The Coexistence of Technology and Tradition in Events
It seems that conversations around technology in events and in-person experiences are continually toeing the line between time-honored traditions and cutting-edge tech (or sometimes boring but incredibly useful tech).
It's like orchestrating a grand concert — the classics alongside the latest compositions. And as the curtains rise on a new era where innovation, digital transformation, and that old human connection meet, the melody is nothing short of exciting.
Event Tech Insight Report Released
At Waves Connects, we were invited to collaborate with Event Tech Live and Event Industry News for the 20204 Event Tech Insight Report.
This report is shaping up to be an indispensable resource, offering deep dives into the current trends, predictions, and insight from industry leaders and peers and uncovers how event budgets are changing, where technology fails event planners and what areas present the most potential for growth.
We are thrilled to be part of this report and hope it provides invaluable information for event planners and professionals and event tech suppliers alike.
Back to the blog now though.
The untouchable charms of face-to-face exchange
There's a magic that dances between people when they're in the same room — a type of alchemy that unleashes a whirlwind of ideas, emotions, and collective energy.
It's the kind of real-time, unfiltered connection that technology, for all its advances, can't yet replicate.
Social psychology paints a compelling picture of the human need for interaction. The non-verbal cues, the shared space —these are the elements that set hearts racing, inspire trust, and forge truly memorable experiences. Whether it's an impromptu meeting at a coffee break or a chance alignment of industry titans in a crowded trade show, these moments are the pixels that form the bigger picture of our professional landscape.
In our hunger for progress and tech evolution, we mustn't sweep tradition under the rug and that is evident from the stories and experiences shared by the contributors to the report.
In-person events are a repository of our collective industry memory, where the stories of trailblazers are retold and the torch of innovation is passed. They're the footprints in the sand that remind us how far we've come and where we're set to journey next.
To this regard, I like Faye Rosewall Black, VP of Marketing at dmg events, said "It all starts with listening to the market and to what our clients want so that we can craft and deliver a proposition that is relevant, and value led." What does that mean? As tech advances and brings new opportunities to the table, we need to keep our ears open, stay adaptable, and remain true to the essence of what makes events so powerful—the people.
Digital innovations as the glue of hybrid experiences
While the merits of in-person gatherings are indubitable, the latest digital evolutions aren't merely alternatives — they've injected steroids, amplifying what's already extraordinary.
To an extent, the pandemic democratised events, making them accessible to audiences worldwide. The advances in virtual and augmented reality have crafted portals through which the global audience can step, engaging with brands, ideas, and each other as if they were present on-site.
With various definitions, hybrid events have emerged as a frontrunner, fusing the convenience of digital interaction with the high touch-points of in-person glories.
It's a choice without compromise; quality sans the long-haul.
Insights from the Event Tech Insight Report 2024
The report meticulously stitches together insights from the industry — threads that, when woven, showcase a tapestry of our current canvas and the future we're painting.
From technology that maximizes on-site engagement to AI-driven matchmaking algorithms, the report spots the tech trends that are not just shiny but truly effective.
But the report is more than a mere catalogue of what's trending in eventtech. It's a narrative, shaped by the voices of those steering the helm of change, such as Faye of dmg events and Steven Carlisle of Closer Still Media.
It's about how we think, grow, and adapt to this new environment we're cultivating.
A symphony of symbiosis
We're the craftsmen of an industry that's constantly reinventing itself, shedding old skin and wearing new attire, meanwhile ensuring its core remains untouched - human connection.
The future of events isn't binary; it's not a case of either-or, but a harmonious dance between the tangible and the virtual. It's a fusion cuisine that serves the heart of tradition on a platter of tech marvels, catering to any palate.
In our shared roles as custodians and innovators, we can either view these changes as threats to tradition or as brimming opportunities to redefine what it means to convene.
It's a great time in our events industry as we pick up the baton and conduct the rich symphony that our industry has the potential to orchestrate. After all, the real achievement isn't choosing one over the other but blending what was, what is, and what's about to be in one unforgettable composition.