Data mining, security, and high-tech learning formats are among the trends meeting professionals should pay attention to in 2016 and beyond, according to the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE), which yesterday published an updated version of its "Future Trends Impacting the Exhibitions and Events Industry" white paper.
Originally published in 2013, the report identifies and explains major trends impacting the events industry over the next three years. Because trends explored in the original report are no longer nascent, IAEE has added several new trends it sees on the horizon.
"Trends that we reported in white papers over the last two years are now maturing and appearing more consistently at exhibitions and events," said IAEE Future Trends Task Force Chair Francis J. Friedman, president of Time & Place Strategies Inc. "We recommend referring to these previous reports for what is happening now, and using this updated version to prepare for what's coming over the next three years."
Among the major trends added to the report's 2015 edition are: big data (data capture and converting the data obtained into business strategies and plans), data security (countering hackers), physical security at venues (contingency planning to manage a potential "threat"), education (upgrading teaching approaches and technologies to accommodate a broad spectrum of attendee demographics and learning styles), and economic uncertainty (because of current events in the Middle East, an impending "correction" in the stock market, and an expected hike in interest rates by the Federal Reserve).
"The information contained in this white paper is key to show organizers and valuable supplier partners as they formulate their strategic plans," said IAEE President and CEO David DuBois. "Although show organizers are very adept at handling rapid changes, having a fairly good idea of what to expect is an invaluable aid, which is exactly what this publication provides."
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