10 New Year Resolutions for Modern Event Marketers in 2026

If you’re reading this, you probably have a dozen browser tabs open, a half-written speaker brief on your screen, and a lukewarm coffee sitting next to you. I get it. As event marketers, our lives are measured in "days until doors open." We live for the buzz of a packed keynote hall, but the road to get there is often a marathon of high-stress deadlines and endless manual tasks.

As we kick off 2026, I wanted to sit down and share some personal goals. Not the "corporate jargon" kind, but real, actionable resolutions designed to help us reclaim our time, our energy, and our passion for creating great experiences. Here are my 10 resolutions for the modern event marketer.

1. Stop "Living in the Inbox"

The "pre-event crunch" is real. Where every ping feels like an emergency. This year, I’m resolving to stop being purely reactive. I’m setting dedicated blocks for "deep work" to focus on strategy and creative planning. The emails will still be there in an hour; the big ideas won't stay if we don't give them space to breathe.

2. Repurpose Content Like a Pro

It breaks my heart to see a brilliant session recording gather digital dust. This year, no more "one and done." I’m committing to chopping up our flagship content into snackable social clips, blog posts, and newsletters. Let’s make the work we do on-site live all year round.

You might like: Understanding User-Generated Content: A Beginner’s Guide

3. Automate One Major Workflow

If I have to manually copy-paste speaker bios or lead lists one more time, I might lose it. My resolution is to pick one major headache—like speaker onboarding or lead routing—and automate it completely. Even saving five hours a month adds up to an entire work week by the end of the year.

Want to start by automating your event marketing posters?

4. Prioritize Quality Over Quantity for Leads

We often get caught up in the "registration race." But 5,000 registrants don't mean much if only 50 are actually in your target market. This year, I’m shifting the focus to attracting the right audience—the ones who will actually convert for the sales team and find genuine value in our community.

Event Advocacy Playbook is Here : Learn how we've been turning attendees into marketers at global events

5. Build a Real "Post-Event" Strategy

The post-event "hangover" is real. Usually, we’re so tired after the lights go down that the nurture sequence gets rushed. This year, I’m resolving to have the "Thank You" assets and follow-up emails ready before the event even starts. Our attendees deserve a warm goodbye, not a generic automated email sent three weeks late.

Check out Sparks - the easiest way to keep the momentum going

6. Have the Courage to Say "No"

"Hey, I had a great idea at 2 AM for a new activation!" We’ve all heard it. While I love the enthusiasm, last-minute additions often dilute the core mission. This year, I’m resolving to veto low-impact ideas that don't align with our KPIs. It’s not about being "no-fun"; it’s about staying focused on what actually works.

7. Master One New Tech Tool

The event tech landscape is moving fast, especially with AI. Instead of just "getting by" with five different platforms, I want to truly master one. Whether it’s an AI writing assistant to speed up promo copy or a new project management tool, I’m going to take the time to learn the shortcuts that actually make life easier.

Take a look at AI-powered company tagging to transforms networking at your event.

8. Get Better at "The Story"

Let’s be honest: features, dates, and prices are boring. People attend events for the connection and the transformation. I’m resolving to lean into human-centric marketing. I want to tell more stories—using real attendee testimonials and speaker journeys—to show people why they need to be in the room.

9. Actually Use the Data

We collect so much data—heat maps, session ratings, dwell times—and then we often just file it away in a "Post-Show Report." My resolution is to spend one full, uninterrupted day after every event analyzing what that data is actually telling us, and then—this is the key—applying those lessons to the very next campaign.

10. Schedule a "Recovery Week"

Burnout is the silent killer of our industry. This year, I am formally blocking out the week following my biggest flagship event for rest and low-stakes work. No big launches, no heavy meetings. Taking care of ourselves is the only way we can continue taking care of our attendees.

Which of these resonates most with you? Whether you’re a solo marketer or leading a large team, I hope these resolutions help you find a little more balance and a lot more success in 2026.

Let’s make this the year we work smarter, not just harder.