If you want to make an event stand out, you need to do something new. Embracing the brand new possibilities of modern tech is a great way to do this. Of course, modern tech can also help to streamline a lot of the admin that comes with event planning, as well as helping to reduce queues. What are some prime examples of modern tech in the event industry? This post lists a few of the major innovations.
QR code tickets
QR code tickets have taken over from traditional physical tickets at many events. Such tickets can be displayed on an attendee’s phone via an email, app or PDF. What benefits does this have over physical tickets? Firstly, tickets are cheaper to distribute digitally and can be within a customer’s pocket instantly. There’s also less risk of tickets getting lost, plus no physical contact has to be made when processing and validating a ticket. This has made them the go-to option for many event businesses.
Automation and AI
Automation involves using machines to take over tasks that were previously done manually. Using modern event management software for venues, it’s now possible to automate many processes from taking wedding couple bookings to sending automated email reminders of payments. Automation can be taken one step further by embracing AI (artificial intelligence) – such algorithms are not just able to carry out routine tasks, but can learn and adapt to different inputs. Chatbots can now handle online customer enquiries, while ticket handling AI can more fairly distribute tickets during high demand ticket purchasing events. All in all, such tech can reduce work for event organizers and improve general efficiency.
Livestreaming
Those that want to attend events no longer have to attend in person. Using livestreaming, it’s possible for many events to be digitally broadcasted to selective participants. Some event organizers have even started charging people to digitally attend events. These virtual attendees may not be able to experience the event in person, but could still be given unique privileges such as the option to watch an event live from different camera angles and take part in live chatrooms. Of course, livestreaming doesn’t have to be something that you charge people to participate in – in fact, you can broadcast events for free on social media platforms like Facebook if you prefer.
Drone photography/videography
Photographing or filming an outdoor event from above used to involve having to hire a helicopter. Nowadays, events can be captured from above using drones. Drones are much cheaper and easier to operate. Festivals and sports events now regularly use drones to capture live footage. However, drones can also be commonly found at lower scale events like weddings where they can take more creative photos and videos of the event and its guests.
RFID wristbands
Wristbands have long been used at events like festivals. Traditionally, many of these wristbands contained barcodes, which had to be scanned individually one at a time. RFID wristbands have helped to speed up this scanning process. RFID tags simply need to be a certain distance from an RFID scanner, making it possible for crowds of people to be scanned at once without people having to slow down. This can greatly reduce queues at many events. It’s worth noting that RFID tags are also much harder to copy compared to barcodes, preventing the amount of fraudulent ticket holders.
VR/AR experiences
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are two technologies that events are starting to increasingly play with. VR involves using a headset to explore a virtual world. Already many art exhibitions have been done in this style, allowing participants to virtually jump into paintings. AR meanwhile involves adding virtual elements to the real world – often by viewing events through a phone camera. The likes of AR apps like Pokemon Go have inspired similar virtual treasure hunts at events using AI. We are likely to see such technologies get even more advanced in the future.
5G internet
5G is the latest generation of mobile network. It offers greater speed, coverage and capacity than 4G and is already helping to transform many events by allowing more users to connect to the internet at once while minimizing lag. 5G has helped pave the way for technologies like AR and could also enable greater app-based features in the future ranging from interactive GPS maps of events to live chatrooms with other participants. Installation of a 5G mast is all that is necessary.
Live app notifications
Event apps are often used to distribute tickets, but can also be used to provide all kinds of information such as programs and menus. One useful way in which events can take advantage of apps is by providing live notifications to attendees. Push notifications can be used to tell attendees when to move to another area or when they can get food. They can also alert users of changes to programs at festivals. This is useful for events where it may not be possible to broadcast events through speakers.
Mobile card readers
Mobile card readers are not a new technology per se, but they are starting to make an impact at events – thanks largely to greater internet capabilities of 5G. Instead of having to stay at stalls, vendors can walk around events selling items from carts while accepting card payments. This is useful at sports events where not everyone may be carrying change.
Solar power
Events are also learning to be greener. Instead of running outdoor events off of polluting petrol generators, portable solar panels can be used to provide electricity. Indoor events venues can meanwhile be powered by solar panels installed on roofs. Solar panels can be expensive to buy and install, but they reduce costs in the long run by preventing the need for energy bills or fuel purchase. On top of this, solar panels give off less emissions, and can improve the reputation of events and make them appeal more to eco-conscious attendees.
