Planners and venues can gain a competitive edge by being aware of the latest event technology trends and then adopting the best. Study after study shows that event technology can increase attendance percent and productivity by 27 percent.
How do you choose which new technologies to use? We have all the information you need about event technology trends, from design to debrief.
Find the top event technology trends for venues and planners:
1. Translation live
Planners are now able to expand their reach and scale events to a wider audience thanks to virtual events. Language barriers are one of the biggest challenges.
Although English is still the preferred language for most events, it is important to be able to communicate ideas in the native language of your audience. This allows you to connect with people who might otherwise miss out on the event if they don’t speak the same language as the presenter.
Event organizers used to have to rely on third party interpreters to host meetings and events. We will likely see an increase of the number and availability live translation tools for digital events, which will make companies truly global.
What does this trend mean for event planners
Event planners have the option to invite non-English speakers into their English-speaking events. They can also reach specific groups of people from different regions around the globe.
What does this trend mean for event venues
Live translation can give virtual and physical venues an advantage. They can also partner with event planners from areas they don’t normally reach.
2. QR codes
In an interview with Eventalways, Phil Strazzulla, CEO of Select Software Reviews stated that QR codes were “a failing fad” and that “if you asked me in 2019 what the value was of them,”
They allow people to interact with tactile content they may not be comfortable touching in the past. These codes have likely replaced menus and other disposable paper goods in restaurants in the last year. These codes are being rediscovered by people and I believe we will see their adoption in the evening industry increase exponentially.
Another reason QR codes are regaining popularity? To scan them, they don’t need a third party app. Through the built-in camera function, smartphones can now scan QR codes.
What does this trend mean for event planners
QR codes can be used as a design tool to complement physical marketing tools like event flyers, speaker business card cards, and postcards for event ticket leads. To seal the deal, they require a strong landing site. Event planners will need to rely on this tool more than ever. QR codes can be used to seamlessly organize event registrations.
What does this trend mean for event venues
Event venues can now add QR codes to enhance their safety and connect with attendees. This is in line with current health guidelines. QR codes can be used to offer venue maps, event check ins, brand experiences and many other things.
3. Virtual reality
Maxim Levichev, Fluix Marketing Manager, stated that virtual forums are now a reality.
His recent experience with an online event during quarantine was shared by him. “Instead renting an event platform in Paris which is likely to cost money, the event managers sent VR sets (Facebook), to all speakers, and created 3D avatars. It was breathtaking, and even the people who watched the translation were impressed by the online organization.
Levichev thinks that the public could be taking part in virtual reality events regularly by 2023 and using VR technology for gatherings around the world.
What does this trend mean for event planners
Event planners will have more options to engage attendees. VR headsets are not yet household items, so they may not be within your budget. This could change in the future as more people become interested and demand for VR headsets. Consider adding VR to your events as an option for VIPs who are unable to travel, or as an additional experience.
What does this trend mean for event venues
To increase their profits, event venues will be looking to rent VR headsets. You need to have enough floor space to accommodate experiences that require movement. While wearing your headset, you will need to be at least 3ft by 3ft around each person.
Virtual reality in action
Facebook announced that they will be investing heavily in VR headsets to allow attendees of conference and meeting to use their avatars to participate in virtual meetings. Horizon Workrooms is the name of the program.
4. Holograms
Holograms are no longer just for Jetsons. Holograms can be used to impress attendees, educate potential partners, or show products to buyers in a way that few people have ever seen. Eventworks 4D is a prominent Ohio video production house that provides “3D Holographic Mixed Reality Displays, Life-Scale Holographic Presentations, Immersive Holographic Speaker Support” for large and small events.
What does this trend mean for event planners
This event technology trend has many applications. This technology can be used for everything from celebrity endorsements to award shows, to product imagery in life-size. Your creativity is the only limit.
What does this trend mean for event venues
Holograms are great for venues of any size and type. The holograms come in a self-contained unit that includes all audio and visual equipment you need. These units can be used to create permanent or temporary installations.
Holograms in Action
Accuray requested a stunning, hologram-based booth experience in order to show how their products worked at their medical conference.
5. Digital photo booths
Jessie Whitfield is the Chief MISGIF Maker for MISGIF and shared her insider observations about this trend in event technology with Eventalways. Whitfield says that custom virtual photo booth experiences made up the majority of our revenue for 2020. He also states that they are growing in popularity.
Whitfield predicts that event planners will continue to recognize video marketing’s power. Virtual video booths for hybrid and online events will become more popular as they allow attendees to leave testimonials and spread awareness about a cause or cause.
What does this trend mean for event planners
Virtual photo booths can be used to capture branded photos, GIFs and Boomerangs of attendees in person and online. This improves brand channel engagement. This can also be used to improve organic SEO when combined with auto-generated captions or event hashtags.
What does this trend mean for event venues
Planners have many options to engage attendees at hybrid and in-person events. Event venues offer more ways for planners to do so. Visitors can also be impressed by the spaces inside hotels and other buildings with their own branded experiences between events.
Action Photo booths
Adobe Summit engaged the services of Snapbar, a digital photo booth company that allows attendees to take branded selfies before the event and share them on social networks.
6. Invitations for digital events
Alexa Hirschfeld, Paperless Post co-founder, stated that the following trends were discovered in a recent survey:
- 40% less likely than before the pandemic to send out printed invitations.
- 30% more likely to use online invitations than before the pandemic.
- Online invites are now more socially acceptable than before the pandemic, according to 59% of hosts.
- 37% are more likely than before the pandemic to invite friends to join them virtually.
Hirschfeld stated that “for the first three points,” Hirschfeld said. “While paper was a form of formality prior to COVID for certain events, it became an essential tool for guests to communicate with each other when rules and regulations can easily change.”
She also pointed out that this trend is the most popular among weddings and bar-mitzvahs as well as all hybrid events that are currently dealing with ever-changing health protocols.
What does this trend mean for event planners
Planners can add a touch of elegance to private and corporate events by using digital invitations. These invitations are great for upselling and engaging guests prior to their arrival at the venue. It’s easy to send digital invitations, and also capture RSVPs and preferences for meals.
What does this trend mean for event venues
Event venues rarely offer invitation services to event planners. Event venues can still make use of this trend to impress potential partners. Change from regular emails to multimedia messages that include branded designs and embedded videos promoting the venue.
You would like to learn more about event technology?
How can you keep up-to-date with the event industry?
Follow blogs that are leading in the industry (like the Eventalways blog) and attend events to learn more.
What is event technology?
Event technology can be used to refer to all digital tools and software used by the event industry. Event technology can include everything from check-in & registration to diagramming to social media tools and many more.