"People are impatient, particularly when it comes to consuming technology," explained Brian Ludwig, senior vice president, Cvent. "There is a lot of cool tech in events already, but the pace of new innovations is really exciting."
Smart airports
"Smart airports will be more and more common and existing smart airports will become even smarter," Ludwig claimed. Long lines at security and on planes will be a thing of the past as everything becomes all about speed.
Industry survey shows event planners slow to commit to new technology
UK event agencies invest £200,000 a year in technology
Driverless cars
Driverless cars can be programmed to meet delegates at the conference venue and transfer them to dinner venues and corresponding hotels in the city, putting an end to those stuffy coaches.
Geo-fencing
Specialised communication such as agendas and venue addresses could be broadcast straight to the delegates’ Smartphones once they reach particular zones or enter a marked radius in the destination.
Event registration
"Self check-in, registration and wireless badge-printing already exist," said Ludwig. "What if when delegates pass into the event the technology recognises them and checks them in automatically?"
Notifications
Communications and push notifications can be sent direct to smartphones when delegates have requested an interest in a meeting nearby.
Navigation assistance
"Apps already recognise where the delegates are standing on an exhibition floor – why can’t information be sent directly through the app to tell them where they need to go next and how to get there?"
Augmented reality
A delegate's time on a show floor is limited. Augmented reality headsets will be able to recognise contextual information placed around exhibitor stands from afar that will reveal how relevant they are, helping visitors make quick decisions on who to visit.
Wireless charging
No doubt, all of this technology will drain your battery. Wireless charging stations and hot zones on desks and coffee tables will enable smartphones to get a battery boost wherever/whenever.
Remote presence
Booth personnel who can’t attend the show will be able to speak and interact with delegates via a live stream on an iPad. Attach it to a remote-controlled segway and they'll never know the difference!
Content & Engagement
Virtual Reality and drones that can hover around the venue and reveal new perspectives of the event are already broadcasting live to social media, helping to sell the value of the event to potential delegates who are thinking about attending next year.
User-generated videos
"Periscope and Snapchat Live are changing the paradigm of events," argued Ludwig. "Delegates are now broadcasting the event live to their followers, thus amplifying the event."
On-demand keynote speeches
Videos of the keynote speech filmed, edited and posted to an app immediately will enable delegates to share timely content to colleagues around the globe in an instant.
"These technologies cause FOMO [fear of missing out] and delegates will want to be part of the event after having these effective virtual experiences," added Ludwig. "Event organisers will need to embrace technology because attendees are now demanding it of suppliers and organisers."
What other technologies are transforming your events? Let C&IT know below or tweet us at @citmagazine
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