Takeaways from Global Event Tech Summit 2023

In the ever-evolving landscape of event technology, the challenge lies not only in adopting the latest solutions but in tailoring them to meet your specific needs and objectives. The key is to align technology with your brand and audience, ensuring a unique and engaging experience.

Understanding the need for customisation

At the heart of successful event technology implementation is the need for customisation. The question arises: where can technology truly add value, and do we need it in every aspect of event management?

Avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach, event organisers should focus on creating a distinctive look and feel that aligns with the brand's house style. Customisation should not be synonymous with high costs, but rather a strategic investment in enhancing the audience experience.

What’s your North Star before building community?

Beyond the event itself, technology is instrumental in community building. A consistent content strategy, combined with an engagement layer, creates a destination for learning and inspiration. However, the true success of community building lies in nurturing trust, belonging, and engagement.

Platforms should be flexible, intuitive, and mobile-first, allowing communities to drive conversations. Sub-communities catering to niche topics should be encouraged, fostering connections among people with similar interests. The goal is not just to be an event facilitator but a genuine enabler of meaningful interactions.

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Putting audience first

In the realm of event technology, the mantra should be "audience first, tech second." Understanding the event and audience objectives is paramount before selecting and implementing any technology. It's not about adopting technology for its own sake but for the specific needs of the attendees and organisers.

Consideration should be given to the ownership of the tech stack, with an emphasis on seamless data integration and meaningful insights. Vendors should align with the success and growth of the event, becoming trusted partners rather than mere service providers.

The role of event automation

Automation is a key player in transforming the event landscape. From chatbots for instant communication to advanced event automation platforms, technology is streamlining processes and enhancing attendee experiences. However, the challenge lies in avoiding automation for its own sake and ensuring a balance with human intelligence.

The importance of asking "why" in the tech integration process cannot be overstated. It's about challenging existing norms, disrupting thinking for better outcomes, and ensuring that technology aligns seamlessly with the event objectives.

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Donald Rumsfeld “There are things we don't know we don't know.”

The data journey in events is often overlooked. Collecting data is one thing, but turning it into actionable insight is another. Contextual understanding is essential to make sense of the vast amounts of data generated during an event.

The focus should be on real-time data that can influence outcomes immediately. The value exchange, trust-building, and accountability are critical components in utilising data effectively for future event experiences.

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Failure is success in progress

As the events industry continues to evolve, embracing change and staying ahead of the curve is imperative. The fear of standing still and the necessity of pushing boundaries. The future of event technology lies not in recreating the physical world but in understanding the needs of a diverse audience and providing personalised, engaging experiences.

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Summary

I have many takeaways from this year’s Global Event Tech Summit including a hangover ??. Customisation and community building to effective data utilisation, event organisers must stay agile, ask the right questions, and leverage technology to create memorable experiences for their audiences.

I would like to thank Conference News , speakers, sponsors and delegates for making the conference a truly enjoyable and insightful event. Feel free to message to arrange a discovery call on how to make your communities truly unique and engaging experiences.

Hope to see you all next year!