Conference & Meetings World Issue 130 Issue 130 | Page 15

PCMA

It ’ s all about them

PCMA CHIEF INNOVATION OFFICER BRUCE MACMILLAN DESCRIBES HOW USING THE ASSOCIATION ’ S AI TOOL , SPARK , CAN ENHANCE THE PARTICIPANT EXPERIENCE

O ne of the cornerstones of most business events is the participant learning and inspiration takeaways . The challenge for participants , however , is capturing the relevant and compelling insights while trying to be present in the experience .

In today ’ s experience economy , the events that thrive are those that transcend mere programming to forge lasting connections . With AI ’ s unparalleled ability to transform data into actionable insights , you possess the power to design events that deeply resonate , fostering enduring relationships between your audience , your brand , and the transformative content you curate .
Imagine attending a seminar and , instead of furiously taking notes , having AI summarise the core messages in real-time … and deliver a summarised document to your mobile device while you ’ re still in the room . This allows you to focus on the speaker ( s ) in realtime , engage more deeply with the material , and participate in networking discussions with a clear understanding of the key points .
That ’ s the impetus behind Spark Takeaways , a paid add-on as part of Spark ’ s Enterprise product portfolio – PCMA ’ s AI tool .
No longer constrained by manual notetaking or the limitations of human cognition , participants can fully immerse themselves in the session content . Takeaways surfaces the essence of each presentation through intuitive visualisations and interactive topic exploration tools .
PCMA introduced it for the first-time at Convening Leaders 24 in San Diego during all mainstage sessions , and most recently during Business Events Industry Week ( BEIW ) in Washington , DC . The audience experience was outstanding , and the tangible outcomes were numerous .
Takeaways extends the event ’ s impact well beyond session rooms . Comprehensive post-session reports encapsulate the event ’ s collective wisdom , enabling participants to revisit and share insights with colleagues and
Above : Bruce MacMillan
“ This perpetual access to curated content amplifies the event ’ s reach , facilitating continuous learning and collaboration ”
stakeholders . This perpetual access to curated content amplifies the event ’ s reach , facilitating continuous learning and collaboration .
As event professionals , we are uniquely positioned to manage the nexus where participants , experience and data converge . That position takes our value proposition to the next level , a level that we have aspired to for a long time . And Spark is a tool to help get you there .
For years we have routinely collected data through surveys . Transforming that data into timely actionable insights is where we have fallen short . AI changes that .
From tailoring content offerings to optimising event logistics , Spark quickly empowers you to make informed decisions that resonate with your audience . You gain a deepened understanding of their needs , allowing you to consistently deliver outstanding experiences that foster brand loyalty and achieve organisational business objectives . This makes your event outcomes perform better and your role in the business value chain more pivotal .
And because we know that content at any event is the crown jewel of the experience , Spark ’ s commitment to data privacy and security infrastructure ensures that your content and data is yours and yours only .
Currently , generative AI tools such as Spark are proven to offer substantial productivity improvements , automating routine tasks , and enabling organisers to focus on creative and strategic aspects of their events . We believe that very shortly , the focus will shift towards harnessing AI to enrich the human connections we can only make possible at business events . n
ISSUE 130 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 15