We were excited to host a fantastic event in Dubai recently for one of our clients—an action packed 3-day conference, Sponsor Village and a stunning Gala Dinner at the Armani Pavilion (one of our new favorite venues!)
The guest speaker was David Rowan, Editor in Chief of Wired, columnist for GQ and The Times, Tech specialist and author of bestselling book “Non-Bullshit Innovation: 17 Proven Ways to Transform How You Work”-a quest for bold corporate innovation in the face of technology-led disruption.
His take on the future for AI in business gave us food for thought. AI is already seeping into the event industry. What are its capabilities, how will it work for events, and should event organizers be watching their backs? Here’s what we’ve found:
How can AI help on the ground?
- Super-Efficient Planning
AI technology can really streamline event planning processes. It can adjust event schedules by taking into account things like guest availability, venue capacity, and speaker preferences, making the whole process faster and weeding out any anomalies. Plus, tasks like sending out invites, managing registrations, and following up after the event can be automated, which saves a ton of time freeing up organizers to do the onsite do.
- Enhanced Attendee Experience
AI can analyze attendee information to offer truly customized event programmes, elevating the guest experience. AI-driven virtual assistants can answer attendee questions immediately, offering instant assistance. With this, you get the best of both worlds- the immediacy of a BOT response but with the support of trained and knowledgeable people providing backup and more detailed guest support services.
- Utilizing Data for Analysis and Insights
AI can look at past data to predict how many people are likely to show up, what they’ll be most interested in, how they like to engage with an event which is a huge help for organizers in planning better for the crowd size, building fantastic event content and making more accurate “best budget” predictions. It can also provide real-time insights into how engaged attendees are during the event through things like “rate your experience” screens. This lets organizers make quick changes on the spot to improve the guest experience.
- Improved Marketing Strategies
AI can be your secret weapon for finding the perfect audience through data analysis, making your marketing campaigns hit the mark. By identifying who’s watching what content and what they’re most interested in, AI tools can support the creation of marketing materials and social media content (such as blogs, posts, and any sort of promotional material), guaranteeing the content stays relevant and enticing for potential guests to max out your guest numbers.
- Maximizing Cost-Effectiveness
AI can optimize resource allocation, reducing waste and cutting down costs. This moves money to where it belongs: into areas of the event that need that extra pop! AI tools can also provide detailed financial analysis and predictions, assisting organizers in staying on budget while perfecting the overall experience.
- Virtual Event Enhancements
AI-powered tools such as polls and Q&A sessions can maintain engagement among people online through the use of tools like Instagram, personal websites, facebook -your event suddenly becomes more interactive, keeping audiences engaged and energy high.
- Ensuring Security and Compliance
AI can assess risk factors and offer insights to boost security at events-facial recognition, onsite data checks, analyzing onsite guest numbers to help with crowd control… the list is endless and gives organizers peace of mind so they can focus on the client and their guests.
Whilst AI can’t replace the years of experience and creativity an events agency can bring, nor the relationship management and on site front facing energy they generate, it can do the unseen, behind the scenes, backbreaking work that’s hard to do but so easy to get wrong, freeing up teams to focus on a fantastic guest and client experience. So, AI? Watch this space!