A Glow Up for Modern Event Design
Vibrant. Eye-catching. Customizable. Neon is making its mark in the event industry, but it’s not your 80s neon. Within the events space, a modern take on a retro vibe is showing signs of ramping up as 2025 continues to unfold.
Why it Works
A powerful design element, neon creates an immersive, visually striking, and memorable atmosphere. Bright and glowing, attention-grabbing elements have the power to make any event space feel instantly more dynamic and energetic.
Emma Allen, event designer at LEO, said, using neon and LED elements in design décor creates a WOW factor that aptly captures the attention of guests. “This is more than a trendy décor aesthetic. Neon can wholly transform a space, especially for evening events when you have a dark landscape for the perfect backdrop.”
Modernizing Neon
Moving beyond the buzzy traditional (and extremely expensive) neon signs, we’re incorporating innovative lighting technology, interactive elements, and contemporary décor to curate immersive and memorable experiences. Neon as a design element is extremely versatile and can be tailored to fit any event theme, colors, or mood. Ideal for branding and personalization, neon can be used to reinforce identity at corporate events, product launches, and awards galas, but beyond that, the new approach to neon also feels fresh and modern.
One specific way we modernize neon is by employing alongside other design trends like minimalism or biophilic design. In recent client events LEO has produced, we brought in glow bars, glowing lawn games, and other neon décor, but created balance by mixing in lush greenery to complement the brightness of the glowing items. Plant choices served as a nod to the local flora but also grounded the aesthetic by creating contrast.
Tech-Infused Neon Elements
We’re also updating neon by fusing it with cutting edge tech. Interactive installations, augmented reality programming, and AI activations can create memorable experiences for event guests while encouraging them to connect with design elements at play. At another recent client event, our team implemented an AI photo booth that rendered attendee selfies as creative, neon-themed portraits, each of which was displayed grid-style on a giant photo wall. This activation aligned nicely with the event’s overarching design aesthetic while giving guests a fun touchpoint that made them part of the story.
New Age, Eco-Friendly Neon
Sustainability is a hot topic in the event industry, and we’re always looking for ways to plan responsibly and reduce our footprint. Fortunately, neon has come a long way over the years. Modern “neon” signs are technically LED, meaning they require minimal power usage with no negative impact to the environment. Their durable design also makes them ideal for post event keepsakes. Beyond that, there are myriad ways to reuse or repurpose these décor elements after events conclude.
Leaning into neon lights and glowing décor can also diminish the need for printed signage and other throw-away event materials that would likely end up in landfills after the event wraps. The use of LED also makes these signs more affordable than ever before, so they’re an accessible option for a range of event budgets.
Brighten Up Your Next Event
By blending trends, new technology, interactive programming, and an eco-friendly take on glowing décor, our team is bringing neon into the present through strategic event design. Interested in collaborating with LEO for an upcoming event – neon or otherwise? We’d love to work with you! Get in touch with our team today at [email protected].