Tech News: Custom HipMaps for Events; Zenus Attendee-Tracking; Deondo and Popshap Partnership; Boostlingo Rebrand

November 3, 2022

Event tech continues to evolve at warp speed, this time through everything from a custom smartphone map app for events, a new attendee-tracking solution powered by AI, an alliance to combine event pods and interactive touch-screen kiosks, and a rebrand of a multilingual event platform. Read on to learn more!

HipMaps

HipMaps, an award-winning, custom smartphone map app for events, businesses and destinations, released a personalized, deeply informative map for the recent IMEX America 2022 show in Las Vegas, demonstrating the company’s ability to design unique maps for events of any size.

“HipMaps was created to make events fun, easy and less overwhelming,” said Rachel LeRoy, CEO and founder of HipMaps, “The app is free and easy-to-navigate, making sense of either unknown destinations or complex events by easily guiding users to either scheduled events or desirable locations that have been personally recommended by the host.”

LeRoy added that this was the first HipMap created for IMEX America, the company’s largest event to date, with more than 12,000 attendees, and for Las Vegas, and was very well-received by attendees.

The HipMap included the main conference events as well as recommendations from locals for restaurants, bars, shopping experiences, activities, entertainment and wellness options. Comments and details about each location, as well as GPS-enabled directions for users via Apple Maps or Google Maps, are also embedded within the HipMaps app.

HipMaps also designed a customized map for the Wedding Merchants Business Academy, set to take place in Las Vegas Nov. 7-9 with approximately 5,000 attendees.

All HipMaps are designed to have a completely different feel from one another to match the event’s brand.

HipMaps is the winner of the 2022 Best Industry Innovation Esprit Award by the International Live Events Association. The company specializes in branded maps for events, conferences, weddings and other special occasions, as well as for the hospitality industry, including resorts, wineries and destinations.

Zenus

Zenus launched attendee-tracking technology at the recent IMEX 2022 in Las Vegas. Designed to be the industry’s most effective attendee-tracking option, the new technology addresses the challenges event professionals have with existing services: They are expensive and hard to install, accuracy is always an issue, and privacy is often neglected, according to Zenus.

Zenus spent years perfecting cutting-edge computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies with broad applications. Its system analyzes people’s faces to compute foot traffic, dwell time, positive sentiment, demographics and more. Reports are generated in real-time on a polished interface.

Zenus deploys its proprietary AI models on specialized IoT devices assembled in Texas.
The footage is processed locally, addressing bandwidth, cost and privacy challenges.

Because Zenus does not process information linkable to an individual, it falls outside the scope of U.S. state privacy laws and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

In addition, Zenus' proprietary solution may scan badges automatically and from a long distance.
The organizer or exhibitor may retrieve the attendee journey for those who opt in.

Zenus is dedicated to creating the most innovative solutions for business events. The company’s awards include Eventex Best New Technology and Event Tech Live Best Use of AI.

Deondo and Popshap

The Deondo Company, the exclusive provider of NOOK Event Pods, and Popshap, a leader in interactive touch-screen kiosks, established a partnership to jointly offer the companies’ products to the trade show and events industry.

The new offering pairs Deondo’s and Popshap’s success in the event industry to maximize branding and digital awareness for show organizers’ sponsorship programs. It also provides attendees with a unique information gathering and audience wellness area on the show floor.

“With hybrid events becoming the norm, it is important to offer wellness areas for attendees and exhibitors that are tech rich,” said David Liddle, president and CEO of The Deondo Company. “The NOOK Event Pod’s ability to add interactive technology is a key element as the event industry returns to in-person meetings.”

Liddle added, “What we are missing is a way to provide additional information and experiential capability. Popshap’s touchscreen kiosk is the perfect technology to add for touch-screen check-in zones, a registration section and networking areas.”

Popshap’s partnership with The Deondo company is a natural step in the company’s growth, according to Eitan Magid, CEO of Popshap.

“Adding the Popshap technology to the NOOK Event Pod elevates the customer experience and creates an accessible, easy-to-use platform for our clients.”

Boostlingo

Boostlingo, a leader in the interpretation technology industry, announced the rebranding of VoiceBoxer, the company’s comprehensive multilingual event platform, to BoostEvents. The rebranding is part of the organization’s long-term plan to incorporate all aspects of VoiceBoxer, which it acquired in March, into the Boostlingo product suite.

Boostlingo offers interpretation technology to meet every interpretation need, including video and phone interpretation, simultaneous (conference, meeting or event) interpretation, interpreter scheduling and management, and on-demand interpretation. BoostEvents is the company’s simultaneous event interpreting platform for hosting fully multilingual hybrid or online events.

The Boostlingo organization chose the name BoostEvents to acknowledge the growing demand for multilingual onsite, hybrid and online events driven by continuing globalization.

“Boostlingo has always tried to be at the forefront of the interpretation industry,” said Bryan Forrester, Boostlingo’s CEO and co-founder. “This rebranding is our team’s recognition that the event interpreting space will continue to grow, and that we want to be leaders in meeting multilingual event needs.”

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebook and  LinkedIn!

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact