IBTM World 2023, which returns to Fira, Barcelona from
November 28 to 30, has announced Julius Solaris and Christine Renaud as its
final keynote speakers.
Solaris and Renaud's keynote is complemented by an
array of sessions designed to showcase the role of event
professionals in shaping the future of the industry.
Solaris is founder of
Boldpush, an event industry consultancy firm, and Renaud is CEO of Braindate, a digital learning tool fostering conversations among event industry
professionals. Their conversation will take place on the Main Stage at
9.15am on day three of the show.
Titled ‘It’s not 2019 anymore.
Why events will never be the same’, the session will see the pair discuss the future of events. The conversation will answer questions such as ‘How do we learn at
events?’, ‘Why does belonging at events matter?’, ‘How can events have a bigger
impact?’ and ‘What are the top five characteristics of the events of the
future?’
Solaris said: “We live in an era where the concept of meeting has never been
more fluid. The more we interact online, the more we need to meet. As
technology evolves, the future will require event planners to connect audiences
regardless of the medium in a sustainable, inclusive, and trustworthy way.”
Renaud added: “The future of events will be influenced by the future of learning, which
is self-directed, collaborative, and experiential. Innovation at events will be
rooted in the reorchestration of power dynamics between "attendees"
and "speakers", and our session will provide attendees with concrete
approaches to lead the way towards a much-needed cultural shift in the
industry.”
Putting innovation centre stage
on day one of the show are three sessions which drive the conversation about
the future of events.
Martin Green CBE, MD of Eurovision Liverpool 2023, will take to the Main Stage for a session titled ‘Eurovision is perfect: a live event for the
digital age’. The mastermind behind some of Britain’s most significant cultural
events, including the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing
Ceremonies, Green will discuss how Eurovision Liverpool 2023 was organised,
why he believes the contest is the perfect live event for the digital age, and
the insights events producers can take from it.
Leading the way on the Impact
Stage is event technologist at global experience agency DRPG, Nick Fagan.
‘Tech for good: an introduction to new
technologies with a conscience’, will present attendees with the technologies
likely to influence events in the next 12 months, and the next 10 years.
Elsewhere, Glenn Cauwenberghs, senior project specialist on innovation at the
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and Professor Alessandra
Priante, regional director for europe at UNWTO, will showcase two startups that responded to UNWTO’s global call for the most sustainable, innovative, and
disruptive entrepreneurs offering smart solutions for event tourism. Taking to
the stage are Eduardo Lebre, CEO and founder of Circular Unity, a company
pioneering solutions to help co-create a sustainable future, and Alexandre
Bediguian, communications manager at Touch2See, a company making sporting
events accessible to the visually impaired. This will be followed by a
roundtable discussion focusing on the future of event tourism.
Reinforcing the power of
innovation
Claudia Hall, newly-unveiled IBTM World event director, said: “As one of the leading global trade shows in the events sector,
we are at the forefront as our industry evolves and adapts to address its
challenges and welcome its many opportunities. At IBTM World, we are determined
to provide a platform for the changemakers at the heart of this evolution.
Their relentless pursuit of innovative ideas elevates the possibilities for all
of us, and empowers event professionals to embrace change and turn the ordinary
into the extraordinary.”
Visitor and
press registration is still open for IBTM World 2023. Register before November
27 to avoid the onsite registration fee.
