The exhibition industry, like any other industry, is forever evolving, with new trends and technologies emerging every year. So, it shouldn’t be surprising that event organisers constantly look for ways to create interactive experiences.
And what better way to engage visitors than by incorporating technology? After all, event planners can use technology to boost engagement and make meaningful connections to make a lasting impression.
However, using technology is not just about engagement; it also provides valuable data and insights for event organisers. Event organisers can analyse data to understand attendee behaviour and preferences to make data-driven decisions, optimise future events, and meet the expectations of their target audience. So, let’s discuss how to incorporate technology into your next event!
Interactive Displays and Touchscreens
Interactive displays and touchscreens are great ways to present information and showcase products to engage event attendees. Event organisers using interactive displays can create custom and interactive content that attendees can explore independently.
There are features like product demonstrations, 360-degree views, and detailed specifications that interactive displays can be used to boost engagement. Moreover, interactive displays and touchscreens can gather valuable data and insights about attendee behaviour and preferences.
Event organisers can track which content is most popular, how long attendees spend interacting with each display, and what actions they take. This data can also be used to optimise future events by reflecting on attendees’ behaviour and interests.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies offer event organisers powerful tools to create immersive experiences that captivate attendees. With VR, organisers can develop realistic, 360-degree environments that allow attendees to explore products, services, or locations.
For example, a travel company could use VR to give attendees a virtual destination tour to highlight key features and attractions. Similarly, a manufacturer could use VR to provide a detailed demonstration of a complex product, allowing attendees to see how it works and explore its features hands-on.
Worldline utilised AR to bring the future of travel to life for exhibitor visitors to experience; through the glance of an iPad they were able to get hands on with the ideas of innovative approaches to travel, furthering the memorability of the their exhibition experience through adding more depth to the information presented at the event.
Through overlaying digital information in the real world to create a hybrid experience that combines the best of both worlds. Event organisers can use AR to provide attendees with additional information about products, services, or exhibits. Additionally, AR can be used to create interactive scavenger hunts or challenges that encourage attendees to explore the event space and engage with exhibitors to increase overall engagement.
The Whitespace Digital team specialises in virtual and augmented reality production for events and exhibitions. Take a look at our work to see how you can create interactive experiences within the expo space.
Gamification
Gamification is a great way for event organisers to increase attendee participation. Event organisers can use game mechanics, such as points, badges, and leaderboards, to motivate attendees to interact with event content and visit exhibitor booths.
For example, attendees could earn points for attending sessions, visiting exhibitor booths, or participating in polls and surveys. These points could then be redeemed for prizes, such as gift cards, merchandise, or exclusive access to VIP events.
In addition to points and rewards, event organisers can use gamification to create interactive challenges and quests to encourage visitors to explore the event space. For instance, a technology conference could create a series of games related to different emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, data mining, etc.
Social Media Integration
Nothing comes close to social media marketing to increase event engagement. In fact, social media marketing is a continuous process that event organisers must use before, during, and even after the event has ended. During the event, organisers can create a comprehensive social media strategy that includes event-specific hashtags, allowing attendees to easily find and share content related to the event.
Prominently display these hashtags, including signage, screens, and printed materials throughout the event space. By monitoring these hashtags, event organisers can showcase user-generated content, such as photos, videos, and testimonials, to create a more authentic and engaging event experience.
In addition to hashtags, event organisers can use social media walls and live feeds to create a more interactive event space. In real time, social media walls can display a curated selection of social media posts related to the event. At the same time, live feeds can provide a real-time stream of social media activity related to the event.
Conclusion
Event organisers can explore other technology solutions, such as beacon technology, live streaming, and on-demand content. Whatever technology you plan to incorporate as an event organiser, it’s pretty clear from the discussion that employing technology in events creates engaging and interactive experiences that resonate with attendees.
Some of the best ways to use technology in exhibitions and events include interactive displays, virtual reality, gamification and social media integration to amplify the event experience.
Speaking of interactive exhibition and event experience, Whitespace XPO is one of the best event organisers in the UK. If you are an event professional or organiser looking for an expert organiser to help you elevate your event, we have the skilled people, knowledge, and insight to bring resourceful solutions to exhibitors, event organisers, and agencies.