Vinnu DeshettyPhoto: Courtesy of Vinnu Deshetty
How she got her start: Vinnu Deshetty has a passion for bringing people together. For the past 30 years, she has been planning events and meetings for associations and nonprofits. As most planners, she loves almost every aspect of planning—but with only so many hours in the day, she knew she needed to find a way to be more efficient.
"That's when I stumbled into the world of technology to not only streamline planning, but also create better experiences for attendees," she says. "As an 'accidental techie,' I've been able to make a significant impact by leveraging data-driven insights to improve events for everyone involved. That’s what we do at EVA. We use the power of data to create customized experiences that attendees value, and provide insights that help planners shine as event rock stars."
What innovation means to her: "Innovation? Oh, you mean that magical power that turns a mere mortal into a superhero of the event world?" Deshetty quips. "Yes, I'm all about that. Staying innovative and forward-thinking in my career is like drinking coffee in the morning—it's a necessity."
As for inspiration, she often garners it from "fellow event superheroes." "I've walked in their shoes, and truly understand where they are coming from," she explains. "I've listened to their pains and failures and rejoiced in their successes. Every conversation is full of lessons that I take back to my team. My team here at EVA is like the Justice League of events. Our developers and planners are always seeking ways to make our event technology easier and more intuitive for both attendees and organizers. To all my event sidekicks here at EVA and all my fellow event superheroes, thank you for keeping it real and exciting."
"We use the power of data to create customized experiences that attendees value, and provide insights that help planners shine as event rock stars," said Vinnu Deshetty of the EVA platform.Photo: Courtesy of EVA Event Tech Hub
"Meeting and event planners are some of the most creative and intentional people out there," she says. "One of our association clients wanted to make sure their attendees felt connected during their virtual event and brought in entertaining activities like dueling pianos and competitive trivia competitions. The seriousness of their content didn't stop them from delivering smiles and laughter. We were proud to be a part of bringing people together in a way that was unexpected and heartwarming."
Her vision for the future of the events industry: Deshetty describes the events industry as "a party that never ends." So, her vision for its future is one that’s constantly evolving and improving.
"I see a future where technology will seamlessly integrate with the in-person experience, creating a truly immersive and unforgettable event," she says. "From hologram speakers to interactive projections, the possibilities are endless. But let’s not forget about the importance of human connection. In a world where screens dominate so much of our time, events will become even more valuable as a way to connect people face-to-face in authentic and meaningful ways. So, my vision is a perfect balance of technology and human connection, where events are not only fun and engaging, but also leave a lasting impact on attendees. Let’s make sure the only hangover we have after an event is from the good times, not the headache-inducing logistics."
