Engagement Simplified: Your AI-powered attendee journey
Event and exhibition companies are betting big on artificial intelligence to solve their most pressing challenge: keeping attendees engaged in an era of digital distraction.
The shift comes as the industry faces increasing pressure to demonstrate value to both exhibitors and attendees and AI tools unlock new possibilities through personalized experiences and enhanced networking opportunities.
Industry projections support this technological pivot – the Amex GBT Meetings & Events 2025 Global Forecast indicates that 50% of meeting planners globally will adopt AI technology by 2025.
Our AI in Event series explores the different use cases of AI in event planning and management – and the various AI tools to help organizers to automate, scale and optimize their events.
In this article, we will discuss eight ways AI can help boost attendee engagement at exhibitions and tradeshows and the specific tools and solutions you can explore. Let’s dive in:
#1 Pre-event engagement
AI transforms the pre-event experience through sophisticated data analysis and personalization.
The system processes comprehensive attendee data – including professional backgrounds, historical event participation and digital interaction patterns.
Through advanced predictive analytics, AI matches attendees with relevant sessions, exhibitors, and networking opportunities that align with their interests and objectives.
For example, when a product development director from the beauty and cosmetics industry registers, the AI recognizes their recent engagement with sustainable packaging innovations.
Based on this analysis, it automatically recommends relevant sustainability workshops and connects them with eco-friendly packaging suppliers exhibiting at the event.
Tools to consider: Azure Cognitive Services, Salesforce’s Einstein AI, Google’s Vertex AI
#2 Customized event agenda
An AI-powered customized agenda delivers a personalized schedule based on each attendee’s profile, industry focus and stated objectives.
The system evaluates thousands of possible session combinations, considering factors like session capacity, speaker expertise and business relevance.
As attendees build their schedules, the AI dynamically updates recommendations and offers alternatives for filled sessions and proactively identifying scheduling conflicts.
It also optimizes the practical aspects of attendance, including transit time between venues and designated networking periods.
Tools to consider: Microsoft Graph + AI, Recommendations AI (Google), Azure Event Grid
#3 People and product matchmaking
AI matchmaking at B2B events operates on two key levels: attendee-to-attendee connections and attendee-to-content alignment.
For business networking, the system analyzes company profiles, purchase patterns and strategic objectives to suggest relevant peer connections.
For product discovery, it matches attendees with exhibitors, products and content based on their industry needs and interests.
For example, a medical device manufacturer would receive recommendations for relevant peer connections (hospital procurement teams, other manufacturers), along with tailored suggestions for products, demonstrations and technical sessions aligned with their specific focus areas.
Tools to consider: IBM’s Watson Discovery, Amazon Personalize
#4 Smart chatbots for real-time support
Modern AI chatbots are like omnipresent event assistants that can handle a huge number of increasingly complex queries.
Unlike their simple predecessors, these tools understand context and can manage multi-step problems.
For example, if an attendee asks about a specific product demonstration, the chatbot not only provides the schedule but also checks real-time crowd levels, suggests optimal viewing times and can immediately facilitate a meeting with the product expert.
These systems can simultaneously handle thousands of queries across multiple languages, learning from each interaction to improve future responses.
Tools to consider: Dialogflow (Google Cloud), Amazon Lex, IBM Watson Assistant
#5 Content personalization
Event platforms are deploying AI systems that analyze attendee behavior—from session attendance to exhibit interactions—to deliver targeted content streams.
The technology monitors engagement patterns in real time, automatically adjusting recommendations based on demonstrated interests.
When attendees explore sustainability exhibits, for example, related sessions are flagged and connected with relevant exhibitors.
By incorporating data from professionals with similar profiles, the AI surfaces valuable opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed – helping maximize event ROI.
Tools to consider: Adobe Target, Optimizely, Dynamic Yield, AWS Personalize, Microsoft’s Azure Cognitive Services
#6 Multilingual engagement and translation services
AI-powered translation platforms are expanding event accessibility across language divides.
These tools master industry-specific terminology, enabling accurate real-time translation of technical presentations into multiple languages simultaneously.
Cross-language networking is then facilitated seamlessly through mobile devices, eliminating traditional interpretation delays and costs.
By removing language constraints, events can drive global connections and knowledge exchange.
Tools to consider: Google Translate API, Microsoft Translator API, DeepL API, Amazon Translate
#7 Sentiment analysis and feedback
Sentiment analysis software can scan attendees reactions across social media, mobile apps, exhibitor booths as well as meeting rooms.
The tech alerts organizers when multiple guests voice frustration about specific issues – from crowded walkways and space constraints to missing directional signages and uncomfortable room temperatures.
This prompts staff to address problems in real-time before complaints escalate.
Beyond flagging concerns, the AI analysis also identifies which features and activities generate the most enthusiasm, helping planners amplify successful elements at future events.
Tools to consider: Microsoft Azure Cognitive Services, Oracle Cloud, Amazon Rekognition, IBM Event Automation
#8 Conversational AI
Advanced conversational AI serves as a hybrid between a personal assistant and a business consultant at events.
These tools can engage in sophisticated, context-aware discussions about products, services and industry trends.
Unlike basic chatbots, they can maintain complex conversations, remember previous interactions and provide nuanced recommendations based on the attendee’s specific business context.
For example, when discussing manufacturing solutions, the AI can factor in the attendee’s company size, current technology stack and budget constraints to provide relevant advice.
Tools to consider: Microsoft Bot Framework, Vertex AI, Meta AI, Einstein Conversation Insights, Oracle Digital Assistant, IBM Watson Assistant
Conclusion
The events industry stands on the brink of an AI revolution that goes far beyond mere technological upgrades.
While current tools are already reshaping how business professionals interact at gatherings, the real transformation lies ahead – promising to democratize engagement and networking to reimagine how the business world connects.
For industry players, the strategic imperative is clear: embrace AI’s potential to reimagine professional gatherings or risk losing relevance in an evolving market.
Interested in specialized AI event tools that make exhibitions and tradeshows more engaging? Book a free consultation with ExpoPlatform to know more.
