Recent technology trends have completely changed the face of the MICE industry. By adopting these latest event technology upgrades, event organisers can ensure to deliver exceptional events and stand out from the crowd.
Here are the top trends you should watch out for in 2018:
1. The Event Technology of the Moment – Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence is proving to be a game changing solution in the event industry. AI will be taking delegate engagement to the next level by delivering a personalised experience to delegates and exhibitors.
Automated customer service
Chatbots promise to be better than their human alternative as they can assist both delegates and event organisers. They provide instant gratification to delegates by answering queries quickly, while helping staff work more efficiently.
Personalised recommendations
Artificial Intelligence also allows for personalising recommendations on a much wider scale. Recommendation engines are very powerful personalisation tools that help delegates ‘discover’ sessions, products and people. They improve your delegates’ experience by offering relevant items at the right time and on the right page.
2. Biometric Authentication (especially Facial Recognition) for Events
Facial recognition technology at events makes the check-in process faster and assures higher security. This is one event technology trend that is expected to advance rapidly in the upcoming year.
Extend your reach
You must have noticed that when you upload a group picture on Facebook, it automatically provides tag suggestions. That’s because Facebook uses facial recognition software. When your delegates tag their friends in your event posts, they will appear in feeds of like-minded people, or say people who might be interested in attending your event.
So always ask your delegates to tag themselves and their friends, when you upload your official event album on Facebook. This powerful technology can help you reach a broader audience.
Reflexive feedback, faster check-in and improved security
Although, face recognition is yet to advance in the event industry for its far-flung acceptance, but in the coming years, it’s predicted to replace the traditional event feedback form. Data captured bycameras placed across the event venue will help event managers know their delegates better and understand how they feel about the event.
Facial recognition software will also help event organisers provide their delegates a smoother check-in experience, that is not only fast but also ensures higher security at the event.
3. Smart Event Apps
A seamlessly integrated event app can turn even a passive delegate into an active event participant. While event apps used to be a “nice-to-have”, they have become truly indispensable nowadays. Delegates expect an event app as it helps them connect and interact with the right content, people and sessions. Plus, it benefits sponsors by giving them additional exposure and providing the data and ROI they need.
Some smart conference apps come with features to track and suggest speakers and networking opportunities, and also help delegates create custom line-ups and bookmark locations.
4. RFID tags
This wireless event technology has already become a standard across popular music festivals around the world. Event organisers have been using RFID to replace event tickets and onsite payments. In the coming year, this technology will be used to enhance sponsorship experiences. Using RFID, sponsors can engage delegates through an interactive experience like raffles, polls or any other competition. This will enable sponsors to gather delegate data without intruding the event experience.
5. Social Media Walls
This event tech trend turns your delegates into photographers and event promoters. Social media walls are huge screens that project your delegates’ social posts and photos tagged with your event hashtag. They tell your event’s story in an interactive, visual way, grabbing the attention of your attendees and keeping them entertained.
6. Live streaming
Live streaming is overwhelmingly popular. It seems like everyone is using it now, from news channels and sports networks to beauty bloggers and your next-door neighbour. It isn’t just Facebook and Instagram that have rolled out live streaming tools though, YouTube has YouTube Live, Twitter has Periscope, Snapchat (arguably a live streaming platform in and of itself) recently released CrowdSurf. Even LinkedIn is toying with the idea of live streaming. Given the prevalence of live streaming and the ease with which anyone can access and view those videos, there is no question of how it can benefit your events.
Share your live stream far and wide
Live streaming enables you to expand your audience beyond event capacity. Encourage your delegates and staff to share your event’s live stream on social media and other platforms. You could also send it to invitees who couldn’t attend your event and ask them to support from afar by sharing your stream.
‘Crowd’stream
The latest trend in live streaming is crowdsourcing. Technology platforms like Instagram and Facebook Live help delegates broadcast their personal experiences easily. Encourage attendees to broadcast their event experience and post it under a common hashtag so you can measure the results.
7. Event Management Technology
While most trends focus on improving the attendee experience, this one is designed to benefit the event organiser. With the right event tech, you can automate your manual planning tasks like data transfer, event publishing, and even new audience discovery.
