Tech News

Jun 28, 2018
The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC) recently wrapped up its highest-attended North American event in its association’s 65-year history. The annual event, which took place June 18-21 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas, attracted more than 6,650 hospitality financial and technology professionals seeking to learn how to integrate the latest technologies in the hospitality space. Produced annually by the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP), HITEC is known as the world’s largest and oldest hospitality technology… more
Jun 27, 2018
Holistic events cloud, Bizzabo, which enables B2B events throughout the globe, has processed more than $100 million in gross paid registrations for its customers, with $47 million of the total ticket sales taking place in the past six months alone.  The company’s major growth milestone also coincides with recent news that Bizzabo has exceeded annual recurring revenue by more than 200 percent in size over the past year, demonstrating growth both in the company and the market demand for its Events Cloud, designed to manage professional events from end-to-end. “Marketing leaders continue to… more
Jun 21, 2018
Video creation, management and streaming solutions provider, Sonic Foundry, has launched Mediasite Connect, a secure online YouTube-type portal designed to provide everything event marketers need for a successful online event experience, including e-commerce tools, live chat, registration and social streaming. Designed to be an out-of-the-box, one-stop-shop solution, Mediasite Connect’s secure online portal allows remote event attendees to register, pay for, watch, engage with and share video content with ease.  “Using streaming video to engage in-person and remote attendees is important,… more
Jun 19, 2018
With the help of 3D printers and laser cutters, MakeLab takes the ordinary and turns it into the extraordinary. The Toronto-based company sends its staff around the world, providing cutting-edge, interactive event experiences that leverage the power of technology. The studio has executed custom interactives for companies across a number of market segments, including automotive, cosmetics, technology and creative agencies.  “We have not seen any industry that isn't interested in these kinds of things,” said Jonathan Moneta, MakeLab founder and creative director.  MakeLab’s tech activations… more
Jun 15, 2018
The Palm Springs Convention Center has launched the Concept3Dinteractive 3D map and virtual tour platform, designed to bring the Southern California desert facility into the digital world while serving as a helpful and immersive resource for meeting and event planners.  “We’re proud to welcome the Palm Springs Convention Center to the Concept3D family and to see how this unique event space has come to life online,” said Chris Munz, vice president of business development for Concept3D, provider of immersive online experiences with 3D modeling, interactive maps and virtual reality-enabled… more
Jun 12, 2018
Most event technology is sold through business-to-business (B2B) channels. However, B2B sales processes can take more time than some planners have for smaller events.   To help ease the process, etouches is selling its LOOPD Smart Tags and mobile event apps on a new online store as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. This new low-touch sales model presents a unique way for event professionals to purchase enterprise event technology. The LOOPD Smart Tag enables attendees to network at an event without worrying about lead scanners, business cards or session check-ins. Acting as a… more
Jun 08, 2018
Marketing and promotion music solutions company, TVM.Bio, has released the TVM.Bio Smart Badge, wearable technology that uses advanced Near Field Communication (NFC) designed to make trade show registration quicker, easier and more profitable. Rather than the traditional printed attendee badges that can be wasteful to print and vulnerable to damage, loss and badge “swapping,” the Smart Badge’s USB card securely and conveniently stores attendee registration information with SSL Encryption.  Along with extensive online support and a user-friendly mobile portal, the Smart Badge helps event… more
Jun 06, 2018
Last month, Tourism Vancouver signed a pioneering technology deal with China industry giant Tencent in an effort to attract more Chinese tourism, now known as the world’s fastest-growing travel market.  This first-of-its-kind deal will include Tencent Travel and its partner, Trip Advisor China, working to promote Vancouver as an international model for smart city tourism.  As part of the three-year agreement, Tencent will provide Vancouver with cutting-edge mobile technology that will offer interactive digital services to Chinese travelers and set a global benchmark, while Trip Advisor… more
Jun 02, 2018
Bizzabo, an events cloud, revealed that the company hit processing more than $100 million in gross paid registrations for its customers. Further, $47 million of the total ticket sales occurred in the past six months alone. This major growth milestone also coincides with recent news that Bizzabo had exceeded annual recurring revenue by more than 200 percent in size during the past year, illustrating growth both in the company and the market demand for its holistic events cloud that manages professional events from end-to-end.Eran Ben-Shushan, Co-founder and CEO of Bizzabo, said: “Marketing… more
May 30, 2018
Shepard Launched eventVOICE, a voice-driven assistant designed specifically for events to enhance attendee experience, improve exhibitor engagement and help organizers work smarter. This tool is a template-based operating platform that boasts ease of set-up, personalized notifications, and a responsive artificial intelligence database - giving a broader range of event organizers the ability to respond to the demand for voice-first search customer experience.  “The launch of this service aligns with our strategic imperatives to provide clients with innovative solutions which support the… 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.