Apr 30, 2021
On April 22, event professionals from across the globe tuned in to watch the Virtual Events Institute’s inaugural Virtual & Hybrid Event Awards. Recently launched to celebrate the innovation and excellence of digital and hybrid events around the world, the event was broadcast from ExCeL London’s hybrid event studio, with technical support from audiovisual and entertainment technology company Anna Valley.
Hosted by VEI Co-Founder Simon Burton, who presented accolades across 15 categories, the Awards’ entries were judged by an expert panel of 47 industry leaders comprising a diverse mix of… more
Apr 26, 2021
Exhibitors have, in general, struggled to adapt to the virtual world of events. Accustomed to handshakes and face-to-face encounters on a trade showfloor, they have found little in the way of an equivalent online. While their ROI has not matched expectations thus far, it doesn’t mean that always has to be the case.
Yes, in-person events are coming back — at a faster pace than we perhaps expected — but remote attendees will be part of the equation, perhaps forever. New data collected from Swapcard offers clues as to how exhibitors can make the most of virtual and hybrid experiences as the… more
Apr 21, 2021
One of the driving factors that led Jim Sharpe to become CEO of leading events platform Aventri was that he saw a chance to work within an industry about to undergo a technological revolution. That was in January 2020. “I didn’t appreciate what that meant,” said Sharpe, who had a grand total of six weeks to become acclimated with events before COVID-19 turned the world on its head.
A newbie to the MICE industry, Sharpe was previously responsible for tech-enabled services at companies like Gerson Lehrman Group and Standard Purification. “More than anything, I leveraged my experience as a CEO… more
Apr 13, 2021
Can you name the most popular social media platform? You may never need to, according to Bill McGlade, founder and CEO of Victory Productions and one of the most respected figures in event technology.
Whether you are a user on Reddit — the answer to our opening question — or not, McGlade said the right app could take all of the positives of the many social media channels and eschew the negatives that come with having separate Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter accounts.
Imagine a world where you don’t repost a photo four times, your messages don’t get lost in a fancy algorithm and… more
Apr 09, 2021
Soon after founding Meetaway three years ago, Scott Barnett conducted research for how his platform could work best for conferences. All it took was one question, asked pre-COVID: What is your favorite part of an event? About 90% of respondents cited one-on-one hallway meetings — impromptu or pre-planned.
“There’s something magical about that one-on-one conversation,” said Barnett, who has built his product to “take that magic moment and run an entire networking session around that.”
Flash forward to the past 12 months, when many attendees and exhibitors have cursed their virtual… more
Apr 05, 2021
The Herculean efforts of the events industry to adapt during the pandemic will be rewarded at the Event Technology Awards. Organized by Event Tech Live, nominations for the ninth annual awards launched on April 1 and run through July 31.
Fittingly, given the rapid rise of virtual events in the past year, five new categories have been added:
Best Hybrid Event Platform
Best Live Streaming and Video Production
Best Digital Event Production Company
Best Visual Event Platform
Event Tech’s Rising Star
The additions mean 35 awards will be handed out during Event Tech Live Week, set for Nov. 1… more
Mar 29, 2021
There is more than one way to run a virtual event. Likewise, there are significant different objectives. Finding the right technological partner is crucial to securing the desired outcome. Here, we look at how two vastly different organizations — Connect and The Mars Society —have much to be proud of despite their paths.
Connect Cyber
Connect is a business-to-business operation geared to develop business relationships between meeting planners and hosts ranging from CVBs to hotels, convention centers and other venues. Unlike many companies, Connect kept its flagship conference in-person in… more
Mar 26, 2021
Toby Lewis, CEO of the UK-based Live Group, used to be fearful for the future of the MICE industry. That was well before March 2020 sent us all into a panic.
Lewis’ concerns grew over the course of the last decade while reading yearly analysis reports in which little changed besides dates and venues. The stagnation was equally perplexing and infuriating for someone who always looks ahead.
“Live group was unashamedly geeky before [COVID-19] in terms of the way we adopted technologies across the board,” he said. “We were finding our clients were kind of resisting and we didn't really know why… more
Mar 24, 2021
Marriott International turned event planners into willing lab rats this January at the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center outside of Denver. More than 100 of the attendees were on-site at the massive property while another 800 were digital. Knowing that more than 50% of those attendees were meeting and event professionals planning to host a hybrid event within the next six to 12 months, Marriott hoped to show a way forward while gaining insight into how it could serve the new era of events.
The results, which surely will be modified as the industry learns more, are the centerpiece… more
Mar 17, 2021
You have about six minutes to read this article before your attention may wane, according Ben Hindman, CEO and founder of the event marking platform Splash. It’s not personal, but the reality is that digital content needs to be cut into shorter time periods to remain effective.
“I think many formats are still stuck in the past,” said Hindman, who was an event planner at Thrillist before creating Splash, which counts several Fortune 500 companies as clients. “The shorter and more concise you get, the better.”
There’s wiggle room to about 10 minutes for a solid chunk of content, he explained… more
Partner Voices
One of the most iconic names on the Las Vegas Strip just got an upgrade. Mandalay Bay has everything that your business needs from a refreshed convention space designed to inspire productivity and creativity, to an impressive selection of world-class restaurants and amenities. If you're looking for a venue that's both inviting and innovative, you have to be here.
New Wave Experiences
Mandalay Bay continues to invest in a new wave of enhancements both in the convention space and within the resort as a whole. New restaurant openings including Orla by Michael Mina, drawing inspiration from the award-winning chef’s childhood in Egypt and with flavors and décor inspired by the spices found in markets common to coastal Mediterranean towns, as well as Caramá by Wolfgang Puck, bringing the essence of Italy and spirit of Wolfgang into one concept, are recent additions. The Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas also experienced a recent remodel of all 424 rooms. Swingers, a high-end, adults-only golf and entertainment concept will debut in Fall 2024.
Enhanced Technology
Creating a truly effective conference venue requires careful thought into what a business needs: the right technology, capacity, and inspiration to bring ideas to the next level. As part of the resort’s refresh, Mandalay Bay implemented state-of-the-art technology upgrades, installing cutting-edge Cat6A Ethernet cabling throughout the convention center. This advancement doubles the frequency of data transmission, enabling lightning-fast speeds up to 9400% faster. The convention center now boasts 11 dynamic digital walls, spanning up to 24' x 13', strategically positioned for brand placements, sponsorships and targeted event messaging. Additionally, attendees can benefit from 20 double-sided 55" mobile flexible display units, facilitating effortless navigation to meeting rooms and events. RFID locks were installed on all meeting room doors, and over 200 motion detection cameras have been placed throughout the space.
Refreshing New Design & Fine Art
The newly remodeled convention space provides a bright and vibrant atmosphere that complements Mandalay Bay's tropical-inspired brand. Featuring white-washed walls and ceilings adorned with bold floral patterns in cerulean and coral tones, the space is complemented by warm walnut accent walls. In addition to the redesign of all pre-function spaces, meeting rooms and ballrooms, Mandalay Bay's 1 million square feet of exhibit space has undergone a rejuvenation, including new paint, covered pillars and relocated strobe lights.
Sustainable Spectacles
Mandalay Bay is committed to Focused on What Matters and creating more responsible meetings. Refillable water stations all available around the resort, cutting unnecessary plastic usage from single-use bottles.
The Mandalay Bay campus’ recent upgrades represent a bold step forward in redefining the Las Vegas experience. With a focus on innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled service, Mandalay Bay sets a new standard for excellence in business hospitality. Whether you're seeking cutting-edge conference facilities, world-class dining options, or simply a luxurious retreat, an unparalleled meeting experience awaits.