The corporate event landscape continues to grow and evolve with each passing year.
iBeacon
If this is your first time hearing about iBeacon, let me give you a brief explanation on its function and how it’s used in corporate events. Developed by Apple, iBeacon is a revolutionary new wireless technology that uses Bluetooth low-energy (BLE) to provide location-based information.
Technical jargon aside, iBeacon allows vendors and organizers to send relevant information to event attendees via a smartphone app. For instance, event organizers could provide attendees with floormaps, messages related to keynote speakers, time schedules and more. The range of standard near-field communication (NFL) is just 20 cm, but iBeacon has a range of 50 meters. iBeacon is still relatively new, however, so its function is somewhat limited at this time.
Fun Venues
Long gone are the days of hosting corporate events in hotel conference rooms. Now, more and more companies are opting to host their events in fun and unique venues. Doing so promotes a more positive experience for attendees, as it’s a step away from the traditional style of events. Fun venues may consist of barns, lake-side parks, sports/concert venues, or event activity-based venues like murder mystery dinners.
Sponsorships
Sponsored corporate events are new by any means, but they’ve become increasingly popular over the past few years. As companies struggle to tighten their budgets, they often look for ways to recoup the costs of hosting a major event. One possible solution is to sell a sponsorship to a non-competing company, allowing the sponsor to display its name, logo and other branded material throughout the event. This is a quick and easy way for companies to offset the costs of hosting an event.
Attendee Engagement
Another corporate event trend that we’ll likely see more of in 2015 is higher attendee engagement. In other words, organizers are placing an emphasis on making attendees a part of the event. Rather than sitting for hours on end while listing to various keynote speakers, attendees can participate and pitch in.
High-Tech Events
It should come as no surprise to most seasoned corporate event attendees that more organizers are implementing technology in their events. Aside from the traditional WiFi, events may use advanced lighting setups, lasers, slideshow presentations. As previously stated, mobile technology like iBeacon is a hot new trend in corporate events as well.
