Years ago, event planning involved very low-tech tools. There were little more than microphones and projection screens to organize. And the most technical part of an event was the computer presentation. Today, business takes place in a digital environment and every business owner has become tech-savvy to a certain degree. Event planning mechanisms have grown steadily since 2011 when the industry first began to boom. Attendees to events now expect to see the highest level of tech at every event or they will leave unimpressed. Emerging event technology is the only way to exceed those expectations. Let’s talk about event tech. 

What is Event Technology?

Event tech describes the technological tools used in planning and managing a public event. Tools include everything used to organize, budget, facilitate, market, or broadcast an event. Event tech has advanced recently due to a new environment where traditional event planning techniques are no longer practical. The world found itself at a stand-still, but the expertise of the digital age led the way to a new future for corporate presentations, weddings, fundraisers, and other types of events. 

Main segments of Event Tech

Marketing Technology

Marketing technology is any event tech that planners use to support their teams in marketing for an event. This includes all efforts to generate attendance and sales surrounding the event. For instance, event websites are an important form of marketing tech. They distribute up-to-date information to potential attendees. Advertising on social media platforms and email promotions are also critical features of marketing tech. The most impactful element of marketing technology that event planners utilize is the publicizing and selling of tickets online. Marketing tech helps make an event visible to a larger number of people and, in turn, produces a larger turn-out. 

Mobile Event Technology

Event attendees have come to expect a mobile app that can be accessed by smartphone as a method to register for an event in advance. At today’s events, mobile apps are the primary method by which attendees receive updates. Mobile event technology is also extremely helpful to event planners. The apps make it possible for event planners to identify timeline gaps, track attendance, track participation, confirm food deliveries, and manage the budget… all while at the event. When information is readily available, no one gets lost or confused. Mobile event technology is no longer looked at as a luxury. It is now the standard.

Event Planner Software

One of the most valuable parts of event tech is event planner software. Tools such as Salesforce and Hubsoft enable planners to follow up on sales leads generated at that event more efficiently. Plus, event planner software makes post-event logistics and calculations go much smoother. Whether the goal is advertising, client engagement, or fundraising, there are software programs to help planners achieve the goals of the event.

How is Event Technology helpful for Event Planners?

Event tech makes the lives of event planners easier. Event planners can be more productive because of these advancements in technology. To illustrate, consider the challenge of communication leading up to and during an event. With emerging technological tools, communication takes place faster and more effectively. Planners can communicate with each other or communicate in real-time with attendees. Event tech also helps event planners measure success more accurately with analytical software tools that were not available in the past. 

Event tech provides a better experience for attendees. Marketing technology and software combine to get attendees engaged. Audience engagement is one of the most significant keys to hosting a successful event. Attendees who felt engaged at an event tend to rate the event more positively. A positive experience will lead to positive reviews and a more positive view of the organizers.

Innovative Event Tech Trends

Face Recognition

New tech is emerging every year. For example, one of the latest trends to be introduced involves facial recognition technology. Using this technology, an attendee’s face can be scanned for registration. Then, that attendee is quickly granted access to every area that the participant is allowed due to facial recognition. This is useful for accommodating VIPs and CEOs attending an event. It is especially beneficial at events where food is to be distributed. Lunch tickets will soon be a thing of the past. Attendees will be able to pick up their lunch with a simple face scan. And this technology will help make sure attendees with food allergies do not get the wrong meal. 

3D Event Diagramming

Another technological trend to recently take off is 3D Event Diagramming. Many times, printed maps at a venue are difficult to follow. The traditional 2D schematic doesn’t always give attendees clear information. When attendees can’t figure out where to go quickly, they often leave the event. However, 3D visual diagrams are much easier to follow. A 3D diagram can show the floor plan, identify break-out rooms, and up-to-date foot traffic conditions. They can help an attendee not only find the right building but even find their seat. 

In conclusion, advancements in event tech improve every phase of event planning. It saves time and effort every step of the way. And it is vital for event planners to utilize event tech after the event ends to track comments and follow-up on sales leads. The world has changed. Event tech allows event planners to change with it.