The Virtual Edge Institute® (VEI), an organization dedicated to advancing engagement around events and meetings through technology and best practices, recently announced at PCMA’s Convening Leaders that the Metro Toronto Convention Center and the Dallas Convention Center are the first venues to obtain the designation of a verified Digital Event Center™ (DEC).
The DEC program provides event venues and operators with a readiness review of their facility, employees and partner ecosystem for planning and executing digital event programs from their facilities. Through the VEI, DECs will provides a well-planned and tested, single-source hybrid event package for event planners just getting started in hybrid events.
“The Digital Event Center program was developed as a result of research that showed many event professionals were interested in adding hybrid extensions to their events, but were unsure of how to proceed, were worried about costs, and felt they didn’t have the resources to plan and manage the whole process,” said Michael Doyle, executive director of VEI. “This program offers them a simple solution with a set price and agreed-upon features and scope.”
From convention centers to hotels, the DEC program is helping to drive adoption of digital event solutions by making it easy for event planners to turn on a digital extension of their event while minimizing the risk associated with first-time programs.
Participation in the DEC program is voluntary and the venues that participate demonstrate leadership, innovation and a commitment to positively impact their client’s overall event performance.
“While the availability of digital event technology is growing, one of the most important elements for success is the plan,” said Doyle. “VEI will work with event producers at designated DECs to take them through a strategic planning process so they end up with a playbook they can follow to increase their success and demonstrate the overall value of their hybrid extension.”
The venue verification process includes an initial assessment that covers network infrastructure and capacity, as well as future road maps, a review of in-house services from AV to electrical, furnishings for a virtual studio, and a assignment of one or more employees that enroll in the Digital Event Strategist® (DES) learning and certification program.
“We’re making the DES education available to all the employees but require only one to complete the actual certification,” said Doyle. “As a part of this hybrid-in-a-box package, we’re supplementing any necessary technology or services with verified Digital Event Solution providers that are also vetted by VEI.”
“We are delighted to become the first Verified Digital Event Center in Canada” said Barry Smith, president and CEO, Metro Toronto Convention Center. “This exciting initiative is very much part of the ongoing commitment the center has to providing our clients with the most robust and reliable technological infrastructure in the business. As our clients’ needs evolve and they use new technologies to expand their reach to their clients and members, we want to be at the forefront of enabling their ability to do so. This is one more way we are demonstrating our commitment to helping our customers produce successful events.”
