A decade ago, futurists were predicting the death of the meetings industry as a result of technological advancements such as video conferencing and connected workspaces. In stark contrast to those views, we in the business events industry know there will always be an innate requirement for people to come together to share ideas and collaborate. One of the world’s leading technology and innovation events, South by South West (SXSW) Interactive, took place in Austin, Texas last week and key themes throughout the conference demonstrated that technology is not the enemy, but central to enhancing the quality of these meetings.
Here are just five ways in which technology is adding value to the future of the meetings industry:
“What we learn from robots playing soccer or navigating a maze can be applied to industry and help us solve difficult real-world problems. The same vision system developed by UNSW for RoboCup is now being used to track the hands of workers in a saw mill, to ensure the machinery avoids causing injuries.”
This year’s SXSW proved that the dial is constantly changing when it comes to advances in technology and there is little room for those who don’t jump on the tech train. The challenge for our industry is to embrace these exciting changes and opportunities these technologies bring. By utilising them to their best advantage we can enhance the delegate experience and simplify the execution of events. As audience reach increases through the digital sphere, we can also use these sophisticated platforms to provide value on a growing, international scale and ensure the future of the business events industry remains strong.
For more information about ICC Sydney, visit www.iccsydney.com and join the conversation via Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter.
Supported by the Union of International Associations (UIA), the International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) and the Interel Group, the global public affairs and association management consultancy, Headquarters Magazines serve the needs of international associations organising worldwide congresses.