Meetings app maker QuickMobile is looking at events in a whole new way, literally: This week, it announced a new partnership with BI WORLDWIDE, a Minneapolis-based global engagement agency that makes augmented reality (AR) apps.
AR offers a live view of a physical environment -- usually through the camera lens of a smartphone -- that's overlaid with computer-generated data, such as images, video, audio, or text. QuickMobile plans to use BI WORLDWIDE's AR technology to power its own apps, which will give meeting planners and exhibitors new ways to interact and engage with attendees.
"Augmented reality dramatically enhances the event experience through captivating visual engagement," QuickMobile CEO Patrick Payne said in a statement. "Event planners and exhibitors are able to share content more creatively and more interactively, in 2D or 3D format, all through their mobile event apps. It was just a short time ago that we were talking about AR as the future of mobile event apps, and here we are with BI WORLDWIDE demonstrating how it can be implemented today. This is yet one more way that we are extending the utility of mobile event apps for both planners and participants."
Added Dawn Martin, vice president of meetings and shows at BI WORLDWIDE, "Event planners and marketers want new ways to attract more participants while exhibitors want new ways to share and interact with visitors. Whether promoting a new product, conducting training sessions, or simply wanting to entertain, augmented reality encourages app usage and event engagement. Despite being around for a while, AR has only been accessible for big events with big budgets…until now. QuickMobile's knowledge of how and where to use AR to improve the event experience combined with our technology and design capabilities make AR a reality for more events."
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