2020 Preview: 4 Event Tech Trends to Watch for in the New Year
Every year brings new tech expectations in the event management space, and many of your guests will be hitting the event circuit hard. That means they’ll be looking for the same things that bedazzled them at the last conference — at a minimum — while hoping that your event can wow them with something even better.
That’s why it’s essential for event planners to stay hip to the latest event technology trends so the competition doesn’t leave your event in the dust of mediocrity. So let’s get you up to speed by reviewing the four most compelling event tech trends for the coming year. These and many other 2020 event trends can be found in the CWT 2020 Future Trends in Meetings & Events Report.
1. Mobile Apps Are More Important Than Ever
Everyone at your event in 2020 will have a smartphone. Therefore, if you want to capture your guest’s attention, you may want to create a mobile app.
According to the 2020 Future Trends in Meetings & Events Report, approximately 80 percent of events now have apps and about 75 percent of attendees will download apps as a result of attending an event. Moreover, app developers are now incorporating artificial intelligence and augmented reality to expand the features of event apps.
As an event planner, you can create a special app to give attendees schedule information, the ability to sign up for different presentations and more. Trade show booth operators can also create interactive apps to help their guests plan itineraries, speed up the check-in process, provide guests maps and guides and answer questions with AI chatbots or live human chat. Apps can also collect data to improve future events.
2. Security Technology Is Essential to Guest Safety
With fears of mass shootings and terrorist attacks, security is increasingly important whenever large numbers of people travel to one place. According to the 2020 Future Trends Report, 48 percent of itineraries require revisions as a result of security threats and 39 percent of organizations are training their staff on the topics of travel safety and security.
Police Chief Magazine says that you may want to consider the following security technologies to boost your event security:
video surveillance technology to keep a watchful eye on what’s happening inside and around the perimeter of the event;
communications technologies that ensure radio, WiFi and cellphone service connectivity so guests, event staff, police and security personnel can stay connected; and
information mining technology that can identify publicly posted safety threats on social media and the internet.
3. Event Management Platforms
Events are getting larger and growing more complicated to organize, and this is making large-scale event management software platforms more relevant. These technologies are excellent for helping to plan and organize multi-day events that involve 10,000 or more guests. According to Marketing Insider Group, you should look for the following capabilities in your event management software:
Integration capabilities: The software should be able to integrate with your CRM, finance, business intelligence and sales automation systems.
Scalability: The software should be able to scale up or down as the size of your event changes from year to year.
Mobility: You should be able to access your event management software — no matter where you are — on any internet-connected device, be it a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Good customer support: Your software should have a responsive customer support team so you can get immediate help in an emergency.
4. Real-Time Sentiment Analysis With Cameras and Facial Recognition
Surveys offer a great way to measure guest sentiment, but more events are now incorporating surveillance cameras and facial recognition technology to provide real-time feedback on sentiment levels. If guests are bored, uninterested, underwhelmed or under-engaged, you can make changes on the fly based on sentiment analysis to improve their overall experience.
Magic Box @ The Reef: Get the Latest Technology for Your Events
Staying up to date on the latest event technology trends can feel like a full-time job. At Magic Box @ The Reef, we handle most of the logistical, technological, facilities and planning aspects of event management for our clients. One of our missions is to keep our fingers on the pulse of the latest event tech trends. If you’d like to learn more about Magic Box @ The Reef and the full range of event planning services we provide, visit our website now!
Author Bio
Jeremy Hillpot’s background in consumer-investor fraud litigation provides a unique perspective on a vast array of topics including event production, website technology, investments, startups, cryptocurrencies, and the law. Contact Jeremy at legalwritingFINRA.com or [email protected].
Sources:
https://www.cwt-meetings-events.com/insights/meetings-and-events-trends/
https://www.policechiefmagazine.org/emerging-tech-event-security/
https://marketinginsidergroup.com/strategy/12-best-event-marketing-tools/