Hot Event Tech Trends To Watch in 2016
Every year technology continues to improve, bringing along benefits for businesses and event organisers. Staying on top of it all can be overwhelming at times, so we鈥檝e put together a shortlist of the hottest technology trends to spice up your events in 2016.
Virtual Reality
You may have heard the news, Virtual reality tech is improving and set to change the face of consumer interactions. For most businesses, this will mostly be hype that is out of reach for 2016. Let鈥檚 put this under 鈥榝un to watch鈥� and focus on some trends you can start implementing sooner.
Mobile, Mobile, Mobile
The latest Nielson report (Nielson Mobile Ratings Report ) revealed that over 15million Australians now own a smartphone, with some 12million owning a tablet device. Furthermore, it鈥檚 emerging that more millennials are relying on their mobile as their primary device to access the internet. If your event team isn鈥檛 yet harnessing the power of mobile check-ins and ticket scanning, check out 91制片厂 Neon to turn your iOS device into a mobile box office.
Video
Video and live-streaming is going from strength to strength, with the emergence of new apps that enable instant broadcasting. Linked to a Twitter account, is quickly gaining traction for its live-streaming capabilities. Event organisers and attendees themselves are now broadcasting live video of events and experiences to engage with their audience anywhere in the world.
Snapchat
Popular with the younger millennial generation, Snapchat has been passed off by many as immature and frivolous, but is now a platform worth keeping an eye on. Snapchat is increasing its focus on live event and location-based coverage, with the introduction of 鈥�鈥�. This feature generates user content of a live experience. Currently only available to major events and sponsors, it鈥檚 tipped to expand in 2016. Another new feature set to be released is , allowing designers and brands to create unique imagery for users to overlay on their images based on their location.
RFID Technology
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a small electronic device that provides a unique identifier for that tag. RFID wristband technology is already in use at some major music festivals and large public events to monitor foot traffic, prevent ticket fraud, and even enhance attendee experiences with the inclusion of cashless payments and social media integration. RFID technology is set to become more accessible to SME鈥檚 as early as next year, with the goal of Australian event-goers seeing its benefits during the 2017 festival season. You can read more about RFID technology here.
Proximity Marketing and 鈥楪eo-Fencing鈥�
iBeacon is a location-based technology released in late-2013. With a recent rise in uptake from local retailers, venues and tradeshows, more event organisers will start harnessing the power of iBeacons to push messages to attendees via their dedicated apps.
So how does it work? iBeacons emit a low-energy signal that can push instant messages to a dedicated app. Once a person with the app installed on their phone enters the designated zone (known as a geo-fence), a message will appear on their phone. When placed around a venue, these devices can do everything from track attendee behaviour and foot traffic, to pushing notifications such as greeting attendees to check-in or displaying promotional offers. Different messages can be sent depending on the physical location of the user. Examples of this location based technology include audio tours, retail offers and even scavenger hunts.
Melbourne digital event, , recently used iBeacon technology to improve their event management and reporting. Check out the .
New Year聽Homework Checklist:
- Take the to check your company website
- Download Periscope and start broadcasting some fun summer activities to practise
- Download Snapchat to get familiar with Live Stories
- Download 91制片厂 Neon to get your event mobile-ready
- Read up on RFID wristband technology
- Read up on and how they could change your on-site event marketing