I know,
corny title. But I’m a bit rusty, long time since I added a post.
As we are
looking back at the past half year and getting ready for exciting things this fall and winter, my
usual summer job is preparing the annual trend view for my company.
What are
the big trends and developments in meetings and events? Where will we stand in,
say, 2017? And, more importantly, how
can we act upon the big changes?
What do we need to do to ensure that all
visitors, exhibitors and organizers will experience their best event ever in
the years to come?
Needless to
say, event technology plays a big role in the trends. Whether it’s about ROI,
big data, wearables, beacons, apps or social media: we all seem to agree that
meetings will be affected by technology more than ever before. On every level. Or
do we?
This week I
read two news items that seem to tell two different stories.
In Cupertino,
CA , the Aloft hotel started experimenting with robot service. An experiment in which a robot is used to
deliver “razors, toothbrushes, smartphone chargers, snacks and even the morning
paper” to any of the rooms in a matter of minutes. It uses wireless to operate
the elevator, and can sense it when the hotel room door opens. It does not ask
for tips, but for a review on social media, and apparently does a dance when it
receives a mention…Wow. Any ideas for
the event industry? I could think of a few…
On the
other side of the world, in Amsterdam, the Stedelijk Museum (contemporary art
museum) decided to get rid of the electronic turnstiles in the main entrance and instead
have museum staff welcome visitors, check their tickets and give a personal,
human welcome to the collection. This is
in line with the museum director’s vision of an open and inviting environment. Any ideas for the event industry?
I could think of a few…again.
So which would you prefer? Robot service or a personal touch?
In my opinion?
I want best of both worlds. When I go to an event, I want both the personal touch
AND the amazing technology. Wow me, inspire me and make me feel at home. And I
think I am not alone here J. So my trend view will feature both tech and
no-tech developments: it all comes down to a memorable and meaningful event-experience.
Note to
tech: IF we get robots, can they be retro? Almost human :-)
See http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/technology/hotel-to-begin-testing-botlr-a-robotic-bellhop.html?_r=0 for more details on the Aloft robot.
