OCTOBER | TECH
AR you
crazy?
Ever used augmented reality
at one of your events? Well
the crazies have – forward
thinkers that can see the
value in providing fun
and gamifying attendee
engagement to create positive
memories. There are choices
too - off-the-shelf or bespoke
platforms.
togethAR is a gamification
app which uses branded
multiplayer augmented reality
games to help people connect
in person at events. It works
as an ice breaker but also a
team builder, as players have
to talk to each other in person
to solve puzzles and games.
The app creates a neutral,
fun and relaxed environment
that helps with introducing
and getting to know new
people or strengthen existing
relationships. The kicker
is that, each person the
attendees play with is added
to a players contact list within
the app so the more you
play the bigger the attendee
network becomes.
The next example of AR
engagement comes from
consultancy 2LK. They
created an experiential
pop-up lounge for HSBC at
the World Economic Forum
in Davos. 2LK repurposed a
shoe shop to create the ‘HSBC
Lounge’. It included a ‘Smart
54
What’s hot?
Words: James Morgan, founder,
Event Tech Lab
City’ augmented reality 3D
printed model. The model
allowed visitors to explore
HSBC’s sustainable finance
initiatives, focusing on Urban
Infrastructure and the banks
Smart City story, illustrated
through augmented reality
overlays on the model of the
Smart City. Visitors moved
a tablet towards key points
on the model – including
buildings and roads - to reveal
an in-depth digital layer
featuring case studies on
sustainable finance.
Visionteractive’s AR app
has been used to enhance
brand experiences. Their
AR photo booths/vending
machines are used to engage
event attendees to promote
products, while giving the
chance to instantly buy those
products in their Smart AR
vending machines. Imagine
how a sunglasses brand could
boost their sales at a festival,
where Smart AR photo and
vending booth engages
revellers to ‘try’ sunglasses
in AR mode, take a photo,
share it on social media and
then buy the glasses. These
examples show that AR is not
just for crazies. Augmented
reality overlays images and
information on the real world
to enhance create positive
experiences and memories.
SocialPoint Eventumbot
The mobile
gamification
platform increases
engagement
through interactive
games and
activities. There are
over 25 different
activities to choose
from, including
trivia challenges,
the virtual spinning
wheel and more. The Belgian
company provides
AI powered voice
or text based
bots for festivals.
The bots help
organisers save
resources and time
on communication
whilst improving
customer service
with instant
information.
LG transparent OLED signage
Screens feature self-lighting pixels and
maintain accurate and vivid colours in a
transparent display. The screens bring
content to life, making it difficult for people
to separate content from the real objects
placed behind the screen.