In case you missed it
It's been about a year and a half since ChatGPT launched, and AI has become more accessible to the general public. In a recent article, we asked event professionals how they use AI, do not have Leverage technology in your daily work.
We also recently highlighted a new Lionel Messi-focused experience that used 360-degree mapping technology, 3D visuals and artificial intelligence to bring the player's story to life. Other tech-driven events include Tennessee Tourism's custom sensory experience (utilizing brainwave technology to gauge fans' reactions to Tennessee destinations based on sound) and “BLOOMTANICA,” an exhibition by floral artist Jeff Leatham that features stunning IRL installations combined with unique digital components.
This month's hottest event tech
For better communication with participants
Splash, a global event marketing technology company, announced a new integration with event app builder Guidebook. Expected to be available in June, the integration will enable Splash users to increase attendee engagement by providing easy access to event details from the mobile app, enhancing on-site communications and encouraging networking opportunities. Features include instant push notifications, real-time content updates, and interactive elements such as live polls and Q&A sessions. Additionally, the app supports networking through features such as private messaging and social feeds, as well as revenue generation opportunities through in-app sponsorships and targeted advertising. It also includes comprehensive analytics and feedback tools to help measure the success of your event.
“One of the biggest challenges for event organizers is providing an authentic, in-person experience for attendees,” said Kate Hammitt, CMO at Splash. “The use of an event app is a key component of that on-site experience, driving connection, communicating real-time information and ensuring attendees feel valued. We partnered with Guidebook because their best-in-class event app software works seamlessly with Splash to showcase your brand across every touchpoint, increase engagement and ultimately improve business outcomes.”
To simplify the planning process
Joi is planning and scheduling software built by event planners, for event planners. Affordable options start at $40 per month and include a program builder, microsite, event app, scheduling tools, and budgeting. Company co-founder Rob Vass says the service significantly increases the productivity of event professionals, reducing the time spent documenting events by about 80%. Even better, licenses don't limit collaboration; customers can invite anyone as an employee without paying extra.
Instant live translation on a budget
Interprefy, a multilingual conferencing technology provider, has launched Interprefy Now, a new product that offers AI-powered, instant, live translation for small to mid-sized business meetings. This feature allows participants to take part in multilingual discussions using only their smartphones, without the need for advance reservations or special equipment. The service translates both audio and text captions in real time, allowing participants to communicate in their preferred language during the meeting.
“If you need to communicate with people in a professional setting who speak a different language than you, and don't want to extend your meeting time with consecutive interpretation or buy equipment for simultaneous interpretation, Interprefy Now is the answer,” said Odmund Braaten, CEO of Interprefy. “Our AI language translation products enable multilingual access for a wide range of organizations and events that may have smaller budgets.”
Event Industry Career Coaching Services
Soundings, a digital talent platform that connects organizations with relevant freelance and full-time talent in the business events industry, announced the launch of Soundings Elevate, which offers career coaching services designed to advance the careers of business events professionals. The coaching offering is designed to accelerate career progression and promotion into leadership roles by providing a safe space for individuals to overcome personal barriers such as limiting beliefs and lack of self-confidence, while also addressing organizational and societal challenges such as insufficient mentorship and limited networking opportunities. Coaching services include a strengths assessment, a three-month career accelerator, and one-on-one coaching.
Soundings Elevate coaching services will launch in mid-May and can be purchased online. “Our team sees the launch of our Soundings Elevate career coaching product as more than just an expansion of our services,” said Tracy Judge, founder and CEO of Soundings. “It's a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment where all professionals, especially women, have the resources and opportunities to succeed.”
To provide a more personalized service at the venue
The Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons hotel in Beverly Hills, California, has incorporated hologram technology into its penthouse and presidential suites. Proto M is a portable tabletop holographic communication device made by Proto, a Los Angeles company that developed the world's first and only holographic communication platform. The device allows the hotel's guest experience team to live beam directly into rooms at designated times. Staff and guests can see each other, communicate in real time, and check the day's itinerary, in-suite amenities, and more. Four Seasons is initially leveraging its partnership with Proto to improve the guest experience, but in the future, the technology could also be used to beam people in for meetings, in-suite shopping, and more.
Gain a deeper understanding of Canada's tourism industry
Destination Canada has launched a data and analytics platform aimed at revolutionizing Canada's tourism industry and driving economic growth. The Canadian Tourism Data Collective is a secure, centralized platform designed to harness the power of data to make Canada more competitive. Officially launched at the Canadian Hotel Association's annual conference in Montreal, the platform is a partnership between Destination Canada, Statistics Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. The platform aims to provide timely, relevant and actionable insights to a wide range of stakeholders, including communities, tourism operators, governments, small businesses and large investors, to help them make critical decisions.
Latest updates, promotions, funding and merger news
BCD Meetings & Events has consolidated its technology products under a new brand, EMPOWER by BCD Meetings & Events, designed to bring greater clarity and highlight specific efficiencies for each tool in the suite. EMPOWER includes six tools: Venues, a digital sourcing platform, HCP, an app for managing healthcare programs, Invitation, a Cvent extension for managing event invitations, Insights, a data analytics platform with interactive visualizations, Expense, a tool for managing non-employee expenses, and Assist, a new generative AI tool aimed at improving productivity and streamlining day-to-day operations.
Bear Analytics announced a strategic partnership with Cvent to make its data analytics platform, Bear IQ, available to a broader audience of event professionals through the Cvent Marketplace. By integrating with Cvent's event platform, Bear IQ now provides event organizers with a unified view of event registration, content and lead data through a series of easy-to-use interactive dashboards and AI-powered insights. Bear IQ also provides insights in traditionally difficult areas, such as year-over-year comparisons, forecast projections and tracking revenue and attendance goals.
Komo Tech, a comprehensive customer engagement platform that helps brands and venues connect with customers through gamified experiences and interactions, announced a partnership with Fanatics Events, the live and special events division of Fanatics. Komo Tech will work with Fanatics Events to deliver interactive, immersive experiences at several events over the next 12 months, starting with Fanatics Fest NYC in August, to take fan engagement to new levels at every stage of the fan journey.
Plain Sight, an event marketing and ticket sales platform, has entered into an official partnership with The Players Company, founded by former NFL players Richard Sherman, Sheldon Day and Tom Jenn. The platform, which represents more than 500 athletes and investors, is focused on helping communities build generational wealth through exclusive events, financial education and a technology-enabled platform, and Plain Sight will work with the company to find sponsors and distribute tickets.
