It’s clear that this past year was an innovative one for the events industry, with technological trends taking center stage in almost all aspects. And yes, there are no signs that the event technology jet will be stopping next year. Most of the 2018 event trends were focused on merging the realm of the real and the virtual. Mixed reality is fast becoming an event staple, with new devices that support it becoming available (and affordable) to the public.
Touch technology continues to engage our tactile senses, making digital wonders more tangible to event goers. On-demand services break through the time barrier, and AI technology now has a global presence, from the moment the attendees register to the moment they answer post-event surveys. Previously novel ideas have also become more mainstream. Crowdsourcing has become the rule, resulting in highly engaging events. Venues have moved away from stadiums and convention centers, and into pop-up spaces and other non-traditional locations. Events are also more fluid, as organizers now rely heavily on data to make real-time decisions to change the course of the event for the better.
Despite all that, the priorities of the events industry have been subtly shifting behind the scenes, and the next year may see something different in the spotlight. While technology will still play a major role in the quest to create a personalized and high-impact experience for audiences, it will likely play more of a supporting role with many events going back to some all-important basics
Event Tech