Working Smarter, Not Harder: How AI Will Transform Events
Joakim Jönsson
Dec 2, 2024 12:00:00 PM
Artificial Intelligence today is still creating a buzz, disrupting how industries function. Dozens of tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing how technology can be leveraged to increase efficiencies. Thus, AI has become the future of decision-making and fundamental for all computer learning as it has touched and transformed numerous industries and businesses.
No wonder the AI market size is expected to grow by over 120% yearly. The events industry, too, has observed much growth in its efficiency and effectiveness due to AI. Read ahead to learn how event technology can benefit from AI assistance and how you can leverage it to enhance your events.
First, let’s begin by understanding AI.
AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is the simulation of human intelligence and other cognitive skills, such as learning, creativity, self-correction, and reasoning, by computer systems. It creates and applies specific machine learning algorithms built into dynamic computing environments and learns from experience via algorithmic training and iterative processing.
Since AI allows computers to absorb information like humans at significantly faster speeds with more extraordinary data processing powers, it has become an effective solution for any activity or process requiring intelligent and quick decision-making.
Today, AI can answer all kinds of questions, provide unique solutions to problems, make near-accurate predictions for organizational and industrial trends, and even offer strategic suggestions, making it more valuable to businesses and the modern economy than ever.
AI works by combining its intuitive processing algorithms with large data sets. Its machine learning system then analyzes the data and behavior patterns to manipulate the algorithms accordingly. AI’s function consists of five steps.
Processing: AI takes the data and decides how to act on it. It analyzes pre-programmed data and uses learned trends and behaviors to identify similar behavioral patterns in the new input data.
Outcome prediction: After processing, the AI system predicts the data’s outcomes and determines if the data set and its predictions are a success or a failure.
Modification: In the case of failure, the AI system learns from its mistakes and repeats the operation differently. It may also change the algorithms’ rules to fit the alterations in the data set.
Evaluation: After finishing the task, AI technology analyzes the data to make predictions and deductions. It may also provide valuable feedback before rerunning its algorithms.
This process can also be applied to real-time data to gain instantaneous insights based on how advanced your AI systems and computing powers are.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing virtual and hybrid events, creating richer, more dynamic experiences for attendees. By leveraging AI, event platforms replicate the best elements of in-person gatherings while introducing new capabilities that elevate engagement, personalization, and efficiency. Here's how AI is reshaping the events landscape and empowering organizers to deliver exceptional experiences.
Virtual events don’t have to feel like glorified video calls. With AI, event platforms create immersive environments where attendees can actively participate and explore. Real-time navigation tools powered by AI enable attendees to engage seamlessly with the virtual space and with one another.
6Connex offers pre-configured virtual environments to get you started, while also allowing complete customization for trade show booths, meeting rooms, and networking spaces. These visually engaging environments foster deeper engagement, encouraging attendees to interact and participate actively.
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AI tailors the event experience to individual attendees, making every moment relevant and engaging. By analyzing attendee preferences during registration, AI can recommend sessions, exhibitors, and networking opportunities that align with their interests. This personalization enhances the attendee experience while increasing visibility for sponsors and exhibitors.
At 6Connex, we utilize a recommendation engine powered by the same machine learning technology as Amazon. This ensures attendees are matched with content, exhibitors, and networking opportunities based on real-time engagement data, creating meaningful connections and maximizing ROI for all participants.
Networking is a key draw for event attendees, with over 75% citing it as a primary reason for attending in-person events (IAEE). [1] AI bridges the networking gap in virtual settings by intelligently matching attendees with similar interests or complementary goals.
AI-driven matchmaking can also boost sponsor and exhibitor success by connecting them with participants most likely to convert into leads. From curated group discussions to one-on-one meetings, AI ensures every interaction adds value.
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AI transforms data collection and analysis during events, offering real-time insights into attendee behavior, engagement levels, and session performance. This data not only gauges the event's success but also provides actionable recommendations for improvement.
Top strategies identified by event marketers for keeping virtual audiences engaged include polling, videos, short presentations, multiple speakers, and gamification. AI tracks and analyzes the effectiveness of these strategies in real time, helping organizers adjust on the fly to maximize impact.
By incorporating historical data, AI also predicts future trends, enabling planners to design agendas and experiences that resonate deeply with their audience.
AI significantly reduces the time and resources required for event planning by automating tasks such as registration, matchmaking, data analysis, and content recommendations. This automation not only streamlines operations but also cuts costs, making it easier to deliver high-quality events within budget.
According to industry research, 78% of businesses using event applications report a greater ROI. [2] By integrating AI-powered tools into your virtual and hybrid events, you can achieve both operational efficiency and superior attendee satisfaction.
AI is no longer just an add-on for event technology; it’s a game-changer that drives innovation and value. From creating personalized experiences to delivering actionable insights, AI equips event organizers with the tools needed to design events that leave lasting impressions. With platforms like 6Connex leading the way, the possibilities for elevating your events are limitless.
AI can benefit all events, hybrid or in-person, in numerous ways, such as by gathering relevant data, running analytics, and boosting audience engagement.
AI can automate manual and repetitive processes and make them more efficient, such as:
AI tools can compile valuable insights from the participants’ shared profiles, including their interests, social media data, demographic information, event interactions and behavior, and other metrics to:
By gathering data on potential attendees, AI can allow event planners to create niche events, target the right audience, better cater to attendee needs, and drive more robust event marketing campaigns and social media strategies.
AI-powered facial recognition can facilitate easy event check-ins by automatically matching the attendees’ faces to their tickets to identify them quickly and securely. This prevents check-in hassles such as lost tickets and streamlines the attendee experience.
Along with facial recognition, biometric scanning during registration can enhance event security and reduce human oversight, creating safer events participants can trust.
Translation apps powered by AI can eliminate language barriers during events by facilitating real-time translation and providing closed-captioning in multiple languages.
AI can help assess the quality of event content, such as presentations, collateral, videos, etc. AI tools can also help fact-check and analyze the content to ensure it is correct.
AI can maximize networking opportunities and foster meaningful conversations at the event by connecting audiences to like-minded individuals. For example, with 6Connex’s AI Matchmaking tool, event planners can leverage attendee data to recommend relevant matches and facilitate better networking and engagement opportunities.
With anticipatory computing, AI can notify event planning teams about potential problems before they happen, such as when a coffee station might run out of cups or a booth out of product samples, etc.
AI can further help event planners streamline and enhance event processes and facilitate faster decision-making by reducing the labor and costs of finding the right person for specific tasks. For instance, an automated kiosk with biometric/facial I.D. check-in will only need one or two team members to manage, rather than multiple booths and tables with several temporary staff.
Here are a few ways to capitalize on the power of AI and upgrade your future events:
AI Chatbots have a seamless interface and facilitate a quick and easy chat-driven conversation using AI-programmed responses. Using AI Chatbots, attendees can ask FAQs such as:
Chatbots have a negligible learning curve for the audience and require no website logins or downloads. This allows for more efficient communication and onsite event management. In addition, chatbots are:
Soon, chatbots will be able to analyze the attendees’ likes and dislikes and guide them, customizing event schedules to give attendees the best possible experience.
Using Chatbots, AI can also conduct polls and surveys in real-time throughout the event, helping event planners acquire immediate and accurate attendee feedback. Using this data, planners can gauge the attendee experience and satisfaction levels and improve future events.
AI can help immensely if you host a multifaceted event with multiple peripheral meetings, breakout sessions, and webinars. An AI-powered matchmaking engine can recommend the most appropriate activities by analyzing participants' event behavior and other accessible data.
It can also combine network science with attendee data to create customized lists of matches tailored to everyone’s needs and suggest teams of individuals for collaboration. The keywords embedded in the participants’ profiles or in-event actions help the program carefully select people with complementary interests and backgrounds to jumpstart valuable conversations. Thus, attendees overcome the random nature of large events and ensure they make the most of them.
Generative AI has introduced an entirely new category for photo engagements - the AI Photo Booth. Utilizing web-based apps, like the virtual photo booth that emerged during the pandemic, brands can now offer attendees a completely novel experience that transforms user photos into one-of-a-kind portraits that can be modeled on nearly anything. Like the photo strip keepsake pioneered by original photo booths, the AI outputs are truly unique portraits that people will love to share. On top of that, these experiences also maintain the ability for brands to incorporate their branding and messaging or create unique outputs that align with the event.
Here's how it works:
Users easily access your custom AI photo booth via a link or QR code and upload or capture 4+ selfies to train the AI model.
The app automatically learns and transforms the user based on the custom prompt that you've defined for the event.
Any custom filters or branding is applied, and a set of one-of-a-kind AI-generated outputs are emailed to the user.
It's a truly unique innovation in event engagement that uses the latest AI technology to bridge event themes, vendor or sponsor brands, marketing initiatives like lead capture and social sharing, and memorable user engagement that will drive interactions and awareness.
Virtual event platforms like 6Connex offer AI Matchmaking to analyze each attendee’s data, helping them find people with whom they should communicate and cultivating organic and long-term connections.
6Connex’s AI Matchmaking learns from the audiences’ interactions in virtual venues to determine their content and networking fits, including meeting room visits, content views, and interactions during live sessions.
It also leverages data from the registration process. It combines it with existing attendee information from past events as well as analyzes other vital information such as attendees’ social media, career experience, geographical location, and interactions within the event platform (chats, messages, comments, etc.).
All data is directly streamed to 6Connex’s AI-powered tracker in real-time. Based on this information, 6Connex finds other participants with similar event interactions. It provides attendees with curated recommendations on which event sessions and environments to attend, which sponsor or company websites to visit, and which content to consider.
Such real-time personalized recommendations can help attendees better plan their event agendas, reduce search time, improve engagement, and enjoy exciting event experiences—ultimately driving event ROI.
Attendees can also complete a form about their likes and dislikes and other important information before the event. Event planners can feed this data to AI programs and connect the attendees to the companies and booths that best match their profiles. Moreover, with 6Connex, event planners can offer these matchmaking recommendations as on-demand resources to audiences after the live events.
Tip: Consider advertising the matchmaking feature in the event’s promotional materials to drive awareness and usage. You can also place matchmaking calls-to-action around the virtual environment to maximize this feature’s utilization.
Unveiling the 6Connex Content Hub! The 6Connex Content Hub is a pioneering feature in the virtual event space, being the first of its kind to employ artificial intelligence for content suggestion, aiming to enrich the digital venue experience for all participants.
Through a dynamic system that leverages data from every stage of participant engagement, personalized recommendations are provided by the 6Connex Content Hub. Users have the opportunity to delve into and absorb relevant content that has been tailored to match their interests, activities, and overall experience within the venue. This innovative feature is not just advantageous for attendees, but it also offers invaluable data to organizers and sponsors about attendee behavior and preferences. This crucial information aids in the shaping of future content and the development of targeted communication tactics.
Being a key component of the 6Connex Event AI, the Content Hub puts user engagement and content consumption at its core. Its design is intended to drive user interaction and content absorption, with a steadfast objective of preserving participant curiosity and encouraging continued exploration.
If your attendees are in a virtual booth or a waiting room before a session, they may require engaging content to keep their attention. A lack of captivating content could lead to an increased chance of participant attrition, leading to potential data loss on engagement metrics, which are vital for sponsor reporting.
With our Content Hub, participants are able to navigate, view, and engage with the content that resonates with them the most. It is crucial that attendees have access to personalized content at all times to keep them attentive and engaged.
Some Content Hub features are:
AI-driven personalization can play a vital role in the buyer’s journey. Connecting the attendee’s event data with deep learning processes enables event marketers to map the buyers’ journeys and provide relevant prescriptive recommendations.
By infusing AI into the event marketing process, marketers can gain valuable information, including real-time event feedback, to help measure the effectiveness of current event strategies. Event marketers can also learn how to enhance events to deliver more value and impact to prospects, customers, and stakeholders.
First-party data is considered more reliable as it eliminates the privacy concerns associated with second and third-party data. Marketers can leverage first-party data from quizzes, surveys, polls, registration forms, and other attendee interactions at events.
By mapping the buyer’s journey for event attendees using AI, event marketers can determine which event behaviors were the most impactful. They can also further leverage AI in event tools to provide recommendations that drive the most impactful behaviors.
AI algorithms can improve access to first-party user data (interests, career paths, willingness to network, etc.) and other behavioral information, which can help brands better relate to buyers, determine event ROI, and identify the event types and factors that contributed most to closed deals and pipeline acceleration.
With suitable algorithms, event marketers can examine the conversion rates of qualified leads, the quality of attendees, a prospect’s stage in the buyer’s journey after the event, and much more.
AI can also collect customer journey data and holistic event data to create ROI attribution models.
An AI-powered event management platform has access to historical data. It can enrich its data set to effectively provide tailored content recommendations and an ideal event experience to the attendees driven by their direct feedback.
End-to-end AI-driven event management platforms like 6Connex can help you enhance strategies for planning and hosting events utilizing data and personalizing the content and event experience for audiences to allow you to accelerate growth.
Over time, such platforms can enrich the attendees’ event experiences by delivering intuitive content through AI-built contextualized data catalogs.
In addition, integrating AI into the event platform allows you to standardize the sources from which to collect the relevant data, including previous event interactions, attendee social profiles, registration forms, and in-event surveys and polls.
With this, you can achieve a new level of sophistication in developing strategies to best connect with audiences. You can even forecast the success and effectiveness of event portfolios with more accuracy and reliability.
Here are some points to remember when leveraging AI for your events:
Hence, you must gather as much relevant attendee data as possible before, during, and after the event. This can take the form of feedback, surveys, polls, event registrations over time, website and social media analytics, biometric data, pass purchases, etc.
AI has radically disrupted the global event landscape. It has allowed attendees to fully benefit from their interactions and enabled event managers to drive and measure their events’ success in new ways. By providing numerous possibilities for improving attendee experience and engagement on various levels, this technology has made events a critical touchpoint for marketers.
Soon, we can expect AI to facilitate a more immersive and personalized event experience for the audiences, with more gamification, interactive tools, and possibly even VR activations. Organizers can upgrade their event management by making acute decisions backed by data and outpace their competitors in the long term.
Discover how 6Connex’s AI and machine learning, combined with its unified platform Eventory, can help you build and host successful events, analyze their effectiveness, and drive event ROI by requesting a virtual event platform demo today.
Dive into the future of events with our insightful webinar, "Embracing AI in Events: Navigating Opportunities and Challenges,". Join our esteemed speakers: Dahlia El Gazzar - Founder of DAHLIA+ Agency, Stephen Kaufman - Chief Product Officer at Inriver, and Henry Tran - CTO at 6Connex
Explore the transformative potential of AI in event planning, and engagement, and the challenges it may bring. Stay informed and inspired as we navigate the thrilling opportunities and challenges that AI brings to the dynamic world of events.
References:
[1] International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) - Decision to Attend Study survey report
[2] Markletic - 60 Incredible Virtual Event Statistics! (2021 Research)
6Connex is the leading provider of in-person, hybrid, and virtual event technology for enterprises worldwide. Our cloud-based product portfolio includes event management tools, in-person event apps, virtual venues, webinars, learning management, and more.
From internal meetings to large scale conferences, we allow you to engage and transform big ideas into real-world results.
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