Event Tech Live (ETL) has launched its first hosted buyer program for its shows in Las Vegas and London using the MustMeet platform by Grip, a leading AI-powered event tech provider built for meetings and matchmaking.

Grip’s MustMeet product, a powerful meeting scheduling system for event organizers, is being used by ETL to automatically schedule, manage and host a range of meetings for buyers and suppliers.   

“Our hosted buyer initiative is about expediting the ETL experience for brands and businesses typically unable to commit a day to the show,” said Adam Parry, co-founder of ETL. “There will be a dedicated, furnished zone where they can have quick, pre-arranged meetings with exhibitors.”

Perry continued, “It’s an optional extra that will bring another level of interaction to the show floor, and it’s great to be working with an innovative vehicle like MustMeet to deliver this.”

MustMeet helps organizers by easily adding transformational meetings to their events with AI-powered, automated schedules, according to Tim Groot, founder and CEO of Grip.

“We’ve seen an 80 percent increase in demand for events where meetings are a core part of the experience,” Groot said. “The growth of this new product has been incredible, as more organizers start offering facilitated meeting programs to connect buyers and suppliers.”

Groot added, “We’re proud Event Tech Live is the latest organizer to select MustMeet. It will deliver greater ROI for participants, boost NPS and increase revenue.”

ETL Las Vegas Launchpad

Meanwhile, voting is now open for the first ETL Las Vegas Launchpad Competition for event tech startups and those launching brand-new tech.

This year’s competition is sponsored by DAHLIA+Agency and Event Industry News, which will have representatives on the expert judging panel.

The three companies that receive the most votes will be announced on April 26, the first day of ETL Las Vegas, and invited to deliver a short presentation in front of a live audience at the show on April 27. An expert panel of judges will rank the companies gold, silver and bronze, with a significant prize for each category.

There are eight companies competing for a prize this year. Event professionals can show their support for their favorite new tech by voting here. To see the winners announced in at the show, register here.

ETL Las Vegas will take place April 26-27 at The Expo at World Market Center. ETL London is set for Nov. 15-16 at ExCeL, London. Both shows are dedicated to bringing global event professionals together to experience and discuss the latest advances in event tech, champion thought leadership and engage its community year-round.

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