Workplace AI: How is artificial intelligence changing events and business travel?
Workplace AI: How is artificial intelligence changing events and business travel?
With the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI), workplace tasks and business travel will be, and is being transformed.
AI has the potential to enable access to experiences, security and wellbeing across diverse sectors including the event industry and business travel. We look at some examples of how generative AI-enabled technology is being used in the events and travel sector.
- AI face recognition and passes
- AI algorithms for consumer/attendee data
- AI hotel check ins
- Chatbots for agencies
- AI event budgetting
- Security and risk assessment
AI Revolution
Working towards streamlining events for not only the attendees, but the people planning the experiences. What we want to avoid is wasted money, generic experiences, and logistical headaches. But what if AI tech could fix these problems?
AI, or artificial intelligence, is changing things. It’s about machines learning and solving problems like humans. This includes things like understanding language and gathering data. Think smarter planning, better trips, and events that will WOW. You’ll see chances to improve how things are done, leading to better experiences for both planners and attendees.
AI-Powered Personalization
AI algorithms are like super-smart detectives. AI can analyze your past events, favorite activities, and what grabs the attention of your attendees. This data is then used to create travel plans and event schedules tailored just for you.
Imagine getting hotel suggestions that matches exactly what you’re looking for, or a conference schedule suggestion packed with recommended sessions for your guests. Targeted marketing campaigns become less stressful and more streamlined, allowing you to target the right people.
AI Chatbots for Customer Service
AI chatbots are like 24/7 virtual assistants. Chatbots allow you to save time reponding to website inquiries, can instantly reply to clients, help with bookings, issues travel updates, and guide your clients through any FAQs.
Implementing a chatbot gives your clients the quick support they need whilst you focus on the important stuff.
Sentiment Analysis and Feedback Management
AI can analyze customer reviews, social media posts, and surveys to understand how people feel about their experiences.
This sentiment analysis helps businesses find what they’re doing well and where they need to improve.
Streamlining Operations and Logistics with AI
AI isn’t just about making customers happy; it’s also about making things run smoother behind the scenes. It can optimize prices, schedules, and how resources are used.
Predictive Analytics for Demand Travel Forecasting
Flight and hotel prices change ALL THE TIME. AI can predict how many people will want flights, hotel rooms, and event tickets. This helps businesses set prices and manage their resources more effectively.
Airlines use AI to adjust ticket prices based on demand, and hotels optimize room rates based on how full they expect to be.
AI-Driven Route Optimization and Logistics
AI can figure out the best routes for travel and manage the logistics of events, like transportation and catering. This helps cut costs and make everything run like clockwork.
Delivery services use AI to plan the fastest routes, and event organizers use it to optimize setup and breakdown.
Automating Repetitive Tasks
Many tasks that used to take up valuable time can be automated using AI. It frees up employees to focus on more important things.
Think about automatic email responses, generated reports, and invoices being processed automatically. This not only boosts efficiency but also cuts down on costs.
AI in Event Planning and Management
AI is changing how events are planned and managed, from the initial stages to the analysis after the event.
AI-Powered Event Planning Tools
Software platforms now use AI to help with everything from choosing the perfect venue to recommending speakers and optimizing schedules.
AI tools can suggest the best layout for an event, identify speakers that match the theme and audience interests. These smart tools make event planning less stressful and more successful.
Enhancing Attendee Engagement with AI
AI can create interactive experiences for event attendees, like recommending content and connecting people with similar interests.
AI-driven matchmaking services can help attendees find and connect with others. AI can also make personalized event schedules. These smart features keep people engaged and make events more valuable.
Challenges and Considerations for AI Adoption
While AI offers huge benefits, there are challenges and ethical considerations to keep in mind.
Data Privacy and Security
It is vital to protect customer data and follow privacy regulations when using AI. People should understand how their data is being used.
Companies need to be careful about how they collect, store, and use data to maintain trust.
Job Displacement Concerns
AI could change the job market as well as highly benefitting your employees.
Companies can invest in training programs to help workers learn new skills and adjust to new roles.
Ethical Considerations
Using AI responsibly and avoiding bias in algorithms is key. It’s important to ensure that AI systems are fair and do not discriminate.
Conclusion
AI is revolutionizing the events and travel industries, leading to greater efficiency, personalization, and better customer experiences. It can optimize operations and enhance event planning.
Smithsfields brings you the latest global MICE news for event profs. We publish destination content, a global supplier directory, event inspiration and incentive travel insights.
Contact us at hello@smithsfields.com
The above information is for general guidance.
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Naboo secures €20 million to transform corporate event planning with tech platform
Naboo secures €20 million to transform corporate event planning with tech platform
Naboo, a Paris-based event-tech startup has raised €20 million in a funding round led by Notion Capital, reportedly marking the highest funding figure in it the events sector.
The platform caters to the demand for Naboo’s event concierge service, which already handles events for 10% of the French stock market (CAC) 40-listed companies (EU Startups).
Maxime Eduardo, Co-founder and CEO of Naboo. Maxime Eduardo is a forward-thinking leader with a strong background in strategy and management. ‘Currently disrupting the Corporate Event market (€100B market)’ (Linkedin)
Naboo was founded in 2022 in Paris, France by Maxime Eduardo and Antoine Servant. Maxime is ex CEO of €100M company in logistics and Antoine an expert in strategy consulting and investment management. Naboo has rapidly expanded its presence in the corporate events space globally with it’s AI-powered backend.
Naboo’s platform offers an event-planning experience, giving access to ‘the best corporate retreats and events’ including ‘company retreats, offsites, away days, team building, corporate parties and conferences’ (Naboo).
Naboo assists with everything from venue booking, transportation, event suppliers and team-building activities. Naboo believe most other platforms offer outdated options, unlike their integrated AI-driven automation, which removes the administrative burdens, allowing its team to focus on delivering a tailored, high-end events.
Of Naboo’s €60M business volume, €10M already comes from international markets. With this latest funding round, following its entry into the UK, the company is expanding into the Benelux region, Germany, Italy, and Spain. “Each time, we rely on native, local teams.” (Maddyness).
The startup has secured event programs with huge global companies including Coca Cola, JP Morgan and Amazon.
Following its second funding round in 2023, the company was then able to invest in AI and data processes, refining its concierge service to optimise cost efficiency. This latest funding round will fuel Naboo’s expansion into the UK market throughout 2025. The company is also planning to further growth in Germany, Spain, and Italy.
Sustainability also plays a key role in the launch of Naboo. The company’s name is inspired by the Star Wars, reflecting its commitment to reducing carbon emissions through localising event options and minimising international travel.
Naboo provides a software solution designed to simplify the booking and organisation of B2B events worldwide. Similar to what Airbnb and Booking.com brought to the B2B travel industry, Naboo’s platform allows companies to book a complete seminar with a single click at a transparent price. The platform includes an event booking tool, an app for event management, and a solution to centralise, track, and optimise event spending for procurement and finance directors (Tech Funding News)
The startup aims to exceed €100 million in bookings by 2025, supported by the launch into the UK market and further European expansions.
The recent acquisition of Bizmeeting indicates Naboo’s plans for M&A-driven growth. As corporate event spending rises globally, Naboo is looking to challenge domestic booking engines with their AI enable tech platform.
Smithsfields brings you the latest global MICE news for event profs. We publish destination content, a global supplier directory, event inspiration and incentive travel insights.
Contact us at hello@smithsfields.com
The above information is for general guidance.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest news, travel tips and event industry insights.
Business Travel Startup: 'Engine' raised $140 million in series C funding round
Business Travel Startup: 'Engine' raised $140 million in series C funding round, valuing the company at $2.1 billion.
‘Hotel Engine’, a business travel platform, has swooped in and raised one of the year’s largest rounds of capital for a travel startup. Hotel Engine raises $140 million in a series C funding round which valued the company at a whopping $2.1 billion.
The Denver-based company provides an online platform that travel managers will use to book business trips. The objective for the company was originally to focus on hotel bookings, but flights and car rentals have launched now and we’re expecting further reveals. The company has now dropped the word ‘hotel’ from the name and will go by Engine to reflect that expanded focus.
The platform provides access to rooms at 750,000 hotels through a search bar that can filter results by property type, location, amenities and more. It’s possible to book accommodations for solo business travelers, corporate groups or MICE events.
Hotel Engine, or ‘Engine’ claims for differentiate from it’s competition by offering alternative and more useful business travel tools. Engine says they offer several financial incentives to customers, making them a more cost effective platform for business travel. They do not require minimum spend memberships and they offer less penalties should trips be shortened or cancelled.
Visit their website to find out more.
Smithsfields brings you the latest global MICE news for event profs. We publish destination content, a global supplier directory, event inspiration and incentive travel insights.
Contact us at hello@smithsfields.com
The above information is for general guidance.
Follow us on Instagram for the latest news, travel tips and event industry insights.