down with new Co-host and Goldcast CMO Kelly Cheng for a mid-year trend check-in. They discuss why building trust is more crucial than ever as AI quietly transforms the events industry. 

What you’ll learn:

• Why in-person events are crucial for building trust
• The importance of intentional venue selection and design
• How events are evolving into a performance-driven channel

Things to listen for:

(00:00) Welcome Kelly Cheng, new co-host at Great Events

(07:20) Trust as a differentiator in the age of AI

(17:05) The rise of micro events

(22:03) Why unique venues are trending

(24:40) Event-led growth in marketing

(30:47) Practical advice for teams overwhelmed by event measurement