Over the last couple of years, events have changed dramatically. Social issues have a significant impact on current event trends, from the pandemic’s lingering effects on businesses to a major shift in societal attitudes about employment.

In 2022, hybrid and in-person events will make a triumphant return, aided by cutting-edge event technologies and tools. Although in-person gatherings and events are rising again, the most forward-thinking venues and event planners recognize that things will never be the same again. 

While this may appear to be bad news, these event planners recognize that this is an excellent opportunity to usher in a new era of events with improved technology that makes things easier for organizers and provides a more seamless experience for attendees and exhibitors. The good news is that technology is rapidly evolving, so rather than lamenting the loss of what we had, we can look forward to a brighter, safer future.

Following the digital transformation of the previous two years, event attendees will expect higher levels of event production and more engaging technology to make these events feel worth their hard-earned money and limited time. It means investing in the right event technologies for conference and event planners.

Here are a few emerging trends we’re seeing that will help us achieve a safer, more connected future in 2022 and beyond:

Instant Contactless Check-in 

Even though events are rapidly returning to in-person and hybrid in 2022, it will take some time for some in the event industry to feel comfortable meeting in large groups again. After the ups and downs we’ve all experienced, it’s understandable. Contactless check-in software is one solution, and it’s a lot easier to set up than you might think.

The following is how it works: The event technology vendor provides the check-in kiosks, and attendees simply need to scan a QR code with their phone when they arrive. The software sends the badge to a nearby printer so that it can be picked up quickly. 

Contactless check-in improves safety and health measures, but it’s also much easier and faster than traditional check-in procedures. That means long lines and bottlenecks will be a thing of the past.

 Holograms

Online meetings have the disadvantage of being two-dimensional and unappealing. Cameras are at the heart of this technology. Let’s say a speaker or guest is scheduled to give a presentation from afar. 

The speaker will be captured from various angles by the camera, resulting in a 3D image of the speaker in the event space. This gives the impression that the speaker is in the same room as the audience. In addition, charts, graphs, and almost anything else can be recreated in 3D, bringing the presentation to life.

 Augmented Reality (AR) & Virtual Reality (VR)

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are all the rage. The event technology trend adds a dash of cool to your gatherings and elevates engagement to new heights by bringing the in-person and remote experiences together like never before.

Virtual reality headsets can be used on-site to transport attendees beyond the screen and into presentations with 360-degree video and interactive data visualizations, while digital attendees can join the live experience simultaneously, giving the impression that everyone is in the same room.

Vendors and exhibitors increasingly use VR to differentiate themselves from the competition by providing highly immersive booth experiences.

 AI Assistants 

Virtual and AI-powered chatbots and assistants are already appearing at events and other hospitality venues, eclipsing their status as science fiction. Attendees can use these bots to find specific locations, event details, meal times, and more. These services also integrate with mobile apps, allowing users to receive push notifications when their meetings, appointments, or tables are ready.

To take it a step further, robots are now delivering meals to hotel guests, implying that these smart and helpful little bots will soon aid in the reduction of personnel requirements for events.

 Live Streaming & Simulive 

Nowadays, we’re all familiar with live streaming. Event technology companies have made incredible strides in their streaming capabilities to accommodate virtual events.

It means that your attendees, especially those tuning in remotely, will now expect the highest-quality streams. Consider a comprehensive solution that allows you to seamlessly switch between virtual and hybrid events, sync multiple locations with your live audience, mix live and pre-recorded video, and integrate your preferred streaming service.

Simulive also has a streaming option that is ideal for hybrid events. It allows you to pre-record your event content and schedule when it will go live. Simulive significantly reduces the risk of syncing multiple videos in real-time during a live event, which we all know can be extremely nerve-wracking.

 Social Photobooths 

Taking photographs during an event is an excellent way to capture and preserve memorable moments. On the other hand, event planners can use such tools to spread the word about their events through social media. Sharing event photos can also be a great way to build communities.

Event attendees can use digital photo booths to take pictures with custom event frames. 

To summarize, they can be put to good use for:

Sponsors and exhibitors can also increase their visibility by creating custom frames that feature their brand name, logo, taglines, hashtags, etc. Brands benefit from digital photo booths because they generate shareable content.

 QR Codes 

QR codes are used by event organizers for various purposes, including marketing and more. These codes are also helpful for digitally engaging attendees. When a QR code is scanned with a smartphone, the event attendees are directed to a mobile-optimized landing page with all of the event information. 

Live presentations, documents, and other event-related downloadable collaterals can all be included in these details. Attendees can use this reference material if they miss something or want to review everything covered in a particular session.

Conclusion

Event technology includes everything from check-in and registration to diagramming, social media tools, and more. Adopting the above-mentioned tech trends for your next virtual or hybrid event can be a game-changer! Facial Recognition, Radio-Frequency Identification (also known as RFID), and Projection Mapping are some other popular tech trends in the event industry that you can look into.