Experience of New Technology Is Theme at EVENTtech 2013
November 14, 2013
The third annual EVENTtech attracted more than 800 attendees, nearly doubling the conference from last year.
And, with more than one-third of attendees as first timers, being able to experience the technology first hand was a huge attraction.
“This year’s EVENTtech was about pushing the technology experience,” said Dan Hanover, editor at Event Marketer Magazine (the host of the event).
He added, “You learn about the technology in an educational session, and then go over to the exhibitor and actually test drive it. This year, we had $2 million worth of technology showcased by our exhibitors in our Campus. We purposely called it ‘The Campus’ because it was more than an exhibit hall - it was a place for true hands-on learning.”
This year’s show was Nov. 4-6 at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas and highlighted the latest technology and newest trends for the event industry.
“When we started this show three years ago, technology being used in events was a new topic,” said Jessica Heasley, group editor at Event Marketer Magazine. “Today, our attendee is much more evolved, and has a much higher expectation of the educational experience they will have at a show like EVENTtech.”
First-time attendee James Ellis with Flirt Communications was excited on the session format.
“The fast-paced 20 to 40 minute educational sessions gave a good sampling of the technology, and then you exited the session into the main area with the exhibitor, and got to see the technology,” Ellis said. “Being able to experience the technology was a great pairing with the sessions, and the campus-layout put everything in easy reach.”
Pankaj Prasad, business development manager for exhibitor DoubleDutch Mobile Event Apps, said, “Being the provider of the event app for EVENTtech was great, and we were able to talk to key decision makers in the industry who had the chance to use our app and then stop by our booth. This was a great experience for us, and we were able to hear first-hand what they liked, and what they would have modified with the app.”
The combination of learning and testing technology seemed to provide a winning combination for many exhibitors and attendees alike.
“The attendee came into the booth already armed with questions from the educational sessions, and that made for some great conversations,” said Brett Marriner, director of Interactive Media with exhibitor Glass Slate Digital.
First-time attendee Jen LaBruzza, Western regional manager with Classic Exhibits, concurred. “There were so many strong sessions to choose from, it made it hard to decide which ones to attend,” she added. “That is a great issue to have – when a conference offers so much information on such an important topic as leveraging technology and digital platforms to create the best event experience.”
Next year’s dates and location are TBD.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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