IBTM World Announces 2018 Tech Watch Award Winners
November 30, 2018
The winners of the IBTM World 2018 Tech Watch Awards were announced at the IBTM World event in Barcelona this week. Zenus and Fielddrive were the joint recipients of the Tech Watch Award, while Kubify took home the inaugural “People’s Choice” award for its Learning Toolbox.
A panel of well-known industry experts selected Zenus and Fielddrive for their pioneering and impactful work in bringing facial recognition software to the events industry.
“Zenus is the creator of the software and Fielddrive has been a significant implementor of the product by exploring and measuring the onsite best cases for use,” said Corbin Ball, chair of the IBTM World Tech Watch Award.
He continued, “Together, they make a strong team, developing facial recognition for the events industry. They exemplify the goal of the IBTM World Tech Watch Award – to showcase important innovation to advance this industry.”
Zenus offers high-end security facial recognition for event registrations, enabling a fast and easy check-in, while Fielddrive provides on-site technology services for conferences, trade shows and events. Due to the interlinked nature of the two companies and their solutions, Zenus and Fielddrive were judged as a single entry.
“Our efforts with Zenus on full integration of facial recognition technology, together with Fielddrive’s kiosks, full-color badge-printing and global deployment, has set a new standard in the meetings industry,” said Danny Stevens, founder and CEO of Fielddrive.
He continued, “Fielddrive has gone to great lengths to innovate onsite attendee management and this latest international accolade is a great reward to our team and our clients. At Fielddrive, we’re convinced that the latest great experience is the next expectation. We’re proud to be leading the way.”
The Tech Watch People’s Choice Award, won this year by Netherlands-based e-poster company Kubify, was introduced to recognize the finalist that received the highest number of online votes from members of the MICE industry. Voters could select from any of the nine companies shortlisted for the Tech Watch Award.
Kubify offers Learning Toolbox, an interactive e-poster system for scientific meetings. Attendees use an app to search posters by subject/keyword, interact with the poster, post comments, ask questions and rate/cast a vote for the best poster.
“We’re absolutely delighted to have won the Tech Watch People’s Choice award,” said Tamsin Treasure-Jones, co-founder of Kubify.
She continued, “We’d like to thank the users of our platform and IBTM attendees for voting for us, and IBTM for giving us the opportunity to exhibit. It’s been an incredible experience, we’ve made lots of fantastic contacts and had some valuable discussions. We are looking forward to coming back next year.”
The panel of judges was formed of high-profile professionals from the events and technology industries including Michelle Bruno, president of Bruno Group Signature Events; Dahlia El Gazzar, founder of DAHLIA+ Inc; Ruud Janssen, founder of TNOC.org and co-founder EMG; Pádraic Gilligan, managing partner at SoolNua; Paul Hussey, director of The Conference Doctor and Julius Solaris, founder and editor of Event MB.
“The IBTM World Tech Watch Award is an essential accolade in our dedication to showcasing the latest technology and innovations,” said Shane Hannam, IBTM World portfolio director.
He added, “It’s what our customers want to see and is a core reason they attend IBTM World. Congratulations to our fantastic winners, Zenus, Fielddrive, and Kubify.”
For more information on the IBTM Tech Watch Awards and recipients, go HERE.
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Partner Voices
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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