The Power of Emotion in Event Success—And How AI Can Measure It

Emotions are at the heart of every memorable event. According to Stanford University’s Baba Shiv, our decisions and lasting impressions are driven far more by emotion than logic.This insight has led event organizers to focus on designing experiences that intentionally evoke feelings like excitement, inspiration, and belonging, aiming to leave a lasting impact on attendees. But does designing for emotion actually make events more effective?

Research suggests that emotionally engaging events do tend to drive higher levels of engagement, satisfaction, and even learning—especially when the emotional design matches the complexity of the activity. For example, adding storytelling, vibrant visuals, or interactive elements can boost positive feelings and help people connect more deeply with the event’s purpose. However, the benefits are most pronounced when the emotional elements are thoughtfully integrated and not overwhelming or distracting.

Measuring these emotional responses in real time is now possible thanks to advances in artificial intelligence. Modern AI tools can analyze facial expressions, voice tone, and even physiological signals like heart rate to gauge how people are feeling as an event unfolds. Platforms such as Viso Suite and Moodme use computer vision to detect emotions from live video, while wearable tech can monitor subtle changes in the body to reveal authentic emotional states. By combining these insights, organizers can make data-driven decisions to enhance future events, ensuring that the emotional experience truly resonates. In today’s world, the most successful events are those that move us—and now, with AI, we can measure just how much.

For more on this subject here is a collection of podcasts produced by PCMA and publicized in CONVENE Magazine in April ’25. https://www.pcma.org/measuring-emotion/

And here’s an article we published on this subject a few years back. It’s a bit of a manifesto to how we think ... https://www.velocityxd.com/post/understanding-the-dot-yeah-effect-why-creating-emotion-should-be-your-top-event-design-objective

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