The event industry runs on technology. From first lead capture to post-show follow up, every step of your attendee’s journey already involves digital touchpoints and tools. But if the trends at the 2018 CES and NAB shows are any indication, this relationship between device and experience is about to get even closer. And possibly more adventurous.
You may have heard about these hot tech trends. (Though, some aren’t necessarily so much new as they are improved.) In case you did not make it to the shows to see them in person, however, our team from LSAV POWERHOUSE was on hand to witness them for you. Here’s a recap of the ones we think will impact the events industry the most:
Trend #1: AR outpaces VR (and gets more accessible)
Simply put: virtual reality is struggling. The sheer cost of systems plus necessary equipment makes mass market adoption of the technology a challenge. By contrast, less complex augmented reality—which overlays virtual elements on the existing landscape rather than immersing viewers in a completely new world—is now making serious strides.
Imagine hosting a meeting where out-of-town guests appear digitally in the room with you. Or empowering exhibit guests to explore and manipulate products you didn’t pay to ship onsite. Or surrounding your keynote presenter with a stage full of graphics … and no giant screens.
All this and more is now possible with improving AR. To that end, we saw many support products this year designed to push AR’s quality to mainstream level: products such as Ncam, which enhances AR lighting to look more naturalistic. There is also a push to bring more AR to mobile, making it event-friendly.
Trend #2: Screens continue to bend the limits
Event planners, rejoice! Your options for content delivery (literally) just expanded. This year several major manufacturers debuted wow-inducing new screens such as Samsung’s The Wall, which boasts 146 inches of crystal-clear perfection, and Flip (also by Samsung), a giant touchscreen designed to replace whiteboards for brainstorming. Meanwhile, LG’s OLED offers a 65” screen than can be rolled like a newspaper neatly into its round case. Just to name a few.
Size and flexibility weren’t the only factors, however. We were also taken with ROE Visual U.S.’s Black Pearl screens, which increase the curvature of screens by as much as 10 degrees concave or convex—making them a great new choice for events. Another of our favorites was AVID’s Maestro Power Wall. This brilliant tool allows users to assign, control and manage multiple kinds of pre-recorded and live content across multiple video walls using a single touchscreen interface.
Trend #3: Smaller, more event-friendly drones
As a technology that is not new but making great strides, drones definitely caught our attention at CES and NAB this year. Many featured speeds of up to 60 mph and significantly improved cameras. Some were just palm-sized—making them perfect for capturing footage during events or as part of live activations and engagements in exhibitor footprints.
We were especially taken with the Phantom Pro 4 by DJI, which boasts video of 4K/60fps at a bitrate of 100Mbps and stills up to 20-megapixels, plus an extended battery with flight times of up to 30 minutes. Competitor Yuneec Typhoon H+ holds sway, too, boasting features like quieter motors, enhanced obstacle resistance and a wonderful camera rig. Your next event recap video could be captured by a drone.
Trend #4: Facial recognition software
Ready to ID those attendees by a mug shot alone? Radically improved facial-recognition software now makes this possible, as the iPhone X has shown. This year’s shows debuted a number of smart facial recognition applications—including Gentex, which offers car manufacturers the capability to ID a driver and allow him/her to unlock a vehicle by scanning their irises alone.
Imagine this technology at your event: facial recognition cutting check-in times in half, streamlining badge scans in the show hall, or monitoring guests at exclusive VIP parties. You can also expect facial recognition technology to show up in standard video systems and even on mobile device access over the next year.
Trend #5: AI/robots become sociable (and useful)
You thought robots were just for manufacturing? Guess again. At this year’s tech shows, more than a few artificial intelligence systems showed up to the party. Systems like the tiny Titan AI can recognize your mood, and Amazon Echo Show makes music and movie recommendations based on your current feelings. As machines’ ability to “read” these less tangible aspects of human personality continues to rise, applications will only expand for live events.
Imagine at your next opening reception, your attendees can now expect DJ-free music to match their shifts in mood, while ordering beverages that are delivered via robot! It’s closer—and more accessible—than you think.
Some machines, such as LG’s CLOi family of robots, are event poised perform the basic tasks we have all been waiting for, like shopping, portering bags and serving drinks. LG says to expect these robots in hotels and conference centers as early as later this year.
Trend #6: LED wall panels get more affordable
Want to light up the room without lighting up your budget? LED wall panels just keep getting more affordable, making them now within reach of even budget-conscious general sessions. Take the touch-sensitive, interactive NanoLeaf wall panels that are ultra energy efficient (a follow-up to their popular triangular Aurora panels), or Lifx, which offers 8x8 grid of “light zones” that can be completely customized. LED options exist now for every space configuration—and prices keep going down. If you’ve ever wanted to do it, now is the time.
Ready to infuse your live event show with strategic and up-to-the minute event technology? At LSAV POWERHOUSE, technology is in our DNA. We’ve got the in-house capability not only to design it but also to deploy whatever we create. Check out our portfolio here and then give us a call to start the conversation.