Business

3 Major Trends That Will Impact the Events Industry in 2020

Published

3 years ago

February 28, 2020

As is the way with many industries, the events industry is rapidly advancing and evolving to meet the growing demands of consumers. In an industry that is already so dynamic, 2020 is predicted to bring an abundance of exciting developments to the world of events.

Event management teams and planners can prepare and adapt to what’s going to shake up the event industry by staying ahead of the trends. By keeping an eye on what’s predicted to come, you can be sure to plan and manage some unforgettable events this year.

Attendee Personalisation

Advancements in technology mean that consumers are continuing to expect more personalisation in their interactions during events. Personalisation is now going beyond digital marketing and seeping into event marketing and the nature of functions. While personalisation is not a new term, we are entering a new phase in which planners finding ways to respond to the needs of attendees.

Consumers are expecting more interactive experiences with each event. The key to delivering this experience is enhanced individual personalisation. Traditional event design is structured around the satisfaction of attendees. However, today, event organisers need to deliver on a customised experience by considering the person, professionally and personally, and understanding their preferences and personal value structure.

Tailoring for personal relevance and experience is now a crucial component of event design. In 2020, event managers who refuse to use collected data to deliver tailored and relevant experiences will fail to satisfy the demands of event attendees. According to Sydney event management company Polite, the biggest trend in 2020 will be towards delivering a personalised experience for all event attendees.

Sustainability

Sustainability is not a new trend; however, it looks like it’s only going to be further stressed this year. Rather than making sustainability an after-thought, event planners are going to need to weave eco-friendly behaviours into the design, planning, and execution of events.

Eco-friendly choices are already being offered in the world of events. Event organisers are making behavioural changes and adapting in what has traditionally been a relatively wasteful industry. Consumers are becoming more aware of sustainable practices and are demanding more from their events to implement such changes. As such, events need to be planned in a manner that will have a minimal environmental impact.

So, how do you make an event sustainable? There are plenty of opportunities to make impactful changes. From switching to digital advertisements and ticketing systems to replacing plastic cutlery and bottles with biodegradable alternatives, using seasonal and local produce for catering, and providing vegan and vegetarian menu options. Events typically are a huge source for landfill and waste, so planners need to consider ways to minimise footprint with each event.

Artificial Intelligence

Human-centred technology is quickly becoming an important asset to the planning and delivery of a successful event. In today’s exciting phase of digital innovation, technology is advancing to become more human-centric than ever. Tech is being designed with the ability to reach a deep understanding of people, the items they use, where they go, their activities, and the nature of their relationships. Technology has become second nature for so many of us that it is becoming difficult to imagine what life would be like without it. Every resource or tool is smart, optimised, and automated for efficiency.

So, what does this have to do with events in 2020? Consumers are still looking for that human touchpoint with the added abilities of advanced technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a solution that provides a connection between attendees and planners, while strategically relying on technology for event planning efficiency. Here are some ways that events can utilise AI:

Chatbots
Collecting Data on Attendees
Translation
Process Automation

Business

SamBoat Makes Waves in the US

Published

3 days ago

May 24, 2023

Rosario Farell

The sharing economy’s massive popularity has led to the creation of blockbuster companies like Airbnb, VRBO, eBay, Uber, and Lyft, to name just a few. According to a report by Proficient Market Insights, the size of the sharing economy was $113 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach $600 billion by 2027.

One of the newest companies to enter this space, SamBoat, now enables the owners of sailboats and motorboats to offer their vessels for rent. Because yachts are expensive to buyand maintain — in many cases, more expensive than purchasing and maintaining a home — yacht owners can offset some of their costs by listing their craft on the platform.

Those who may not be able to afford their own boat can still experience life on the water, however. No knowledge of boating is required, as many charters include the possibility of hiring a skipper.

The inspiration for SamBoat

When young French entrepreneurs Laurent Calando and Nicolas Cargou met, a friendship, as well as a new venture, was born. Cargou was an avid Airbnb user, and Calando had grown up sailing with his family. Throughout the course of their conversation, they realized that the sharing economy covered a lot of bases, but it didn’t include boating, which they were both passionate about.

The pair sensed an opportunity, which quickly led to action. In April 2014, they officially launched SamBoat in the Bordeaux region of France.

“SamBoat’s marketplace exploded in Europe over the next few years,” explains Robert Harrington, SamBoat’s US Country Manager. The company offers yachts throughout the Mediterranean, Aegean, and other popular travel destinations.

As evidence of the popularity of the boat-sharing model, SamBoat grew by over 70 percent in 2022. Since its founding, the company has enabled more than a million people to take to the seas. Now, the platform is rapidly expanding its listings throughout the US.

Where SamBoat operates in the US

SamBoat has already — albeit indirectly — served its American customers for quite some time, as American vacationers have often rented boats in Greece, France, Italy, or Spain through its platform. But now, the company is beginning to serve Americans on the other side of the Atlantic, right here at home.

SamBoat rentals are currently available in many American ports. The marketplace currently offers hundreds of boats just in the state of Florida, where the fleet extends up the Keys to West Palm Beach, and throughout the west coast, including Tampa, Clearwater, Naples, and Ft. Myers. SamBoat also has many boats in Chicago and Seattle, as well as throughout New England.

In the near future, the company will expand its offerings in San Diego and Los Angeles. SamBoat also plans to open in Lake Tahoe, Lake of the Ozarks, Lake Havasu, and Lake Champlain by mid-summer 2023. It also aims to have fleets available in Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket by the same time.

“Our goal is to offer thousands of boats to rent throughout the United States by the end of the year,” Harrington says.

How SamBoat expands

SamBoat operates anywhere boat owners choose to list their craft for rent. “Just because the marketplace might not already have a whole regatta in a given port doesn’t mean it can’t or doesn’t operate there,” Harrington says. “Listings grow organically, cropping up wherever opportunity calls boat owners to take advantage of existing demand.”

For instance, while SamBoat only officially launched in the United States this past year, the platform was open to US-based boat owners and renters last year. From January 2022 compared to January 2023, the platform experienced a 500% increase in US-based business.

This means that, if you own a boat, you can bring SamBoat to your home port. All you have to do is go to SamBoat’s website, follow a few simple steps, upload photos of your boat along with its relevant details, and respond to rental inquiries.

“Now is the right time for boat owners to get in early and beat the rush,” Harrington says.

The secret to SamBoat’s success

American consumers have responded enthusiastically to SamBoat’s arrival for a number of reasons. First and foremost, the platform offers the very same boats as other companies, yet their prices are on average 10 percent cheaper.

The reason for this is simple: unlike most other yacht and boat rental services, SamBoat doesn’t charge its customers inflated “junk” fees.

In addition, SamBoat makes renting a yacht simple and easy. Generally speaking, other boat-sharing websites outsource customer service to the owners of the listed yachts. They will only answer the phone or attend to you if you are booking something of a high dollar amount, while the average boat rental costs under $1,000. This can lead to a very frustrating process for someone who has questions but can’t seem to get a response from a boat’s owner.

At SamBoat, however, a real human being answers every inquiry. “Sometimes, that person is me,” Harrington says. This makes it much easier for people to rent the perfect boat that will meet their individual needs.

SamBoat fulfills a long-awaited need for sailing and boating enthusiasts worldwide. With the arrival of SamBoat in the US, it’s an even more exciting time for Americans to participate in the sharing economy.