IBTM’s TechWatch Awards Will Feature a New Live Format for 2020
September 14, 2020
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.
Designed to showcase the best event technology, TechWatch Live will provide five technology business owners with the opportunity to pitch their product or service to a live audience and judging panel for the chance to become the 2020 TechWatch Live Award Winner. Held on Day 2 of IBTM World, the TechWatch Live Awards enable event tech start-ups to potentially gain future financial investment and/or mentorship from the industry.
According to Dahlia El Gazzar, founder of the DAHLIA+Agency and the new chair of the judging panel this year (succeeding event industry expert Corbin Ball, who remains on the panel), TechWatch Live provides an important stage for companies to showcase technology enabling event organizers to deliver exceptional experiences.
“Now more than ever, we are being asked to be innovative,” Gazzar said. “That can’t be done without ‘innovatively’ implementing technology solutions that are essential to the intentional experience design we seek for our stakeholders. With everything going on, we want to properly celebrate those tech companies that have gone above and beyond to help eventprofs in this time of need.”
The TechWatch judges are looking for entries that demonstrate innovation, a sound concept/business model and value to the MICE industry, she added.
Also new and led by Gazzar this year is the Technology Advisory Group, which supports IBTM World and has been influential in the development of IBTM Accelerate, featuring a roster of programs showcasing the future of the MICE industry. Members of the group include Dave Lorenzini, founder and CEO of EventFX; Anh Nguyen, founder and principal of award-winning event management firm Spark Event Management; Keith Johnston, managing partner of i3 Events and publisher of event industry blog Plannerwire; and entrepreneur, podcaster and bestselling author Jason Allan Scott.
“There are myriad opportunities for event planners to integrate technology and digital into their events to create smarter and more engaging experiences, and we want to reflect this by making TechWatch Live a central feature of IBTM World,” said David Thompson, event director of IBTM World. “Our new format awards will bring the best event technology companies in front of a motivated global audience of events professionals to inspire them with the latest exciting technologies that could really make a difference to their business.”
Entries are now open until Sept. 30. Finalists must be based in Europe and available to attend on-site at IBTM World for all three days of the show. All five finalists will receive flights and accommodation for up to two people to travel to Barcelona. To enter, go here.
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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 Vegas Hotel & Casino recently completed a $63M redesign and remodel of its 1,830 guest rooms and 155 suites.
Down the street, Bellagio Las Vegas is sporting renovated rooms in the Spa Tower with sunrise-inspired decor and luxurious soaking tubs in Premier King rooms after a $110-million transformation.
Reinvented Luxury Experiences
The Luxury Meetings District, made up of Bellagio Las Vegas, ARIA Resort & Casino, Vdara Hotel & Spa, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Park MGM and NoMad Las Vegas, is now more connected than ever before. A new interior walkway opened this October for a seamless attendee experience – connecting Vdara, Bellagio, and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, guests can now walk from Park MGM to Bellagio in around 15 minutes.
New on the scene in the Luxury Meetings District is Cathedrale at ARIA, TAO Group’s upscale establishment specializing in exquisite French-Mediterranean cuisine offering elevated private dining experiences that opened in May.
Heralded by World’s Best 50 Restaurants, GQ and VOGUE, LPM at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is opening this fall and will deliver its signature spontaneity and imaginative celebration of France’s Mediterranean cuisine, art, and culture to the unique luxury resort in impeccable fashion.
A “New Wave for Mandalay Bay
A new wave of enhancements and experiences has arrived at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, including Flanker Kitchen + Sports Bar, an 8,445-square-foot restaurant that opened this June, perfect for pre- and post-game eats and drinks. Event planner’s favorite, Chef Michael Mina’s StripSteak, received a full renovation and now includes one of the largest private dining rooms on The Strip. Retro by Voltaggio debuts a one-year residency with a fun take on pop culture of the 80s and 90s with classic American dishes. An exciting addition planned for 2024 is Swingers, a 40,000-square-foot oasis of street food, miniature golf and art at Mandalay Bay.
Most exciting for meeting planners, the 2.1 million-square-foot Mandalay Bay Convention Center is undergoing a complete refresh, with lightened space, added eye-catching art, and improved technology infrastructure for even more flexible space. Energy-efficient digital signage now leads the way with faster internet speeds and new AV options.
From renovated guest rooms and meeting spaces to celebrated dining options and dedicated teams, MGM Resorts is dedicated to delivering exceptional and innovative meeting experiences.
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