Etherlive, a leading UK supplier of technology services for the events industry, has undertaken research with a large number of event production contacts to evaluate the importance of technology at events.
Over 1000 responses were received and underline a trenchant dependency on technology by event planners, organisers and user consumers.
Conducted between June and July 2011, the survey looked at the wide spectrum of IT usage within the live events sector; from exhibition and conferences, to festivals and large scale public events.
Etherlive intends to conduct the survey on an annual basis as part of its campaign to identify technology trends and demands in the event industry.
- Of the 1000 responses, only 9.3% used traditional landline phones on a day to day basis, while 90.7% opted for a Wi-Fi enabled smart phone.
- Of those using an internet connected device, over half were using a smart phone on event sites which clearly underlines a growing reliance on fully integrated mobile phone and connectivity devices*.
- When asked how technology had influenced the events sector over the last decade; 88% of respondents indicated that it was critical to the way that events were progressing.
- Examples cited on how technology was becoming a key component included streaming media and the need for Wi-Fi at large scale corporate conferences, music downloads and festivals for a range of uses including stock control, access control and remote sound monitoring.
- For those organising events in the next year, 98% concurred that technology is a key area to be planned, budgeted and executed professionally in order to maximise on its capabilities.
- Half of respondents thought connectivity was most important to organisers while 44.4% wanted robust mobile network access.
An overwhelming 90.8% saw social media as an integral part of the event offering with 42.6% using Twitter as a way of engaging with their target audience in the run up, during and after the event. 33% used social media as a way of sharing images between the attendees and 19.1% used LinkedIn for more business to business related events.
Tom McInerney, Director of Etherlive said: “We were really keen to get some quantifiable data from our customers and those in the industry about their experience and thoughts of technology in the events market. Our customers face significant challenges running services in the middle of a field building a mammoth concert or large exhibition; for them the ability to communicate is imperative."
"The results show a growing reliance on IT - the key thing is that technology is an intrinsic part of the design and build of any event. We wanted to highlight that budget holders see technology as a sound investment and not an afterthought.”
