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

Simon on: ITCM - Real-time voice translations make progress

Science fiction is once again influencing reality as Microsoft takes inspiration from Star Trek's Universal Translator.

The preview programme for Skype Translator allows English and Spansih speakers to have a conversation in real-time, in both audio and text.

Although context may prove to be problematic, the Skype Translator is a wonderful use of technology. There'll be obstacles, but even Star Trek didn't have it all figured out.

Read the whole article, featured on ITCM, by clicking here.

Simon on: App overload

App overload is now common because so many aren’t good enough so don’t get used or need updating so often we ditch them. Yet they’re still being hyped.

A recent example was a promotional video for an American convention centre: it was full of hype yet utterly pointless.

The app in question was just for the convention centre, so an attendee has to install that app AND the event app - a great route to failure.

Worse still, the app didn’t offer any real benefits. Sure, you can see a message pointing to a Starbucks a few metres away or watch augmented reality videos if you stop at a sign. The only useful feature was a local transport map which you could probably download easily from a website.

Technology should streamline everyday tasks, enhance activities or make something that was difficult, easy. It shouldn’t try to replace sensory functions like vision.

When it comes to conferences, forget the gimmicks. If you absolutely have to have an app, make sure it provides material that adds to the conference.

Originally published in Conference News 

Simon on: ITCM - Conference content & curation

Conference organisers are missing a trick - when it comes to content, the curating of digital assets post-presentation offers a multitude of benefits.

If compelling content has been delivered, it's only common sense to utilise it (as we all know content of such a high calibre can be quite the rarity).

Don't let the age-old fear of giving everything away for nothing get in the way - Monty Python sure didn't.

Find out just what Monty Python did by reading the whole article featured on ITCM, by clicking here.

Simon on: M&IT - Big data, again

The predictions are in - 'big data is the one to watch in the meetings industry in 2015.'

*Sigh*

The term 'big data' is one that continues to wind me up as it is brandished by those who either don't understand it or choose to deliberately misuse it.

So what's the real definition?

Big data is an all-encompassing term for sets of data which are so large and complex that traditional processing methods are rendered inadequate.

To see big data put into perspective when it comes to meetings, read the whole article featured on M&IT, by clicking here.

Simon on: Distractions vs. Content

In our lives today we are constantly surrounded by distractions with the majority of them being digital. It’s begun to impact on everything else we do and, quite frankly, we need to learn how to disconnect.

At a conference, phones pinging or even just being available to Google something can easily claim our attention. We should really be focusing on what’s being said, but having our phones, tablets or laptops out can make it difficult.

Whether it’s instant messaging and email, or silly games and web pages, our digital devices have numerous ways to distract us with new methods coming at us all the time - but it’s not all our fault though.

Conference content needs to be gripping – probably more so than ever before – and that would make it easier to stay engaged. If someone gets bored by the session that they’re in then distractions will rule.

Delivering content that people can get excited about should enable organisers to have disconnected attendees. Yet it’s also important to help your attendees choose the right sessions so they don’t sit there wishing they’d gone to a different one and start looking for tweets from attendees of that session!

Originally published in Conference News

Simon on: Apps vs. Web

New research suggests that a third of young professionals dislike event apps. Given the way apps have been promoted to organisers, this may come as a surprise.

But should it? In most cases it’s quicker to use a mobile device to go to the event website and find information than to download and install an app. And if users don’t get round to removing apps for past events, their devices are going to get cluttered up with apps they no longer need.

It’s also clear that the design of some apps works against them because they’re so muddled it’s difficult to find relevant information.

All of this means that organisers must not neglect their websites in favour of their apps.

They need to take a close look at their websites and ask whether they provide the information users want and whether it’s easy to find. For example, are the dates, location and opening times shown at the top of the home page? How many clicks does it take to find the seminar programme? These days it's very easy to deliver different content to mobile devices and desktop browsers.

Get all of this right and it might even be possible to save money on app development.

Originally published in Conference News