Eric Lochner
Jan 07, 2022
Two of the biggest names in event tech, MeetingPlay and Aventri, have tied the knot, creating an industry powerhouse that aims to provide an innovative, full-lifecycle event planning and management solution. In conjunction with the merger, the company, now known as MeetingPlay and Aventri with plans to eventually rebrand with a new name, received a growth equity investment from Sunstone Partners and Camden Partners and named Eric Lochner its new CEO. With more than 25 years of experience in building technology and technology-enabled services companies, Lochner has a solid record of mergers… more
Dec 23, 2021
Following the surge in online events that has swept the industry since the pandemic started, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) and networking platform AC Forum have unveiled Digital Events Outlook: Insights, Behaviours, Best Practices. Funded by the PCMA Foundation, the report aims to demystify key myths about digital events and provide event organizers with a checklist for planning them in the future. The release of the research findings coincides with a two-year strategic partnership between PCMA and AC Forum that is intended to strengthen both organizations through… more
Dec 15, 2021
Event experience leader Bizzabo recently acquired two new companies, Klik and TeeVid, and debuted the Ultimate Video Production Suite to further invest in innovative, experiential technology for virtual, hybrid and in-person events. Klik is a pioneer of smart wearables technology to power onsite experiences at live events. Its technology helps event professionals elevate and measure attendee engagement, participation, and networking. Bizzabo believes event organizers have established appetites for the rich behavioral and intent data that virtual events have captured for the past 18 months… more
Dec 03, 2021
New tech solutions for events of all types continue to rapidly take shape in the industry, from platform upgrades and additions to mobile apps and measurement tools. Check out some of the latest new developments! Bizzabo Bizzabo recently launched its Event Experience category and Event Experience Operating System (OS) to help companies “future-proof” events for a hybrid world. The Experience OS, built from the ground up to lead the new category of Event experience was designed to give event organizers the tools they need to deliver personalized experiences, create magical moments that… more
Nov 12, 2021
The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) has partnered with software company JUNO to offer an enhanced platform for its audiences to experience content and connect with each other year-round. “This platform enables PCMA to extend our digital strategy beyond events and connect our global community to continue conversation and learning,” said Sherrif Karamat, PCMA’s president and CEO, during the announcement on Nov. 10 at IMEX America in Las Vegas. “We are excited to partner with JUNO to offer an enhanced experience for our audiences to connect and engage with one another.”… more
Oct 29, 2021
Raised in a small university town in North Carolina, where both of his parents were English professors, Joe Davy was self-taught when it came to tech smarts, which have been top of mind for him since childhood.  “I learned to program on our 386 PC desktop at home using a manual for a Tandy 2000 computer that I found in a box of free books at my parents’ office,” he said.  Davy’s early interest in technology and programming eventually turned into an interest in business and entrepreneurship. “I was lucky to meet a few life-changing mentors and friends who shaped me into who I am today,” he… more
Oct 21, 2021
Event technology is continuing to evolve at record speed, with new tools and platforms significantly improving the experience for organizers and attendees. Here are some of the most recent developments.  Hubilo Virtual event platform Hubilo has secured $125 million in Series B funding from Alkeon Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Balderton Capital, bringing the company’s total funding to $153 million. The new investment will allow Hubilo to expand its global footprint, build out new functionalities and deliver on its product vision for the future of events.  “The potential ahead of… more
Oct 13, 2021
Ensuring the health and safety of attendees, exhibitors and employees working at host venues has become a paramount priority as the industry returns to in-person events. An increasing number of organizers are opting to implement COVID-19 vaccine mandates or negative test requirements in addition to several other health and safety measures. With these trends, the need for streamlined ways to verify proof of health status electronically is on the rise. The following four health-screening solutions are designed to ease the verification process for everyone involved and, in some cases, provide… more
Oct 08, 2021
If the human species is good at one thing, it’s adapting. So too is the trade show and events industry, which was forced to “pivot” during the worst of the pandemic by moving into a more innovative, forward-thinking mindset via the leveraging of virtual event technology. What has resulted is a digital events revolution and a growing hybrid evolution that is likely to be a mainstay in the events world for the foreseeable future.  To meet the needs of events serving both in-person and virtual audiences, hybrid event production studios are popping up in cities and at convention centers across… more
Oct 05, 2021
Guests attending or exhibiting at trade shows held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) are going to notice a futuristic presence in their midst: a 5G smart robot combining 5G network and artificial intelligence technologies designed to enhance security and operational efficiency at the massive facility. Deployed during the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival, held Aug. 20-23, “Captain C” is equipped with a 360-degree 4K high-definition surveillance camera, an infrared detection camera and a sensor system for detecting smoke and fire.  According to HKCEC (… more
Partner Voices
  MGM Resorts is renowned for its exceptional service and diverse venue options across Las Vegas, Detroit, Springfield, National Harbor, Biloxi, and Atlantic City, providing flexible spaces for meetings of any size. Beyond these offerings, MGM Resorts distinguishes itself through a strong commitment to social responsibility and sustainability, making it an ideal choice for your next meeting.  At the core of MGM Resorts' company values is its platform, "Focused on What Matters," dedicated to meeting customer needs while advancing socially responsible practices. This commitment is evident more