Albert Einstein, in his infinite wisdom, once stated, “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”

In this modern, “technology-saturated” world, human beings rapidly dash through their days, deluged with data, interpreting text and clinging to their PDAs.  We exist in a 24 hour/365 day per year “information age” where we are “on” at all times and ready for information whether we seek it or not.

Nowhere is the immersion and development of technology more prevalent and important than in the MICE industry of meetings, incentives, conventions and expositions.  Event technology drives an enormous industry where, “On average 1.8 million corporate & business meetings, trade shows, conventions, congresses, incentive events and other meetings take place in the US alone resulting in over $263B in direct spending to the US economy.  Over 205 million attendees generate over 250 million room nights annually to the US economy.” (Source: Convention Industry Council). 

Perhaps the number one emerging trend is virtual..”setting a course to the cloud”, where all demographics virtually and virally communicate globally 24 hours per day, driving audience acquisition, steering participation and virally marketing to capture attention to products and services.

Taking advantage of the cloud is important In the Tradeshow and Exposition Industries where employing a Virtual Tradeshow (VTS) platform, supported by the cloud, is an excellent “high tech/low touch” strategy for show managers and exhibitors.

Doug Bodenstab, founder and owner of VTS.com, best describes VTS as a cloud-based show management system, “where the exhibitors run the event, allowing you, the Show Manager, the confidence and time to best manage today’s tradeshows, conferences and expos.”

With VTS, exhibitors can “virtually” register to exhibit, select booth locations from a real-time floor plan, download and update their online exhibitor packet order equipment, furnishings and coordinate drayage, enter and market company description, product and services categories and product lines a company represents and review account information and pay invoices.

Attendees can register on-line, review interactive floor plans, search for specific exhibitors and services, register for seminars, link to hotel accommodations, ground transportation, local points of interest and area information, all virtually, on-line.

For the event planner and show manager, the complete planning and administrative process is automated where equipment and furnishings are ordered, badges designed and printed, exhibitor products and services prominently displayed on line and easily downloaded for a printed directory, a virtual show floor plan exists for selling and administering booths, seminars, breakouts, food and beverages, accommodations, etc.  VTS, a total ROI solution, guarantees manpower savings, employs best industry practices, all in a state-of-the-art technology environment.

Sponsors and other “key” financial supporters visit a professionally-crafted and well-implemented site where they recognize great value in participating.

Employing QR Codes and Meeting APPS market the event, provide immediate real time access for all participants, promote key sponsors, speakers and presenters, stress viral communications through social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc) and push notifications.

Where “technology may have exceeded our humanity”, a carefully orchestrated VTS strategy provides an excellent, attendee-wide communications platform, an outstanding viral opportunity and a creative marketing strategy, all and more… Residing on the Cloud!

Doug Wheeler – Principal Summit Performance Group (www.summitpg.com)/ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Summit Performance Group is a global provider of meeting & event logistics, site selection, individual & group incentive & corporate travel, national & international sports hospitality, event technology & incentive merchandise.

Meetings Motivate, Motivation Matters!