The OpenWater Blog

What to Expect in Event Tech and Trends in 2017

2017 is nearly halfway through. But, have you taken advantage of the new event technology and trends that the year has to offer?

Most executives stick to what they know: the same technology, processes, and more because it means less of a learning curve for staff and less money to invest. However, executives also understand that new trends can save money, make an organization more efficient, and otherwise benefit their brand.

Below, we explore some of the most prominent trends in event tech you should know (and potentially implement for your organization).

Serve Your (Digital) Audience

Most executives focus on onsite audience members, those who pay for tickets to come to the live event. But, what about those who want to “attend” your conference but can’t pay for the plane ticket to get there or don’t have the time to take out of their schedule?

More and more organizations are offering livestreaming as an option for those who want to attend a conference but aren’t able to make it in person. After all, livestreaming is the next logical step in event technology, especially considering how often conference managers, attendees, and others are encouraged to post in real-time and share what’s happening during the conference.

Google, Facebook, and other platforms all offer livestreaming capabilities. As such, it’s simple, and affordable, to offer this trend as part of your program.

Do Something With Your Data

If you’re using an awards management system, you’re collecting a lot of data before, during, and after your conference. But, what are you doing with that data?

Most executives have significant amounts of data but aren’t sure how to interpret it or what to do with it. In 2017, technology will shift and make it simpler to interpret and use raw data. This is particularly true if you design surveys through mobile event apps and subsequently need to interpret that data for guidance of what to keep or what to change in next year’s conference.

The sophisticated registration and event management tools newly available will continue allowing professionals to do more with their data. This will not only lead to better events, but more customer-centric experiences as well.

Mainstream Personalization

You already know personalization is important. However, personalization hasn’t always been possible at every stage of the abstracts conference process.

Abstracts management software is changing all of this. With abstracts software, you can allow attendees to experience an event in a more personalized way. For example, attendees can download conference material and take notes directly from the mobile app rather than being forced to use printed papers.

The most notable shift in personalization is the ability of attendees to dictate their own personal journeys at conferences. This might mean they receive personalized emails or are able to choose an onsite experience that better serves their needs and why they’re at your conference.

What Does 2017 Hold for Your Organization?

2017 is full of endless possibilities, and new technology, that will help you better serve your audience, building goodwill, organizational prestige, and more in the process.

So, how will you use event tech and trends to your best advantage in the remaining half of 2017?

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