Competition. 52 entries to this year’s “EIBTM Technology Watch” were scored based on innovation, completeness of concept, and the potential value they would contribute to the meetings industry. Corbin Ball, chair of the judging committee, comments: “Having received a record number of submissions this year, this year’s winner and four finalists were among dozens of exceptionally strong entries. This is indicative of the increasing rate of technology change in the meetings industry, with products representing a range of ideas and innovations. Technology innovation continues to present great tools for the meetings industry and we continue to see great strides being achieved year-on-year. I am confident that next year’s entries will no doubt highlight further impressive developments for our sector.”
Sherpa Solutions ActivTouch (www.sherpa-solutions.com) received EIBTM’s WorldWide Technology Watch Award for 2010. The solution highlights mobile technology’s potential to transform events and tradeshows. Sherpa Solutions ActivTouch provides the ability to access agenda planning tools, conference alerts, exhibitor guides, social networking tools, matchmaking programmes, appointment scheduling, and peer-to-peer messaging using mobile phones at events. It boasts highly precise geo-location to assist in navigating the show floor and vicinity to give users data about their surroundings. Sherpa Solutions ActivTouch also enables strong integration with other show vendors such as registration, housing, exhibitor mobile solutions, and floor plan mapping tools vendors.
The judging panel comprised seven judges from five countries with experience in the meetings industry and technology, and was chaired by Corbin Ball, CEO of Corbin Ball Associates. The remaining judges were: Rudd Janssen, CEO, TNOC (The New Objective Collective); Paul Hussey, Business Development Director, BSI Meetings and Events; Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO, Meeting Professionals International (MPI); Martin Sirk, CEO, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA); Samuel J. Smith, Managing Director, Interactive Meeting Technology, LLC; and Lynn Wong, Director, Eventoplus.
The 2010 WorldWide Technology Watch results and overview of current technology trends for the meetings and events industry will be presented by Corbin Ball on Tuesday 30th November at EIBTM in the Lecture Theatre from 14:30 to 15:30.
www.eibtm.com/wwtw
