This column offers a monthly check-in on all things event tech, from new virtual platforms to social distancing-focused tools to software that will make your job easier. Got a tip? Get in touch!
In Case You Missed It
At BizBash, we recently outlined 10 tips for hosting both live and virtual speakers at your next hybrid event. We also wrote about a variety of tech-forward events and activations, including an Alexa-enabled holiday window, an NFT art gallery, an interactive art installation powered by data and the various ways NFTs reshaped the Art Basel landscape this year.
Event Technology We're Excited About This Month
For an immersive remote work experience—no hardware required
Launched in mid-November, Mytaverse is a 3D virtual platform that allows for realistic people, products and environments—all without using a headset or expensive PC. Already used for events by companies including PepsiCo, Dassault Corporation and Zaha Hadid Architects, Mytaverse was built with remote work and virtual meetings in mind; it offers a variety of prebuilt or fully customized 3D environments that can feature meeting rooms, conference booths, training simulations, auditoriums and more. Participants personalize their own hologram avatars that can run, jump, wave, dance and more; there can also be 3D products that the avatars can pick up and examine. Webcams on avatars can be activated, allowing for live presentations or face-to-face conversations. Attendees can also download digital content and save it in a “briefcase” to view or download directly to their devices. 
Jaime Lopez, CTO and co-founder of Mytaverse, said the goal was to allow anyone to enter the platform without requiring a VR set or other hardware. “The key was the unique cloud streaming technology which enables users to enter using only their browser on their PC or Mac—no need to install an app, no need for any fancy hardware,” he said. “This breakthrough is democratizing remote work so anyone can join meetings, events or training sessions just like being there—regardless of their computing power.”Photo: Courtesy of Mytaverse
To manage the audiovisual elements of a hybrid event—from anywhere in the world
Hybrid event management platform EventsAIR has added new ways for planners to manage their event’s audiovisual setup remotely. The EventsAIR Hybrid Event Solution Suite now lets organizers effectively take control of cameras, projectors, audio tools and more from any location in the world. Using the EventsAIR suite, event organizers arrive on-site and set up equipment such as PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) cameras, projectors, LCD panels and more to create accessible and professional productions viewable both by in-person and virtual attendees. Once set up and connected to EventsAIR, all these cameras, audio feeds, projectors and more are controlled by the AIRCast Studio, allowing event hosts and producers to control and use this equipment for all scheduled sessions.
To help attendees navigate a busy trade show floor
Floor mapping solution ExpoFP has teamed up with visitor tracking technology Crowd Connected. By combining an interactive ExpoFP floorplan with Crowd Connected’s location tracking, the new service essentially works like Google Maps—visitors can see exactly where they are on a trade show floor, and more importantly, easily find and navigate to the exhibitors that interest them. An added bonus? Organizers can get access to Crowd Connected’s full suite of foot-fall analytics tools, such as performance metrics for every exhibitor at a show. The partnership officially launches in January 2022.
To facilitate spontaneous virtual networking
Tech start-up Wonder recently launched a new iteration of its video conference software. The virtual feature allows groups to connect online in a natural way, moving through the space freely to choose their conversation partners and actively shape the virtual event. As guests’ avatars move around the browser-based, 2D virtual space, video chats open as they approach each other. The platform can hold as many as 500 people and can be customized with corporate logos, branded backgrounds, images and more. Hosts can also build breakout areas centered around specific themes. Wonder has worked with clients including NASA, Deloitte, Harvard and PayPal.
For fast and easy vaccine verification
ID company Nametag has launched COVID Proof for Events, a new technology that can automate COVID vaccine verification. The easy-to-setup service can be scaled for gatherings of any size; attendees can securely upload their information via a customized link (which organizers have the ability to revoke access to at any time) and organizers can generate a real-time report. This tool eliminates the need for staffers to manually check vaccine cards and government-issued IDs. Every company, organization or individual who uses the secure system will receive 25 verifications for free; after that, the service costs $5 per verification with a $500 minimum. Earlier this year, Nametag also introduced COVID Proof, a free app that allows consumers to upload and verify their vaccination status for restaurants and other businesses with mandates.
To help attendees keep their phones charged
ChargerGoGo is a network of on-demand phone charging systems. The modern kiosks allow event guests to pick up a portable battery, charge their phones and return the battery to any ChargerGoGo kiosks; the company has installed permanent kiosks at venues like the Las Vegas Convention Center, MGM Grand Garden Arena and other restaurants, stadiums and hotels. The kiosks also have customizable LED screens that can display promotional messages; the batteries themselves can also be branded with custom wrapping options. An added bonus? Venues that install the kiosks on their premises can earn passive income through the company’s revenue-sharing model. 
In November, ChargerGoGo installed 95 kiosks—housing a total of 2,000 portable phone chargers—at EDC Orlando (pictured).Photo: Courtesy of ChargerGoGo
To easily host a virtual event on your own website
Virtual and hybrid meetings platform Glisser has launched Glisser Elements, which allows event hosts to embed secure, modular event components directly into their own websites. Clients can customize the audience experience, with full control over each visual component, screen layout and navigation tool; Glisser Elements also includes secure and scalable plug-and-play tools, plus ready-to-go options for audience engagement, data gathering, presenter greenrooms and more. “Glisser Elements is our flag in the ground for where we think virtual and hybrid events are heading: seamlessly integrated into companies’ own websites and other online event platforms,” says Glisser CEO Mike Piddock. “When [virtual events] are this fundamental to the way a business operates, companies won’t want to send their audiences to a rebadged third-party platform environment, with a restricted set of banners they can upload and a handful of settings they can adjust. It simply won’t be enough.”
The Latest Promotion, Funding and Merger News
Event experience operating system Bizzabo has acquired Klik, a Montreal-based event tech startup that provides smart wearable tech to power on-site experiences, allowing planners to easily measure attendee engagement, participation and networking. The wearables can also trigger customized recommendations on content, networking opportunities, sponsors to visit and more.
Virtual event company 6Connex has acquired Poland-based event management company Eventory. Through the new partnership, clients will get access to an expanded range of services for both virtual and hybrid events of any size. The companies’ new solutions will offer a comprehensive set of features that integrate attendee engagement features, AI-driven interactions and unique virtual environments.
Event management software company Aventri has announced a partnership with CLEAR, the secure identity company, to help attendees safely return to live events. The team-up will pair Aventri’s event registration and mobile app solutions with CLEAR’s Health Pass, allowing event organizers to easily connect a person's verified identity to COVID-19-related information such as test results and proof of vaccination.
Cloudbeds, a hospitality technology provider, has announced a $150 million Series D funding round from new and existing investors as it continues growing its team. The financing will help Cloudbeds further enhance its hospitality management software solutions, which include a fully integrated, cloud-based platform for lodging businesses of all types and sizes, including independent hotels, hostels, vacation rentals and hotel groups.
Blackthorn.io, a platform that deals with event management and payment processing solutions on Salesforce, has acquired Textey.io, an SMS solutions provider for the Salesforce community which will be offered via the Salesforce AppExchange. Blackthorn.io customers will now be able to send Paylink transactions to customers via SMS with a shortened URL, making for faster and more successful mobile payments.
