EW rounds up the latest news in event technology
Zoom launches virtual platform Zoom Events
ideo calling software Zoom has announced it plans to launch Zoom Events , a new platform for hosting virtual events .
The platform , which will launch this summer , will allow organisers to stage ticketed , live events through Zoom .
It builds upon the company ’ s existing virtual event platform OnZoom , which launched in October 2020 in beta version . OnZoom will be rebranded and folded into Zoom Events .
Zoom says the new platform will offer functionality including event data , event hubs to easily manage and share events , and customisable ticketing and registration . Zoom Events will be usable with an existing paid Zoom Meetings or webinar licence .
Oded Gal , chief product officer at Zoom , commented : “ It ’ s an exciting time to be at Zoom where the pace of innovation continues to accelerate . We know that people are looking for flexibility in how they attend events in the future . The hybrid model is here to stay , and Zoom Events is a perfect solution for our customers who are looking to produce and host customer , company , and public events with an easy , yet powerful solution .
“ This is another way we ’ re helping customers scale to meet consumer demands and the evolving virtual and hybrid landscape .”
Cisco to acquire virtual event platform Socio
echnology conglomerate Cisco has announced its intent to acquire Socio , a platform for virtual , hybrid and in-person events .
Socio was founded in 2016 and is based in the US , with an office in Istanbul . It started as an in-person event management solution , and at the onset of the pandemic , the company built a virtual event suite to complement this .
The platform ’ s capabilities for virtual and hybrid events will be rolled into Cisco ’ s own WebEx platform .
A blogpost on the Cisco website , explaining the reasoning behind the intent to purchase , said : “ Hybrid events require a fundamentally different product . Event organisers need a solution that enables pre-event capabilities like ticketing , registration , and agenda builders , coupled with in-event features like high-quality webcast , chat and audience participation , and networking .
“ And once the event is over , event planners want to make sure they stay in touch with attendees , nurture relationships and get insights about event participation .”
Virtual Helsinki launches in Finland
he Finnish capital of Helsinki has digitised some of its major event venues , in a new initiative called Virtual Helsinki . Senate Square , The Three Smiths Statue , the island of Lonna and Finlandia Hall can be explored for free in the virtual environment , which only requires a computer , laptop or smartphone . The technology was put together in partnership with VR studio Zoan , but a VR headset is not required .
Its aim is to promote Helsinki as a destination remotely , allowing people to attend virtual fam trips while travel restrictions remain in place . Sustainability is also a key concern , according to Helsinki Marketing .
Leena Lassila , director of global sales at Helsinki Marketing , said : “ We believe that the Covid-19 pandemic brings permanent changes to the global event industry . Customers look for increasingly diverse opportunities to combine physical events and digital solutions . Helsinki is convinced that consumers are also increasingly aware of the climate impact of travel and want to make responsible choices . Helsinki has a great deal to offer in this competition .”
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