What Does ChatGPT Mean for the Events Industry?

February 21, 2023

Rachel Wimberly

Rachel Wimberly is Executive Vice President of Business Development at Tarsus Group, US. Follow her on Twitter @TSNN_Rachel.

As soon as I heard about ChatGPT (Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer) – an AI chatbot program from a company called OpenAI that gives detailed answers to questions in a matter of seconds – my interest was instantly piqued.

I first heard about it when a professor was on the news talking about how students were using it to write assignments and how the professor thought it was easy to tell when the students did.

I also heard a recent marketing podcast on which it was debated if and when the chatbot program could take over basic copywriting duties.

The jury definitely still is out on the above, but I thought I would give ChatGPT a simple event planning challenge and see what happened.

I asked the program the following question that it answered in about 5 seconds.

How would you plan an event in a hotel with a group of dentists who need to see new products and earn their CEMs?

To plan an event in a hotel with a group of dentists who need to see new products and earn their CEMs, the following steps can be taken:

  1. Define the objective and budget: The first step is to define the objective of the event and establish a budget. This will help determine the size of the event, the number of attendees, and the type of activities to be included.
  2. Choose a suitable hotel: Select a hotel that is convenient for the attendees and has enough space for the event. Make sure the hotel has the necessary equipment and technology to support the event, including audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi, and adequate space for product displays.
  3. Develop a program: Develop a program that includes educational sessions and product demonstrations. Ensure the sessions cover relevant topics for the attendees and provide opportunities for discussion and interaction.
  4. Arrange product displays: Work with product vendors to arrange product displays, ensuring that they are relevant to the attendees and can be used to earn CEMs.
  5. Plan social events: Plan social events, such as networking receptions and dinners, to provide opportunities for attendees to interact and build relationships.
  6. Communicate with attendees: Communicate regularly with attendees, providing them with event details and logistics, including travel and accommodation information.
  7. Provide CEMs certification: Ensure that the event is accredited for CEMs certification and provide attendees with appropriate certification upon completion of the event.
  8. Manage the event: Manage the event, ensuring that everything runs smoothly, and that attendees are engaged and satisfied with the experience.
  9. Collect feedback: Collect feedback from attendees after the event, to determine what worked well and what could be improved in future events.

By following these steps, you can plan a successful event in a hotel for a group of dentists who need to see new products and earn their CEMs.

Pretty basic and broad – but not too bad!

ChatGPT

So, what are some other possible uses for ChatGPT for the events industry?

How about planning a menu? You can ask the program to plan for groups of people and put in any themes, number of courses, type of overall cuisine and any menu restrictions - seconds later – a menu will appear.

Ask it questions about any destinations – like what convention centers would fit an event with 100,000 people? It named a few around the world, including McCormick Place in Chicago.

I asked it how events could be more sustainable and it listed several ideas, such as local sourced food, compostable plates and utensils, choose a sustainable venue, measure carbon emissions and partner with local organizations to promote social responsibility initiatives.

Basically – you can ask ChatGPT just about anything, and while many of the event planning ideas are pretty general for now, as the program gets more sophisticated, it could possibly add some new ideas into your events in the future.

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NO WISH IS TOO BIG AT THE ORANGE COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact
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