If you’re an event planner, consider how venues can specifically help your event by knowing what kinds of tech capability you need for a digitally-dynamic event - both your essentials, and your even-better-if lists. Once you know what you need, seek out which venues offer what you want, or at least as close as possible. First, look for venues which offer as a minimum:

• Flawless WiFi - an absolute must. If it’s too slow, then it’s no go. Seriously, fast WiFi is not longer ‘advanced’ when it comes to technology, but is a utility that all viable venues should be offering. Without this, other innovations you might want to use such as conferencing and networking via social media, online ticketing and registration, in-event apps and real-time updating just won’t be able to get started. Ensure this life-blood of technology is in place first - after all, it’s the foundation on which to assemble the rest of the digital platform.
  
  
• In-house AV and technical support - you don’t have time to learn every system that’s out there, so book a venue where there’s an in-house expert on hand to manage this for you.

As many venues recognise the need to do digital, and to do it well both for their event management clients and the attendees of events, an increasing number of venues are promoting themselves as being tech-friendly and inspired by innovation. These are likely to be the very venues which will support your even-better-if list and if your events start advancing along with the technology, these places are likely to become your go-to venues for reliable, accessible and innovative use of technology in events. 

Look for:

• • Sound, audio conferencing and audio-presentation systems - which include throwable and lapel mics, as well as the standard hand-held and walk-talk-share Bluetooth technology.
    
    
  • Video wall technology - not just a screen, but giant theatre screen with  technology built in. These 4k ultra high definition walls are currently in high demand as not only a great presentation tool, but also fantastic for interactive digital signage and creating highly visual (and visible) branded spaces.
    
    
  • Smart flooring - gathering and monitoring of floor traffic data is making its mark in events, making data collection and analysis extremely easy and very delegate-friendly.
    
    
  • Break-out technology throughout - a venue with a central top-tech room is great, but it’s much more advanced (and event-attendee-friendly) to carry this through to other areas of the venue. Check the venue’s layout and technology options for using multimedia hubs, break-out rooms and kiosks. Remember too that wellness and mindfulness are also big trends in events, so opportunities to breakout from the main rush into a low-sensory (but high spec) space providing on-screen or surround-sound meditation could certainly advance delegate satisfaction.
    
    
  • Augmented reality - many venues are responding to the need for both technology and flexibility in their event spaces by providing spaces with a digital infrastructure which is entirely flexible. From spaces branded by lighting (more on this below) to a fully immersive space which feels like you’re walking into an Amazon rainforest, such spaces can provide any kind of reality demanded by the brand, the event or a product being promoted.
    
    
  • Lighting - with the priority given to sound and vision, lighting is often the forgotten side of technology. However, it’s another aspect of technology which can transform an event space. Elements such as stencil lighting and projection mapping can enhance not only the space but also attendee experience and accessibility to other technology, when used interactively. Venues which provide high-tech, adaptable lighting are also providing the quickest way to transform an event space into a branded space without any additional work from the event planner.