Technology

It’s only been around for a few months, but it’s already kicking apps and taking names. Apple has sold more than three million units of its new iPad tablet since it launched in April, racking up about one sale every 2.3 seconds. And among those lining up to buy are event marketers and their industry partners who are using the devices to enhance their event programs. Whether the iPad is used for data collection and consumer interaction, or to boost sales and productivity behind the scenes, its impact on events shows no signs of slowing down.

Every event marketer knows that lead qualification starts with data collection, but collecting the right data makes all the difference. Unfortunately, ticking off an “interested in more information” box on an exit survey is easy to do, and thereafter also easy to forget. Instead, what if it were possible to track attendees’ exact behavior at your events? Which sections they visited and spent the most time in, and even which parts of a video game they played better than others to find out what they are really interested in?

Unlike the permanent panels that are placed on residential rooftops, event marketers often have to set up and tear down solar panels at their events. One way to minimize the labor is to put the panels on top of a touring vehicle to collect energy during the drive.  Captured solar power eliminates the need for backup generators, which are used to power on-site electricity.

Cisco’s flagship annual customer conference has been a pillar of its portfolio for 20 years, but nothing rocked its foundation like the economic recession of 2009. Founded in 1984, the San Jose, CA-based maker of networking hardware and software had weathered the dot-com boom and bust with relative ease, but for the first time in its history, faced unprecedented concerns about attendee turnout—and attendee revenue—at its largest event, Cisco Live!

As part of its HP LaserJet Pays You Back global marketing campaign, entrepreneur and heiress Ivanka Trump and “The Apprentice” winner Bill Rancic on June 24 hosted an HP Payback event in New York City.