Technology that mimics human behaviour and helps delegates interact with each other will change the face of the events industry, it has been claimed.
The Tech Watch Award winners will be announced during the IBTM World 2019 meetings industry trade show, Barcelona in November, after being judged by industry experts.
Dr James Morgan,owner of Event Tech lab, and one of the judges said Rich Communications Services (RCS), such as chatbots, were going to become more integrated into the industry.
“Rich Communications Services (RCS) will have a big impact on events in the future. Companies like US-based Sciensio and Belgium-based Eventumbot are leading the way on this, with chatbots being deployed at some events in North America and Europe.”
Meanwhile fellow-judge and former ICCA chief executive Martin Sirk remarked how event technologies that take human psychology into account will improve events.
“Benefits of such technologies include helping less socially confident delegates to network and build connections at events; merging delegate behaviour patterns into event programmes to increase their engagement and interaction, and recognising and adapting to different learning and communication styles or cultural differences.”
However, amimagazine.global tech columnist Corbin Ball identified that while event technologies are there to improve events and enhance the delegate experience, often the rapid rate of their development leaves event organisers feeling left behind.
“Organisers struggle to keep up with its advancements. Event professionals are understandably cautious in adopting event technology for critical tasks such as delegate vetting,” he added.
“Technology choices should be made based on organisers’ goals of improving the event in measurable ways, as opposed to choosing the newest, flashiest product.”
The Tech Watch Awards aim to showcase the very best event technology revolutionising the way the industry creates events. The judging panel for this year’s awards consists of Corbin Ball of Corbin Ball & Co., Michelle Bruno, president of Bruno Group Signature Events; Dahlia El Gazzar, founder of DAHLIA Inc.; Padraic Gilligan, managing partner at SoolNua; Ruud Janssen, founder of TNOC.org; Martin Sirk, owner of Sirk Serendipity and Dr James Morgan, Event Tech Lab.
IBTM World 2019 will take place between 19 and 21 November at Fira Barcelona. More information about the event and the Tech Watch Awards can be found here.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
