Apr 17, 2020
With so much uncertainty in the world, and with most of us isolating in our homes and feeling concerned about the future, there is no time like the present to establish a meditation and mindfulness practice. While the idea of sitting still and trying to quiet your mind while breathing deeply may seem challenging for many, there are incredible benefits to be had from a regular meditation practice. As many long-time meditators (including yours truly) can attest, a regular practice not only helps relieve stress, increase focus and improve sleep, but also enhances one’s self-awareness and overall… more
Apr 01, 2020
Networking and events platform provider Hio (which stands for “hit it off”) has launched two new offerings to facilitate virtual networking and socialization — and is offering free Hio Premium access to all from Apr. 1 – Jun. 30, 2020. Event planners can create, host, and manage virtual events free of charge on the Hio platform. The Host-Moderated Virtual Event option works for webinars, speakers and individual networking sessions during an event, while the new Virtual Lounge format provides a formal opportunity for attendees to engage in 1:1 networking sessions. Network Now, a new Hio… more
Mar 25, 2020
IBTM Events launched a new platform this week called IBTM Connect. The online resource hub is designed as a space for business events professionals to access and share knowledge and practical guidance, increasingly relevant in today’s uncertain world.  According to IBTM officials, the launch is part of a three-step plan to connect exhibitors, hosted buyers and the wider industry as we collectively navigate the impact of COVID-19. “We recognize that this is an unprecedented period of challenge for our industry and we’re absolutely committed to continuing to provide support and education for… more
Mar 20, 2020
Event management solution company Aventri is partnering with three digital event providers — Digitell, Evia and Intrado Digital Media — to help customers who have had to rethink their events in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. These new offerings will provide all current Aventri customers and any event planners globally with the option to move their events to a virtual platform or to add a digital component to any event.  “Most people with events happening soon are thinking about what to do if they can’t hold events as planned,” says Jim Sharpe, CEO of Aventri. “They want to know they… more
Feb 14, 2020
Event organizers seeking another digital alternative to printing thousands of program books for conferences and events now have a more cost-effective option. Application and review software platform company OpenWater has unveiled ProgramBook, a mobile app that transforms printed content including abstracts, sessions and author information into a searchable mobile companion available for both Android and iOS devices.  Designed to help organizations organize and manage their annual meetings, conferences and events, the new app allows event organizers and attendees to view all meeting or… more
Jan 30, 2020
Debuted this week at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival Haute House, Proxfinity CUE 2.0 gives event attendees an easier way to network through what company officials describe as “professionally identifiable data.” Networking is one of the biggest challenges for many event attendees. It’s not always easy to introduce yourself to a stranger, or identify who the best people are for you to talk to. Sometimes you need an ice-breaker, or a cue, to get those conversations started. Proxfinity’s new smart badge is designed to help event organizers make sparking that first connection easier for attendees… more
Diversity and inclusion
Jan 16, 2020
In Spanish, “cambio” means “change.” And that’s exactly what SaaS-based job match platform Cambio aims to do — revolutionize the way job seekers, hiring managers and recruiters connect. Brokering connections is just the beginning. Diversity (or the lack thereof) remains an ongoing issue for most corporations, and by extension, most event teams. Founder and CEO Neil Patwardhan believes that Cambio, which he describes as a “data-driven global talent matching platform designed to quickly match at scale,” can help by addressing the diversity challenge at the top of the funnel.  “As a job seeker… more
Dec 17, 2019
There’s a whole new component coming to face-to-face events, with “face” being the key factor. Facial recognition for on-site check-in is slowly gaining traction, with more registration suppliers adding the technology to their portfolios. Launched at IAEE’s Expo! Expo! in Las Vegas in Dec. 2019, registration and housing provider Streampoint Solutions’ FaceReg promises to reduce wait times for on-site check-in.  Dharmesh Dayabhai, Streampoint Solutions’ co-founder, says that the time from face detection to badge print is around 3-5 seconds. “The time savings is due to not trying to locate… more
Dec 13, 2019
The trade show floor at Expo! Expo! IAEE’s Annual Meeting & Exhibition, which took place Dec. 3-5 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, featured plenty of new and innovative event technology and tech partnerships to keep attendees buzzing. While the primary pitch at Expo! Expo! was to exhibition managers, there are also use cases for any corporation that offers exhibits and sponsorships as part of its events. Here are a few event tech providers that generated lots of excitement on-site. CadmiumCD Upgrades Exhibitor and Sponsorship Management Software  CadmiumCD announced the… more
Dec 06, 2019
New in-venue smartphone app APPIX can be used to increase audience engagement — and now helps event organizers make their events safer, too. The app debuted earlier this year targeting a wide range of use cases for immersive live event experiences. From participating in venue-wide displays of phone screen projections to receiving exclusive real-time content, messages and videos throughout an event, APPIX allows everyone in attendance to become part of the live show. At the Nov. 20-22 Event Safety Summit in Pennsylvania, which used APPIX as its official conference mobile app, the technology… more
Partner Voices
Just when it seems like Las Vegas can’t get any bigger, brighter or more exciting for groups, MGM Resorts raises the bar again. The company continues to invest and innovate across its portfolio of Las Vegas resorts, with new attractions and upgraded experiences for attendees of all interests.  Remodeled Guest Rooms MGM Grand is the largest single hotel in the world with over 5,000 guest rooms and an 850,000-square-foot conference center. It is home to the newly remodeled MGM Grand Studio Tower—700 reimagined guest rooms with a fun mid-century vibe. Nearby, the iconic New York-New York Las more