You may not have Beyoncé or a gazillion-dollar budget, but your next award ceremony really sing with these steal-worthy ideas from this year’s 2025 Grammy award ceremony.

Most planners like to armchair quarterback major events to see what ideas they may be able to adapt to elevate their own programs. This year’s Grammys Awards, which aired live Feb. 2 on CBS and Paramount+, had a whole lot of good ideas to enhance the audience experience worth stealing. Here are a few that caught our attention:

Get Immersive with Tech

• Not sure how to use augmented reality (AR) or 3D projections for an award gala? For the Grammys, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan incorporated cutting-edge visuals, such as AR overlays and interactive 3D projections, creating multi-sensory experiences. Just think of what you can do with this tech for your product launches and award reveals.

• Likewise, interactive projection mapping, while not inexpensive, can be a showstopper. Just check out what the partnership between Lenovo, Intel and Alessia Cara did for an album event, merging music with tech-driven storytelling through creative projection-mapping.

• Can your organization integrate AI to make the attendee experience more personalized and immersive? Think the Beatles’ Grammy-nominated AI-assisted track as a demonstration of how artists can use cutting edge tech.

Cultivate Viral Moments

• What’s better than a meme to help make your award highlights go viral? During the Grammys, Taylor Swift and Cynthia Erivo’s recreation of the “Holding Space” meme during the ceremony sparked widespread social media engagement. What lighthearted, shareable moments can you create that are tailored to your audience’s cultural touchstones?

• Create surprise collaborations — an unannounced performance by The Weeknd with Playboi Carti generated a whole lot of buzz. What unexpected reveals or guest appearances can you pull together to create excitement at your corporate keynotes or product demos?

Make It Super Accessible with Hybrid Streaming

• Consider using multi-platform broadcasting. For example, the Grammys aired live on CBS and Paramount+ to maximize reach. Associations could adopt hybrid formats with live streams and behind-the-scenes content. For inspiration, rewatch Alessia Cara’s *Made By* miniseries.

• Increase global audience interaction with real-time social media integration. For example, fan-voted segments or live polls like the ones that mirrored the Grammys’ use of trending topics (e.g., wildfire relief advocacy).

Embrace Purpose-Driven Storytelling 

• While hopefully your host destination isn’t reeling from a major disaster, as Los Angeles was reeling from devastating wildfires at the time of the Grammys broadcast, the Grammy organizer’s partnering with MusiCares to raise $7 million for wildfire relief was an inspirational way to align the event with community needs. They also donated TV ad slots during the live show to local businesses affected by the fires. Think about how your ceremonies and galas could spotlight CSR initiatives or partner with local charities.

• Honor frontline contributors who make a difference in the lives of the host community. For the Grammys, this meant inviting firefighters to present the final award for Album of the Year, symbolizing resilience. What everyday heroes can you invite as presenters to add emotional depth?

• Give a platform to underrepresented voices. Think about Best New Artist Chappell Roan’s acceptance speech, which she used to plead with record labels to provide fair wages and healthcare for its young artists. Can you give your awardees some space to address systemic issues in your industry to add some depth and relevance to the ceremony?

Enhance Live Performances 

• Consider charging up the energy in the room by asking industry veterans to take the stage with rising talent, much like Shakira performing with emerging artists Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, to keep the pacing dynamic.

• Think about pacing — the Grammys awarded most of its genre-specific honors early in the event and kept the show focused on the main marquee moments. Can you split off your industry’s version of the technical awards from the headliner recognitions to streamline the event and maintain audience engagement?

Provide a Visual Theme

• OK, so the Grammys, like most show-business award shows, are famous for stars making fashion statements (see: Bianca Censori’s sheer dress). While you likely don’t want your industry stars to make statements quite that bold, think about how you might be able to incorporate thematic dress codes or visually cohesive staging to amplify brand messaging.

• Instead of a projected headshot and a few words to pay tribute to industry leaders, take a note from the Grammys’ Quincy Jones homage by Will Smith, Stevie Wonder and Janelle Monáe that combined nostalgia with modern flair.

Be Transparent and Responsive

• When The Weeknd boycotted the Grammys in 2020 over its lack of transparency in the voting process and membership that didn’t reflect the current industry demographics, Grammy organizer the Recording Academy acknowledged the feedback by overhauling its voting processes and membership, which now includes 40% people of color. It also expanded its outreach and now has 66% new members since 2020.

While you may never have the budget or star power of the Grammys, you can create emotionally resonant, visually stunning experiences by injecting more interactivity, purpose and technological innovation into your award ceremonies.

Image designed by macrovector/Freepik