This year, we’re launching an exciting new concept for our Tech Watch Awards to reflect the increasing significance of technology and digital in the meetings and events world!
The new format, TechWatch Live, will offer five technology business owners the opportunity to take to the stage and pitch their company and product or service to our judging panel and live audience of events professionals, to potentially gain future financial and/or mentorship at the discretion of the panel.
As of today, 28 July 2020, we are now open for applications and look forward to seeing all your fantastic submissions!
Who are the judges?
The chair of our live judging panel is Dahlia El Gazzar, the founder of the Dahlia+ agency. Dahlia succeeds previous chair and event industry expert Corbin Ball, and brings more than a decade’s worth of experience in the meetings and events industry to the post.
As part of the Technology Advisory Group, Dahlia and her fellow judges will be looking for the very best cutting-edge events technology inspiring the industry and revolutionising events.
What is the Technology Advisory Group?
In addition to TechWatch Live’s new look, we have also introduced a new judging panel. The Technology Advisory Group will judge the companies, bring perspective to how tech is innovatively used in different event designs and implementations, and they are part of the content, sessions and dialogue about event tech.
Members of the group include: founder and CEO of EventFX, Dave Lorenzini; Anh Nguyen, founder and principal of Spark Event Management; Keith Johnston, managing partner of i3 Events and publisher of the Plannerwire blog; and award-winning entrepreneur, podcaster and bestselling author Jason Allan Scott.
Once the Technology Advisory Group has chosen their shortlist, the five tech businesses chosen will pitch live at IBTM World in front of a select panel of three pitch judges, Dahlia El Gazzar, Corbin Ball, and Edward Poland.
A message from David Thompson, Event Director for IBTM World.
IBTM World’s Event Director, David Thompson is really looking forward to the new format of our Tech Watch Awards as TechWatch Live.
“There are myriad opportunities for event planners to integrate technology and digital into their events in order to create smarter and more engaging experiences, and we want to reflect this by making TechWatch Live a central feature of IBTM World.
Our new format awards will bring the best event technology companies in front of a motivated global audience of events professionals to inspire them with the latest exciting technologies that could really make a difference to their business.”
Details of TechWatch Live 2020
The judges are looking for entries that demonstrate innovation, a sound concept/business model and value to the MICE industry.
To submit your entry, head to our website and fill out the application form with the details of your tech concept, business model or company.
A maximum of five finalists will receive flights and accommodation for up to two people to travel to Barcelona. Please see the competition Terms and Conditions for further details.
More information can be found here: https://www.ibtmworld.com/whats-on/ibtm-accelerate/techwatch-live/
Applications close on 30 September 2020.