Open Forum

• Millennials are the decision-makers now: We're all aware of how tech-savvy and social media-savvy millennials have become a larger part of the target audience today. With a higher technological literacy, they value networking and experiences over material goods.

• Attendees demand a fluid meeting agenda: Gone are the days of static schedules and rather attendees prefer personalized sessions that appeal to different interests and preferences. When they can choose topics that excite them, there's more energy and increased engagement in the room. You can personalize the entire agenda - right from food, and breakout sessions, to activities!

• Event technology helps planners pull off more than ever before: The events industry and attendee behavior are both evolving at a fast pace. This is why planners are expected to design more complex and innovative experiences. Therefore, event technologies are getting higher adoption rates to help event teams market better, manage guests more efficiently, map out their events in detail, engage with the audience in real-time, track ROI, and more.

• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business?
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list?

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#ManagingVirtualEvents
#PromotingYourEvent

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Ridhima Krishan
Sr. Associate, Customer Marketing
Cvent
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I think the craziest one to think about is that Millennials are the decision-makers now. But I would say the one I look most forward to is Event technology helps planners pull off more than ever before. I can't say if it will make our jobs easier as I think it will just make expectations to impress and innovate each time higher.

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Katie Dreifus
Registration Manager
PwC Management Services LPUnited States
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business? Really looking forward to learning more about how event technology helps planners pull of more than ever before and how to not only make our events better but our lives simpler in the planning
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list? Love to see more on sustainability being here to stay for events. How to make events more sustainable, how to work with your hotels on sustainability (donating food, sourcing locally)

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Rachel
NJ
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-09-2022 12:19
From: Katie Dreifus
Subject: Meeting industry trends shaping the face of events!

I think the craziest one to think about is that Millennials are the decision-makers now. But I would say the one I look most forward to is Event technology helps planners pull off more than ever before. I can't say if it will make our jobs easier as I think it will just make expectations to impress and innovate each time higher.

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Katie Dreifus
Registration Manager
PwC Management Services LPUnited States
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We are always interested in advancements in event tech to make planners jobs easier and more impactful, but also keeping in mind cost considerations. While we want to provide great experiences for our attendees, we still have budgets to maintain. However, it is a huge plus when tech can make the planning part simpler and easier to execute, lots of cost savings and benefits realized.

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Bouran Qaddumi
Sr. Manager, Training
Church's Chicken
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business? I am interesting in any meeting planning technology that is completed via phone,  With Millennials being the decision makers I believe they like to work via phone.  
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list? Oculus type site inspections 

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Colleen Beck
Director of Sales & Marketing
The Westin Tampa Bay
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I'm looking forward to learning more about Instant Booking, and what kind of workload shift that might be for planners managing room blocks and transient travel.

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Hallie Loeb
Event Operations
CDWUnited States
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business? More clients using more apps, allowing guests to have the agenda and info in their pocket and allowing the client to notify attendees of last-minute changes or reminders.
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list? Food and Beverage - from creativity, variety, and meeting dietary needs - is a huge trend and will only become more important. Gone are the days of the same old boring chicken and veggies!

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Gina Allega, CMP
Senior Program Manager
BCD M&E
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These three trends are on point! A generation raised on technology looking for a more fluid, personalized, highly interactive experience that utilizes the best in the current tech universe... no pressure when planning an event ;)

I agree with another post that the three focus areas of sustainability would be great to see on this list: environmental, economic and social dimensions. There is so much opportunity for the event industry to have positive impacts in these areas.

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Jennifer Jones
Senior Event Specialist
Corning IncorporatedUnited States
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business? The use of mobile apps, beacons and technology that allows people to be autonomous throughout the event journey. While in person is making a comeback, it's efficient for people to be checked in as they walk through a door to a session, rather than wait to be scanned. It's not feasible in all scenarios, but when it could be used it's very beneficial.
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list? no

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Beth Vriesen
Events Registration Admin
Associated Bank Corporation
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business? I like the Cvent studio and looking forward to the next steps (hopefully Cvent integrating this into event management and creating their own webinar platform!) :)
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list? RFID tracking

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Rebecca Quinn
Corporate Events Manager
Transplace Texas, LPUnited States
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Hi Ridhima, 

I'm looking forward to seeing tech employed at all levels of the event process, but in a way that truly adds value rather than in a gimmicky way. 
I would love to see more concern for organizing environment-friendly events. We're still using so much one-use products, or even if we use "compostable" cutlery/plates there isn't always the correct garbage processing plan in place to ensure those items don't just go to landfill. 

Cheers, 

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Béline Falzon
Event Planner
Stanford UniversityUnited States
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business?
  • Increased ability to do work on a mobile device vs a laptop
  • Anything new that automates tasks or opens doors to new capabilities
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list?
  • Curious to see where costs/pricing goes with the crazy inflation we are experiencing

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Lori Wildman
Senior Marketing Manager
DuCharme, McMillen & Associates, Inc.United States
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business? I'm looking for better solutions when it comes to lead management at events and SF integration.
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list? Love the increased time for networking - this is a crucial component at events, especially in a post-pandemic world.

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Rebecca Quinn
Corporate Events Manager
Transplace Texas, LPUnited States
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business?
• I like that more people are comfortable registering online, using hotel room blocks and submitting meeting requests and survey preferences online. It really helps to streamline our event needs 
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list?
• more flexibility with travel. We are seeing higher flight prices as well as sold out room blocks since travel demand has exploded, but most contracts were booked years ago. 

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Justina Hulen
Events Director
RSLC
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business?
  • I'm looking forward to the world of hybrid events and the tech that goes along with that. 
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list?
  • I recently attended an in person conference and they had bracelets for us all with our own QR codes on them and other attendees could scan the QR code and instantly have our contact info!! No more business cards! 

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Teresa James
Director of Sales and Marketing
DoubleTree Gainesville
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I love the idea of QR Code Business cards! In this tech-savvy world this is great and environmentally friendly

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Morgan Corpus
Senior Sales Manager
The Stephen F Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel, ATX United States
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-20-2022 12:28
From: Teresa James
Subject: Meeting industry trends shaping the face of events!

• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business?
  • I'm looking forward to the world of hybrid events and the tech that goes along with that. 
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list?
  • I recently attended an in person conference and they had bracelets for us all with our own QR codes on them and other attendees could scan the QR code and instantly have our contact info!! No more business cards! 

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Teresa James
Director of Sales and Marketing
DoubleTree Gainesville
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• Which event technology development are you looking forward to and how do you think it'll make a difference to your business?
• Is there any meeting industry trend that you'd like to add to the above list?

Anything supported through new technology and realistically working through mobile devices.  The more this can be supported the more successful a business can be.

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Amy Lum
Senior Systems and Tools Specialist
Boston Scientific CorporationUnited States
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