Tech Trends in Event Planning

Many of the events listed on GovEvents.com have to do with technology and how to apply it to meet government challenges. It makes sense then to apply the technology that is being discussed to the event itself. Here are a few major tech innovations and trends that can have a huge impact on the government and event market alike. [Tweet "Tech innovations and trends for the government and event market #GovEventsBlog"]

• RFID - Radio Frequency Identification is the wireless use of electromagnetic fields to transfer data, for the purposes of automatically identifying and tracking tags attached to objects. Government and industry use this technology for tracking contents of containers on ships, military equipment, critical infrastructure and more. For events, RFID tags can easily be embedded in wristbands, badges or plastic credit cards. This can help speed up the registration process, collect qualitative and quantitative data, and engage attendees through social platforms and email by serving them information targeted to where they are and what they have been doing at the event.[Tweet "RFID tags can speed up registration and collect data on attendees during events #GovEventsBlog"]

• Access Management - A key issue in government is securing networks from both internal and external threats by ensuring the person logging in with credentials is in fact the owner of those credentials. At events, tagging badges, bracelets, or smartphones allows event managers to easily assign and manage different access for attendees. This can include voting/access rights for attendees; giving access to personalized event information such as schedules, table plans and event logistics; tracking attendance patterns at workshops and seminars; and confirming bids during fundraising events.

• Mobility - As this article points out, people no longer ask, "Is there an app for that," they expect it. It is critical to mobile-enable event websites and serve agendas, schedules, etc... to attendees in a mobile friendly manner. No one wants to walk around with a stack of papers. They rely on their phone to be their one stop for all information. If you are running an event that is talking about the impact of mobile on government operations, it only makes sense to highlight the power and ease of mobile technology at your event. Perhaps it's even a chance to get sponsors to donate the use of their technology to illustrate its benefits in real time to attendees.

• Big Data - Government technology and business professionals are looking for ways to better use the vast amounts of data they have to make more effective decisions and create a more personal experience for citizens interacting with government. Event planners should be asking the same questions. How can you mine your data on attendees to provide a more personal experience at your event? How are you analyzing the data you have to improve attendee experience as well as ROI?

What technology trends are you seeing make their way into the events you attend? Which technologies do you think should stay as discussion items rather than be put into practice at events? Let us know in the comments.