Exhibitions are necessary events that bring individuals and organisations together to showcase new products and services, drive business growth and development and encourage networking among peers. These types of events are considered essential across most industries.
AI is changing the game for exhibition design by making spaces more engaging, personalised and interactive. With tools that analyse visitor behaviour and preferences, organisers can create experiences that feel tailored to each person. Augmented and virtual reality tools are being used to turn static displays into more immersive storytelling experiences. AI also helps with practical things, like optimising layouts to improve crowd flow and make better use of space.
To stay ahead, organisers are turning to technology at all levels, to enhance attendee experiences, boost attendee engagement and maximise ROI for both exhibitors and visitors. When considering technology, there are a few “must-haves” for your venue, as well as optional tools and apps to consider implementing.
In-venue technology “must-haves”
To help delegates stay connected during the event, your exhibition venue should include seamless power access to all booths, deliver high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity and provide brandable digital screens for impactful messaging and sponsor activations.
Brandable screens are a must-have for organisers to communicate key event information such as QR codes for apps and technology use at the event, daily agendas and wayfinding, as well as serving as a space for sponsors to cut through and stand out in competitive and high-traffic environments. Choosing a venue that provides a multitude of outlets to run power to exhibitor booths will ensure your exhibitors and sponsors can seamlessly set up their displays.
etc.venues County Hall in London. Photo courtesy of Convene.
Other apps and services to consider
To improve attendee experience and drive ROI for both exhibitors and organisers, there are several apps and services to consider putting into effect at your next exhibition.
The event registration and check-in process for an exhibition must be streamlined and efficient and there are many apps and services that can help ensure this process is seamless for both attendees and organisers. Depending on your event size, complexity and specific needs, tools like Cvent can enhance the registration experience and improve the overall efficiency of your event.
Apps and services can also help facilitate connections and networking among attendees, including the Whova app. Whova allows attendees to create personalized agendas and participate in Live Q&As and session feedback, allowing for important data collection for organisers. Bizzabo offers a “Smart Badge” tool through Klik, which helps create an interactive, data-rich onsite experience for attendees with this innovative wearable event technology. Attendees can exchange contact information with just one click.
Additionally, InGo is an end-to-end platform that is built for event marketers, supporting the guest experience with engaging and highly connected event experiences and content while also providing data-driven insights to support future events. InGo can also aid the continuous cycle of communication and follow up with event attendees to drive community and communications and networking outside of the event and throughout the rest of the year.
Another service to consider to help with tracking event ROI is heat mapping. This will allow planners to see where footfall was driven and which exhibitors and spaces within the venue were most popular. Specific booths can also use tools like Nimlok to measure visitor volume and time spent on the stand. These types of tools will produce helpful data to support future event planning.
With the right blend of AI, tech and a well-equipped venue, exhibitions can transform into vibrant, data-driven experiences. The venue plays a key role by providing the infrastructure and tools needed to bring these innovations to life.
Convene Sancroft, St. Paul’s in London. Photo courtesy of Convene.
The best tech-enabled venues for your next exhibition
Convene has a network of more than 35 locations across nine global cities and is the largest single provider of dedicated meeting and event venues in the US and UK. Convene offers a robust enhancement program for clients to incorporate everything from eye-catching branding to immersive technology to your event to ensure it is a memorable and engaging experience for your attendees. Convene supports planners with hybrid meeting production, dedicated AV support, digital displays, animated logos and a variety of creative design services. If you are interested in learning more and want to enquire about booking an exhibition at a venue within the Convene portfolio, reach out today.
Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk
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