AMERICAS - Reed Exhibitions will change the format of its upcoming ibtm America event, after partnering with event technology provider, Poken.
Visitors to this year’s Chicago event, which takes place on 9-11 June, will notice a move away from the traditional trade show format.
Instead, attendees will be offered mutually matched, pre-scheduled meetings, conducted in exhibitors’ meeting pods.
IBTM America event director Jaime McAuley said she was delighted to by the partnership.
“Our objective is to empower all of our attendees with leading-edge tools to maximise their show experience and we are excited to offer Poken’s solutions at our event,” McAuley said.
At the heart of the format change is an interactive USB device from Poken, which will be handed to each delegate upon arrival.
Near Field Communication (NFC) technology will allow visitors to check-in at meetings by tapping a wireless reader embedded in a coaster on each table.
Should visitors miss a meeting, they will receive an automated reminder, while the device can also be used to exchange and collect contact information and digital brochures.
Reed Exhibition officials said the technology was used successfully at Qatar’s Middle East Forum on Safety in Healthcare last month, as well as the US Department of Veteran Affairs’ national tradeshow in Atlanta.
Poken’s US general manager Ramon Zurbuchen said: “Reed is constantly redefining the marketplace through continuous innovation and vision and using Poken at the event adds a new dimension to the ibtm america event format.”
