Pinterest is much more than just a social media site for hobbyists. It’s the second-fastest growing social media site (after Instagram), with more than half a billion monthly active users.
Millennials and Gen Z’ers are a growing percentage of Pinterest users and are among the platform’s most active groups, with some estimates saying that Gen Z’ers account for more than 40% of active users monthly.
For meeting planners, the best way to start using Pinterest is to just jump in, exploring its photos, mood boards, and curated collections. From there, you can start creating your own boards for your various meetings and events, and for different aspects of each, such as F&B, event design, or marketing.
Following are 7 Pinterest tips for planners:
1. Know the Keywords
The secret to searching on Pinterest is to combine broad event concepts with specific planning objectives.
For example, if you’re planning a final evening event, you might search for “elegant decor for an awards ceremony.” Or, if you want to create a custom cocktail for your event, you could try “creative mocktails for a poolside cocktail party.”
Following are some popular search terms for event planning:
- For event decor: event design ideas, corporate event decor; event lighting ideas, themed event ideas
- For F&B: creative catering ideas, food stations for events, mini desserts for events
- For networking: Interactive event ideas, corporate team-building activities, icebreaker ideas for events, CSR team-building
- For meeting formats: creative stage design ideas, creative seminar setups, outdoor corporate event setups, creative seating arrangements for meetings
- For gifting: corporate gifting ideas, trade show swag ideas, eco-friendly giveaways, luxury attendee gifts.
2. Create Collages
Pinterest gives you the ability to combine multiple images into a single, interactive pin, making it easier to visualize how all the elements of a meeting that you have chosen would fit together. Think of the collage as a 360 degree view of your event.
3. Follow Other Pinners
In addition to planners, many suppliers, from entertainers to AV companies, have their own Pinterest accounts where they post the creative ideas they see at events. A majority of wedding and social event planners are also on Pinterest, and they can be a great source of inspiration, especially when it comes to F&B and decor.
4. Stay on Top of Trends
Pinterest prides itself on being the place where ideas emerge before they hit the mainstream. For example, it’s the social media site where interior designers and fashion designers test out concepts. If you search Pinterest for “2025 Event Trends,” you’ll see dozens of Pinners’ compilations all in one place.
5. Get Out of the Meetings Industry Bubble
Many meeting planners tend to search out meetings industry web sites and for inspiration. Pinterest runs across all industries, so it allows you to explore trends in fashion, retail, food and beverage, and interior design — all of which have some influence on events. (Think: Pantone’s Color of the Year)
6. Share Ideas With Internal/External Clients
Every Pinterest board is shareable. As long as your collaborator has a Pinterest account, you can invite him or her to view, comment, and even add pins. You can also make a board secret, so that only you and invited individuals can see it. Or you can open it up and use it for presentations.
7. Follow Pinterest’s Trends Reports
Pinterest publishes its “Pinterest Predicts” trends report annually, which forecasts emerging trends based on user search data and behavior. In addition, the Pinterest News Room publishes seasonal reports. The Summer 2025 Report pointed to trends including nature bathing among Gen Z’ers, savory cocktails using fresh herbs, and a return to the early 2000’s Boho aesthetic, among others.
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