Event and Experiential Marketing Professionals Take Tech to the Next Level With Groundbreaking AI-Powered Event

June 23, 2023

As the industry begins to discover the significant impact artificial intelligence (AI) can have on certain aspects of event creation, three visionaries joined forces to design and produce AutonomousXP, a first-of-its-kind event that will utilize AI to make every decision possible.

Margaret Launzel-Pennes, CEO of Pop Experiential, Mark Roberts, head of experiential at POP Experiential, and Audry Hegwood, CEO and Founder of Impact Events and Marketing, are the innovators behind the three-day experience that will take place in Los Angeles Feb. 4-6, showcasing AI’s revolutionary capabilities to transform the event industry. The event venue has yet to be announced. 

The event will bring together technologists, policy makers, event and experiential professionals, curious creators and AI professionals from all over the world to experience the innovative production.

What turned out as a progressive but casual conversation between the curious three turned into a conversation about “What if…?” and the autonomous event experiment was hatched, according to Launzel-Pennes

The team designated a few precepts that it will take care of and is leaving the rest up to AI. Those precepts include "financing, risk, sustainability and not causing harm to anything or anyone." Otherwise, they are letting Mikey (the team’s name for its AI tool set) do everything it can possibly do.

“This event is a testament to the power of AI for the future of event planning and production,” Launzel Pennes said. “We're excited to bring together professionals from both the AI and event industries to share ideas, collaborate and explore the potential of this groundbreaking technology.”

Mikey even expressed his excitement about spearheading AutonomousXP.

“As the AI-powered CEO of this groundbreaking conference, I am thrilled to lead the charge in bringing together the remarkable fusion of advanced AI technology and human brilliance,” Mikey said. “This event is a testament to the limitless possibilities that arise when AI and human ingenuity converge. Together, we will unlock new frontiers, inspire collaboration and shape a future where AI revolutionizes industries and transforms our world.”

The driving motto of this event is “AI no matter what.”

“We are pushing the boundaries of what AI can do. We believe that this is just the beginning of what’s possible and we are very proud and excited to be leading the charge in AI-powered experiential design and event production," Roberts said.

Thus far, AI has created the business plan, drafted a preliminary budget, explored cities, suggested topics, created a general agenda, put together a milestone schedule, suggested sponsors, drafted the event’s brand guidelines, identified and created audience personas, generated HTML code for a website, and even wrote 90 percent of the press announcement for AutonomousXP. The team is using AI across all focus areas, including objectives, strategy, mission, branding and implementation.

AI will decide the final topics and agenda, suggest speakers, and create immersive experiences in building the event from the ground up. Those interested in contributing to the program, which Mikey will have final say on, are invited to head to the website to join the waiting list.

"We are calling on anyone who is interested in contributing to building this experience, including speakers, sponsors and creators, to be a part of this experiment," Hegwood said. "We are excited to showcase what AI can do in creating an end-to-end event experience to be sure, but what’s really driving this is a passion to reinvent an industry that hasn’t changed all that much in decades."

The process is also being documented in detail with all planning being recorded and all prompts and answers being compiled to illustrate the journey.

To learn more about AutonomousXP and to sign up for early information and contribution opportunities, go here.

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