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Help9 TECH TRENDS TRANSFORMING THE EVENTS INDUSTRY
Keeping up-to-date with the latest tech is crucial for events industry professionals. But staying ahead of the curve isn’t always easy. The best event tech improves brand perception, increases word-of-mouth event marketing and boosts attendee engagement.
But not all technology is created equal. Read on to learn about the breakthrough event tech transforming the industry, and to find out whether it could be right for your next event.
1. Venue search engines for finding the perfect event space
Venue-finding platforms have forever changed the way people discover and book spaces for their events. These advanced search engines save you time and money by highlighting the most suitable event spaces as well offering a direct line to venue managers. This technology makes booking a venue fast and easy, allowing you to focus on the details that will make your event shine. And the best part? Venue-finding platforms like #tagvenue list exciting and unusual venues, which are perfect for creating new events and experiences
2. Smarter email and marketing automation for better event promotion
Email used with marketing automation is one of the best ways to promote your event, especially with messaging apps proving difficult to use as a marketing tool, and the growth of social networks slowing. Marketing automation software like Hubspot, Marketo, Pardot and Eloqua means you can send more personalised, useful and effective emails to prospective event-goers, improving lead-to-sale conversion rates.
3.New platforms for stress-free on-site event management
Event apps are making life easier for event planners with advanced technology that facilitates seamless check-ins at conferences, festivals, expos, fundraisers and corporate events. For example, Boomset’s mobile check-in app can be used to check-in event-goers, print their name badges or add new registrants. Paired with lead retrieval at expos, exhibitions, and trade shows, it’s making on-site event management a breeze.
4. Cashless payments for banishing queues
Using RFID technology as a way of accepting cashless payments is still relatively underutilised in the events industry. With benefits including increased sales, faster transactions and improved marketing, more and more companies are moving away from traditional payment systems at their events and embracing this promising new technology.
5. Live streaming for reaching new audiences
With services like Meerkat, Periscope and Blab, live streaming has well and truly hit the mainstream. While some people are wary of this technology, event planners see free live streaming as an opportunity to build FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out), helping them connect with more people and build greater brand awareness.
6. Drones for offering exciting new perspectives
Drones allow brands and agencies to capture an event from a fresh and unexpected angle. Marvel and Twentieth Century Fox showcased drones’ amazing experiential possibilities when they used one to fly Fantastic Four’s burning ‘Human Torch’ over New York.
7. Breakthrough technology for combining the social with the experiential
Daylight projection mapping is one of the biggest trends in event tech, with Heineken using this advanced lighting to transform Somerset House into a ‘virtual’ rugby stadium, and the technology being used to broadcast tweets onto the roof of The O2. The latter example highlights the way brands are looking to combine the interactive with the experiential to create events that engage attendees in exciting new ways.
8. A game-changing app for augmenting reality
Embraced by major brands like Heinz and Cover Girl, Blippar app allows you to ‘blipp’ real-world objects and unlock useful and entertaining content. This visual search app can be used to create engaging brand experiences that are triggered by merchandise, posters or advertisements.
9. Digital swag bags for generating brand love
One of the most popular event industry trends of 2016, digital swag bags are an alternative to the traditional gift bag. Containing online gift vouchers or special offers, digital swag bags have been a big hit with event-goers and look as if they’re here to stay.
Guest bio: Jacinta Butterworth is a content manager at #tagvenue, the venue search engine making it easier to find and book spaces for events.
Looking for more ways to engage with attendees? Keep them engaged before the event and right at check-in:
