How Augmented Reality (AR) can make your events more interactive

Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the most fascinating concepts that has become a trending topic in the tech industry.

And rightly so.

Since Pokémon Go started the AR hype, this new technology has gone on to impact almost all industries.

From Facebook and Snapchat’s camera effects and lens tools to use in hospitals for practicing difficult surgeries, this technology has already found application in many industries.

And many more are looking to embrace it, one of them being the event industry.  Experimentation with AR is rapidly changing how events, conventions, conferences and meetings are being conducted.

As AR can help integrate the physical and digital world, this technology is expected to be quite popular among the attendees and increase engagement. In 2018, 87% of event organizers planned on using AR in their events. And it has been suggested that event planners who adopt this technology at the earliest will benefit the most.

After all, people tend to remember and talk about events that give them unique experiences with their friends and colleagues and AR can help you do just that.

Types of Augmented Reality (AR)?

Simply put, AR means enhancing the real world by adding something extra using technologies like mobile applications or wearable smart glasses. 

AR uses GPS and mobile phone camera technology to project information or images over real world physical spaces.

And the user can interact with the computer-generated overlays as they move within the real world.

Now that’s cool!

It is of 3 Types:

1. Device-based AR

It is simply using smartphones and tablets to interact with AR content.

As almost everyone has access to smartphones, this form of AR is perfect for the events industry.

Furthermore, with the introduction of ARKit and ARCore on iOS and Android respectively, it has become increasingly easier to make AR applications on these platforms.

2. Wearable AR

Wearable AR technology allows the user to see their immediate real-world environment with the virtual elements overlaid.

Devices like the Microsoft HoloLens are the most immersive way to experience AR, as they allow the user to freely move their heads and use their hands.

3. Mirror AR

The name itself is self-explanatory.

They are reflective surfaces over which additional information or imagery are displayed.

They can be used in events to demonstrate a product or entertain patrons.

4. Transparent AR

The newest and most advanced form of AR technology, it involves using transparent LED or OLED displays to create a virtual 3D environment.

In an event setting, this can be used to provide an immersive product demonstration where the crowd can view the product from all angles without using any phones or wearable gadgets.

How can AR impact events and meetings?

AR has the ability to change the way event-goers attend and interact at events.

It can bring events to life by giving all event-goers real-life experiences where they see the same visuals.

This gives them a shared experience to bond over and boosts engagement at the same time. 

Scott Belsky, entrepreneur and co-creator of the online portfolio platform Behance, has perhaps best summarized the impact AR can have on events –

“Well we believe that augmented reality is one of those new mediums that could be as big as if not bigger than the web. One of the areas where consumers adopt something new is when it makes something drastically easier. When I think about augmented reality I think about instances like finding your way somewhere, finding your friends in a stadium, or going to a conference and looking around and knowing who everyone is because their LinkedIn profile is hanging over their heads.”

Four ways event organizers can utilize AR technology now and in the future

1. Changing how attendees interact and connect

Using AR, event facilitators can enhance the networking experience between attendees. 

For instance, having professional information about each attendee next to them or above their heads can help people start conversations.

2. Organizing virtual tours

Although this concept is already in existence in various ways, it is bound to evolve with further sophistication and innovation. 

Instead of having physical signs and staff to guide and manage crowds, augmented reality solutions will soon solve the issue of guided tours.

3. Event gamification

You can make your events more enjoyable by using AR technology to make fun of digital experiences for your attendees. 

From scavenger hunts to friendly AR competition stations with leaderboards, your attendees can explore the endless possibilities of interaction facilitated by AR.  

4. Product showcase

Events dedicated to displaying products usually require large venues, which requires large capital investment. 

With AR, you have the power to bring a large number of products into one space virtually, allowing attendees to engage with products like never before. 

For instance, an AR car ‘viewing’ station can allow your attendees to view and manipulate a 360-degree life-size model of a car.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this blog has enlightened you on why augmented reality will transform the way events will be organized in the future.

If you are in the event planning and management business and planning to utilize AR for your next event, we can help.

Idea Usher is a pioneering web-app development company with years of experience in building robust, scalable, and innovative technology solutions. Our designers, programmers and testers have previously worked on augmented reality technology. And together, they bring their combined experience in creating event management apps with AR features.

Get in touch to get free quotes.