Conference News Supplements The Tech Factor Supplement | Page 14

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Technology
Big data, artificial
intelligence, virtual
reality, and
augmented reality
will significantly
boost the impact
that events can have
on organisations.
Here are tech-giant
Cvent’s predictions
for 2020.
AI to drive
personalisation
We will see the rise of
AI-powered tech that
will provide suggestions
such as which sessions
attendees might want
to add to their agendas,
which exhibitors they
should meet onsite, or
even which delegates
they should connect
with to discuss shared
interests.
Big data will be
critical
As the new decade
unfolds, more event
professionals will
become savvier data
collectors and will
utilise technology to
analyse the data
points, all to gather
crucially important
event intelligence. This
data will not only
capture important
insights into onsite
delegate behaviour, but
of every step of their
unique customer
journey. Proper data
analysis will provide
event organisers the
opportunity to create
more engaging,
customised event
Embracing
innovation
Cvent has published a guide to the
emerging event technology trends in 2020
experiences, driving
even better ROI. In
addition, sales and
marketing teams will be
able to use this data to
uncover new business
opportunities.
Greater focus on
driving revenue via
mobile event apps
2020 will see far more
event organisers
leveraging mobile
technology to not only
boost attendee
engagement and
facilitate networking
onsite but drive
revenue. The average
adult spends three and
a half hours on their
mobile device and
mobile event apps offer
a unique way to get
event sponsors and
exhibitors in front of a
captive audience.
Banners ads,
sponsored listings,
augmented
reality-driven interactive
venue maps,
personalised ads
delivered to delegates
based on their location,
or customised session
recommendations, are
all areas of opportunity
to drive incremental
revenue and maximise
event sponsorships.
Expect virtual reality
and augmented reality
to capitalise on the
user experience
Innovative technology
that adds ‘wow factor’
such as virtual reality,
augmented reality, and
voice technology like
chatbots will soon take
centre stage at events.
Expect to see AR
experiences including
3D event mapping and
dynamic signage,
helping delegates
navigate large
conferences with ease.
VR technology will help
organisers source and
select the right venue
without having to leave
the office for a site visit.
These may be ‘wow
factors’ now, but in
order to stay relevant,
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technologies like these
will need to be hyper
focused on the
end-user experience.
Technology to play an
even bigger part in
climate conscious
events
Events, and event
organisers, will become
far more climate
conscious. There’s
been a lot of
conversation about
sustainability, but the
difference with the
decade ahead is that
industry professionals
will look more deeply
into how they can make
truly impactful, but
practical, changes that
will set the precedent
for events around the
world – whether that’s
using technology to cut
down on paper, looking
at digital giveaways, or
hosting events in
venues that put
sustainability at the
forefront.
Rise of instant online
booking platforms for
small meetings
The need for a
comprehensive instant
booking platform,
particularly for smaller,
less complex meetings,
has become a priority
for many in the events
and hospitality
industries. Hotels and
venues are recognizing
the business value and
they’re working closely
with online sourcing
providers to make it a
reality. In the next
decade, expect to see
the rise of innovative
“instant book”
solutions, filling a key
area of need in the
industry.