Tech Beat

Apple threw another one of its trademark product-announcement bashes this week in San Francisco, a mostly music-product event that included a mini-concert with Chris Martin, who dutifully sang the hits of Coldplay and the praises of Apple. (And what planner or marketing rep doesn't marvel at Apple's ability to drum up so much excitement and media coverage over new product announcements?) There were no phones or iPads announced, but one mobile device did get a significant upgrade, one that could have some effect on traveling and meeting.
 
The next generation of the iPod touch, which Apple claims will begin shipping next week, marks another leap forward in the convergence of mobile devices that aren't actually phones -- well, not quite phones, anyway. I use my current iPod touch as a phone where there's a Wi-Fi signal, and the new models make that arrangement just a little bit easier. Specifically, they will sport microphones (while current models require that you plug in a headset with a mic), and they will have front-facing cameras, allowing for video chats. This kind of device makes a lot of sense for international travelers or anyone who doesn't want to be tethered to a two-year AT&T contract, which is of course still required in the U.S. for the iPhone (legally, anyway).
 
Currently, free downloadable apps, such as those from Vonage and Skype, allow you to make free or low-cost calls using VOIP where there's a Wi-Fi signal present. The new iPod touch adds FaceTime to that mix, Apple's free video chat program. Of course, you'll be able to use FaceTime only with other iPod touch or iPhone 4 owners, but it's a start. This also raises the question about whether Apple will begin to loosen some of its VOIP restrictions on apps, which are mired in the politics of Apple's AT&T relationship. Will VOIP calling become increasingly more practical on the iPod, and will we see video-chat functionality from iPod-compatible apps like Skype as well? 
 
With the release of the new iPod touch, Apple will also be releasing the next free upgrade (4.1) to its iOS, the iPhone and touch operating system. The following free upgrade, version 4.2, will be out in November — and that one will bring all of the latest functionality to the iPad. I suspect that means we could see the next-generation iPads announced in time for holiday shopping, and that they too will be equipped with cameras, further increasing the video-chat capabilities of all of Apple's mobile devices.
 
One of the most relevant points for meetings and events is the fact that Apple is adding this kind of functionality to more devices that share a common platform, the iOS. Any mobile strategy these days has to take into account the disparity among mobile gadgets and their different platforms; if you create an iPhone app for your event, you'll reach some attendees, but to reach more you may also need web-based apps and/or those for the BlackBerry and Android platforms. The fact that Apple is putting different kinds of devices in the hands of more people should, if successful, increase the reach of anything you develop for Apple's operating system.
 
As a traveler and admirer of gadgetry, I appreciate that the new iPod touch also has a rear-facing camera, capable of shooting high-def video at 30 frames per second, which you can then edit right on the iPod. And with version 4.1 of the iOS, Apple also is introducing a high dynamic range photo feature. For any still photos taken with the new iPod touch, or with the iPhone (or, eventually, with an iPad), you can flip on this HDR setting and the device will shoot three photos simultaneously -- one at the automatic exposure, one slightly underexposed and one slightly overexposed -- and then combine them, bringing out details in both the shadows and the highlights. Features like these can potentially make these devices even more useful while on the road.

That said, the new iPod touch's still photo capabilities equate to less than a megapixel of resolution -- as opposed to the newest iPhone's 5-megapixel still camera. So your degree of usefulness will vary. Full details on this and Apple's other new product announcements are available on the company's home page. 

Consider this a public service announcement for the technology entrepreneurs among us: The deadline for entries to the EIBTM 2010 Worldwide Technology Watch is fast approaching, as in one week from today. You'll have to fill out the official online form by September 3 to be considered.
 
The WWTW is open to anyone who has developed a new technology product or service for the meetings and incentives industry. The winner gets to present the product at this year's EIBTM, Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 in Barcelona, Spain, as well as have a free booth in the show's Technology Village exhibit area.
 
The fact that EIBTM takes place in Barcelona should be motivation enough, if you ask me. But the ensuing glory of winning is more than just about personally introducing your technology to the European marketplace. In the past, EIBTM's Technology Village along with the technology track of the show's seminars have been an impressive showcase of innovative ideas and stimulating discussion. Last year's Watch winner was Pathable, the online community and social network for events (used at several MPI shows); the previous year's was MeetingMetrics, an advanced software package for measuring event ROI, now being used by several industry associations. The judges typically do an insightful job of highlighting products that are both innovative and have practical application potential in the industry.
 
Pathable CEO Jordan Schwartz says that last year's event, in addition to being his company's grand debut to the European marketplace, had direct effects on the bottom line. "There's a bushel of business and partnerships that we closed because of the exposure it gave us," he says. Not to mention the celebrity status one receives on the "previous winners" page for years to come.

I've just downloaded a slick-looking, handy iPhone app built specifically for planners. It's called Super Planner, and it was developed by industry consultant Howard Givner, founder of the event company Paint the Town Red and then North American CEO of the company that acquired it, Global Events Group. Super Planner is among the ventures he's been working on since last December, when he left Global Events.
 
The app is a reference tool, as opposed to a scheduler or database for specific events. It doesn't require an Internet connection once you download it, as all of the reference data is built in. Specifically, that data takes the form of calculators and guidelines in three categories: food and beverage, audiovisual and venue capacity. By entering the number of expected attendees, you can quickly calculate the number of hors d'oeuvres, drinks, bartenders and waiters required for different types of events. Super Planner also can calculate and compare total pricing, with or without gratuity and tax; it can compute projection distances based on screen size, or suggested stage height based on room size; it offers a convenient calculator and means of comparison for different types of room setups based on room size -- in either square feet or square meters. In other words, the app provides a quick and easy way of computing a variety of planning essentials, in an easy-to-navigate and slick package.
 
Check out the demo for a pretty thorough look at the app's functionality. Thus far I've found it extremely easy to navigate and just as responsive as it appears in that demo. Supper Planner currently is being sold for $9.99 through the Apple App Store, for use with an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch — a tad pricey in the world of apps, but quite reasonable if it's something you'll be able to consult regularly on-site or on the move.

Apps have been multiplying like rabbits of late. Anyone with a smartphone, iPad or other Internet-ready mobile gizmo likely knows this, as we sift through the app morass to find the winners, those favorite apps that will make us more productive, better connected and/or better people. If tech-savvy attendees are likely to show up at your events, they may soon be looking for event-specific conference apps -- that is, if you haven't produced one already.
 


This week event management company Experient announced a preferred partnership with app developer Core-Apps, which makes the Follow Me and Event Link apps that have been used by dozens of trade shows and conferences. Through the agreement, these meeting apps also will be available directly to Experient customers as part of a suite of services called Experient Connexia. Last month, meeting management company HPN Global announced a similar partnership with developer QuickMobile, which made the apps for MPI's latest MeetDifferent and World Education Congress events. HPN customers will be able to select a private-label version of QuickMobile's app for their events.
 


The partnerships are representative of the increasing number of opportunities available to planners to create show apps, and just how accessible their use is becoming. Case in point: Be on the lookout for a self-service version of Event Link to be available soon, possibly by the end of this month. According to Core-Apps CEO Jay Tokosch, conference organizers soon will be able to go directly to the Core-Apps site (or, possibly, those of participating partners), upload all of their relevant conference info, logos and such, answer some questions and then receive links to download their show app in short order. As app developers continue to get more show experience under their belts, the process of meeting app creation should continue to move in this direction -- lessening the complexity for planners and show organizers who want to put the entire show program, social media functionality, networking tools and more in the hands of each smartphone-toting attendee.



Look for an in-depth feature on this topic in M&C next month.

Cvent debuted a new look and more features this week for its Cvent Supplier Network, the company's free hotel and event venue sourcing platform. The interface looks sharper, but in addition to that a bevy of tweaks have been made to streamline the search process. Before (or after) entering geographical search criteria, planners can select from among tabs for hotels, special event venues, restaurants, services or all venues. A wide variety of filters (city, chain, venue type, largest room, etc.) run down the left-hand side of the page, and snappily update search results when selected. And another nice new touch: When a venue is selected, its "key highlights" (venue type, brand, distance from airport, number of sleep and meeting rooms, meeting space) remain displayed at the top of the page even while planners can browse for more detail among the tabs underneath.

Cvent also rolled out new features, including a "quick RFP," which is an abbreviated version of the fairly detailed standard request for proposal, and a request for information, an even more abbreviated version, tailored for the smaller event venues and restaurants. More international search functionality is also built in, notably the ability to view meeting space areas in either square feet or square meters. Cvent executive vice president Chuck Ghoorah, in explaining his belief that the market is now completely ready to embrace eRFP platforms as the RFP medium of choice, has begun to use "Cvent" as a verb; whereas before planners may have faxed or e-mailed their requests for proposal, they now, he says, will "Cvent" them.

Whether or not our language changes as a result, the online search/eRFP submittal process is clearly becoming more robust. Cvent's update comes on the heels of some lodging site search improvements I've noticed of late -- such as the additional search parameters added by Embassy Suites and Marriott's new Innovention Network, the latter of which offering meetings site-selection and booking services for 60 of Marriott's largest meeting properties. While the Innovention Network aims to provide more than just site-search capabilities, I do especially like the pop-up regional search windows, and the way in which the filters for peak rooms, largest ballroom, total meeting space and golf or spa on site instantly pare down the property options as you click. Ideally, the increased convenience and speed of these new search tools will make your jobs a little bit easier.

Entrepreneurs Ian Framson and Seth Burstein launched Trade Show Internet in 2009, and they've been garnering an increasing amount of attention this year for their tech startup. Like the name says, their company provides Internet access at trade shows. Most of their business thus far has been directly with exhibitors: Instead of paying the often shockingly high prices for access charged by the venues (which can run well over $1,000 for a few days), those with booths can contract directly through Trade Show Internet -- and pay the going rate of $299 for a three-day rental. The access is via the 3G EVDO network of Verizon Wireless or, as of this spring, the Clear 4G WiMax network. A venue can't place restrictions on wireless network access of this nature.
 


Clients experience broadband speeds of up to 6 Mbps, according to the company; TSI's website is replete with testimonials from clients who claim the speed is at least as fast as what they're accustomed to from venue-supplied connections. The $299 plug-and-play kit includes a booster antenna, Ethernet network cable, USB-powered modem and a router that allows for up to four device connections, either wired or via Wi-Fi. As the Wi-Fi range is good for up to 600 feet, exhibitors can even use this to set up a cyber lounge for visitors to the booth. TSI also provides 24-hour tech support to help walk exhibitors through any service issues.
 


Recently, the company started going after more show-wide business and contracting directly with event managers. A premier package, TSI On-Site, entails months of preshow prep, venue mapping, site testing with Verizon Wireless and in-person tech support. For this package, too, TSI claims to be an economical alternative to the in-house provider, as the company is creating competition where previously there was none. 


Trade Show Internet is exhibiting at the TS2 trade show in Boston this week, so check out their booth for more info. I'd be curious to hear if any readers have used the TSI On-Site package, and if so, what their experiences were.

MeetingMetrics, a company that has been making tools to measure the value of events for nearly 20 years, is in the process of rolling out a new service aimed at conference and event attendees. MyROI, as it's called, is all about calculating the return on investment at the attendee level, for all who opt in.
 
That functionality was already available within the MeetingMetrics platform -- you may have noticed MPI touting it at last year's World Education Conference -- but MeetingMetrics has decided to roll it out now as a turnkey solution for associations, trade shows or educational program sponsors who want to offer this functionality to their attendees.
 
The process itself is pretty straightforward. All attendees who register for MyROI receive e-mailed notification to complete an online survey about three months following the event. Why so long afterwards? The survey is measuring the return on investment in the event, so what's important isn't the attendees' immediate impressions, but rather how they've put the information and experience to use in the following months. After survey responses are collected and calculated, each participating attendee receives a confidential 12-page report that details their return on investment, as well as how their experience compares to that of their peers, in aggregate. The conference organizer or sponsor receives a detailed report that rolls up the overall attendee experience (without revealing any individual's data) -- which could serve as valuable marketing fodder for future events, as well as detailed feedback about where improvement is most needed.
 
What's more, the service is a revenue generator for the conference organizer. Those who have registered for next month's MPI World Education Congress may have noticed the option to sign up for the MyROI service as an add on, for an extra $25. For future shows MeetingMetrics will likely offer another pricing model as well, by which the meeting organizer builds the charge into the registration fee. In either case the revenue is shared between the organizer and MeetingMetrics.
 
MeetingMetrics is also working with another industry association on a rollout of the service, according to managing director Ira Kerns, and has seen significant interest from others.