As the year winds down, it’s time to look back and evaluate how your event investments performed. Event audits aren’t just about reporting numbers; they’re about learning, optimizing, and ensuring that every dollar and hour spent drives measurable results in the future. Here’s how to assess your 2025 event portfolio and build a stronger, more strategic plan for 2026.

As we head into the final stretch of the year, it’s time to start thinking ahead. 2026 will be here before you know it, and having a clear, actionable event strategy in place is key to setting your business up for success. That’s where CURA Consult comes in. CURA Consult is a personalized event strategy program built to help growing companies design a 2026 plan that aligns with their goals, budget, and growth targets.

At sponsored events, your team setup is just as important as your booth or branding. The right team for event success can prepare and determine whether you simply show up or truly stand out. With the right mix of preparation, clear roles, and motivation, your team can turn an event into a real growth opportunity.

Barbara Hutniak, founder of CURA Events gives helpful advice to solution providers as they define their event strategy for conferences, private dinners or prospect & client gatherings. In order to deliver measurable growth, a clear plan including goals and expectations is needed.

There’s no better marketing than a trusted recommendation. Whether it’s at a private dinner, a conference session, or a networking event, word of mouth and peer connections are some of the most powerful ways to grow your business. This is where brand ambassadors — your clients, partners, and employees — become a key part of your event strategy.

As we enter the second half of the year, the event calendar heats up with high-impact opportunities for solution providers looking to connect with retail and eCommerce decision-makers. Whether your goal is pipeline acceleration, brand visibility, or thought leadership, these events are where deals and partnerships take shape. Here are five must-attend H2 events—plus CURA’s strategies to help make every dollar count.

Sponsoring conferences and events is a proven strategy to boost visibility, build credibility, and drive real business growth. But standing out in a crowded environment takes more than just showing up with a booth, it demands a smart, strategic approach. At CURA Events, we help brands navigate the event world with precision, creativity, and impact. Here are some Best Practices to keep in mind to help get the most from every opportunity.

The real ROI from events starts after the lights dim—without follow-up, even your hottest leads will quickly cool off.

Solution providers maximize events with strategic planning, brand building, partnerships & lead generation to drive growth & ROI.

Solution providers who prioritize thought leadership in 2025 will stand out, build credibility, and become sought-after industry voices.

Selecting events that align with your goals and tailoring your sponsorship strategy to resonate with the conference’s theme and audience.

As the conference sponsorship landscape evolves, so do attendee expectations. In 2025, human interaction takes center stage.

Say goodbye to generic giveaways. Create experiential gifts that engage the senses, reflect your brand, and leave clients wanting more.

As we approach the end of 2024 and finalize our marketing and event budgets for 2025, the time is now to get involved with NRF Retail’s Big.

This is a critical time to finish strong, maximize Q4 event opportunities, and solidify client relationships.