Have you ever heard someone say, “if it weren't for tomorrow, it'd be the future today!” or “the future is unwritten.” Well, dear readers, when it comes to the use of augmented reality (AR) technology in the events space, that future is now! In 2019, the excitement was building, and event organizers, sponsors, and attendees could all see the future and it was thrilling. Unfortunately, there was a different reality that people didn’t see coming - a global pandemic that led to cancellations of industry events around the world. However, as in-person events have returned, so has the use of AR and related technologies. The results are amazing experiences for attendees, more value for sponsors, smoother operations for event managers, and more revenue for venues.
Now, big-name companies are spending big money to make a big splash at some big events using AR! Thankfully, resource-heavy technology requirements (think VR headsets or clunky AR goggles) have given way to powerful applications that can live on a phone and deliver an epic user experience. It may not be as immersive as the headset experience, but it’s a sliver of the cost and development can be done by one or two people. It is making groundbreaking new experiences—with no programming required.
The natural fit between AR and events is something to be explored and celebrated. AR is so well suited for expos, trade shows, conferences, and festivals. Basically, anywhere large groups of people come together in a flexible space, AR can make a difference. It adds big value to event management software by providing wayfinding meta maps, engaging spatial experiences, and deep location intelligence. Functionality, engagement, and insights that event and venue managers could only dream of in the past.
ARway enables accessibility to the metaverse for creators and consumers by allowing them to experience and enhance their physical surroundings with AR navigation and interactive experiences.
A Total Package for Event Management Solutions
Event management companies of all sizes are turning to Map D and ARway, both from Nextech AR Solutions, to make their trade shows, conferences, festivals, and other events sizzle. Map D, which has long been a well-respected product for association event management, has blossomed when combined with ARway. ARway is advanced AR technology that makes creating rich experiences easier than ever.
In one recent case, Restaurants Canada (RC) used Map D and ARway to manage its event, which is one of North America’s largest hospitality industry conferences. They were able to add delicious layers of richness to the attendee experience. So how big was the team and how did they do it? Oh, just two people with a smartphone.
Map D turns complicated event logistics into simple processes.
Just as the use of AR and other advanced technologies for events and tradeshows has evolved over the past few years, so has Map D. It was once a niche product tailored mostly to association events and tradeshows, festivals, and expos that needed an easy way to sell booths online. Now, with the development of new features needed to optimize and enhance complex contemporary events, it has matured into the total package for event management.
No Special Equipment or Expertise Required
Some of the key features in Map D that event managers are coming to depend on are attendee ticket sales, interactive floor plans; online booth sales, real-time event updates; management tools for exhibitors, sponsors, speakers, and sessions; location-based content and notifications; and (of course) the ability to easily create compelling AR experiences.
ARway is the secret sauce behind creating those experiences. It’s a no-code spatial technology platform that allows anyone to tap into the creative potential of the metaverse. Creators and users alike enjoy the powerful potential of the technology. People stay engaged with AR content longer than any other type. More than a billion people use AR on a regular basis, a number that will only grow. For events, AR is a game-changer. It opens the door to so many critical capabilities - from virtual signage, to wayfinding, to location-based popup information. While it’s easy enough for anyone to create these experiences, custom development offers an even wider array of rich experiences and services.
Julian and Hannah use ARway to create an experience on-site during Restaurants Canada.
Download ARway to begin experimenting today or contact the ARway team to learn more. Book a Map D demo to see how it can make your event management responsibilities easy, engaging, and more enriching for everyone. Contact us today.
