Whether it’s an art exhibition, music gig, or flower-arranging workshop, since the onset of the pandemic, technology has become a vital component to successfully holding events.
Rapid advancements have allowed creators to adapt to such unforeseen circumstances while meeting their consumer’s demands. It’s even brought about exciting, new opportunities, with virtual events reaching wider global audiences than ever before.
From webinar tools and software such as ticketing systems to innovations like virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), technology has opened up more and more possibilities.
With the range of technological advancements constantly growing, it’s imperative to stay on top of all the latest developments to ensure that your events maintain a competitive edge. Here are the latest event tech trends that you need to know.
1. Radio-frequency identification
Continuing to streamline attendees’ experience significantly, Radio-frequency identification (RFID) replaces physical payments and ticketing for in-person events.
Small enough to fit inside an attendee’s badge or bracelet, an RFID chip is easily scannable and reduces queuing times. An RFID chip facilitates onsite cashless payments at events like food festivals and music gigs.
RFID is an invaluable tool for speeding up face-to-face interactions and helping to make socially distanced events safer.
Also, when using RFID technology at an event, it is possible to track the movements and behaviors of attendees, assisting with the complex task of crowd control, providing valuable venue layout information.
2. Facial recognition
Facial recognition is one of the latest event management trends utilized at several events, from conferences and trade shows to club nights and football matches.
This technology creates a ‘smart event’, and allows for contactless, automated check-ins, dramatically reducing physical interactions between event staff and attendees and waiting times.
As well as speeding things up, facial recognition software can read body language and facial expressions to assess and predict the attendees’ mood – thus taking participant feedback to a whole new level.
3. Chatbots
By now, most of us are accustomed to asking Siri or Alexa to play our favorite song or add milk to our shopping list. Now though, chatbots and digital assistants are also popping up far and wide in the events industry. Now, chatbots are used at virtual trade fairs and gigs to provide important information and answer any attendee questions.
By automating aspects of customer service, event participants can receive a rapid response thanks to the implementation of knowledge base software. Event organizers are free to continue focusing on their event planning.
There are many ways to integrate Chatbot tech into current events, from adding a customer service Facebook Messenger plugin to using Google’s Dialogflow.
4. Artificial intelligence
While we are on artificial intelligence (AI), its popularity is rapidly growing, being utilized to analyze data and subsequently offer consumers personalized recommendations.
Event creators can interpret data using AI technology from social media profiles like Facebook and LinkedIn to create tailored suggestions for each event participant.
These can include anything from new bands that may fit a consumer’s music tastes to recommending which talks might be of particular interest, for example:
- Which presentations best align with their work?
- Who should they consider meeting?
- Which speaker would they get the most out of hearing?
5. Virtual reality
There has been a great deal of buzz around the emergence of experiential events. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) certainly possess the ability to transport event participants to a whole new world.
The possibilities seem limitless, with creators using VR and AR to stand out amongst hundreds of trade fair exhibitors and hold highly engaging presentations.
The world of fundraising is also being revolutionized, with charities using technology to draw much-needed attention to their causes powerfully.
6. Live streaming
The pandemic conditions kickstarted a massive shift towards virtual events, which increased 300% in 2021.
Many event creators have been embracing the tech for concerts, webinars, and even theater productions, as an effective means of reaching a wider audience during lockdowns.
Once in-person gatherings become widely possible again, live streaming technology will create hybrid events — with both in-person and virtual participants — the best of both worlds in one event.
7. 5G
Thanks to the 5G network technology rollout, venues have a new expectation to provide a high-speed WiFi connection, which is good news for both attendees and event creators. At socially distanced events, this is especially useful for music and food festivals.
Additionally, increased speeds enable other technologies, such as VR, AR, and live streaming, to be smoother and much quicker to implement.
Final thoughts
New technologies are continuously emerging and changing, providing a regular source of interesting and exciting new opportunities for event creators.
From familiar staples, such as project management tools, to new and exciting technologies like VR and AI, it’s well worth staying ahead of the curve when it comes to how tech can powerfully enhance an event and keep participants hooked.
