Corporate Event Management - Latest Tech Trends & the way Forward
Hailing from Mangaluru, a tier-2 city in Karnataka, India, Mohammed Saleem has always been a visionary ahead of his time, He incepted Trescon in 2016, prior to which he worked at a French business facilitation, investor introduction and consulting firm for over a decade across various management capacities. Additionally, he is an investor and advisor to RivalArium and EasySoft Technologies. In a recent conversation with Siliconindia, Mohammed shared his insights on various aspects pertaining to B2B events in today’s context. Below are the excerpts from the exclusive interview
Standing true to the statement that change is the only constant, the Indian event management industry stands as a testament to the power of adaptation and innovation. Today, events are no longer mere information-sharing platforms and have evolved into immersive, personalized experiences that help attendees achieve their organisational growth objectives and develop new opportunities. Live interactions, real-time polls and virtual networking are fostering an unparalleled sense of involvement that was previously inconceivable. As technology reshapes engagement and personalization, the potential for event management companies is limitless. By nurturing innovation, staying attuned to the pulse of audience preferences, and fearlessly conquering challenges, event organizers are paving the path for a future brimming with vibrant, inclusive, and unforgettable events, both within India and on the global stage.
Latest Trends & Tech Disruptions
Artificial Intelligence powered personalization is enabling event management companies to customize event experiences and also offer recommendations for sessions, workshops, and connections based on attendees’ preferences and behaviour, thus resulting in an elevated audience engagement. By leveraging live streaming technologies, companies are able to broaden their event reach and enable hassle-free remote participation. Also, gamification engages attendees through challenges and rewards, wherein they can also earn points for attending sessions, networking or visiting booths.
Successfully bring the gap between physical gatherings and the digital realm, virtual events provide companies with a global stage to connect, educate and inspire participants without geographical constraints. From webinars & virtual conferences to trade shows conducted in virtual environments, these events enable seamless access to valuable content and networking opportunities from any corner of the world. On the other hand, blending the best of both physical and virtual worlds are the hybrid events that unite in-person interactions with a virtual component to create an enriched experience for all participants. This format offers flexibility, inclusivity, and heightened engagement, ensuring that those unable to attend in person can still benefit. Today, virtual and hybrid events are ushering in a new era of corporate events. As technology continues to evolve, I foresee these formats evolving further, thus transforming the way businesses collaborate and innovate on a global scale.
Data Security & Privacy in High Profile Events
Having efficient data security measures is paramount while handling high-profile events like MICE. Firstly, multi-factor authentication, role-based permissions and robust encryption & access controls enables organizations to implement end-to-end encryption for data transmission & storage, thus restricting access to sensitive information by unauthorized personnel. Also, choosing secure event management platforms is another key measure in this regard, wherein platforms should adhere to industry standards pertaining to data security and must have undergone periodic vulnerability assessments, security audits, and others.
Secondly, companies must avoid unnecessary data collection to minimize the risk associated with handling sensitive information and implement well-defined data retention policies to ensure that data is stored only for as long as necessary and is securely deleted when no longer required. Organizations must also establish comprehensive protocols for data handling, including data transmission, storage & processing, conduct periodic reviews and update these protocols to adapt to evolving threats. If third-party vendors are involved, conduct thorough due diligence on their data security practices to ensure that they comply with stringent security standards and are aligned with your data protection policies. Also, regularly train your team on data security best practices, privacy protocols, phishing attacks and social engineering tactics that could compromise sensitive information. Lastly, develop a well-defined incident response plan that outlines steps to take in case of a data breach.
In conclusion, ensuring data security and privacy during high-profile events demands meticulous planning and adherence to best practices. The reputation of event management companies hinges on their ability to protect sensitive information, and these measures serve as the foundation for building trust and maintaining a secure environment for all participants.
Future Prospects
Going forward, hybrid events will become the new standard, offer unparalleled flexibility, and enable companies to cater to diverse attendee preferences. Also, the ability to connect with both in-person and remote audiences is expected broaden event reach and impact. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence will continue to revolutionize event personalization by analyzing attendee data, preferences, and behaviour to curate personalized event experiences. Attendees will receive tailored content recommendations, enabling deeper engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, sustainability will take center stage in event planning, wherein companies will prioritize eco-friendly practices, from reducing waste and carbon footprint to embracing sustainable event venues.
On the other hand, data analytics will guide event planning and refinement by offering real-time insights into attendee engagement, preferences, and feedback to empower event managers to make informed decisions and enhance future events. Also, technology integration will become more seamless, where event apps, registration platforms and networking tools will work together to provide a cohesive and user-friendly experience for attendees. Events will celebrate cultural diversity & inclusivity and companies will strive to offer content that resonates with a global audience. Gamification will continue to drive engagement, and corporate events will evolve beyond information sharing to offer continuous learning opportunities through workshops, hands-on experiences, and skill-building sessions.
To summarize, the future of corporate event management promises a convergence of technology, personalization, sustainability and creativity. As event organizers embrace these trends, they’ll create transformative experiences that captivate attendees, spark innovation, and solidify the industry’s position as a dynamic force in the business world.
Standing true to the statement that change is the only constant, the Indian event management industry stands as a testament to the power of adaptation and innovation. Today, events are no longer mere information-sharing platforms and have evolved into immersive, personalized experiences that help attendees achieve their organisational growth objectives and develop new opportunities. Live interactions, real-time polls and virtual networking are fostering an unparalleled sense of involvement that was previously inconceivable. As technology reshapes engagement and personalization, the potential for event management companies is limitless. By nurturing innovation, staying attuned to the pulse of audience preferences, and fearlessly conquering challenges, event organizers are paving the path for a future brimming with vibrant, inclusive, and unforgettable events, both within India and on the global stage.
Latest Trends & Tech Disruptions
Artificial Intelligence powered personalization is enabling event management companies to customize event experiences and also offer recommendations for sessions, workshops, and connections based on attendees’ preferences and behaviour, thus resulting in an elevated audience engagement. By leveraging live streaming technologies, companies are able to broaden their event reach and enable hassle-free remote participation. Also, gamification engages attendees through challenges and rewards, wherein they can also earn points for attending sessions, networking or visiting booths.
Successfully bring the gap between physical gatherings and the digital realm, virtual events provide companies with a global stage to connect, educate and inspire participants without geographical constraints. From webinars & virtual conferences to trade shows conducted in virtual environments, these events enable seamless access to valuable content and networking opportunities from any corner of the world. On the other hand, blending the best of both physical and virtual worlds are the hybrid events that unite in-person interactions with a virtual component to create an enriched experience for all participants. This format offers flexibility, inclusivity, and heightened engagement, ensuring that those unable to attend in person can still benefit. Today, virtual and hybrid events are ushering in a new era of corporate events. As technology continues to evolve, I foresee these formats evolving further, thus transforming the way businesses collaborate and innovate on a global scale.
Data Security & Privacy in High Profile Events
Having efficient data security measures is paramount while handling high-profile events like MICE. Firstly, multi-factor authentication, role-based permissions and robust encryption & access controls enables organizations to implement end-to-end encryption for data transmission & storage, thus restricting access to sensitive information by unauthorized personnel. Also, choosing secure event management platforms is another key measure in this regard, wherein platforms should adhere to industry standards pertaining to data security and must have undergone periodic vulnerability assessments, security audits, and others.
Secondly, companies must avoid unnecessary data collection to minimize the risk associated with handling sensitive information and implement well-defined data retention policies to ensure that data is stored only for as long as necessary and is securely deleted when no longer required. Organizations must also establish comprehensive protocols for data handling, including data transmission, storage & processing, conduct periodic reviews and update these protocols to adapt to evolving threats. If third-party vendors are involved, conduct thorough due diligence on their data security practices to ensure that they comply with stringent security standards and are aligned with your data protection policies. Also, regularly train your team on data security best practices, privacy protocols, phishing attacks and social engineering tactics that could compromise sensitive information. Lastly, develop a well-defined incident response plan that outlines steps to take in case of a data breach.
Companies must avoid unnecessary data collection to minimize the risk associated with handling sensitive information and implement well-defined data retention policies.
In conclusion, ensuring data security and privacy during high-profile events demands meticulous planning and adherence to best practices. The reputation of event management companies hinges on their ability to protect sensitive information, and these measures serve as the foundation for building trust and maintaining a secure environment for all participants.
Future Prospects
Going forward, hybrid events will become the new standard, offer unparalleled flexibility, and enable companies to cater to diverse attendee preferences. Also, the ability to connect with both in-person and remote audiences is expected broaden event reach and impact. Furthermore, Artificial Intelligence will continue to revolutionize event personalization by analyzing attendee data, preferences, and behaviour to curate personalized event experiences. Attendees will receive tailored content recommendations, enabling deeper engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, sustainability will take center stage in event planning, wherein companies will prioritize eco-friendly practices, from reducing waste and carbon footprint to embracing sustainable event venues.
On the other hand, data analytics will guide event planning and refinement by offering real-time insights into attendee engagement, preferences, and feedback to empower event managers to make informed decisions and enhance future events. Also, technology integration will become more seamless, where event apps, registration platforms and networking tools will work together to provide a cohesive and user-friendly experience for attendees. Events will celebrate cultural diversity & inclusivity and companies will strive to offer content that resonates with a global audience. Gamification will continue to drive engagement, and corporate events will evolve beyond information sharing to offer continuous learning opportunities through workshops, hands-on experiences, and skill-building sessions.
To summarize, the future of corporate event management promises a convergence of technology, personalization, sustainability and creativity. As event organizers embrace these trends, they’ll create transformative experiences that captivate attendees, spark innovation, and solidify the industry’s position as a dynamic force in the business world.
