Skift Take
So far, 2016 is bringing a ton of new event technology, groovy startup culture, and destination data for meeting planners to help inform their business decisions.
The Skift MeetingsIQ newsletter defines the future of meetings and events with an emphasis on disruptive strategies that improve knowledge sharing.
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The Future of Meetings
You almost had to feel sorry for Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson during his live interview with CNN reporter Mel Robbins at the Convening Leaders conference this month in Vancouver, hosted by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA). Midway through the talk, a ditzy and artificial Robbins introduced Marriott’s insightful new video highlighting five meeting trends for 2016, but she seemingly didn’t want to ask any questions about meetings. Aside from the video, the conversation lacked any value for event planners. Here’s a temporary link to the video.
I’m a member of PCMA and a fan of its affiliated Convene media group because they provide the most indepth industry context. This year’s conference also delivered the best-ever level of digital and livestream content. But sometimes the events industry gets a little too incestuous, such as the Robbins interview fail, when we place a higher priority on celebrity and self-absorption than actionable content.
More From PCMA: Convening Leaders 2016 Rebroadcast [Feb. 9]
Social Quote of the Day
“These 10 #CES2016 products brought #IoT to the next level. What will #CES2017 have in store? http://shout.lt/bpSkK” — @CES on Twitter
New Research
Meeting Planners Are Relying More on Tourism Bureaus in 2016: The new “Destination Marketing Insights from Meeting Executives” survey provides fresh data on how meeting planners’ relationships with destination marketing organizations (DMOs) is shifting. Over the past 12 months, 48% of planners said they worked more closely with DMOs than they have in the past, driven in part by demand for more event subsidies and sponsorships. Read more at Skift
Face-to-Face Meetings Drive Business, Professional Development: Data from a new survey by the Meetings Mean Business Coalition illustrates that in-person meetings drive personal and professional development. Sample stat: 92% of respondents plan to spend more on meetings in 2016 than 2015. Read more at Successful Meetings
Events + Event Tech
The Rise of Event Technology Startups in 2016: The IMEX Group launched the #IMEXpitch startup competition in 2014, designed to build excitement and awareness around event technology. Here’s a look at how the competition has evolved and two of the past winners. Read more at Skift
The Event Technology That Wants Attendees to Look at Their Smartphones: With Freeman’s FXP Touch audience engagement platform, meeting planners can discern how different segments of a presentation resonated with everyone in the room by using real-time analytics measuring a wealth of behaviors. Read more at Skift
SXSW Interactive Announces 2016 Accelerator Finalists, Judges: Among over 470 applications, 48 startups were chosen to pitch their tech innovations at South by Southwest in Austin this year in six categories: Enterprise & Smart Data, Entertainment & Content, Innovative World, Health & Wearables, Payment & Fintech, and Virtual Reality. Read more at SXSW
From PCMA: Top CMOs on the Value of Events in the Marketing Mix: Marketers from Lululemon Athletica, Maersk Group, Lanyon, and the American Institute of Architects share details about how they use event experiences to drive brand engagement, and how they evaluate the success of those events.” Read more at BizBash
Top 10 Meeting Innovations of the Year: Better education and better ways to measure education are the big takeaways in this list. 2016 is going to be the breakout year for beacons, livestreaming, retention tools, and other event tech. Read more at Meetings & Conventions
List of Travel, Tourism & Tech Conferences Taking Place Around the Globe in 2016: This is a handy list to explore some compelling travel industry events this year to help inspire next generation meeting content. Read more at LinkedIn
Hospitality
New Bizly App Provides On-Demand, Discounted Meeting Space at Lifestyle Hotels: The iOS platform was designed for corporate users seeking last-minute meeting space at luxury and lifestyle hospitality brands, ranging from Mandarin Oriental to the Standard, Morgans, and Ace hotel groups. Read more at Skift
Executive Women in Meetings & Hospitality: A female Marriott senior sales executive gives a firsthand account of moving up in the meetings business. Is it true than men are promoted based on potential and women on performance? Read more at MeetingsNet
Event Venues
The $1 Billion Plan to Expand New York City’s Convention Center: The Javits Center expansion is the latest public works project that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has recently announced, including a massive Penn Station renovation. Read more at Skift
Fulton Market Innovation District in Chicago Gets its Shot: Google opens up in the nervy West Loop community along with a slew of new high-tech industry and high-concept comfort food. Definitely check out for offsites and IT industry collaboration. Read more at the Chicago Tribune
Comments
Skift MeetingsIQ is curated by Skift senior editor Greg Oates [[email protected]]. The newsletter is emailed every Wednesday.
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Photo credit: South by Southwest announced its finalists for this year's startup competition in Austin. Virtual reality and fintech are both new categories. SXSW