Top Event Technology Trends to Follow in 2024

Planning a successful event takes creativity, serious organization skills , and increasingly, having the right technology at your disposal. In the 2020s, there have been several major technology innovations that promise to change the game for both event organizers and attendees. 

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Below are the top event technology trends you should be following if you want to boost your event registration and attendee satisfaction. 

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1. All-in-One Event Management Platforms

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The top trend is the rise of all-in-one event technology platforms designed to simplify planning and promotion in one centralized dashboard. These consolidated platforms allow you to oversee everything from initial event conception to post-event review in a single integrated environment.

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Benefits of Using an Event Management Platform:

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• Save time by avoiding constantly switching between various software tools for tasks like email marketing, web updates, registration, payment processing, etc.

• Reduce confusion that arises from managing data and projects across disconnected systems. 

• Gain clarity on event performance with built-in tracking and analytics tied to platform data.

• Deliver seamless attendee experiences by connecting critical touchpoints via back-end integration with no visible gaps.

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The Connect Space Difference 

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Connect Space’s event management platform consolidates tools that every planner needs, from event registration to personalized matchmaking for attendee networking.

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Connect Space Features:

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• Easy-to-build event landing pages with integrated registration and ticketing functionality

• Attendee networking and matchmaking features to spark meaningful conversations 

• Interactive event schedules and agendas accessible through web or mobile app

• Polling, surveys, Q&A, and gamification to drive active attendee participation 

• Detailed analytics revealing granular insights into event and content performance

• Automated follow-ups and messaging even after events wrap up

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Learn more about the Connect Space app.

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2. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

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Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) rank among the most revolutionary technologies used by event planners in 2024. Specific to events, AI and ML algorithms help coordinators deliver personalized recommendations and tailored messaging without hours of manual personalization.

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AI for Events Use Cases:

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• Chatbots field FAQs to take staff workloads off planners' plates

• Matchmaking algorithms connect attendees for more meaningful networking 

• ML studies past event data to tailor future programming per attendee preferences 

• Natural language AI writes hyper-targeted emails on planners' behalf at scale

• Predictive modeling forecasts future event needs from historical performance 

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The power of AI/ML lies in relieving planners of repetitive tasks, freeing up more strategic planning, and enhancing each attendee's overall experience.

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3. Hybrid Events 

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Hybrid events-blending in-person and virtual components-have dominated during recent years as necessities. But even as purely in-person events resurge in popularity, hybrid events remain a great strategy for achieving maximum reach in integrated formats.

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Benefits of a Hybrid Event:

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• Allow remote attendees to feel immersed in events through live-streaming keynotes, breakout sessions, and networking events at a distance. 

• Support accessibility for those unable to join onsite through robust virtual accommodations. 

• Grow global audiences by eliminating geographical barriers tied to physical venue capacities and locations. 

• Reduce the environmental impact with less travel required to participate.

• Provide contingency plans allowing events to continue should unforeseen circumstances prevent in-person gatherings. 

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True hybrid events synchronize physical and virtual content into unified, cohesive experiences where remote attendees never feel less than.

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4. Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR)

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AR overlays digital elements onto the real world. VR transports participants to simulated environments, such as live event itself. Both promise to revolutionize event experiences in 2024 by eliminating the constraints of physical reality.

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AR/VR at Events Use Cases:

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• AR scavenger hunts send attendees exploring exhibit halls guided by digital clues 

• AR-enriched product displays overlay interactive holograms onto physical items to showcase innovations.

 • VR welcome receptions set in exotic locales unavailable in real life

• VR session spaces remove room size limitations, allowing unrestricted global audiences 

• VR exhibit booths transcend physical dimensions to showcase products real estate couldn't accommodate

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Blurring lines between real and digital creates infinite possibilities for imaginative events previously unrealistic financially or physically. 

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5. Data Analytics and Business Intelligence

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Understand engagement at your event through data-driven insights. Data analytics platforms provide attendee behavior insights through integrations with other platforms. Metrics quantifying traffic, engagement, referrals, conversions, and more guide decisions maximizing event success from moment to moment.

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Benefits of Data Analytics for Event Planners:

 

• Monitoring registration velocity day over day to adjust promotional strategies as needed. 

• Tracking attendee movement patterns onsite to adapt staffing or reconfigure room layouts, improving flow. 

• Analyzing session attendance to add/remove unpopular offerings across agendas.

• Codifying analytics into enhanced experiences like smart badges with visible activity metrics motivating further involvement. 

• Creating customized post-event follow-up content per role based on attendee preferences.

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The numbers don't lie-leaning on live event data separates adequate events from truly sensational ones. 

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6. Facial Recognition Frictionless Security and Seamless Check-In

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Facial recognition platforms leverage built-in smartphone cameras or designated kiosks to validate identity via facial scan matches against attendee databases. This heightens event security while enabling smoother, faster ingress and eliminating lengthy check-in procedures.

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Facial Recognition at Events Use Cases:

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• Confirming credentials at VIP areas or exclusive sessions by scanning attendees as permitted access.
• Validating returning attendees year over year without needing to reregister or carry previous badges.
• Preventing forged entries or unauthorized access attempts by matching faces against registrant databases.

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Facial recognition converts clunky check-in procedures into nearly invisible moments, fostering quicker immersion into the attendee experience itself.

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7. 5G Connectivity Lightning-Fast, Lag-Free Experiences

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The rollout of high-speed 5G networks empowers event innovations that were once impractical over congested 4G networks. 

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Benefits of 5G for Events:

• Minimizing lag allows real-time interactivity even for remote attendees.
• Enabling bandwidth-heavy live video streaming in ultra-high definition without buffering delays.
• Removing internet constraints for data visualization with dense augmented or virtual reality overlays.
• Supporting tens of thousands of simultaneous device connections with no degradation in wifi speeds.

Widespread 5G adoption will prove revolutionary by effectively eliminating practical limitations imposed by internet connectivity at events. Lightning-quick speeds open doors for creative applications.The Bottom Line Smooth attendee journeys tied to strategic adoption of the latest event technology separate industry leaders from stagnant events. Mastering all-in-one management ecosystems, AI-driven personalization, hybrid delivery, experiential technologies, and analytics-led optimization promises to drive events from great to remarkable. Let these trends inspire you to refresh, refocus, and revive your events in 2024 and beyond.

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Book a demo with Connect Space to find out how to promote attendee networking with our matchmaking app.