ITN International, a US-based event analytics provider, has scooped EIBTM’s Technology Watch Award for 2011 (www.eibtm.com). The company beat a record number of entrants in the judging process, which recognises and rewards technological innovation in the meetings and events industry.
The company was chosen to receive the award in recognition of its Citywide Attendee Credential, an attendee badge that doubles as a free pass to public transit and tourist attractions throughout a host city.
ITN International will present their winning product during EIBTM 2011, a Reed Travel Exhibition at the Future Events Experience on Wednesday at 14:30 followed by a Networking Drinks Reception. To view the full schedule of speakers and events at the Future Events Experience and Technology Hour sessions, go to www.eibtm.com/whatson
Ivan Lazarev, President and CEO, ITN International commented: “We are honoured to have been singled out for this award. The successful test of our new Citywide Attendee Credential proves we can support a ‘total’ attendee credential. That’s good news both for destination marketing organisations and event organisers”.
“Our citywide badge performs a double duty, enabling a DMO to grant attendees access to its city’s infrastructure and attractions, while enabling an organiser to meet their needs for attendee tracking, access control and exhibitor lead retrieval. The ‘seamless’ experience the credential gives attendees means DMOs can at long last co-brand their cities and the events they host effectively.”
The esteemed judging panel chaired by Corbin Ball (CEO of Corbin Ball Associates) comprised Michelle Bruno (CMP, CEM, President, Bruno Group Signature Events), Martin Sirk (CEO, ICCA), Bruce M. MacMillan, (President/CEO, MPI), Paul Hussey (Business Development Director, BSI Meetings and Events), Samuel J. Smith (Technology Consultant & Editor, Interactive Meeting Technology Blog) and Ruud W. Janssen (Managing Director,TNOC).
Entrants were judged by a weighting system of scoring that included marks for innovation and uniqueness, the impact their product could have on the meetings industry, its value in terms of ROI and pricing.
In addition to the overall award winner, the panel also recognised four further finalists, who highlight several paths of technology progress for events.
Wifarer has refined existing Wi-Fi systems within a venue to pinpoint a smartphone’s location to an accuracy of 1.3 meters. This “indoor positioning system” can provide very precise way finding for attendees though a meeting venue or exhibit hall, while providing location-aware content delivery and aggregated attendee movement analytics.
GenieMobile provides a high quality, yet easy-to-use, “do-it-yourself” mobile app development tool for events. The menu of application choices is very robust and they are delivered as native apps to iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, WindowsPhone and as a mobile web site. The DIY model enables at a lower price point than commonly found in these products as well as unprecedented control of the app content.
Active Network, Events points to the increasing power of tablet computers at events. The comprehensive suite of mobile and tablet applications gives the event organiser unprecedented real-time access to registration data, lead retrieval, social networking, exhibitor management, session tracking and scheduling tool, event mobile app usage, housing, financial statements, speaker resources and content management on an iPad and other mobile devices.
Triqle Event Intelligence -“What’s On?” is a simple and inexpensive idea – to publish real-time event program data to any device with and internet connection allowing attendees to see at a glance what is going on now and next. This eliminates the need for scrolling or searching the most current programme item.
Corbin Ball, Chairman of the EIBTM Technology Watch judging panel commented, “Having received a record number of submissions this year – 56 in total – this year’s winner and four finalists were among dozens of exceptionally strong entries. Technology innovation is revolutionizing the business process for events and exhibitions and I am very pleased to participate again in the Technology Watch as it highlights some of the best new concepts within the industry.”
The EIBTM Technology Watch is the most high profile and longest running technology recognition scheme which acts as a major opportunity for companies to demonstrate new and innovative technology solutions that have the capacity to make a real difference to the business of meeting and event planning.
For further information and to register to attend EIBTM and the winners presentation, visit www.eibtm.com
