As consumers we’re now used to—and expect—highly curated content in most aspects of our lives. Netflix gives viewers access to an incredible 100 million products tailored to their preferences for example—and this expectation extends through to the events we attend.
Event technology features will loom large at IMEX in Frankfurt, taking place May 21-23, with exhibitors and learning opportunities showcasing the latest trends and products.
“Every attendee has different personal and emotional requirements and planners are seeing a greater need to offer a more individual and personalized experience at events,” explains Carina Bauer, CEO IMEX Group.
Technology is one of the tools planners can use to power a personalized experience for delegates – according to EventMB.com, over half (59 percent) of event planners predict that their use of event technology will increase.
Holograms, robots and VR all form part of the show’s new Discovery Zone, packed with education and experiences to fire up the imagination of event planners and exhibitors alike. NOX Robots dance, educate and bring a little cheekiness to proceedings. Attendees can step inside award-winning virtual worlds exploring ancient Rome, space and beyond. Practical applications of event tech, diversity and a firm focus on future-thinking all form part of a packed program of sessions at The ZEUS Innovators Club.
At the dedicated technology area on the show floor planners can meet suppliers, including event management software company Aventri, which has partnered with Sciensio to offer artificial intelligence chatbot technology. Websites, event apps, attendee tracking and lead retrieval are among the technologies offered by Community Brands Event Tech group.
Fielddrive, in partnership with Zenus biometrics, is the first event-tech company to offer facial recognition technology. Attendees at Association Evening (May 20) can experience it for themselves when they check in for the networking event. The Meeting Pool returns to head up the TECHKnowledge area of the show floor offering bite-size tech tutorials on topics including how to boost personal and professional productivity, and how technology can drive sustainability.
The reality of learning: incorporating VR, AR and AI into learning will take a practical approach to these fast-growing technologies and is among the many tech-driven education sessions throughout the three days of the show. Future-focused session Five macro-trends disrupting the meetings industry covers developments in communication, the workplace and wellness to help planners adopt a proactive personalized experience. The wow factor: using technology and trends to make your meetings pop will deliver live technology demos and creative tips.
“Our wide range of tech exhibitors and learning opportunities allows planners to see, touch and experience the latest technology and learn how it can support their work, spark their imaginations and ultimately create content that has a genuine and deep effect on the audience,” Bauer concludes.
IMEX America 2019, America’s worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings & events, will be held Sept. 10-12 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center at The Venetian and Palazzo, preceded by Smart Monday, powered by MPI on Sept. 9. For more info, visit www.imexamerica.com.
