Aug 26, 2021
A working group organized by BPA Worldwide has come up with a solution for a pressing need that surfaced after one of the biggest pandemic pivots. An industry standard for reporting metrics was sorely needed for BPA-audited in-person shows that switched to virtual or hybrid events, along with maintaining status as an event approved by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry. BPA iCompli Events provides verification of compliance with UFI industry standards for the measurement of trade show attendees and exhibitors. “During the pandemic, priority one was to establish a digital… more
Aug 24, 2021
For many event planners, the idea of planning, let alone pulling off a successful hybrid event is often viewed as a complicated and daunting task requiring a major learning curve to master. To help planners overcome their trepidation, move beyond theory and put hybrid events into action, U.K.-based virtual and hybrid event platform Glisser launched its first-ever hybrid event designed to provide corporate event planners with best practices for executing engaging and successful events with both digital and in-person audiences. Held July 13 in London, across the pond in New York City and… more
Aug 17, 2021
Global cloud-based, technology-enabled services leader Intrado has acquired Hubb, a leading provider of hybrid event management technology. Finalized Aug. 13, the acquisition opens the door for Intrado Digital Media to expand its leadership position as the world’s largest technology platform built for the omnichannel event marketplace. According to Intrado officials, the combined capabilities of Intrado Digital Media and Hubb will offer event planners a single source for unified on-site and online events, providing data and analytics across the entire event portfolio that offers valuable… more
Aug 12, 2021
Virtual and hybrid events continue to transform the industry at warp speed, with companies reshaping the way attendees interact and share information and the way event organizers plan truly engaging events. Check out some of the latest developments that are moving event tech forward. JUNO Creating lasting community ecosystems is at the core of digital experience platform JUNO. The company has just come full circle with the release of “From Here to 365,” a new guide to assist organizations with digitally transforming their events and driving year-round audience engagement. "From Here to 365… more
Aug 09, 2021
What used to be a regular sight gathers some attention during an interview with Encore President and CEO Ben Erwin. Namely, an employee is seen in the background walking down the hall. Slowly but surely, Erwin is calling in the troops for some limited office work. It may never be five days in the office again, but the blending of physical meetings with Zoom calls has begun. Hey — that sounds a lot like the events industry. There is no company touching as many meetings, events and trade shows as Encore.  Having announced major partnerships with both Cvent and Intrado Digital Media, Encore… more
Jul 13, 2021
When Josh Hotsenpiller developed the idea of a platform launching events into the virtual world, he sought a name that matched what he believed to be an out-of-this-world idea. Juno, the name of a satellite orbiting Jupiter, immediately jumped out.  JUNO, Hotsenpiller’s company, has been firing on all cylinders since launching in mid-2020. Already a successful entrepreneur through CrowdHub and three previous start-ups, Hotsenpiller saw there was space in the ever-evolving events industry to reach a new level of connection. He has not so quietly been building an all-star team to meet the… more
8 Questions with New Hubilo SVP Cathy Song Novelli
Jul 08, 2021
Cathy Song Novelli joined the popular event technology platform Hubilo as senior vice president of marketing and communications in April. But she is quick to point out that this is “not my first rodeo.”  Based in Silicon Valley, Novelli is rich with experience producing events, enhancing branding and delivering high-level marketing for household-name companies like MySpace and Pandora. So her BS alarm is sparked when she hears companies say platforms create events attendees love. “As a marketer, I take great offense at that,” she said. “Event organizers use all of their creativity to create… more
5 Lessons for Marketing Virtual Events
Jun 28, 2021
In case you thought 2020 was a dream, consider the case of davies + dixon, one of the event industry’s premier digital marketing firms. Since the pandemic took hold in this country, the Seattle-based company has spent more than 400 hours supporting virtual event programming, reaching more than 30,000 attendees. Co-Founder Kelsey Dixon, an avid traveler, knows the in-person gatherings are coming back strong. She is also sure her organization, along with many others, is hardly through with digital programming. To wit, davies + dixon recently completed a white paper looking ahead to the future… more
Tech News: MeetingPlay Funding, Encore-Cvent and Explori-Evolvio Partnerships; Bizzabo and Event Farm Additions
Jun 25, 2021
Just because in-person events are returning doesn’t mean technology is going to take a back seat. The past few weeks have been filled with news of mergers, partnerships, innovation and the funding to make it all possible. See how the event tech world is positioning itself for the future of gatherings. MeetingPlay Hybrid technology company MeetingPlay has secured $75 million in funding from Sunstone Partners, a growth-oriented private equity firm focused on software and tech-enabled services companies. The move allows for vast expansion of MeetingPlay’s already impressive capabilities.… more
Tech Giants: 7 Questions With Cvent VP Anil Punyapu
Jun 23, 2021
If you are looking for a pioneer in event technology, it’s hard to beat Anil Punyapu. The senior vice president of sales at Cvent has been with the event registration and software giant since 2003 – or more than three-quarters of its impressive lifespan. Virtual events are nothing new to Punyapu and Cvent, though no one could quite predict what 2020 would bring to the world and events industry. With more than a year under our belts, and the worst of the pandemic seemingly over in this country, Punyapu is looking ahead to a future in which technology and meetings are more integrated. “We… more
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is more