At the Blitz|GES Connection, we were joined by a host of industry thought-leaders at the forefront of the latest event technology innovations. Experts from WIRED, Panasonic, Poken and GES took to the stage to share their insights and predictions around the future of experiential technology.   

If you weren’t able to join us at the Science Museum then we have gathered all of the key sessions to download and watch at your leisure. Simply fill in your details opposite to download each session listed below:

• Event Horizons - Tom Upchurch, WIRED Consulting
  

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality are increasingly complementing face-to-face experiences at events, said WIRED’s Tom Upchurch in a round-up of tech trends.

• Freedom beyond the frame - Hartmut Kulessa, Panasonic Business
  

With brightness now topping 30,000 lumens, projectors can add spectacular visuals to an event, said Hartmut Kulessa of Panasonic. They are capable of 3D mapping and making people part of the experience now, too. “Projection can create really engaging events that capture imaginations,” he said.

• Smart events by GES - Matt Coyne, N200|GES & Stephane Doutriaux, Poken
  

Poken, the visitor engagement and intelligence platform acquired by GES in March, was introduced at Blitz|GES Connection by founder Stéphane Doutriaux. Poken empowers attendees to actively engage with their peers, interact with sponsors or exhibitors and collect digital content direct to their own event portal. “Most people forget 80 to 90% of what they did at an event—Poken helps them remember it,” said Doutriaux.

• Trend tracker: Technologies that excite, engage and inform - David Saef, GES
  

In a whistle-stop tour of GES’ latest Trend Tracker, David Saef flagged up emerging opportunities for event organisers and exhibitors, including social platforms like SnapChat, personalised networking applications like CrystalKnows, and livestreaming.

• Deciding whether to educate or entertain - Richard Padun, Arcstream AV 
  

Richard Padun of Arcstream said technology works best when it focuses on either entertaining users or educating them—but it is difficult to pull off both things at the same time.

• The Smart Event panel - Matt Coyne, N200|GES, Stephane Doutriaux, Poken, Tamar Beck, Gleanin, Stephanie Kluth, Reed Business Information Events
  

Speakers at a Connection panel session suggested that all organisers could pick up tips about smart events by getting out and about. “Take the time to go to other events—sometimes you think you’ve got it made [on technology] but when you go out you might see something even better,” said Reed Business Information’s Stephanie Kluth. “Get to see and feel technology at first-hand, and meet other people facing the same challenges as you,” added Gleanin’s Tamar Beck.

• Visitor engagement - Kevin Hill, RMG Networks
  

Smart use of digital signage and software gives event visitors a more engaging, personalised experience, and increases satisfaction and revenue, said RMG’s Kevin Hill.