2013’s Hottest New Technology Trends

As annual Las Vegas high-tech industry expo, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) recently underscored dozens of new advancements to revolutionise the meetings and conventions business. Here are five true game-changing innovations that promise to transform

CONNECTIVITY

The year’s biggest theme—‘Smart’ (Internetconnected) mobile devices, all supporting ondemand downloads and options to create or share media. With over 1.2 billion sales of smartphones and tablets expected in 2013, event and venue websites shouldn’t just be optimised for these platforms (think smaller screens and more immediate user access), among attendees’ new primary research tools. Ongoing promotional programs and content should also be built that support corresponding formatting and bandwidth, higher viewing and consumption frequency, and one-touch sharing capabilities.

PERFORMANCE

Thanks to chipmakers like AMD, Qualcomm, and NVIDIA, all growingly concentrating on such mobile solutions, set-top PC horsepower and graphics performance, also increasingly available for your pocket. Combined with universal access to cloud computing solutions including SlideShare, MightyMeeting and Prezi, this means pitching sponsors and strategic partners is suddenly becoming easier than ever. Assets and presentation materials can now be shared via portable screens. Nowadays, your desktop travels wherever you do, and – whether focussed on engaging end-users or B2B clients – it’s painless to provide attendees with 3D floor plans (via virtual or on-site video demos) or offer advertisers first-hand tours of featured venues without hopping an international flight.

SHARING

Smartphones, tablets and low-cost HD camcorders now make it possible to quickly capture learning or announcements and create and share broadcastquality video en masse at little cost. Businesses and venues of every size can now assemble learning libraries, build evergreen promotional assets, or even live-stream content using apps like Qik or Livestream at little expense. Such initiatives pay lasting dividends by letting you easily extend the value of events and campaigns far beyond day-of activities and attendance.

PROMOTION

Given the content’s growingly disposable nature – especially on mobile devices – it’s now obvious. Ongoing publishing efforts should be a part of every organisation’s outreach programs. Events provide the perfect venue to tap experts, executives, and community leaders for learning, insights and advice which can be used to generate added value and help raise awareness all year long.

As part of programs, workshops and events, ask all to share stories, provide hints and tips, and offer support or inspiration. Quotes and commentary can then be incorporated back into newsletters, mailers, trailers and more, providing year-long benefit. Events provide the perfect venue to tap experts, executives, and community leaders for learning, insights and advice which can be used to generate added value and help raise awareness all year long.

PARTICIPATION

Search engines have become a core frontline for customer interaction. In a world where businesses are growingly defined by their online footprint, suddenly, we’re all in the publishing business. Given data’s growingly disposable nature, content marketing efforts should be an ongoing part of promotional efforts. Happily, enterprises are filled with subject matter experts who can serve as ambassadors via blogs, newsletters or podcasts. Bestselling leadership and innovation speaker Scott Steinberg is a regular on the international lecture circuit, and heads management consulting and corporate training firm TechSavvy Global. A top-rated provider of keynote speeches, workshops and seminars, he’s been seen in 600+ outlets from CNN to NPR. For more, visit his website at www.AKeynoteSpeaker.com.