45 Eye-Opening Experiential Marketing Statistics To Boost Engagement

Experiential marketing is one of the most impactful ways for brands to engage consumers. 

This approach leverages interactive, memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on consumers, driving sales, brand loyalty, and positive brand perception. 

When people engage directly with a brand, they form personal connections that traditional ads simply can't achieve. 

In fact, 85% of customers report being more likely to purchase after attending a brand's live event, and 70% say they're more inclined to become repeat customers.

This blog dives into the top experiential marketing statistics on how this strategy influences consumer behavior, enhances brand awareness and boosts ROI.

Consumer perception and behavior

A deep understanding of consumer behavior lies at the heart of successful experiential marketing. 

By providing memorable, interactive experiences, brands see impressive customer engagement, loyalty, and revenue growth results. 

These statistics reveal how consumers respond to brand experiences, showing a direct connection with increased purchasing and engagement.

• 85% of customers are more inclined to buy a product or service after attending a live marketing event. 
• 70% of consumers become repeat customers after experiencing a brand.
• 91% of customers confirmed they would feel more optimistic about a brand's product or service after actively participating in a brand activation or experience.
• 40% of customers agree experiential marketing makes them more loyal to a brand. 
• 65% of customers say that product demos and live events helped them understand the product better than any other advertising method. 
• 50% to 80% of word-of-mouth activity in any given product category is the result of a consumer's direct experience with a product or service. 
• 74% of consumers say that engaging with branded event marketing experiences makes them more likely to buy the promoted products.
• 98% of consumers create digital or social content at experiences and events. (EventTrack)
• 67% of consumers bought products straight from consumer experiences. (Retail TouchPoints)

Brand awareness and recall

Experiential marketing is a powerful strategy for boosting brand recognition and recall. 

These statistics reveal how live events and interactive experiences leave a lasting impression on consumers, making them more likely to remember and choose your brand. 

• 85% of customers are more likely to buy after participating in events and experiences. (EventTrack)
• 90% of marketers believe that experiential marketing increases engagement. 
• 79% of marketers generate sales through events. Additionally, 85% of these marketers agree that events increase lead generation and sales. (Zippia)
• 91% of consumers believe participating in experiential marketing will make them more likely to buy from the company. 
• 40% of customers agree that experiential marketing increases brand loyalty.
• 82% of consumers have a more positive perception of brands that prioritize experiential marketing.
• 87% of consumers believe experiential marketing has a greater impact on their emotions than traditional advertising channels. 
• 48% of consumers are more likely to buy a new product if they can try it first. (Marketing Week)
  
  

ROI and effectiveness of experiential marketing

For any marketing strategy, ROI is a key factor. 

Experiential marketing consistently demonstrates a high return on investment. When consumers can see, touch, and experience a product, they are more likely to buy.

These experiential marketing statistics provide insight into why campaigns are so effective at driving results and how they stack up against other marketing channels.

• Experiential marketing has a 38.34% success rate.
• 92% of brand-side respondents believe integrating experiential marketing within the overall sales and marketing funnel is vital to their success. (Agency EA)
• According to industry professionals, the no. 1 most successful marketing tactic is experiential/events (38.34%). This is followed by digital advertising (19.69%), content marketing (12.44%), partnerships/sponsorships (9.33%), and traditional advertising (7.25%). (Agency EA)
• 52% of respondents believe experiential events drive more value into businesses than other marketing channels. 
• 36% of marketers selected “increased ROI” as the top benefit of hosting events with more digital components. (Forrester)
• 52% of attendees want to go to networking events where they can discuss challenges with others in their industry. 
• 60% of companies that hosted a blend of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events noted in-person get-togethers have been the most effective for generating revenue. 
• 80% of respondents to Freeman's 2024 Attendee Intent and Behavior survey say that in-person events are the most trusted marketing channel. (Freeman)
• 96% of US event marketers and 93% of UK event marketers hosted in-person or hybrid events on their home turf in 2023. (SplashThat)
• 72% of attendees prefer to attend in-person events, while 17% say their preference depends on the event topic. 
• 65% of brand owners who use experiential marketing as a marketing strategy see a boost in sales. (HubSpot)
• The average ROI for events is in the 25-34% range. 19% don’t know their event ROI. (Marketing Charts)

Digital integration and social media

Social media is significant in experiential marketing in today's digital world. 

This section delves into how brands integrate digital elements into their experiences to expand reach, foster engagement, and generate online buzz. 

Discover how social media amplifies the impact of experiential marketing, turning events into shareable content.

• 100 million people use augmented reality to shop online and offline. (Gartner)
• 96% of millennials who engage with a brand take pictures or videos and share them online and 86% of recipients will open and review these. 
• Social media engagement increases by 34% for brands using experiential marketing campaigns. (WorldMetrics)
• 50% to 80% of word-of-mouth activity in any given product category results from a consumer's direct experience with a product or service. 
• 74% of consumers say that engaging with branded event marketing experiences makes them more likely to buy the promoted products. (EventTrack)
• 98% of consumers create digital or social content at experiences and events with 100% of those sharing the content online.
• 57% of attendees believe that they can reach the majority of their event objectives online. 

Sustainability and social responsibility

Consumers today are increasingly drawn to brands that prioritize sustainability and social responsibility. 

Beyond an event activation, consumers want to know about the brand’s commitment to these values. These experiential marketing statistics show that consumers prefer brands that take sustainability seriously. 

• 85% of consumers say they are more likely to support brands with a history of engaging in social responsibility initiatives through experiential events, as it builds trust and brand loyalty.
• 67% of respondents consider event sustainability when planning events. The impact of event materials, supplies, and waste are major concerns.
• 78% of consumers are more likely to attend experiential marketing events hosted by brands that demonstrate a sustainability or social responsibility commitment.
• Over 50% of marketers say sustainability is very or extremely important to their organization. When it comes to implementing sustainable practices, budget and minimizing waste are two of their biggest challenges. (AMEX GBT)

Emerging trends and technology

Experiential marketing is constantly evolving, with new trends and technologies are emerging each year. 

From augmented reality (AR) to virtual reality (VR), brands are finding innovative ways to engage consumers. 

These statistics show the growing role of technology in experiential marketing and how brands can stay ahead by embracing these trends.

• 78% of brands leverage data and analytics to measure the success of experiential marketing campaigns. 
• 68% of brands are adopting hybrid event models, which allow both in-person and virtual participation.
• The use of influencers in experiential marketing is expected to grow, with 60% of brands planning to work with influencers for events.
• 46% of brands are exploring opportunities to integrate experiential marketing with the metaverse, aiming to reach consumers in virtual spaces. 
• Gamification elements, like challenges and rewards, are increasingly popular, with 60% of experiential marketing campaigns now including them to enhance interactivity.

The power of experiential marketing

Experiential marketing stands out as a critical strategy for every marketer's toolkit. It provides unparalleled opportunities for brand engagement and consumer connection.

By creating immersive and interactive experiences, brands can build lasting impressions that traditional advertising simply can't match.

The experiential marketing statistics speak for themselves: with 85% of consumers more likely to purchase participating in a brand's event and 70% inclined to become repeat buyers, the impact on consumer behavior is clear.

These experiences elevate brand perception and significantly boost ROI, as evidenced by the growing investment in experiential initiatives across industries.

As brands continue to seek meaningful ways to connect with their audiences, the power of experiential marketing is undeniable.