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Sherpa Solutions ActivTouch has scooped EIBTM’s WorldWide Technology Watch Award for 2010, highlighting mobile technology’s potential to transform events and tradeshows. The company beat a record number of entrants in the competition, which recognises and rewards technological innovation in the meetings, events and incentive travel industry.
Award winner Sherpa Solutions ActivTouch provides the ability for attendees, show managers and exhibitors to access agenda planning tools, conference alerts, exhibitor guides, social networking tools, matchmaking programmes, appointment scheduling, and peer-to-peer messaging using mobile phones at events.
The winning technology has several market-unique features such as highly precise geo-location to assist in navigating the show floor and vicinity to give users data about their surroundings. Sherpa Solutions ActivTouch also enables strong integration with other show vendors such as registration, housing, exhibitor mobile solutions, and floor plan mapping tools vendors.
The judging panel comprised seven judges from five countries with experience in the meetings industry and technology, and was chaired by Corbin Ball, CEO of Corbin Ball Associates. The remaining judges were: Rudd Janssen, CEO, TNOC (The New Objective Collective); Paul Hussey, Business Development Director, BSI Meetings and Events; Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO, Meeting Professionals International (MPI); Martin Sirk, CEO, International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA); Samuel J. Smith, Managing Director, Interactive Meeting Technology, LLC; and Lynn Wong, Director, Eventoplus.
All entries were scored based on innovation, completeness of concept, and the potential value they would contribute to the meetings industry.
In addition to the overall award winner, the panel also recognised four further finalists, which highlight several paths of technology progress for events. These were Ootoweb, which submitted a new attendee management/online registration product with mobile integration; DUB, a multi-platform mobile solution for events; and Inxpo and Unisfair were both recognised for their virtual tradeshow and events products.
Corbin Ball, chair of the judging committee, comments: “Having received a record number of submissions this year – 52 in total – this year’s winner and four finalists were among dozens of exceptionally strong entries. This is indicative of the increasing rate of technology change in the meetings industry, with products representing a range of ideas and innovations. Technology innovation continues to present great tools for the meetings industry and we continue to see great strides being achieved year-on-year. I am confident that next year’s entries will no doubt highlight further impressive developments for our sector.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
