Best of 2011: Matthew David Hopkins on Why Off-the-Shelf Events Are Over

In 2011 we saw a return to customization. The previous couple of years were about being creative with what was available off the shelf. Even though budgets are still tight, our clients want what’s new and fresh, and —above all—smart customized design. Competition is as tough as ever, and that’s great for the industry because it raises the bar.

—Matthew David Hopkins (@360DesignEvents), creative director and president, 360 Design Events, New York