“May you live in interesting times.” This update of the old Chinese proverb remains true today.
The past 18 months have been volatile given the state of the exhibition industry and the global economy. We faced an array of challenges including travel restrictions, rising costs, exhibitor cutbacks, labor and venue issues. At the same time -and perhaps because of these circumstances - we discovered new creativity and become more open to change, including options driven by new technology.
Social networking and live events are natural extensions, equally important pieces of a growing universe. Both have a foundation based on community and are driven by content and networking.
Numerous new technologies and digital solutions have expanded the products we as event organizers and suppliers can offer our clients. Social networking enables us to form closer relationships with our traditional participants and reach new prospects. Digital platforms redefine events so that they reach beyond the live component to the virtual dimension; we are no longer limited to the 2-4 days of our physical event but can serve our community 365 days, 24/7.
We live in a most exciting time; as an exhibition professional we now have opportunities limited only by our vision and our willingness to expand our horizons. Working together, these possibilities are more exhilarating than scary, more fascinating than daunting.
MTO offered the educational background so attendees could understand the role of technology in today’s changing exhibition world and they could be introduced to specific options that can redefine their business. As important, attednees were no longer on their own but had a knowledgeable team with them on this adventure.
