Technology has made everything more competitive, and event planning is no exception. Our attention spans are shorter, and expectations are higher, so event planners must work harder than ever to keep audience engagement high. Fortunately, if you have access to a developer, you can leverage augmented or virtual reality.
These rapidly evolving technologies will soon be a part of every event. If you need assurance that virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) will be a hit at your event, just look at last summer’s hit sensation Pokémon Go – at the height of its popularity, nearly 30 million unique visitors logged into the app on a daily basis. Imagine what that type of experience could do for your next event.
Does Virtual Reality Offer Meaningful Value at Live Events?
Live events often take place at conference centers and dedicated event spaces. While these venues are useful for entertaining large audiences, they rarely deliver a truly immersive experience. The value of VR in live events lies in its ability to transport users, visually and experientially, away from the event space and into a model home, a classroom, or a travel destination.
AR, on the other hand, gives users the opportunity to interact with the existing environment in a new way. Instead of looking at a tradeshow space as a line of vendors to march past, AR applications can turn the event into a game with hidden insights and friendly competition.
Each technology impacts the experience of the event. If successfully developed, it can encourage engagement, create memories, and deliver incredible return on investment. A VR or AR experience can lead attendees on different tracks to the right destination, demonstrate the experience of living in a solar-powered home, or even show physicians how a new robotic surgical tool works in an operating theater.
Promising Advancements in Virtual/Augmented Reality
Over the past few years, several VR headsets have entered the marketplace, but developers have largely focused on creating immersive game applications. This year, companies are investing more in real-world applications for VR and AR technologies.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has shown interest in developing real-world applications to give audiences a front-row seat at events, and enhance educational programs. These advancements and others focused on immersive, live experiences hold significant promise for the event-planning world. With the foundational technology in place, the market may soon experience a surge in AR and VR development for professional applications.
Tips for Incorporating Virtual Reality into Your Next Event
Whether you play with low-end solutions, such as Google Cardboard, or work with sophisticated systems and programs, use these tips to integrate augmented and virtual reality into your next event:
- Think about the case use. VR and AR technology can showcase a product, demonstrate a service, or tell a brand story. Start with the anticipated outcome and work backward to find a value-driven way to use the technology.
- Don’t skimp on the application. Hardware quality is only half of the equation. Give your audience an amazing experience with a realistic, visually engaging, immersive application.
- Start small. Play with virtual or augmented reality today to master it before your competitors do. Set up a test booth at events to optimize the process and deliver a better experience with each event.
