Informa, the international B2B events, B2B digital services and academic markets group (which owns Exhibit News Now), issued an update on trading, key appointments and progress on its TechTarget combination. When the world’s largest trade show organizer makes a move, market analysts and industry leaders take note. 

Here are three takeaways that impact the events sector.

1. Expecting to reach 2024 financial forecast: ”All Informa’s businesses are performing ahead or in line with 2024 targets, delivering growth and momentum which sees us delivering at the upper end of guidance range,” said Stephen A. Carter, Informa group chief executive. The current 2024 guidance range is between £3,450m-£3,500m ($4,335-4,398m*) with high single-digit growth predicted for group underlying revenue. For comparison, Informa reported 2023 revenues of £3,189.6m ($4,007.9m*), an increase of 30.4% in group underlying revenue growth.

2. Investing in marketing. Jill Dougan joined the Informa leadership team in the newly created role of group chief marketing officer to create further value from Informa’s brand portfolio, intellectual property and growing first-party data. She brings more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, customer insights, data insights and brand, both in B2B and B2C companies. Most recently, Dougan worked at British Gas. 

“I am excited to be joining such a fast-paced, international business as Informa,” Dougan said. “The Group has a unique set of specialist brands and first party data, and significant embedded value across its portfolio of intellectual property, creating numerous growth opportunities in today’s increasingly data-driven, digitally enabled world.”

3. Combo with TechTarget on track. The proposed creation of the NASDAQ-listed new TechTarget is on track for Q4 2024. Informa continues on its proposed combination of Informa Tech’s Digital Businesses (Industry Dive, Omdia, Canalys, NetLine and the Digital Media Brands) with U.S.-listed TechTarget. Headquartered and listed in the U.S., the new TechTarget will accelerate Informa’s ambition in B2B digital services, with a clear goal to become a leading B2B growth accelerator for Technology companies. Informa expects completion in the second half of the year, with New TechTarget launching from Q4 2024.

Read the full release here, which was issued on May 8.

* Exchange rate on May 13: 1 GBP = 1.25655 USD

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released its 2024 CEIR Index Report, which analyzes the U.S. B2B exhibition industry’s performance in 2023 and provides an economic and exhibition industry forecast through 2026. The resilient trade show industry is on track to make a full post-pandemic recovery in two years, according to the report that was released on April 24.

Why it matters: “Despite the expectation of moderating economic growth, the exhibition industry is poised to gain from the intrinsic business value of face-to-face participation,” said Adam Sacks, president of Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company, which produced the report in partnership with CEIR. “The Index showed renewed momentum in exhibition activity at the end of 2023, and our models indicate continued growth through the forecast horizon with full recovery in 2026.”

Big picture: CEIR reported on the industry’s impact on the U.S. economy in 2023, contributing:

• $90 billion to US GDP, compared to $78 billion in 2022
• $161 billion in business sales, supporting 2.5 million jobs in 2023 (full- and part-time jobs plus self-employed persons). This is an improvement from 2022, when the industry contributed $138 billion in business sales and supported 2.2 million jobs.

Deeper dive: Compared to 2019, the B2B exhibition industry grew from a value of 74.4 to 89.0 from 2022 to 2023, recording a 19.6% year-over-year gain. Despite the increase, the 2023 index still trailed 2019 by 11.0%.

How it works: As an objective measure of the annual performance of the exhibition industry, the CEIR Index measures year-over-year changes in four key metrics to determine overall performance: net square feet (NSF) of exhibit space sold, professional attendance, number of exhibiting companies and gross revenue, and provides data across 14 key sectors, including:

• Business Services
• Consumer Goods and Services
• Discretionary Consumer Goods and Services
• Education
• Food 
• Financial, Legal and Real Estate 
• Government 
• Building, Construction, Home and Repair 
• Industrial/Heavy Machinery and Finished Business Inputs 
• Communications and Information Technology 
• Medical and Health Care 
• Raw Materials and Science 
• Sporting Goods, Travel and Entertainment 
• Transportation

What they’re saying: “The Index is grounded in consistency with government-reported data based on a variety of data sources,” added CEIR CEO Cathy Breden. “Tourism Economics has augmented the analysis with the incorporation of additional data sources that more fully capture the visitor economy serviced by our industry, and you will see that the report is communicated in an easily digestible and visually appealing format.”

The details: To purchase the complete 2024 CEIR Index Report or individual sector reports, go here. For more insights into the report, read CEIR Vice President of Research Nancy Drapeau’s blog post here.

Modular trade show exhibit systems manufacturer Aluvision opened its third specialty showroom and first-ever parts depot in Las Vegas.

Why it matters: Stocked with Aluvision components like connectors, frames, full-length corner profiles and puck lights, the fully operational depot, which is located 20 minutes north of The Strip, provides emergency support or last-minute parts and accessories for exhibitors working Vegas-based trade shows, while the showroom houses an extensive array of Aluvision’s sustainable, modular systems and event design solutions. 

What to see: Beyond samples of Aluvision’s vast range of profiles, corner accessories and various powder-coated color options, guests can see and even step into some of Aluvision’s immersive LED innovations at the showroom, which will be regularly updated with the company’s latest advancements and new products.

Who will be there: The Vegas showroom is open to anyone interested in learning more about Aluvision’s products and processes, and event designers and sales executives are welcome to bring their clients to the new location, according to Aluvision officials.

What they’re saying: “Our aim is to demonstrate the limitless combinations and elegant design that Aluvision systems offer,” said Dirk Deleu, co-founder of Aluvision alongside Ann Vancoillie. “As we continue to innovate and engineer new solutions, we will update this showroom along with our others so that customers can physically experience the Aluvision difference.”

Following the success of its inaugural edition in The Netherlands last June, Women in Exhibitions (WIE) announced its second Women in Exhibitions World Summit, taking place Nov. 18-19 at I Chiostri di San Barnaba in Milan, Italy.

Big picture: Dedicated to empowering and advancing women professionals in the global exhibitions and events industry, the summit will build upon the previous edition’s success by further elevating conversations surrounding gender equality and leadership in the exhibitions industry, according to WIE officials.

Why it matters: With the theme of “Building bridges, breaking ceilings,” the event will include keynote presentations, panel discussions and interactive workshops. Participants will have the opportunity to gain insights, share experiences and network with fellow professionals committed to driving positive, sustainable change, according to WIE officials.

What they're saying: “We are thrilled to announce the upcoming second edition of the Women in Exhibitions World Summit,” said Oana Cipca, senior business development manager international exhibitions, MECC Maastricht, who is WIE founder. “Following the overwhelming success of our inaugural event, we remain committed to empowering women professionals and championing diversity within our industry. We look forward to welcoming participants from across the globe as we continue our collective journey towards a more inclusive and equitable future.”

What's next: Fondazione Fiera Milano and Fiera Milano are providing support for this summit, which will mark the creation of the Italian Chapter of Women in Exhibitions.

Backstory: Launched in 2018 to support the continued professional development of women working in exhibitions and provide opportunities for them to meet and network, Women in Exhibitions currently has six international chapters operating and new chapters are being launched progressively. Informa Connect’s VP of Group Content for Meetings, Sports and Travel Danica Tormohlen serves on the executive committee of the North American Chapter of WIE.

Looking ahead: The two-day program will offer a variety of sessions, ranging from Build your own brand: How to become a good network to Stronger Together: How Women & Men Move Mountains Together. Speakers include Informa Markets, Creative Content Copywriter Pharma Joseph Kearney and Informa Global Brand & Event Specialist and Leader Silvia Forroova. Further speakers and sessions will be announced soon. View the agenda and register for the event here.

Main image: Milan at night
 

U.S. B2B trade show and conference producer Emerald posted a 9.1% increase in revenues in the first quarter (Q1) 2024, compared with the same period last year, according to its 2024 Q1 financial results released on May 7.

Emerald generated Q1 revenues of $133.4 million, an increase of $11.1 million compared with Q1 2023 revenues of $122.3 million. Company officials attributed the growth to increased exhibitor and attendee metrics for events in its strongest categories, such as The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show KBIS, Prosper and the International Pizza Expo, as well as the acquisition of Hotel Interactive.

By the numbers: Organic revenues, a non-GAAP measure that takes into account the impact of acquisitions, scheduling adjustments and discontinued events, were $128.6 million for Q1, an increase of $13.5 million, or 11.7%, from $115.1 million for Q1 2023, primarily due to higher volume of exhibitors and improved pricing. Net income amounted to $11.0 million for Q1, compared to net income of $7.1 million for Q1 2023.

What they are saying: “2024 is off to a strong start, driven by our unwavering commitment to customer centricity and year-round engagement,” said Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky. “This focus has not only fueled early re-bookings into 2025 but has also provided us with excellent forward visibility into our revenue trajectory.”

Why it matters to exhibitors: “For many businesses, trade shows are the No. 1 selling or marketing event of the year, and a big part of our on-going efforts has been to highlight this value proposition and make ROI more transparent by developing value-added tools and metrics that we believe will deliver an even better trade show experience,” said Sedky in the recorded Q1 earning call.

Q1 trade show highlight: KBIS 2024 posted record attendance of 41,500 registered visitors and attracted more than 670 exhibitors, a 30% increase from 2023, according to a press release. Held Feb. 27-29 in Las Vegas, the 60-year-old show, which is produced by Emerald and owned by the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA), was part of Design & Construction Week (DCW), the co-location of KBIS and The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)’s International Builders’ Show (IBS). 

Operational highlights: Emerald reported its core trade show business is strong with year-over-year growth in revenue driven by increases in exhibitors, attendees and pricing. In January, Emerald acquired Hotel Interactive, a producer of hosted buyer events serving the hospitality, senior living and casino industries via the BITAC series of events.

Deeper dive: According to Emerald CFO David Doft,  the company’s successive quarter of solid organic revenue growth was supported by strong exhibitor counts and pricing trends. “Our customers rely on Emerald’s events to generate new leads and transact in high volumes, leading them to view our shows as an investment rather than an expense,” Doft explained. “As we grow our revenues, we expect to better leverage our operating cost base to drive even greater profitability and free cash flow generation.”

RELATED: Earnings: Emerald Reports Double-Digit Growth in Year-Over-Year Revenue for 2023

Looking ahead: “After completion of the first quarter and with the visibility we have into the remainder of the year, we believe the company is on track to deliver on our growth and profitability targets for the year of between $415 million and $425 million of revenue and between $110 million and $115 million of adjusted EBITDA,” Sedky said.  

Stock conversion: “Last week marked a significant milestone for us as we completed the conversion of our outstanding convertible preferred stock into common stock,” Doft said. “This milestone not only simplifies our capital structure but also positions Emerald as an even more attractive investment opportunity as all shareholders can now share equally in the free cash generation of the business.”

Nationwide general service contractor and event production company HERITAGE opened its latest full-service production facility in Chula Vista, Calif., which is located minutes from San Diego area meeting and convention venues like the San Diego Convention Center, Gaylord Pacific, Hilton San Diego Bayfront, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina, Manchester Grand Hyatt, Hotel del Coronado, Town and Country San Diego, Sheraton San Diego Hotel and more.

Offering a comprehensive range of exposition services, including event design, print production, carpet, furnishings, logistics and technology solutions, the new facility will enhance HERITAGE’s capability to offer premium trade show and conference event experiences, streamlining its operations in the region while enhancing its ability to deliver industry-leading customer service and products, according to HERITAGE officials. 

“Our San Diego facility brings our unique brand of creativity, efficiency and quality to a proven and fast-growing market,” said John Bettag, HERITAGE senior vice president - business development. “It’s a testament to our dedication to growing alongside our client partners while continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in event production, enabling amplified support of our client partners throughout the greater Southern California market, including Long Beach, Los Angeles and Anaheim.”

The expansion is the culmination of a long-planned strategic move that will enable HERITAGE to support its existing national client base while bringing a locally based event solutions partner to meet the growing demands of the San Diego and Greater Southern California events industry, added HERITAGE President Ryan Yemm. 

“The opening of our San Diego facility marks a significant investment in the region and an important milestone in our continued growth strategy complementing our existing network across the nation,” Yemm said.

What’s the state of the exhibition industry in the Middle East and Africa (MEA)? In an exclusive interview, we caught up with Naji El Haddad, regional director of MEA for UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, to get the scoop on the annual in-person Regional Conference, held April 15-17 at the Kigali Convention Centre in Rwanda.

Serving in his role for more than five years, El Haddad shared his insider’s view on what’s trending in the region for exhibitions. 

Here are excerpts from our conversation. Watch or listen to the full interview here.

1. Key markets for exhibitions in the region: In terms of the biggest markets, the Gulf is doing well. Notably, the UAE is the largest single market. Saudi Arabia is gearing up for a big growth. Qatar as well. They hosted the world cup among other large-scale events, including the Web Summit, the Geneva Motor Show, for example. When it comes to Africa, South Africa is the biggest single market. Egypt is still a big market with 120 million people, and Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia also have big market sizable venues and a good number of events.

2. Regional outlook: Saudi Arabia represents today the highest growth in terms of new business opportunities. UAE continues to be the leader in terms of number of exhibitions and sizes of exhibitions. One of the challenges in the region, besides the unrest, is the talent. We need to upscale our talent. 

3. MEA UFI Chapter: We count 66 members, who represent around like 7% or 8% out of the total of UFI membership that has grown to 860 members from 80-plus countries. The majority of our members are organizers, venues and convention bureaus and tourism boards.

4. Why Kigali: The way we select the destinations for our regional conferences is they submit a bid to host. There are a set of requirements they need to fulfill. The Rwanda Convention Bureau, our host, offered everything that a conference would be looking for. At UFI, our mandate is to support the rising economies and destinations. Rwanda is one of those exciting destinations in our region, and we hosted the MEA regional conference in Africa.

5. The venue: It was a very nice and very convenient venue because it was like a compound at the Kigali Convention Center and the hotel, which is Radisson Blu. They are under the same management, and it's a gated area so you feel safe. It's super green and super clean. Our delegates enjoyed it so much because there was so much daylight and so much greenery. Many of the delegates went in the morning or the evening for a run or walk within the compound. It is close to the Kigali airport, less than 20 minutes.

6. Challenges for exhibitions in Africa: Africa is a very big continent and divided into at least three or four regions. One of the major challenges in Africa was venues. The lack of big venues restricts the possible accommodation of large events. For example, dmg CEO Geoff Dickenson said that for one show in Africa they had to build multiple tents that are four times the size of the original venue. There is a need for new venues and with this comes investment opportunities.There is a potential for big shows to thrive in Africa. 

7. Talent development in Africa: The second challenge that was highlighted is international experience. There is no issue, of course, with finding talent in Africa. Over 50 percent of Africa's population is within the youth age bracket, but international experience may be needed. This is where education programs, such as Certified Professional or Exhibition Management School or other association programs are needed in the country. 

8. Changing dynamics: We spoke about leaders of the future and how women can apply for jobs in leadership. Obviously, there are challenges, but the key takeaway is that professionals should stand up and should apply for these jobs without having the pre-thought that “I will not be accepted because this role might go to man.” The dynamics are changing. The landscape is changing, but it will take some time, as the experts agreed. One interesting fact about the UFI program is 45% of our speakers were females. 

Viad Corp., a global provider of exhibition management and experiential marketing services, reported first quarter (Q1) 2024 revenues of $273.5 million, an increase of $12.7 million or 4.9% from Q1 2023.

For Q1, GES, which includes Spiro, reported revenues of $236.3 million, compared with $228.1 million in the same period last year. GES reported an increase of $8.1 million or 3.6% year-over-year, which the company attributed to continued underlying growth that more than offset a $4 million decline due to the timing of major non-annual shows.

Context: GES is a global exhibition management and experiential marketing company offering a range of services to event organizers and brands through GES Exhibitions and Spiro. GES Exhibitions is a global exhibition and trade show management business that partners with exhibition and conference organizers as a full-service provider of strategic and logistics solutions throughout North America, Europe and the Middle East. Spiro is a global experiential marketing agency that partners with brands around the world to manage and elevate their experiential marketing activities.

Q1 trade shows: From January to March, GES produced a number of major U.S. trade shows, including: 

• GES and onPeak supported the HAI HELI-EXPO 2024, held Feb. 27-29 at the Anaheim Convention Center. The association trade show drew 15,000 industry professionals and more than 600 exhibiting companies. HAI announced a new association name, Vertical Aviation International (VAI) and a rebranding of HELI-EXPO as VERTICON. View a video here.
• GES supported the World of Asphalt and AGG1 Aggregates Academy & Expo, held March 25–27 at the Nashville Music City Center. The event drew 400 equipment manufacturers, and the exhibit floor encompassed more than 207,000 square feet, a 14,000 square-foot increase compared to 2022’s event. Read the post-show release here.
• GES executed Questex’s International Beauty Show (IBS New York) and the International Esthetics, Cosmetics, & Spa Conference (IECSC New York), held March 3-5 at the Javits Convention Center. The co-located shows featured more than 500 brands, showcasing their newest products and innovations in the nearly 100,000 square feet of exhibit space. Read the post-show release here.

Recent activations: In recent months, Spiro worked with a number of global brands to produce events and activations, including:

• Metamates event for 6,000 Meta employees in London. Read more about the program here.
• Partnering with SAUDI AIRLINES & CSM Sport & Entertainment, Spiro delivered an exhilarating fan experience and brought bespoke content to life for 25,000 excited race fans at Formula E’s Diriyah E-Prix.
• Last fall, GES produced Future Proof: The World’s First Wealth Management Festival, held Sept. 10-13, 2023, in Huntington Beach, Calif. Read more about the event here.

Deeper dive: GES adjusted EBITDA of $18.9 million increased $2.2 million year-over-year, which company officials said was primarily due to higher revenue and improved margin. Viad invested $20.7 million in capital expenditures for Q1, including $4.3 million for GES.

What they are saying: Steve Moster, Viad’s president and CEO, commented, “We delivered solid first quarter results that were in line with our expectations. GES continues to deliver strong profitable growth, with a 70 basis point year-over-year improvement in its Adjusted EBITDA margin.”

ENN Related: EARNINGS: GES AND SPIRO PARENT COMPANY VIAD POSITIVE ON 2024 AFTER DOUBLE-DIGIT REVENUE GROWTH IN Q4 2023 

2024 Outlook: GES expects revenues of $260-$280 million, with EBITDA of $34.5 to $38.5 million for Q2 and revenues up in the low double-digits for the full year with EBITDA of $80 to $90 million.

Looking ahead: "With accelerating business activity ahead and signs of robust demand for our extraordinary experiences at both Pursuit and GES, our favorable full year outlook remains unchanged,” Moster said. “We continue to expect year-over-year consolidated adjusted EBITDA growth of approximately 16% to 30% in 2024 with strong free cash flow.”

Main image: World of Asphalt 2024

After 20 years in business producing trade show booths, corporate events, retail interiors, pop-up activations and road shows with clients ranging from aspiring startups to Fortune 500 companies, Maple Grove, Minn.-based Exhibit Partners LLC rebranded as Storylink Creative, effective May 1. 

Driven by business growth and expanded offerings, the evolution marks a milestone in the company’s repositioning as a full-service creative agency, according to Founder and CEO Matt Williams.

“When I launched Exhibit Partners in 2004, it was an exhibit house with a mission of changing the way business was being done,” Williams said. “Our focus on long-term relationships built on trust and core values — as well as our willingness to grow and adapt alongside our clients and the face-to-face marketing industry at large — has led to incredible organic growth.”

He added, “Now it’s time to tell the world how we’ve evolved into a creative storytelling agency that goes beyond brand narratives.”

In addition to exhibits and events, Storylink Creative now boasts services ranging from brand development and competitive analysis to full video and digital asset production services, as well as strategic data analysis. The agency’s comprehensive list of capabilities also includes asset management, permanent installations (including the design and fabrication of corporate and retail interiors), website development, the creation of integrated digital sales tools and much more.

“This is our way of drawing a line in the sand and saying, ‘We are no longer just an exhibit house,’” said Storylink Creative Director of Strategy Travis Stanton, who joined the company last September after a 17-year career at EXHIBITOR Magazine. “We have invested the resources and energy in acquiring a diverse team with extraordinary expertise in trade shows, of course, but also retail, technology, digital, storytelling and the list goes on and on.” 

He continued, “We are poised to accommodate our clients’ needs no matter what medium their projects take. Our sweet spot is connecting brands with their target audiences, crafting memorable moments that live on and building trustworthy, transparent, long-term relationships that place principles, our people and our partners over short-term profits.”

We caught up with Williams to find out more about the company and what the name change means for exhibitor clients and prospects. Here’s what we learned.

Who are your top clients?

Red Bull, Hyatt, Ecolab, Land O’ Lakes, Topgolf

What are the top shows that your top clients exhibit in? 

National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), IMEX, Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), Natural Products Expo West, National Restaurant Show

How many employees do you currently have? 

45

What will the name change mean for exhibit managers?

The intention is to bring radiance and a narrative that connects with all audiences authentically, regardless of where or how those engagements occur. Our partners already knew our services extended beyond the exhibit hall, but this brand evolution is our way of conveying that to the world. We can accommodate their needs regardless of the medium. 

Additionally, we’re bringing a higher level of storytelling into the mix because we believe in storytelling’s ability to connect brands with people and key messages with memories. Ultimately, an exhibitor’s message has to cascade beyond the initial audience. 

Attendees need to feel empowered to reshare that story with their internal stakeholders when they get back to the office. That’s where so many exhibiting strategies fail. They either haven’t thought about the story they want to tell through their presence at the show, or their key messages dissipate so quickly after an event because they aren’t crafted to be memorable and shareable. Storylink is the solution to that all-too-common problem, because we are laser-focused on creating a ripple effect by enabling those stories to be shared through people. 

Tell us about the company’s growth trajectory since it was launched in 2004.

The best entrepreneurial companies are rooted in evolution. Evolve or die. Our consistent, year-over-year growth has been the result of our ability to evolve alongside our clients and the industry. In fact, we’ve evolved so much in the past 20 years that we outgrew our name. That’s not just a testament to our success, but also our clients’ level of trust in us. 

In many ways, that flexibility to evolve quickly and efficiently as needed has been driven by the fact we have cash reserves and no private money behind us. That also allows us to do the right thing and put people and principles over short-term profits. We definitely strive to put people first, as I’ve found the most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur has been watching good people accomplish their goals, whether that’s a client exceeding expectations or an employee finding a home and family within our team – and become better humans as a result. It’s about people, and we’re in the people business. So people have to be the priority.

Will you share one recent client project that you are most proud of? 

I’m most proud of the feedback we have received from both new and long-time clients. It’s so rewarding to read their glowing reviews and see their appreciation of how our individual employees have gone above and beyond. We really are blessed with the best clients in the industry, and that’s something we do not take for granted. They continue to see how our additional capabilities can expand and enhance our relationship, and that’s exactly what we hope to see all our clients do as we move forward with this rebrand.

Why the name change and why now?

It’s time. But what’s important to understand is that while May 1 was Storylink’s official launch date, we’ve really been living as Storylink for the past year. We didn’t slap a new name on the building with the intent to grow into it. We did the work proactively. In many ways, we became Storylink before we even settled on a name. So for our loyal clients, it’s business as usual, with the exception being they’re now more aware of our offerings outside of their past projects with us. They’re more aware of our programmatic approach. Nothing we do ever ends with a specific event or campaign. When one story’s over, we’re already thinking about the next chapter, their brand vision and how to get there. 

Throughout the U.S. and across the pond, event technology companies are unveiling new solutions, enhancing existing offerings and teaming up with other providers to deliver more compelling features for event organizers and exhibitors alike.

EventsPass and FFAIR Forge Transatlantic Partnership

Ticketing registration platform EventsPass and U.K.-based event management platform FFAIR have formed a strategic partnership designed to further empower show organizers, as well as elevate the exhibitor experience.

Marking FFAIR’s debut in North America, the venture enables the exhibitor management platform to establish a robust presence in the U.S., while for EventsPass, the partnership represents a commitment to client revenue growth in line with its marketing tools and data insights.

“Partnering with EventsPass delivers on our goal to deliver exceptional customer experience and make exhibiting and sponsoring easier,” said Adam Jones, CEO of FFAIR. “It is an excellent opportunity to add value to our customers, ensuring a seamless integration between FFAIR’s exhibition management platform and EventsPass’ ticketing and registration technology.”

GlobalMeet Unveils New AI Capabilities

Virtual event and webcasting technology leader GlobalMeet announced new artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities and a refreshed user interface for more immersive event experiences.

Able to work seamlessly with any camera-enabled device, the new AI capabilities within GlobalMeet’s webcasting platform and Live Studio for presenters include:

·  Natural Interaction: Automated face framing, panning and zooming facilitates eye contact to mimic the flow of more natural and realistic conversations, enhancing the exchange of non-verbal cues

·  Presenter Framing: Algorithms automatically detect faces that come into camera view to adjust framing in real time. This feature promotes greater visibility and inclusivity by automatically featuring active speakers and ensuring all presenters stay in focus

·  Intelligent Layout Design: Both voice and visual detection are enabled to allocate screen space proportionally and reduce unnecessary visual disruptions for a cleaner interface

·  Device Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with all camera-enabled devices from classic webcams to state-of-the-art video equipment

These newly integrated capabilities coincide with updates to GlobalMeet’s video bridge designed to streamline the presenter’s journey and optimize operations. They include:

• New Presenter Layouts: Enhanced layout automation and optimization functionalities intelligently manage screen space and shift focus to active speakers.
• Virtual Backgrounds: Users can now select virtual background images or upload their own for a personalized and branded experience, and maintain privacy by blurring their background.

“Artificial intelligence is the future for virtual event technology, and GlobalMeet is proud to leverage AI in this dynamic way,” said GlobalMeet CEO Kim Niederman. “These AI capabilities further expand upon our mission to help our customers execute flawless events for when their message matters most.”

22Miles Launches AI Assistant Tool 

Atlanta area-based 22Miles, a global provider of digital signage software and interactive digital solutions, released Tradeshow AI Assistant, a custom-trained conversational AI tool designed to streamline event operations and attendee support via an engaging, user-friendly and responsive chat interface.

Offered free of charge to a limited number of event organizers for one year, the solution leverages the 22Miles generative AI solution integrated with the brand’s 3D Wayfinding App and content management capabilities.

Offering rapid, real-time event information and wayfinding that attendees can interact with naturally in any language, Tradeshow AI Assistant can be deployed by organizers on digital signage, websites or within the event app and easily updates information throughout the event as needed.

For attendees, the Tradeshow AI Assistant supports navigation across large venues, swiftly and accurately recalls event-related information and ensures reliable, prompt self-service support on demand.

Requiring as little as four weeks for deployment, the Tradeshow AI Assistant can quickly and seamlessly integrate into event operations, and aggregates data to deliver a blend of qualitative insights and quantitative metrics post-event.

“Our solution is unique in that it uses natural language processing to understand attendees’ questions, no matter how they’re phrased, and gives useful, real-time answers, just like a human information desk representative,” explained Joey Zhao, CEO and founder of 22Miles. “We look forward to empowering show organizers with comprehensive, time-efficient, cost-effective support.”

Bizzabo Partners With Resiada to Integrate Hotel Room Block Management

Bizzabo has integrated hotel room block management to its Event Experience OS. Powered by Resiada room block management software, this integration enables event organizers to streamline the attendee hotel booking process and monitor their room block natively within Bizzabo.

Through this integration, event participants can now move easily from event registration to hotel reservation by clicking through to an event’s branded, mobile-friendly booking site, where their personal information and ticket number are auto-filled. The registrant simply has to input their travel dates, browse accommodation options and complete their reservation.

Additionally, event organizers can manage their room block directly from Bizzabo’s Reports hub instead of jumping between platforms. With dashboards updated in real-time, organizers can easily view reservations, manage inventory and track their differential list to see who’s registered and booked versus registrants who still need to book their hotel. This reporting can then be shared with colleagues and stakeholders at the organizer’s preference.

“Bizzabo remains committed to delivering a personalized, low-friction experience throughout the entire event lifecycle,” said Alon Alroy, CMO and co-founder of Bizzabo. “This collaboration with Resiada not only simplifies a key part of the in-person attendee’s journey but also delivers real-time insights and enhanced efficiency for our busy customers.”

Banzai Expands Its Event Marketing Solution 

Marketing and sales solutions technology provider Banzai has expanded its event marketing solution, Reach, to help show organizers target qualified contacts, drive event registration and generate leads for event marketers. 

Reach helps marketers drive event registration by inviting a company’s ideal audience through personalized multi-channel campaigns. Leveraging Banzai’s Audience AI feature, the solution targets potential attendees from a database of more than 379 million professionals by geographic region, industry, job title and more to fill rooms and sales pipelines.

According to Joe Davy, Banzai CEO and chairman, the company’s expanded investment in its Reach business is designed to meet an increased market demand for audience acquisition solutions for webinars and field marketing. The expansion includes the creation of an operating business unit, investment in new technology systems to support customers more efficiently and an expanded strategic focus within Banzai to serve additional customers. 

“Event attendance is a major challenge for marketers utilizing field marketing or webinars as a strategy,” Davy said. “Reach enables customers to focus on event and webinar execution while supplementing their event audiences to increase their overall ROI.”

ESCA Forms Strategic Partnership With Veloxity

The Exhibition Services & Contractors Association (ESCA) partnered with event technology solutions provider Veloxity to provide its members with exclusive access to Veloxity’s suite of custom-branded offerings at a discounted rate.

From ensuring that attendees’ devices remain charged to providing immersive interactive displays, Veloxity’s cutting-edge event tech portfolio includes interactive display screens, advanced charging stations and captivating LED screens, all designed to engage attendees and elevate their experience, as well as empower brands with engaging activations and sponsorship opportunities.

To showcase this commitment and to allow ESCA members to experience the impact of its solutions on event engagement and attendee satisfaction, Veloxity will sponsor its technology at the upcoming ESCA Summer Educational Conference, set for June 23-26 in Hot Springs, Va. 

“This partnership aligns perfectly with ESCA’s mission to enhance the value and effectiveness of exhibitions and events,” said Julie Kagy, ESCA executive director. “Veloxity’s offerings not only offer engaging activations for attendees but also present significant sponsorship opportunities for brands. We encourage our members to leverage these exclusive benefits to revolutionize their event experiences.”