From recognizing the stars behind tech in the industry to unveiling comprehensive solutions aimed at helping event professionals succeed, event technology is ever evolving. Take a look at some of the latest developments!

Event Technology Awards–The People

Event Technology Awards (ETA) opened submissions for its new people-focused offshoot this summer and selected a panel of judges. Event Technology Awards–The People will take place live and virtually June 8 during Event Tech Live, Las Vegas, the first in-person U.S. edition of the show, which has taken place in London for nine years and was held as a virtual event for the U.S. and Canada in 2020.

ETA–The People will celebrate those individuals and teams who bring tech to the table, helping to foster solutions, better practices and new ways around traditional problems.

Entries are open to both suppliers and organizations, and suppliers are encouraged to nominate their clients. If a supplier enters a category for their team or an individual, they will be issued a free token to nominate one of their clients The list of 31 categories can be found here.

Meanwhile, 15 people from all corners of the events industry who are known for their extensive industry experience and/or innovation where recently selected to judge the awards.

“We are asking for even more from our judges this year, with ETA–The People entries stacking up alongside the regular awards submissions, said Adam Parry, co-founder of the Event Technology Awards. “We have come to expect the best, right across the process, and judges of this caliber are sure to deliver.”

Judge Kathryn Frankson, director of event marketing at Informa Connect, commented on why recognizing tech achievements is so crucial.

“ETA and similar events are extremely important,” she said. “It’s always been true that teams are working hard to create special experiences, but the demands on event profs these past two years have been higher than ever.”

She added, “To recognize and reward the heart and soul that people put into scaling tech, advancing our industry and creating connection has never been more paramount.”

The full list of judges (pictured above, left to right by row) includes:

• Andrew Harrison, director, Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA)
• Corinne Kessel, international president, International Live Event Association (ILEA)
• Craig Mathie, managing director, Bournemouth 7s
• David Audrain, CEO and executive director, Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO)
• Eric Kingstad, consultant and founder, Kingstad Event Technologists
• Dahlia El Gazzar, idea igniteur + tech therapist, DAHLIA+Agency
• Tess Vismale, founder and CEO, iSocialExecution
• James Kelley, director, onsite, lead cultivation, business development, virtual events, MCI USA
• Kathryn Frankson, director of event marketing, Informa Connect
• Kelly Stanley, co-founder and managing director, Borough Bench Media
• Ksenija Polla, regional director, North America, ICCA
• Mahoganey Jones, founder and CEO, Event Specialists
• Marco Giberti, founder and CEO, Vesuvio Ventures
• Sabrina Meyers, founder, Sabrina Meyers Consultancy
• Sina Bunte, co-founder and director of events, SheSharp

Event Tech Live, Las Vegas is scheduled for June 7-9 at The Expo at World Market Center, and Event Tech Live, London is set for Nov. 15-17 at ExCeL, London. Each hybrid event is dedicated to bringing global event professionals together to experience and discuss the latest advances in event tech, champion thought leadership and engage its community year-round.

Hubilo

Leading event tech company Hubilo will stage MIX 2022 (Mastering Immersive Events), its first-ever global hybrid gathering, March 30 and 31. MIX is designed to bring together the best minds in the industry to share, learn about and grow the next generation of hybrid events.  

MIX will take place around the globe, both virtually and in-person, with live events in San Francisco, New York and London March 30 and Bangalore March 31.

MIX will allow attendees to learn from experts about event trends, community building and what’s propelling the industry forward, discuss new engagement strategies that push boundaries, and experience lounges for networking, peer-to-peer, one-on-one meetings and interactions with speakers.

Highlights of the event will include special guest speaker Mindy Kaling, writer, director and actor in hit TV series such as “The Office” and “The Mindy Project,” and films such as “Late Night.” Kaling will join virtually for “The Road to Possible,” a Q&A that will highlight her experiences overcoming adversity to become a creative powerhouse.

Additionally, CEO Vaibhav Jain will share his vision on how event professionals will continue to transform the last analog channel in marketing into a significant tool for connection in our digital-first global society—and the technology they’ll use to get there.

See more details about MIX 2022 sessions and speakers here.

Hyve and Crowd Connected

Hyve Group, a global leader in B2B events with gatherings in 13 countries, has entered into a multi-event agreement to license Crowd Connected’s proprietary location software.

Crowd Connected’s platform enables the real-time positioning of smartphones in any environment, indoors and outdoors. It is widely recognized as a best-in-class solution and is licensed across the live events industry, including at business events, sports and entertainment venues, and music festivals. 

With its software integrated into the official app for an exhibition or trade show, Crowd Connected enables blue-dot navigation, location-based personalization and location analytics, providing critical insight into visitor behavior at a venue in real time.

“Hyve is at the forefront of the technology revolution in the exhibitions sector,” said Mark Maydon, commercial director at Crowd Connected.“We’re delighted to be extending our relationship which dates back to 2019, and we’re now working closely with multiple show teams as physical events bounce back post-pandemic.”

Maydon added that the industry is increasingly focused on operating “smart” events, conscious that physical shows are competing with digital.

“This translates into being more data-driven,” he said. “At Crowd Connected, we’re on a data-driven mission to transform live events through location tracking insight.”

Ernesto Perdomo, head of digital experience at Hyve said working with Crowd Connected’s positioning technology, proven in what it delivers and its ease of deployment, will enable Hyve to level up the physical experience by bringing the best of digital to the show floor.

“This ticks multiple boxes,” he said. “It elevates the visitor experience through the familiarity of blue-dot wayfinding, which drives more interactions with exhibitors.  It helps us to personalize the event experience, making the mobile app more valuable.  And Crowd Connected’s analytics deliver measurements that previously weren't readily available—for example, footfall traffic stats for every exhibitor at a show.”

JabberYak

JabberYak recently unveiled event technology designed to be a unique ice-breaking concept that eases social tension and helps conversations flow, while also providing attendee analytics and event registration capability.

The company developed a system to unite people through shared interests based on its “seven degrees of interest” concept, the idea that individuals will connect on at least one interest and have a meaningful conversation.

Attendees select seven personal or work-related interests from a default or customized event-specific template. These selected key words are printed on unique T-shirts or name badges that are worn at an event, providing a visual cue that allows attendees to know something relevant about someone else before the first word is even exchanged.

Lynn Wellish, an event professional who partnered with JabberYak for a recent event, commented on how impressed she was with the product.

“A major hurdle at any event is getting people to interact, as many people find engaging with others awkward and intimidating,” she said. “I was amazed how conversations and networking happened organically with JabberYak.”

JabberYak also offers an analytics dashboard that provides a comprehensive report of interests of those who utilized the system. This information can be used by event professionals as a valuable tool to organize more impactful event experiences that are geared toward attendees’ interests. 

As an added service, JabberYak’s free event registration tool allows event professionals to create in-person, virtual or hybrid events and enables attendees to easily register and RSVP.

The event registration portal gives users the following capabilities:

• Showcase events online
• Promote brands with a stylish registration template
• Get registration notifications
• Get a QR Code for event registration
• View attendees' lists on the dashboard
• Automated confirmation and reminder emails
• Display the RSVP link on the invite emails and website
• Show attendees who is registered to the event
• Display event location map
• Connect the event to social media

Albany Capital Center

The Albany Capital Center (ACC) in Albany, N.Y., launched a completely revamped website designed to significantly improve the experience for event organizers and attendees.

"With the help of this new website, we can highlight all that the ACC has to offer, from our floor plans and virtual tours to our event listings and preferred partners and vendors,” said Shannon Licygiewicz, general manager of the ACC. “The new website offers clients a streamlined, one-stop-shop that will change the way they experience meetings and events."

New site features include displaying alerts quickly and prominently on the homepage, consolidating event page details and providing the user with a clean and easy navigation process. As part of the design refresh, the new website incorporates images and video throughout, making the experience more visually appealing. The new capabilities will allow the ACC to keep customers and clients updated on the rapidly changing state mandates regarding COVID-19, such as entry and mask policies. Additionally, new site features will allow the ACC staff to efficiently manage the diverse catalog of events hosted at the facility by organizing critical event information such as ticket links, event descriptions and dates, FAQs, prices and times. The search function was completely revamped, making it seamless for users to navigate, providing search results directly within the website.

In addition to the improved user experience, the new website also unveils the Albany Convention Center Authority (ACCA) rebrand, featuring a new logo and branding statement.

"The investment in the new website improves access to information, provides timely event updates, highlights the large capacity of the ACC and the ability of its operator, ASM Global Albany, to adapt to any need," said Duncan Stewart, executive director, ACCA. "Similarly, when commissioning a new logo and developing a branding statement, the ACCA Board sought to highlight the greatness of Albany and the Capital Region, confirming for all that indeed, ALB I NY® is truly ‘An American Crossroads of History, Culture and Commerce®."

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