The Next Generation of Event Tech — Meetings Innovation Report

Technology is changing both how events are planned and how attendees participate in the action.

Last week I spoke to Richard Maranville, Freeman’s chief digital officer, about the ways that planners can deal with complexity in event technology and the coming innovations that will make a mark on the sector.

And yes, there is a downside to involving too much technology in the event experience.

Speaking of technology, I’ve written a variety of stories on how the consumer products on display at CES 2018 in Las Vegas last week will have serious ramifications for the travel industry.

Check them out below, along with the latest headlines from the meetings and events industry.

— Andrew Sheivachman, Business Travel Editor

The Future of the Meetings Industry

Complexity Increases for Meeting Planners as Digital Tools Evolve: Emerging technologies like facial recognition are still far off from hitting the mainstream of event technology. But for now, there are a variety of options that can help meeting planners become more efficient and improve the quality of their events.

How Events Can Counter Digital Overload: Brands and apps are all jockeying for consumer attention. Here’s how to carve out the space you need to get noticed.

The Brain Behind Nashville’s Resurgence: Butch Spyridon has brought events back to the Music City in the last few years in his long tenure as Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. president and CEO.

Skift at CES 2018

Transition to 5G Mobile Will Be Transformative for Hotels: 5G mobile technology isn’t here yet. But once it does emerge, smart hotels will be wise to provide access to the data network at their properties.

Virtual Reality Was Everywhere at CES but Adoption Remains Limited: Virtual reality continues to evolve as a media format. Vendors and developers are making new concessions based on how consumers use the technology, and the high costs associated with creating 360-degree content.

Smart Robots at CES Have a Lot to Learn Before Hotels End Up Using Them: Despite some progress, it doesn’t seem like robotics will disrupt travel and hospitality any time soon. The human element is too important for hotels, and travelers don’t need unnecessary equipment to make their trips even more complicated.

Travel Companies Can’t Afford to Miss the Next Wave of Consumer Technology: Consumer technology is undergoing a transformation, powered by artificial intelligence and voice commands. Corporations should pay attention to how their travelers’ behavior shifts to stay in front of upcoming trends.

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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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