Virtual Tech Brings New Challenges — Meetings Innovation Report

It’s a new year, which makes this as a good a time as any to begin our renewed look into the ways technology is assisting the evolution of meetings and events.

This week, we explore the challenges posed by a shift toward virtual and hybrid meetings.

We’ve all sat in front of our computers glassy-eyed and bored watching a livestream or webinar, checking our email in another browser window. How can meeting planners work to create an engaging digital experience that makes viewers want to join in at a physical event next time?

Shorter, smarter programming is part of it. Speaking of short and smart, check out the rest of our newsletter below.

— Andrew Sheivachman, Business Travel Editor

The Future of the Meetings Industry

Virtual Meetings Need More Than a Flawless Livestream To Be Successful: When attendees can leave your meeting with a click of the mouse, you’d better keep them engaged.

Another Year of Experiencing Experiences: Every year is the year of experiences now. Technology is an important tool, but event attendees don’t come for the cool app or check-in kiosk.

In the News

Sexual Harassment Remains a Huge Problem for Meetings and Events: About half of the meetings professionals polled have experienced sexual harassment at an event. This should trouble everyone in the meetings and events space.

CES Is Back, Baby: As gadgets continue to take over the world, the annual consumer electronics extravaganza known as CES has taken on a newfound importance. The Las Vegas event now acts as a sneak peek into the innovations that have come to define contemporary life.

This Event Logo Has Everyone Puzzled: I mean, it has certainly generated a ton of buzz for the 2018 World Chess Championship.

Meetings Off the Beaten Path: Meetings and events are finding success in interesting, but lesser-known, destinations. Travelers want unique experiences, so more diverse meeting destinations are thriving.

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Skift Business Travel Editor Andrew Sheivachman [as@skift.com] curates the Skift Meetings Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Wednesday.

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