New Event Technology for 2018

New Event Technology trends for 2018 would show that the sky is virtually the limit. If you can imagine it happening, it probably already is. These changes are not only assisting event planners with their jobs, new event technology is providing the attendee with better and more memorable experiences.

AR-Indoor Navigation

Beacon technology, sometimes referred to as Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), has brought navigation indoors. For an attendee inside a trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, this means they can now navigate hallways, meeting spaces and booth to booth. This hyper-navigation is going a step further with Augmented Reality (AR) by super-imposing a computer-generated image on a user’s view of the event, either through their phone or a set of glasses. This not only gives attendees step-by-step steering through the event but includes gamification options, as well as the possibility of interactive booths, logos and displays.

Chatbot

Some may look back on 2017 as the year of the chatbot revolution. You can think of a chatbot as an app that interacts in a conversational way, usually through text messaging. During events, a chatbot may provide on-demand scheduling information, directions, feedback and surveys. You can also use them to search for speakers, break-out sessions, exhibits and more. Chatbots typically have audio capabilities but text is preferred for crowded conferences and large spaces.

Online Booking of Direct Meeting Space

The traditional way of booking a meeting space is being replaced by online Airbnb-style apps. Once upon a time, a meeting space was booked through an event center with a sales contact and a negotiated contract. Now there are at least one dozen online platforms to book your next meeting with new booking apps popping up all the time. There truly is a venue-finding app for every meeting. For example, the app EventUp has facilities across the country and includes hotels as well; were as Meetingsbooker specializes in smaller meetings up to 40 people, in 70,000 venues across the globe. As we wrote about in a previous blog, the sharing economy has affected the events industry. But these DIY options aren’t for everyone. Nothing can replace the experience and expertise that comes with a professional event planner.

Snap Mask

For a photo-sharing alternative to Snapchat, check out Eventtag’s new app called Snap Mask. Snap Mask is a facial-recognition app that offers users a Snapchat-like filter for attendees taking selfies at events. Anyone can use Snap Mask, you don’t have to have the Snapchat app or an account. Planners can design filters and add sponsor logos and unique hashtags and the app can be loaded onto any tablet used at an event. Attendees choose their filter, snap their photos or video and then share via text or email.

These are just a few of the new event technology trends that we are excited about. For more information on using technology at your next event, contact us at Strategic Event Design.