Swapcard Unveils Surprising Insights in New State of Event Engagement Report

Swapcard, the leading event engagement platform, today released its latest report, The State of Event Engagement, offering deep insights into how event organizers and exhibitors can unlock new levels of success by addressing often overlooked gaps in engagement. Analyzing over 2000 global events and 2.5 million participants, the report sheds light on underused strategies and surprising blind spots in event management and exhibitor efforts.

Key Findings Include:

• Pre-event momentum: Networking and lead generation peak before the event, with 65% of networking and 40% of leads occurring before the event begins.
• Lead generation beyond badge scanning: Nearly 70% of lead generation happens outside of badge scanning, indicating a shift toward alternative methods of connecting with attendees.
• Easy ways to increase exhibitor ROI: Exhibitors miss out on nearly 60% of attendee outreach due to unaccepted connection and meeting requests. This can easily be solved with better follow-up processes and smarter planning.
• AI-driven success: AI recommendations have proven to increase connection request acceptance rate by 100%, demonstrating that technology is key to optimizing networking.

"The data shows the industry has reached a tipping point: event monetization can no longer rely on booth sales and traditional sponsorships alone. It’s about building a more connected, digital-first revenue strategy that begins with engagement and ends with measurable growth. Attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors are demanding more, and organizers who deliver will lead the industry.,” said Baptiste Boulard, CEO of Swapcard.

The State of Event Engagement is now available for download. To learn more about the key findings, visit Swapcard.com

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This article was updated in 2026 with insights from the State of Event Engagement Report (Vol. 2).