With cutting-edge event technologies and tools, hybrid and physical events will triumphantly return this year. Following the digital transformation we witnessed in our post-pandemic era, event attendees will demand greater event production standards and more captivating technologies to make these events seem worth their hard-earned money and precious time. It entails spending money on the appropriate event technologies for businesses and event planners.

It is an undeniable truth that technology disrupted the way we communicate with coworkers and business clients, how we organize conferences, how we attend concerts or art exhibitions, or how we host business meetings. We are way beyond the traditional email, Zoom conference, or Slack huddle. With AR/VR technology at the ready, AI-powered tools, and the Metaverse around the corner, we can reach new peaks in event organization. 

The Meetings and Event Industry's Stats You Need to Know This Year

After so much isolation, one would think that in-person events will be all the rage in the next couple of years. After all, as the social creatures that we are, we thirst to mingle with our colleagues, travel to a business workshop, go to teambuilding somewhere remote, or take in that concert's vibes from the front row. 

And yet, the latest statistics and data paint a different picture. With hi-tech becoming progressively accessible to small businesses and event planners, the world will keep following the digital path. So let's see some numbers!

  • Event organizers report planning virtual events in 81% of cases.

  • 93% of event planners want to spend more money on online events.

  • In addition to on-site events, 67% of B2B companies use virtual events.

  • 54% of businesses want to increase the number of online webinars they host.

  • 63% of businesses now host conferences or events online.

  • More than 50% of executives think all live events will eventually have a virtual component.

  • Virtual events are viewed as a potential factor for success by 87% of event marketers.

As you can see, everybody races to use the latest tech to reshape how we meet and interact for business or pleasure. So let's look at the top technological trends you can incorporate into your business model to become a game-changer in your industry.

Top Tech Solutions to Take Your Meetings and Events to the Next Level

The development of meetings and events planning/management software has simplified the job of event managers and businesses alike. You can use one of the many technologies available to make planning for any conference, webinar, art exhibit, or training much easier. Here are some technologies that can improve the effectiveness of event planning and management. 

1. Artificial Intelligence

Is anything the AI won't be able to do? Well, until we fully understand its future capabilities, let's see what it can do now for the event industry.

  • Event management: AI can automate and streamline various tasks involved in event management, such as scheduling, registration, and ticketing. AI can also analyze data from previous events to inform future planning and decision-making.

  • Personalized recommendations: AI can be used to personalize the event experience for attendees by offering personalized recommendations for sessions, exhibitors, and networking opportunities based on their interests and behavior.

  • Virtual and hybrid event support: You can use AI to enhance virtual and hybrid events by providing attendees with virtual assistants and chatbots to help them navigate the event, answer questions, and provide recommendations.

  • Attendee engagement: AI can enhance engagement through interactive experiences and personalized content recommendations.

  • Facilitation and translation: Businesses and event organizers can use AI to facilitate communication and translation at events, making it easier for attendees worldwide to connect and understand each other. AI-powered language translation can make events more inclusive for those who speak different languages.

AI is a powerful tool for businesses and event organizers to enhance the attendee experience, improve efficiency, and gather valuable insights to inform future planning.

2. The Metaverse

Businesses and event planners can use the Metaverse to completely change the game regarding virtual events, business meetings, product launches, event attendance, and more.

Let's begin with an innovative idea: you don't need an office or a dedicated venue to host a business meeting. Instead, you can build Metaverse offices with PandaMR and welcome attendees without worrying about travel costs, schedules, accommodation, extra expenses, or the environment, for that matter. In addition, these virtual offices can be used for remote work, meetings, and collaboration, providing event organizers and participants with a flexible and efficient solution for working in a virtual environment.

But there's more to the Metaverse than meets the eye. For example, you can use it to create virtual product demonstrations and exhibits, providing attendees with an interactive and highly engaging experience.

Moreover, using the Metaverse for entertainment events (music concerts, parties, movie screenings, fashion shows, book launches, celebrity Q&As, etc.) offers several advantages, including the ability to reach a global audience, create highly immersive and interactive experiences, and host events without the limitations of physical location. The Metaverse also provides a platform for monetizing virtual experiences and generating new revenue streams for the entertainment industry.

3. AR and VR

Are AR and VR emerging technologies, or are they already a part of our lives? This one is debatable, but one thing is clear: both are increasingly used in the events and business meetings industry. As a result, businesses and event organizers can incorporate AR and VR in their event planning to provide attendees with a unique and interactive experience, for example, by creating virtual product demonstrations or exhibits.

4. Live Streaming and Simulive

Live streaming and simulive (a combination of live and recorded content) are popular options for businesses and event organizers who want to host hybrid events, allowing attendees to participate in-person and online. This technology enables brands and event organizers to reach a wider audience and provides a more flexible and cost-effective solution for attendees who cannot attend in person.

5. Contactless Check-In

This one is not new, but it certainly is a game-changer. Contactless check-in technology uses QR codes or NFC tags to streamline the check-in process at events and business meetings. It reduces the need for physical contact, making the check-in process faster and more efficient and improving safety and hygiene (which we still should respect).

6. Event Gamification

Lastly, event gamification represents game design techniques and mechanics to enhance the attendee experience at events and business meetings. Businesses and event organizers can benefit from gamification by incorporating competitions, rewards, and interactive activities to engage attendees and enhance their overall experience.

The Bottom Line

Technology has already disrupted how we organize and attend business meetings and events, and this trend will continue to evolve. With the advent of Metaverse, AR/VR, AI, live streaming, and contactless check-in, the events industry has many tools to create more engaging, efficient, and inclusive events.

Companies and event planners that embrace these technologies now will most certainly stay ahead of the competition and deliver innovative and successful events. The future of events is rapidly changing, and those who are prepared to adapt and embrace new technologies will be the ones that thrive.