by Michael J. Shapiro | August 13, 2018

Entries are being accepted for the annual IBTM World Tech Watch Award, which spotlights the best up-and-coming technologies for meetings and events. Companies that offer a technology-related product and/or service with applications in the MICE industry are eligible, and must submit applications by Sept. 7.

A panel of judges will score entries on innovation, concept and business model, as well as value to the MICE industry. Six finalists will have the opportunity to exhibit at IBTM World, which takes place Nov. 27-29 in Barcelona, Spain. The winner will be announced during the show.

Meetings tech expert Corbin Ball once again will chair the panel of judges, which this year includes Michelle Bruno, president of Bruno Group Signature Events; Dahlia El Gazzar, founder of tech consultancy DAHLIA+ Inc.; Ruud Janssen, founder of the New Objective Collective, event design and strategy consultants, and the co-founder of Event Model Generation; Pádraic Gilligan, managing partner of consultancy SoolNua; James Morgan, founder of Event Tech Lab; and (yours truly) Michael Shapiro, senior editor of Meetings & Conventions in the Northstar Meetings Group.

"Entering the awards is a great chance for organizations to capitalize on the fact that our attendees have a huge appetite to discover and experience the latest exciting technologies that could really make a difference to their businesses," noted Shane Hannam, IBTM portfolio director. "Past finalists and winners have told us that being part of our on-site technology showcase has been of tangible benefit to growing their businesses."

Last year's winner was Sciensio, for its event chatbot technology.

More information to enter is available at Tech Watch.