How event tech helped planners create better events in 2024
The secret sauce of any significant event is ultimately the event technology, which adds the finishing touch to the visual aesthetic.
Whether it is the lighting, the video component or the AI app integration, every element shapes an event’s structure.
Below are some top stories we produced in 2024 to help planners improve their event design with the technology we have at our disposal.
Smart Tech: Event Tech at IMEX America 2024
This year’s IMEX America showcased technology advancements, specifically in AI, highlighting the potential to streamline event planning.
Amy Kramer, Innovation Leader at Maritz, discussed the benefits and drawbacks of free versus enterprise AI tools. Kramer stated that while enterprise solutions like Microsoft’s Copilot offer scalability and integration across platforms such as Teams, Outlook and SharePoint, they are also more expensive.
Kramer also shared AI applications that Maritz uses to improve collaboration and information sharing within event management teams.
3 New Event Tech Tools to Bling Your General Session
This year, Smart Meetings explored specific tech tools that could help improve your event in the new year. Some of these tools include:
- Intelligent Content by Animatic Media: This tool allows organizers to share information directly to attendees’ phones through event signage and products.
- Tripleseat Floorplans: Tripleseat integrated 3D and 2D visualization technology into its platform, allowing planners to create to-scale diagrams in real time to collaborate with vendors and offer 3D virtual walkthroughs of venues.
- Cvent’s AI-Powered Recap Button: This tool provides personalized summaries of conference sessions, allowing attendees to fully understand key ideas even if they are a little distracted. It enhances engagement by giving attendees overviews tailored to their interests.
The Future of Event Tech Trends, According to Cvent’s Brian Ludwig
Smart Meetings spoke to Brian Ludwing, senior vice president of sales at Cvent, to see what is on the horizon for event tech.
Ludwing shared a few key insights around what planners should look out for.
With smart apps and badges, planners follow attendee engagement, including session participation and interactions.
Using AI can help reduce administrative tasks, allowing planners to focus on strategic planning. AI’s real-time translation capabilities can make content accessible and inclusive. Hybrid events foster ongoing engagement beyond the physical gathering. Augmented Reality allows planners to create interactive and immersive experiences.
How Technology Can Help Us Build a Greener Events Industry
In this story, we discuss how advancements in event technology allow for more sustainable practices within the industry.
The use of digital signage, mobile apps, and web platforms reduces the need for planners to print out materials, decreasing paper waste.
Using LED and low-energy lighting systems means less energy is being used.
AI: What is it Good For Anyway?
Throughout 2024, Smart Meetings explored how AI can help planners create better events. In this story, we offer up some helpful apps and resources that planners may want to consider using.
Google’s AI app, Gemini, helps find optimal flight schedules to help save on costs. Planners can also use AI-driven analysis from post-event surveys to find patterns and trends.
Other AI apps include Microsoft Co-Pilot, SPARK from PCMA/Gevme, Google Gemini, Polymer Searh, Reposite, Otter.AI and OpenAI DALL-E. Check out the story link to learn more about each app.
