Tuesday 24 February 2015

Simon on: The Internet of Things

According to one industry expert, the Internet of Things (IoT) is going to have a massive impact on the events industry as we know it.

So is this network of things embedded with electronics, sensors and connectivity exchanging data and interoperating within the Internet infrastructure really going to impact events anytime soon?

It’s very unlikely.

Currently the IoT is domestic as opposed to business. There are smart homes but when it comes to the office, there’s realistically not that much available.

It’s also of little interest to the events industry other than perhaps iBeacons, yet they are not online, so don’t really count as the IoT. Even then, organisers have to rely on an accompanying app which according to one study - only 8% to 12% of attendees typically download.

So without a huge percentage take up on apps, iBeacons not really being part of the IoT (even if they could be useful in the right environment), is the IoT really going to have a major impact on the events industry?


Right now I can’t see anything that offers real benefits to attendees. Don’t get carried away by commentators who don’t really know what they are on about.

Originally published in Conference News

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