In Case You Missed It
BizBash's editors recently chatted with Brandlive CEO's about the future of virtual events, and with the co-founder of metaverse design studio company Metaskins on how event profs should be engaging with the metaverse in 2023 and beyond. And if you're looking for a tech-forward venue for your next event, we also rounded up six esports arenas around the world primed to host gatherings of all types.
Still feeling the holiday spirit? Check out this fun virtual event from Metaskins, which celebrated the winter holidays and the new year inside Decentraland’s the Holy Temple Casino on Dec. 21. The “Christmakah”-themed virtual gathering (pictured) featured a performance from Serena Elis, who bills herself as the first live singer in the metaverse.Photo: Courtesy of Metaskins
Spotlight On
CES, formerly known as the Consumer Electronics Show, kicks off today in Las Vegas, and is expected to host up to 100,000 attendees. Billed as "the most influential tech event in the world," the gathering always brings a slew of exciting announcements that event professionals should know about. In previous years, that has meant everything from VR-based concert experiences to germ-killing robots to face masks with built-in microphones. This year, we're expecting to see innovative new tools surrounding Web3 and the metaverse, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and more. BizBash's editorial team is currently on the ground in Las Vegas—so stay tuned for more!
Event Technology We're Excited About This Month
To simplify scheduling at large-scale events
AI-powered event platform Grip has launched MustMeet, an advanced meeting scheduler for event organizers. The automated scheduling platform, powered by artificial intelligence, uses personalized recommendations and participant preferences to ensure attendees get the most out of their meetings. It can easily schedule one-to-one meetings—where two attendees are matched by Grip’s AI, which then automatically confirms the meeting, puts it in attendees' schedules, books the location, and enables both parties to give the meeting a rating—as well as one-to-many, or many-to-many meeting formats. Users can also easily assign time-slot priorities around breaks and keynotes, approve schedules, and more. The Grip team estimates that MustMeet leads to a 95% reduction in time spent arranging meetings, compared to traditional manual matchmaking solutions. The tech will be used at PCMA’s Convening Leaders 2023, taking place Jan. 8-11, to schedule and manage more than 350 meetings.
For a short-term staffing solution
Gigpro is an app that connects workers with hospitality businesses—like restaurants, hotels, catering companies, event organizers, etc.—for short-term jobs. Founded in 2019 by chef Ben Ellsworth, the staffing tool aims to provide a solution for both organizations that need staff and workers looking for balance and flexibility in a demanding industry. Since its launch, Gigpro has completed over 500,000 hours of work, covering 80,000 shifts for businesses, and supplied over $10 million in earnings to workers. Recently, Gigpro provided over 800 workers for the Breeder’s Cup in Lexington, Ky., including line cooks, prep cooks, dishwashers, servers, and buffet attendants.
To enhance the attendee experience at in-person events
Web3 event-tech platform Eventcombo has launched its exclusive Event App for in-person gatherings. The easy-to-use, data-driven app offers features like attendee, speaker, and sponsor profiles; lead generation; chat and networking options; venue maps; and more. Highlights include unlimited push notifications like pre-event reminders, countdowns, and more, along with the Wrapper feature that allows full customization of the app’s background and dashboard. Event App also incorporates Eventcombo’s unique Community feature; event hosts and attendees can essentially use Event App as either a public or private social media group about the event that exists in perpetuity, using it to share reviews, exchange ideas, and have ongoing networking opportunities.
To bring a new level of fan interaction to music events
Last month at Lens Fest 2022—Snap’s fifth annual developer conference for the global AR community—the company announced its latest innovations in the augmented-reality field. One fun new feature that could be tied into music-based events? Minibeats, a new AR platform that lets users create their own versions of artists’ songs paired with AR effects. The platform has kicked things off with several musical artists, including KILLBOY, Alice Glass, Taetro, and Phil Good. Fans can do things like “become” Alice Glass via Snapchat Lenses, and use AR gestures like waving their hands and opening their mouths to trigger interactive phrases from the Canadian singer's new single. Minibeats Lenses on Snapchat also feature “in-lens purchases,” a first for Snap, and the company allocates a 50% share of revenue to the artists. Minibeats is soon planning to launch a full-fledged AR social music creation app featuring more artists and brands.
“I wouldn't be here without my fans, and I love being able to share my world with them,” said Glass in a press release. “Minibeats is exciting to me because it allows users to interact with my music in a personal way that hasn't been done before." 
Minibeats users can also decorate themselves with AR-fueled "musical tattoos" as they create their own version of “Loser,” a single from musical artist KILLBOY.Photo: Courtesy of Minibeats
For easy and secure ticketing and registration
Event management and lead capture platform Captello has launched EventGen, an event management platform that aims to simplify and secure registration and ticketing. Highlights include a customizable event directory; a management console for creating tickets and add-ons like parking, sessions, and meal tickets for individuals and groups; secure payment processing; and custom messaging options. EventGen also includes robust CRM, analytics, and reporting tools. The product's mobile app works alone or with a handheld device, and allows event organizers to create and control events using any connected device, as well as follow up on attendees, check them in and out, verify access, provide self-check-in kiosks, and create and manage activities such as sessions and presentations.
The Latest Updates, Funding, and Merger News
CES is using emergency and mass communication system Titan HST as its on-site security app this week. Eventgoers are able to download and use the Titan app, QR code, or platform to submit tips, call venue security, and receive emergency and critical alerts. The Titan HST team claims its product reduces emergency response time by an average of 50% through tech features like enhanced geofencing; multi-lingual, real-time translation; augmented reality that allows rescuers to see through walls, crowds, and more; and secure infrastructure and user data.
Event experience platform Bizzabo has achieved Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 Type 2 compliance, an industry standard among third-party service organizations that deal with client data. Set by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, successful fulfillment of these standards asserts that an organization’s internal systems and controls effectively meet audit standards continuously while ensuring the protection of existing and potential customers’ assets.
American Express Meetings & Events has launched the latest evolution of its business intelligence platform Meetings Insights. Designed to help clients make faster and more informed decisions, Meetings Insights boasts a user-friendly dashboard and customizable insights to drive profitability and generate efficiencies. The platform also uses AmEx Meetings & Events’ aggregated client data and industry sources to identify valuable trends and benchmark performance against companies with similar profiles.
—with additional reporting by Sarah Kloepple and Shannon Thaler
