Signature Boston
December 6, 2016
The International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) released today an updated version of its white paper, Future Trends Impacting the Exhibitions and Events Industry, created by the IAEE Future Trends Task Force, chaired by Francis J. Friedman, President of Time & Place Strategies, Inc. Originally released in 2013, the report identifies and addresses major trends that will impact the exhibitions and events industry within the next three years.
Speech-bots, Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) – think Pokémon Go – and 5G wireless technology that will increase smartphone speeds up to 400% faster than they are now will dominate the future. These new technologies are going to have a major impact on exhibitor marketing techniques and the need for trade shows to keep pace with the developments in these technologies.
“Updates in the 2016 edition address the areas of data quality and converting the data obtained into business strategies and plans,” said Friedman. “Data security is also becoming an even more urgent concern for the industry, given the significant rise in data hacking. Physical security at venues and contingent plans to manage a potential ‘threat’ are also an increasingly important aspect of managing an exhibition or event.”
Friedman noted that education is another increasingly important element at trade shows and events. The industry will need to upgrade its teaching and learning approaches – and technologies – to engage the broad spectrum of attendee learning styles as show floor demographics continue to change.
The exhibitions and events industry is concerned about the global economic picture ahead. The crisis in the Middle East, dramatic changes in the price of oil and other commodities, England leaving the European Union and an overall global economic slowdown continue to be of significant concern. While the U.S. stock market has shown growth since 2009, gurus predict the market will be in for a major “correction” within the next two years. Domestically, the Federal Reserve (FED) may soon raise interest rates, which will increase the cost of borrowed money and investment capital across the entire U.S. economy. The incoming president and his plans to stimulate the U.S economy, alter international treaties and change immigration policies, will have a potential effect on the U.S economy and our industry.
“Change” is how Friedman summarized the task force’s view of the future ahead. It is one in which exhibitions will increase their use of marketing and sales technologies, and the events industry will continue to face significant ongoing changes across every aspect of producing a trade show and generating audience engagement.
“The IAEE Future Trends Task Force’s annual report has proven an invaluable resource for predicting how technology will affect our industry in particular,” said IAEE President & CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “In tandem with its look at economic factors, this paper offers exhibitions and events professionals a powerful tool in helping them formulate strategies for the coming year.”
Click here to download all editions of the Future Trends Impacting the Exhibitions and Events Industry.
About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE, and the organization advocates and promotes the awareness of face-to-face exhibitions and events as the primary medium for business development and growth. IAEE provides relevant, timely and innovative education to its members and the industry. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: 4imprint, Buttine Exhibition Insurance, Convention News Television (CNTV), Freeman, New Orleans & Company, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Personify – A2Z Events, Swapcard and Synchronicities (Visit Anaheim, Visit Baltimore and Visit San Antonio). Visit www.iaee.com for more information.
Media Inquiries:
Mary Tucker
Sr. Communications & Content Manager
+1(972) 687-9226
mtucker@iaee.com
