Inside the Boom of Augmented Reality Event Experiences: Adoption and Use Cases
Walk into any event today and you’ll notice a shift. Attendees no longer want to simply sit back and watch. They want to interact, explore, and be part of the story. This is where Augmented Reality (AR) steps in. Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which replaces the physical world, AR overlays digital content onto it. It can turn signs into interactive guides, booths into showrooms, and audiences into active participants. And while Virtual Reality is often associated with fully immersive VR event formats, AR thrives in live environments where physical and digital layers meet.
For years, AR was treated as a gimmick, such as Snapchat filters or viral hits like Pokémon Go — a fun distraction or a futuristic promise. In 2025, it’s maturing into a serious tool for engagement, one that combines utility with spectacle. Whether deployed at a live venue or layered into a virtual event platform, AR is redefining how organizers design experiences. This article explores practical use cases of augmented reality event experiences, highlighting how it’s being adopted across industries and where it’s delivering real value today.\
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Why Augmented Reality Matters for Events
Before looking at specific applications, it’s important to understand why AR is becoming essential to event design. Events are built on moments of connection, between people, brands, and stories. But in a world where attention is fleeting and competition for engagement is fierce, simply showing up isn’t enough. Attendees don’t just want to be in the room; they want to be part of the experience. This is where Augmented Reality (AR) delivers its edge, creating some of the most engaging augmented reality experiences for events today. Instead of passively watching, audiences can point their phones at a booth, a sign, or even their own face, and see something unexpected come alive.
AR brings this to life by layering interactivity into everyday event settings:
- A scavenger hunt can guide attendees across an expo floor instead of relying on paper maps.
- A sponsor’s message can transform into an interactive challenge instead of a static content banner.
- A keynote can be punctuated by 3D visuals instead of flat presentation slides.
- A product showcase can unfold as a virtual try-on instead of just a display behind glass.
AR experiences are memorable because they combine the physical and digital in ways that feel natural. The environment doesn’t disappear; it becomes enhanced, alive, and responsive. And when people actively engage with an experience instead of simply observing it, they’re more likely to remember it, share it, and connect it back to the brand that made it possible.
For organizers, that’s the real power of augmented reality event experiences: making every square foot and every second of an event work harder, and feel deeper. According to a study by Orange SEO, AR marketing campaigns often deliver engagement rates 35–40% higher than traditional formats, with average interaction times stretching from just a few seconds to 75 seconds on average.
A single, well-executed activation can generate more buzz, more interaction, and more impact than a dozen static touchpoints. Need more convincing? Check out our guide on how AR is used in events for additional examples and insights.
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Augmented Reality Adoption in Events
Adoption of Augmented Reality (AR) in events is happening, though at a gradual pace. Like any new medium, it follows the curve of early adopters testing, iterating, and proving value before it scales into the mainstream. Right now, most AR deployments in events fall into two categories: practical problem-solving and brand-driven spectacle.
- Utility and Delight: On the practical side, AR is being used to smooth out pain points. Think indoor navigation, product walkthroughs, or real-time session highlights. These aren’t flashy, but they make the attendee journey easier and more intuitive.
- From Delight to Word of Mouth: On the spectacle side, brands are using AR to create shareable moments that double as marketing fuel, such as a massive AR mirror in a shopping mall or a branded scavenger hunt that turns the venue floor plan into a playground.
The reality is that audiences are open to AR, in fact, 73% of consumers say they’d try it at events and conferences, according to Imagine.io. Yet despite this willingness, many still have limited familiarity with the technology.
That’s why adoption tends to work best when it meets people where they already are: on their phones, in their browsers, and in their everyday habits. This approach removes the friction of new hardware or downloads and instead makes AR feel like a natural extension of the event.
The trends we’re seeing here echo a larger shift documented in the State of AI and XR in Events report, which outlines how AR adoption connects to the wider XR landscape and what it means for organizers moving forward.
Augmented Reality Tools Driving Event Experiences
When it comes to making AR real at events, the tools you choose define the experience. Some are designed for scale and simplicity, while others are planned for novelty or experimentation. Broadly, two categories are shaping how AR gets deployed today: mobile/web AR and smart glasses.
Mobile and Web AR: Scalable, Familiar, and Ready-to-Use
Mobile and web-based AR continues to dominate because it’s accessible and instantly deployable. Attendees already carry the hardware: their smartphones. This makes it possible to launch experiences with nothing more than a QR code or a link.
What makes these tools powerful is their versatility. Platforms like:
- ARway.ai enables real-time navigation and wayfinding across large venues.
- 8thWall specializes in markerless AR that lets attendees scan a product and see it spring to life in 3D.
- Aryel allows organizers to embed polls, reactions, and interactive layers into presentations or hybrid sessions.
- Zappar powers gamification through challenges, scavenger hunts, and interactive signage that transform physical spaces into interactive stages.
- Banuba enables virtual try-ons for merchandise like hats, eyewear, or apparel.
- Poplar Studio creates AR prize reveal campaigns that unlock discounts, rewards, or hidden CTAs.
Together, these tools share one advantage: they don’t require custom hardware. They’re lightweight, flexible, and built for the real-world pace of events, making them ideal for delivering scalable augmented reality experiences for events without weeks of setup.
Smart Glasses: Promising but Not Yet Mainstream
Smart glasses sit at the edge of what’s next in augmented reality event experiences. They promise hands-free interaction, overlays in your field of vision, and new ways to experience content without needing to hold a device. But for now, most models remain limited in power and reach.
- Even Reality G1: Focused on utility, these minimalist glasses provide discreet speaker prompts, captions, and simple overlays that support staff or presenters.
- Snap Spectacles (AR Edition): Experiment with interactivity through gesture control and spatial triggers, hinting at what gamified event experiences might look like.
- XREAL Air: Designed for personal media immersion, they function like floating private screens, better suited for general entertainment than event utility.
- Google AR Glasses (Prototype): Aim to deliver real-time translation and accessibility features, offering a glimpse at how wearables could help break down global barriers at events.
Across the board, these devices share one thing in common: they represent potential rather than scale. Glasses aren’t yet the everyday AR device for attendees but they are becoming practical enough for controlled activations, VIP experiences, and behind-the-scenes roles.
For now, the most reliable path is still in the pocket-sized devices attendees already carry. But the steady evolution of smart glasses suggests that the hands-free era of AR at events isn’t a question of if, but when.
Augmented Reality Event Experiences: 7 Real Examples
If adoption demonstrates why AR matters, the real proof lies in how it’s already being used on the ground. The best way to see its impact is through real-world activations, where brands, agencies, and cultural institutions are experimenting with different formats.
These case studies highlight the many ways augmented reality event experiences are turning ordinary moments into interactive and memorable ones.
1. AR Navigation and Wayfinding
Snapchat and Live Nation partnered to roll out an AR Compass feature at major music festivals. Through the Snapchat app, fans could lift their phones and see floating AR labels for stages, food stalls, and restrooms overlaid on their camera view. The Compass offered a dynamic 3D festival map with real-time directional arrows guiding users to stages and zones. This eliminated the need for paper maps or guesswork, allowing attendees to simply follow virtual markers across the landscape. The result was smoother navigation, less frustration, and a more immersive festival journey. By turning wayfinding into an interactive layer, the partnership showed how AR can solve a pain point while adding a touch of spectacle.
2. AR Networking and Connection
At the MIT Reality Hack, a French–U.S. startup debuted AUR+A, an AI–AR tool that reimagined networking. Attendees who opted in uploaded a photo in advance; when they arrived, the system used facial recognition to display their LinkedIn or digital vCard instantly on-screen. The experience eliminated awkward intros and scrambling for names, turning passive encounters into seamless, contextual connections. Beyond networking, AUR+A’s flexibility hints at use cases like VIP fast lanes, staff-assisted check-ins, or AR overlays through glasses. Still in early development, the tool is steadily adding integrations that make it easier to surface digital identities at events. The result: a glimpse into how AR and AI together can elevate real-world connections and design smarter, more personal event experiences.
3. Cultural Heritage and Storytelling
National Geographic partnered with NeoPangea to transform Stonehenge into a social-first experience using Spark AR. Fans could project photo-real megaliths into their homes or parks, move through the summer solstice sunrise and shadows, and scale the stones to any size. Interactive captions added historical context, while selfie mode placed users directly at the Heel Stone for a solstice view. Tailored for Instagram, the filter merged cultural heritage with playful exploration, turning an ancient wonder into a modern, shareable AR story.
4. Beauty and Fashion AR Try-On
At VivaTech 2023, Wilkins Avenue partnered with L’Oréal brand Shu Uemura to create a phygital face-sticker activation. When attendees scanned the sticker, an AR filter bloomed delicate digital flowers across their faces in real time. It was a blend of product, performance, and artistry. The experience extended Shu Uemura’s aesthetic into both physical and digital spaces, encouraging playful self-expression. Designed for instant shareability, it turned every selfie into branded content. By merging tradition with technology, the activation showed how AR can elevate beauty launches into memorable brand experiences.
5. AR for Product Packaging
LikeXR developed the Flying Farm activation to show how everyday packaging can become an interactive playground. By scanning a QR code, kids unlocked WebAR content, including mini-games, animations, and selfie accessories, all without needing to download an app. The playful mix of virtual planes, funny masks, and 3D scenes encouraged repeat engagement and social sharing. As cited in the case study on the agency’s website, the results spoke loudly: sales increased by 19%, the AR page saw 40,000 visits, and retention hit an impressive 92% by day five. By blending packaging with play, the campaign proved how AR can turn a simple product into a channel for storytelling, engagement, and growth.
6. AR Product Configurator and Visualization
Škoda teamed up with YORD Studio to launch a WebAR configurator for its Enyaq RS line. Through a simple browser link, users could explore the car in 3D, customize trims and colors live, and then place a life-sized model into their own driveway or street. No downloads required - just WebAR, bringing the showroom experience into everyday spaces. By leveraging convenience through immersion, the project reimagined the car-buying journey as an interactive, personal, and instantly shareable experience.
7. Sports Venue Engagement and Fan Gamification
Sports events are natural stages for AR, where scale, energy, and participation collide. Fans are already primed to engage, making AR a natural extension of the live experience. Deloitte’s U.S. Open AR app redefined how golf fans could engage remotely during pandemic restrictions. By scanning a QR code on TV broadcasts, viewers could download an app that allowed them to explore every hole in 3D, track players shot by shot, and delve into tournament history. The activation generated millions of engagements and became one of Deloitte’s most successful sponsorship campaigns, proving AR can turn traditional viewing into a data-rich, immersive event experience.
These examples show just how flexible AR can be: powering sales, boosting engagement, and creating moments that audiences want to share. And this is only part of the picture — how is AR used in events spans navigation, hybrid participation, accessibility, and much more.
What’s Next for AR in Events
AR is already shaping events, but the next phase will focus on scale, personalization, and deeper integration. Here’s where the technology is headed:
- Personalized Experiences at Scale: Personalization will become the defining feature. Imagine walking into a venue and instantly seeing your event agenda, session reminders, or networking matches overlaid in your view. Whether through smartphones or smart glasses, AR will adapt to individuals in real time.
- More Powerful WebAR: WebAR will remain the backbone of adoption. By removing app downloads and launching directly in the browser, it ensures organizers can reach everyone. That includes attendees onsite as well as those joining remotely through virtual event platforms such as Remo. Expect larger activations that bridge physical and digital audiences in shared, synchronized ways.
- AI + AR Convergence: The convergence of AI and AR will take these experiences even further. With AI as the engine, AR can anticipate needs, recommend sessions, guide attendees to connections (like Remo’s AI matchmaking feature), or personalize product demos in real-time.
- Enhancement, Not Replacement: The future isn’t about replacing traditional formats. AR will act as a flexible layer that makes events easier to navigate, more inclusive, and more memorable.
The future of augmented reality event experiences will be layered and adaptive, not bound by a single device, but integrated seamlessly into the way people attend, explore, and connect.
Layers of Lasting Live Experiences
Augmented reality is no longer on the sidelines of events; it’s becoming the hidden layer that transforms how people perceive, experience, and remember an event. From cultural storytelling to retail try-ons and stadium-wide gamification, AR has already shown its ability to make events more interactive and personal.The question for organizers isn’t whether AR fits, but how to design meaningful moments with it.
For organizers, the opportunity is wide open. If you’re ready to experiment with immersive layers at your next gathering, host your events on Remo, as it provides the flexibility to build spaces designed for connection. Book a demo to experience interactive floor plans, fluid hybrid networking, and dynamic event spaces that can evolve alongside emerging technologies like AR.
And if you’re ready to dive deeper into what’s next, the State of AI and XR in Events report offers an in-depth look at the trends, tools, and real-world activations shaping the future. Together, these insights and platforms can help you craft augmented reality event experiences that don’t just entertain but truly connect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Augmented Reality Event Experiences
1. How can AR be used in event planning?
AR helps planners visualize and map event spaces before they’re built. From overlaying booth layouts in an empty hall to testing signage visibility or simulating crowd flow, AR reduces guesswork and speeds up decision-making. It’s a powerful tool for pre-event design and stakeholder buy-in.
2. What are the benefits of using AR at events?
AR transforms static spaces into dynamic, memorable experiences. It increases dwell time, enhances brand interaction, provides measurable insights, and sparks social sharing that extends reach beyond the venue.
3. How do you measure the impact of AR activations?
Impact is measured through both engagement and outcomes. Scans, dwell time, repeat interactions, social shares, and content captures demonstrate how audiences engage. For organizers, metrics like leads generated, brand recall, and conversion uplift demonstrate ROI.
Aniqa Iqbal
Aniqa is a content writer at Remo, where she merges her love for storytelling from movies and TV shows with her passion for creating compelling content. With a knack for blending pop culture references and relatable narratives, Aniqa crafts content that informs and resonates deeply with readers. She aims to strike a chord with her audience, fostering genuine connections through words that inspire, engage, and entertain. When she's not writing, Aniqa can be found binge-watching her favorite shows, always on the lookout for the next story to tell.
