Global event technologies aren’t just a tool; they’re a catalyst for transformation, a gateway to unparalleled human experiences that transcend boundaries. 

Speakers on stage at a global event

Join us as we traverse the globe to uncover the latest trends, technologies, and awe-inspiring innovations that are reshaping the very fabric of the events industry.

Global hubs of tech excellence

As a global events agency, we’ve delivered events in over 120 countries around the world, each with their own unique audiences, cultural nuances and requirements. 

Some of the major global hubs of excellence when it comes to cutting-edge event technology include:

  • North America – at the forefront of technological advancement
  • The Middle East – spectacular and aspirational tech-enabled displays 
  • Europe – blending technology with cultural and historical intricacies

We’re constantly excited by global hubs and up-and-coming areas that are converging culture, creativity and cutting-edge tech that sets the stage for the events of tomorrow.

Global innovations to watch

“As tech accelerates – we need to feel more connected as humans” – Malcolm Ché

Technology can create new worlds. The emotional power of immersive tech-enabled experiences can elevate human connections, inspire awe and ignite new ideas.

Here are some of the technologies and concepts emerging on the horizon that we are excited by.

Retina-level fidelity

Tech provides a canvas for storytelling and one of the biggest technology trends we see for the future of the events sector is fidelity. 

Whether it’s the Meta Quest 3, Apple Vision Pro or X Real glasses – technology now has the ability to deliver stories in greater detail than ever before. 

Denser pixels can tell a richer, more vibrant and intricate visual tale than previously imagined, but that’s only half of the story. With the advancement in both visual and audio fidelity, tech now provides a way for audiences to become part of a multisensorial story, weaving sights, sounds and sometimes even smells and tastes into the narrative. 

Audiences no longer have to ‘work’ to consume the message. We are now able to immerse ourselves effortlessly in the environment, experiencing different stories simultaneously through our senses. 

Storytelling reaches the sky and beyond

Projection mapping, 360° immersive rooms, drones…we now see technology at events transporting the creative landscape into the sky, and the opportunities are endless.

We can now take the story off the page, or the walls of the event venue, to project your message onto the world itself.

For example, at the COP world leaders summit, we surrounded leaders with a 3D projection surface that transported them deep into the sea bed. Plugging into people’s sense of awe and wonder in a memorable, PR-able moment. 

Visuals and text can also be projected onto buildings, such as when the COP logo we designed was projected onto the tallest building in the world!

Tech that speaks your language

Live, tech-enabled transcription and translation opens up a new level of accessibility to audiences around the globe.

AI tools allow real-time translation so more people can hear keynotes and expert panel discussions in their native language. 

When we’re deciding on the best technologies, tools and delivery methods for an event we always conduct research into the tools and technologies that the participants are already using. We want to speak the same language as your audience to ensure the tech is frictionless and adds richness to the experience. 

We recently delivered an event for a large consultancy business where  we employed the same types of AI technology that practitioners already used to simplify their work, to automatically transcribe the keynote speech. It then created a summary that participants could capture on their phones and share across their LinkedIn channels. Simultaneously facilitating a seamless knowledge exchange and driving awareness of the event content to a wider sphere. 

It’s all about the content

‘Digital’ and ‘innovation’ don’t always need to be tied to technology. It can be a layer of thinking that’s outside the norm. The story you tell will always be more important than employing the latest tech craze to tell it. 

Screens are now bigger and wider than ever before, placing the focus back onto the content. Cinematic storytelling on a grand scale that immerses the viewer in the narrative will always have an impact.

Democratic design solutions

Everything we deliver ties back to a brand, community or nation, depending on the scale. 

Understanding cultural nuances is vital when it comes to implementing tech into event design and how it’s used. When creating new worlds, we need to be aware of the cultural landscape, in order to create shareable, human moments. 

For example, we worked to deliver the Dubai Business Forum, a global initiative promoting Dubai as a world leading city for business and investment. Here, the focus was all about storytelling around what Dubai has to offer, crafting their identity, their trajectory and their legacy. As brand builders, it’s important we help enable that journey – creating a vision, a purpose and a belief system that people feel part of.

Free movement through spaces

From holographic displays that bring elements into your world, to augmented reality (AR) experiences that blur the line between the physical and digital, the global eventscape is witnessing a seismic shift towards immersive encounters that leave attendees in awe.

Tech is enabling event experiences to break free from geographical constraints. Satellite events are taking centre stage, connecting audiences across continents through the power of technology – from interactive live streaming to virtual events.

Thoughtful and considered moments

The beauty of VR, AR and the metaverse for events is that it invites people in, to become actors in the unfolding narrative. 

Tech for tech’s sake risks missing the key factor – the human experience. 

Take our recent delivery of the Reaching the Last Mile forum, a philanthropic initiative, pioneering the fight against infectious diseases that threaten the world’s most vulnerable.

Creating content for the different spaces required us to create different styles of narrative to nurture a focus on high impact moments for the afternoon, using large scale 180-degree projection and performances for stunning, emotive effect. 

Seamless connectivity

Event technology is giving rise to intelligent, AI-driven event apps that personalise experiences, enhance networking, and provide real-time insights. Attendees are becoming more than visitors; they’re empowered navigators in a tech-driven event ecosystem.

It’s about taking a tool or concept that people are familiar with (WhatsApp or QR codes, for example) and making use of it in new ways to ensure a frictionless event experience.

The challenges of digital

Employing new technologies at events doesn’t come without challenges. But executed carefully and expertly, it can create magic. 

Common challenges include:

  • Existing infrastructure – limitations around power sources, technicians and hanging points all play into our planning and design
  • Availability – when working with the latest kit, ensuring there is enough technology around for big global moments is something we regularly deal with. In some cases, we create our own algorithms or hardware to fulfil client dreams when the technology isn’t available elsewhere
  • Data sensitivity – data security is something we take very seriously, including the choices we make around kit and the manufacturing processes behind them
  • Sustainability – we always consider the footprint of running data servers, water use, electricity output and all other elements that have an environmental impact
  • Ethical considerations – as an events agency that champions sustainability and social value, ensuring the entire human supply chain for each event is ethical is a huge challenge
  • Geopolitical challenges – more and more, we’re seeing politics play into tech, affecting what’s available in certain territories
  • Technical issues – we always have a back up plan for contingencies, extending an element of creativity to operations and problem solving.

Behind the curtains, our teams of experts and suppliers are working together to ensure everything is flawlessly executed for that special moment. 

Choosing the right tech for your event

It may be cool, but will it serve your purpose? Critical evaluation plays a key part in our decision making around the types of technologies and tools we implement for different events. 

The first thing we ask is; does it work for the audience?

Other considerations include:

  • What are the budget constraints?
  • How sustainable is it?
  • Is it culturally relevant?
  • Will it delight your audiences?

In our experience, a trending technology isn’t useful until its hype cycle has crashed and it’s matured into something truly usable. 

To create solutions that work, we need to understand the audience and their needs. For example, Heads of State aren’t going to be seen wearing a VR headset. There are alternative ways of immersing people in a story, like 360 projection mapping or multisensory experiences. 

We’re in the business of education. Staying at the forefront of trends, attending conferences and writing whitepapers allows us to create unique moments that matter. 

We draw on a wide range of tools and learnings, pulling together what’s relevant to create the best story. 

Explore our digital event services.

About the authors

Dan Colborne – Executive Creative Director

Dan is an industry-recognised award-winning creative and brand strategist with a track record for delivering relevant and memorable audience experiences – both live and digital, that have a measurable impact on business growth. Over 25 years of experience building brands – from both the ground up and accelerating customer relevance for some of the world’s biggest brands. From London’s NYE Fireworks to Google’s X, his expertise spans multiple sectors and disciplines. Dan works with the Identity creative team developing storytelling experiences in spaces where brands and people can enjoy strategic creativity, brand behaviour and shifting customer influence.

Robert Andersen – Creative Services Director

Robert is a multi award-winning Creative Services Director with over twenty-five years experience leading creative teams at well-known Global agencies. Roberts knowledge spans organisations from scaling tech start-ups to Global blue chip brands delivering industry recognised, results driven creative solutions. The Identity creative team Robert leads is responsible for developing human experiences that are iconic and innovative that delight customers with truly memorable, dynamic, sustainable and ground-breaking events that deliver tangible, positive outcomes.

Malcolm Ché – Creative Strategist

Malcolm is an award-winning Creative Strategist and TEDx speaker with over 20 years of experience leading creative teams across broadcast television, advertising, and metaverse projects. His broad expertise across creative disciplines allows him to bridge gaps between creative and execution, consistently placing people at the centre of the experience. Malcolm pushes limits on what storytelling can achieve by harnessing emerging technologies like algorithmic video, XR, and the metaverse to produce tangible, award-winning work for global brands. Currently researching towards a Masters degree in Design Philosophy, Malcolm strives to redefine creativity’s bounds with deep understanding across physical, digital, and Web3 landscapes, having played a pivotal role in developing compelling creative identities and experiences. He mentors and inspires teams to deliver ground-breaking work.