Swapcard, the Paris-based leading AI-powered engagement and matchmaking platform for premium virtual and hybrid events, has acquired Avolio, Inc., a registration platform headquartered in Atlanta and its event management software, IPReg.

It was a dark and stormy night. The internet connection in Maor Ezer’s Israeli home kicked out only for the senior vice president of marketing at WalkMe to return to a Zoom call via a mobile hotspot.

The scenario speaks to 2020’s challenges and the rewards that can be reaped by those agile enough to quickly adapt from business as usual.

U.S.-based CLIPr was crowned the overall winner of the 2020 TechWatch Live Award, which was presented during IBTM World Virtual, held online Dec. 8-10. The platform beat out four other leading event tech companies for its achievements in addressing “Zoom fatigue” with its intelligent use of machine-learning and AI technology to provide searchable, personalized recorded video recaps and insights of online meetings, events and classes.

With virtual elements taking an increasingly prominent role in the events industry, new digital technologies continue to emerge to aid planners with the various components involved in a meeting or exhibition.

Here are four recently launched tools that help organizers in everything from site selection and exhibit booth design to networking and awards.

IFEMA Virtual Site Tour

While virtual events and video conferencing aren’t a perfect substitute for face-to-face, technology that replicates the real-life experience as much as possible could be a viable option, particularly for work teams and stakeholders wanting to stay connected during the COVID-19 era.

In late June, CEN reported that Event Tech Live, the annual London, U.K.-based trade show and conference dedicated to event technology, would take place as a hybrid event. However, due to new gathering restrictions in response to rising COVID-19 infections across the U.K., coupled with travel restrictions for international exhibitors, the decision was made to push the show to virtual only.

In the continuing evolution of virtual and hybrid events, the role of digital technology used to host those events has continued to evolve as well. To help sort through some of the new technology designed to aid organizers as they plan their virtual and hybrid meetings, here are four recently launched virtual event platforms.

With the impact of COVID-19 continuing to affect the live events business, Clarion Events North America has released a new quartet of digital products. This includes Virtual Product Showcases, Episodic Content Series, On-Demand Education Membership Packages and Virtual MATCH Meetings. Through all of these virtual products, the emphasis is on fostering new, qualified relationships.

Seattle-based event marketing platform Banzai recently acquired High Attendance, a cloud-based virtual and hybrid event management software for enterprises.

Banzai plans to integrate its flagship marketing automation platform, Banzai Reach, with High Attendance’s platform to give Banzai customers — including Adobe, Chef Software, Dell, Pure Storage and other large enterprises — a seamless experience for growing and engaging their audiences.

The annual TechWatch Awards at this year’s IBTM World, set for Dec.1-3 at Fira Barcelona in Spain, will have a new concept for 2020. Aptly named TechWatch Live, the new format will feature live pitching on-site as well as a new judging panel chair.