Even in today’s increasingly digital world, conventions are growing in popularity. Convention centers across the world continue to set record attendance numbers year after year – and many conventions themselves grow annually.
There’s never been an easier time to gather with like minded people on shared interests, occupations, or aspirations. It’s clear that the events industry is booming, but augmented reality (AR) is a fuel that some conventions are adding to the fire.
Your experience at a modern-day convention looks nothing like that of a gathering from ten years ago. And with the rapid progress of AR, it’s likely that today’s events will be just as unrecognizable as those of five years into the future. Augmented reality at conventions will improve the established ways that people share information, display & interact with exhibits, and network with their peers.
Read on to discover how companies use AR to enhance an event experience for attendees, presenters, and exhibitors.
Exhibiting with Innovative Design
Toyota is one of the many automakers investing in AR tech. While other companies are using augmented reality behind the scenes, like Volvo’s use of the Microsoft Hololens on their production line, the Japanese group has deployed an auto show exhibit that neatly ties together production models with tablets that provide engineering details and other neat visualizations.
Presenting Intuitively
Prezi emerged years ago as s competitor to the standard Powerpoint presentation. It uses space instead of slides. And now, they’re pushing the envelope further with an AR format that promises to let audiences “interact with your content in ways never before possible.”
Neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky and Prezi collaborated to preview some of the new features, like the ability to advance through content with gestures, during his 2017 TED talk.
Delivering Interactive Experiences
The event app is a recent development in the world of conventions and delivers useful information directly to a user’s smartphone. And AR is finding its way into the marketplace. One of the leading examples is found in MeetingPlay. Gamification pairs well with AR – and MeetingPlay makes this a core element of the way they approach augmenting events for their clients.
Creating Digital Connections
One of the drawbacks of conventions is the budget required for travel expenses, which can prevent small businesses or self-employed professionals from attending. Products like Spatial might be the answer to this problem. This service provides an “infinite workspace” through augmented reality that users can link up and collaborate within.
Though Spatial is configured for enterprises, its capabilities offer a glimpse into the future. It’s likely we’ll soon see augmented reality (or even mixed reality) conferences bringing together individuals from across the world on similar digital platforms.
Providing Better Directions
From a practical standpoint, augmented reality will provide an essential function for conference-goers: helping them find their way. Conferences often bring people to major cities they are unfamiliar with, but AR can reduce the stress associated with getting around – even in convention centers or meeting areas. Directions and navigation will be a major part of how AR is deployed at the conference of the future. You’ll soon see the technology in event materials like maps, apps, and even signage.
Yondar, an InnovatAR product currently in development, will allow you to look at the world through your mobile device’s camera to find people or places wherever they may be.
Some Closing Thoughts on Augmented Reality at Conventions
Augmented reality is finding footholds in the events industry. The examples above are just the start of how AR will continue to integrate into conventions. For AR to truly shine, it needs to not be just an addition to the overwhelming nature of conferences, but to provide a solution or a novel way of approaching a problem – and leave a lasting impression.
The pace of technology is quickly untethering AR from app-based formats. InnovatAR is ready to help you plan the best ways to build browser-based AR experiences for your next convention and beyond. Get in touch with us to discuss the possibilities.
