Meeting technology is always evolving—and industry experts don’t think 2019 will be any exception. “Besides the recent spate of consolidation between meeting management software companies that’s resulting in ever-more-comprehensive single platforms, other areas of event tech are progressing in ways that will change the attendee experience,” says Rob Carey in a post on MeetingsNet.

Carey talked to three meeting-tech experts about their predictions for event tech. Here are the highlights:

Live video mapping and drone camera technology that feeds directly into media servers, which can create immersive presentations that turn attendees into active participants.

Advancement in facial recognition that can be used for more secure meeting check-in processes.

Greater data and analytics integration, which will allow attendee preferences to be quantified before, during, and after an event—meaning greater opportunities for personalization and for planners to course-correct mid-meeting if needed.

Engaging Members From the Start

At its core, #member onboarding is about reassuring new #constituents that they made a good decision and should stay involved with your organization.https://t.co/iBQi1Fde6c

— Personify (@Personifycorp) October 23, 2018

A member’s first interactions with your association can set the stage for the rest of her involvement. “Those early interactions with your organization provide a unique opportunity to capitalize on their enthusiasm and create a strong foundation for a long-term relationship,” says Amanda Myers in a post on the Personify blog.

That process starts with onboarding. Myers suggests reaching out to new members from the get-go, starting with email. “Not only should new constituents receive a welcome email from your organization, they should be enrolled in an email nurture campaign that will affirm the value of your organization and all of the ways they can become involved,” she says.

From there, find ways to engage one-on-one to learn more about how your organization can benefit a new member individually—and then connect them to other members.

Other Links of Note

Data literacy is an important skill, but you have to understand the different types of data and how they are computed to communicate about it effectively. Harvard Business Review explains.

Using industry jargon in your content won’t resonate with readers. The Content Marketing Institute explains how to make content more readable to grow your audience and your organization.

Member churn is normal for any organization—which is why membership strategies should focus on lifetime value over retention, argue The Membership Guys in their latest podcast.

Facial recognition is expected to be a big event tech trend in 2019. (metamorworks/iStock/Getty Images Plus)