AIPC
Push the button
CEO OF INTERNATIONAL VENUE ASSOCIATION AIPC , SVEN BOSSU SAYS , GIVEN THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT , CONVENTION CENTRES CAN FOCUS ON EFFICIENCY GAINS WHEN LOOKING AT TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS AND , ALTHOUGH THE GAINS WILL VARY FROM CENTRE TO CENTRE , THERE ARE SOME SURPRISING AVENUES POSSIBLE
D
oing more with less seems to be continuing , much like last year for many event organisers . Costs continue to rise and budgets do not produce the same or ( even worse ) decrease . In addition , there is a continuing lack of qualified staff . While the trend for smaller , regional events continues . All of this puts pressure on the entire value chain , including convention centres .
Looking at technology to address some of these challenges is definitely an option . In a couple of years , AI has moved from concept into applications which are ready to use , and the new wave of AI agents will only accelerate the trend . Systems can now perceive their environment , process information , and take actions to achieve specific goals , often autonomously .
There are many areas where AI could play a role in convention centres – from sales to predictive maintenance . The convention centre AI agent could propose a priced event design based on past events ( which did not necessarily take place at the same venue ). However , implementing AI successfully is not straightforward and will require revisiting existing processes and stripping these down to the very core , before doing any development . It might be that process optimisation will get you the result you want without any need for AI , but AI has one key advantage : it can combine sets of data – both internal and external – and detect patterns which we might not otherwise see .
Personalised training paths A lot of temporary staff goes through a
Above : Sven Bossu
“ AI has one key advantage : it can combine sets of data – both internal and external – and detect patterns which we might not see ”
day ’ s training before starting the job . AI technology has the potential to not only accelerate the training process but also tailor it to meet the specific needs of the workforce and the demands of the season . According to companies such as TrainDay ( one of many offering this type of service ), the following could be imagined :
• Automated training modules which quickly assess the skills and knowledge gaps of new workers and provide personalised training paths .
• Real-time adaptation and gamification , ensuring temporary staff are learning at an optimal pace , maximising their time and accelerating their readiness .
• Feedback loops : AI tools can integrate feedback mechanisms that capture insights from temporary staff throughout training . This is analysed to make real-time improvements to the programme and adapt future training initiatives .
• Measured impact : the effectiveness of training programmes is continuously measured against key performance indicators such as speed to competency , quality of work , and overall productivity . AI and data analytics provide a detailed analysis of these metrics , offering clear insights into the return on investment in training .
The impact could be very positive , both for the convention centres and for delegates , as it combines external and internal data with continuous improvement and efficiency . And , for the temporary staff , it could be a great learning experience on various levels . It might take a bit more than simply pushing a button , but it is worthwhile exploring . n
ISSUE 135 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 11