Momentus Blog

Exploring Venue and Event Technology Innovations: Insights from Momentus Chief Product Officer

Written by Joel Sackett | Oct 29, 2024 5:48:38 PM

The venue and event management industry is constantly evolving, and with it, so are the venue and event technology innovations that the Momentus team is developing. As Chief Product Officer at Momentus Technologies, I’ve had the privilege of working with a talented team to reimagine what the future of venue and event management software can look like. 

Today, I want to take you on a journey through the exciting venue and event technology innovations we’re working on. Discover how we're tackling industry challenges head-on and setting new benchmarks for operational excellence, efficiency, and unparalleled customer experiences. 

The Transformative Power of Events

Even though I haven't walked the halls of venues as an insider, I've felt the electrifying energy that events ignite. I’ve experienced this firsthand, whether it was being part of a roaring sports crowd at a college stadium or attending a Metallica concert — experiences that have left a lasting impression. Events have a unique ability to forge connections, spark inspiration, and create memories that last a lifetime.  

To the venue and event managers out there — you are at the heart of making those moments possible. 

The Evolution of Venue and Event Technology Innovation 

Our story at Momentus Technologies is one rooted in innovation. It begin in 1989 when our founders, Catherine and Dieter Ungerboeck, received a request from the St. Louis Convention and Visitor Bureau and Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau to build the industry’s first venue and event management system. Following the advice of IBM, a business partner at the time, Catherine and Dieter took on the two projects and secured ownership of the code, and EBMS—Event Business Management Software — was born. Since then, we've been relentless in enhancing our platform to meet the evolving needs of the venue and events industry. 

Today, the Momentus mission is to empower every venue to create extraordinary moments. We’re dedicated to providing innovative, intuitive solutions that solve real problems. In the past year alone, our venue and event management software has helped facilitate over one million events. Imagine the countless experiences and connections that have blossomed because of the events our technology supports. 

From a venue and event management ROI perspective, our software helps drive more revenue, streamline operations, and give venue managers back valuable time. Who wouldn’t want more time in their day to focus on strategic tasks rather than manual processes?  

But we’re not stopping there — our product portfolio is constantly evolving, and we’re laser-focused on delivering the best tools to meet your needs.  

The Current Landscape of Venue and Event Technology 

Looking ahead, our portfolio is anchored by purpose-built technology solutions tailored to the unique demands of different market spaces. Here’s a glimpse into the innovations we’re rolling out: 

  • Faster, Higher-Quality Product Development: Momentus has made significant strides in improving our product development process, delivering updates faster and with fewer defects. In the past year, we’ve reduced reported defects by 30%, while doubling down on security with our ISO and SOC 2 certifications. 
  • Customer-Driven Development: Customer feedback is the compass guiding our development process. This year, Momentus launched multiple customer beta programs, surveyed users, and even visited many of our customers on-site to understand their pain points better. Listening to our customers ensures that every software product release meets the real-world needs of the events industry. 
  • Advanced Reports and Data Insights: One of the most requested features is new reporting capabilities, and Momentus listened. Our upcoming standard reports, including pace reporting for revenue and space utilization, provide the insights needed to drive smarter decisions. These event management analytics unlock the power of a venue’s data for actionable insights. 

Key Innovations in Venue and Event Technology: Driving Operational Efficiency 

 A common thread in our event technology conversations with venue managers is the need for heightened event operational efficiency. The ability to maximize revenue, reduce downtime, and create recurring customers is essential for success. Here’s how we’re addressing this: 

  • Intuitive Task Management: Momentus is delivering more intuitive ways to track event tasks and manage activities, ensuring no critical details are missed. This gives venue and event management teams a clear view of what’s been done, what’s left to do, and how to communicate more effectively. 
  • Enhanced Data Integrity: Duplicate records undermine trust in your data. Momentus is improving our duplicate-checking processes to ensure cleaner, more accurate data. This will save time and improve the overall efficiency of a venue’s event operations. 
  • Streamlined Event Detailing: Say goodbye to the tedious task of manual data entry from customer spec sheets. Soon, event planners will be able to import event details directly into our system, saving you hours and allowing staff to focus on higher-priority tasks. 

Impact of AI Technology on Venue and Event Planning and Execution 

Technology is not just a tool; it's a catalyst for transformation. At the heart of our innovation is a commitment to help you succeed in an ever-changing landscape. We're not just refining our existing venue and event management solutions — we're pioneering new ones. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most exciting advancements in event planning and execution. For instance, we’re experimenting with our AI-powered tool, Ask Momentus. This technology allows you to interact with your event data in real time — simply ask the system for insights, generate reports, or schedule events using natural language input. This hands-free, intuitive interaction not only saves you time but also enables more precise, data-driven decisions, allowing you to plan smarter and respond faster to evolving event needs. 

The benefits of enhancing event execution and management through AI and other advanced technologies are far-reaching: 

  • Increased Efficiency: By automating routine tasks like scheduling and data analysis, your team can focus on higher-priority activities, speeding up the event planning process. 
  • Improved Decision-making: AI tools help you unlock insights from your data, ensuring that you make informed decisions that optimize both event logistics and guest experiences. 
  • Seamless Event Execution: With real-time updates and AI-generated insights, your operations team can adapt quickly, ensuring everything runs smoothly from start to finish. 

By embracing AI and other emerging technologies, we’re helping venues of all sizes enhance their event management capabilities, ultimately creating more successful and memorable events. 

Charting the Future: Emerging Trends in Venue and Event Technology   

The future of event technology is incredibly promising. The so-called buzzwords — AI, advanced analytics, seamless user experiences — are becoming the bedrock of modern event management. Here's what we see unfolding: 

Future Trends in Event Technology: 

  1. AI-Driven Innovation: From predicting guest preferences to automating scheduling, AI will permeate every facet of event planning, allowing you to focus on crafting exceptional experiences.
  2. Advanced Analytics: Real-time data will become your most valuable asset. Track attendee behavior, optimize space, and measure success like never before. Predictive analytics will help you anticipate challenges before they arise.
  3. Elevated User Experiences: The future is all about intuitive, user-friendly platforms. Enhanced integration, mobile-first designs, and seamless interfaces will drive engagement and satisfaction.
  4. Sustainability and Green Technology: As stewards of the environment, we'll leverage technology to help venues and planners measure and meet sustainability goals — reducing carbon footprints and minimizing waste through intelligent resource management. 
  5. Robust Risk and Incident Management: Safety and success go hand in hand. Advanced risk and incident management tools will empower you to make informed decisions, ensuring every event operates smoothly and securely.  

Conclusion 

The venue and event industry is poised to become more dynamic, personalized, and efficient than ever before. Therefore, I invite you to embrace the innovations that will define the next era of venue and event management. 

As we continue to invest in our products and services, we invite you to join Momentus Technologies on this exciting journey. The future of venue and event management software is incredibly bright, and we’re excited to be at the forefront of innovation in this space.