With capabilities to host tens of thousands of meetings simultaneously, the new platform will also manage the user experience from end to end.
The Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME) has named
Melbourne-based firm, Delegate Connect, as the tech partner responsible
for powering the hybrid event's 2021 platform, which includes a new
matchmaking algorithm to measure the success of virtual meeting
connections.
Through its custom functionality, connections on the AIME Online
platform will match through a series of criteria – including business
objectives, industry requirements, budgets and region – which will
evaluate and summarise an overall percentage rating of each matched
meeting.
“We understand the importance of delivering AIME as the industry’s
first successful hybrid event," said AIME event director, said Silke
Calder.
"While our dedicated team are experts in the business of creating
meaningful connections, we needed to partner with a tech platform that
could seamlessly host the virtual experience for delegates unable to
visit Melbourne due to Covid-19 travel restrictions."
With capabilities to host tens of thousands of meetings
simultaneously, the new platform will also manage the user experience
from end to end.
Jordan Walsh, managing director of Delegate Connect, added: “The
launch of our custom-developed algorithm is very exciting, and its
capabilities stretch further than the online space, also measuring the
engagement of onsite meetings via a rating and review system."
The Delegate Connect team previously assisted the Australian Society
of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery in shifting its annual
scientific meet from physical to virtual — 48 hours before the event was
scheduled to start. This happened in March, right at the onset of the
pandemic.
As for the hosted buyer programme, physical hosted buyers will head
to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 15 to 17
March, and virtual hosted buyers can access AIME Online from 15 until 26
March.
Australian and New Zealand event professionals interested in joining
AIME’s Hosted Buyer Program are invited to register for a Virtual
Gathering on Thursday 5 November, where they will experience the new
platform first hand. Sessions for international buyers will be announced
shortly.
In related news, Melbourne finally exits lockdown today (28 October)
after no new Covid-19 cases for the first time since June. All retail,
F&B stores and bars will reopen albeit, with a limit of 20 indoor
and 50 outdoor patrons. Most gatherings, however, are currently limited
to 10 pax.