Blog – Page 2 – Giant iTab

Confex 2022 The Blog

April 22, 2022

Once again, we were delighted to announce our official supply partnership with International Confex, The PA Show & Event Production Show, having provided 15 digital signage solutions outside each of the theatre hubs as a part of their world- class conference programme, we also showcased our latest range of giant smartphones & interactive presentation solutions on our own stand.

‍So, how was our overall experience?

Our overall experience was a successful one. As expected, we obtained major interest from our latest Giant Smartphone range, as well as our Smartphone Sanitiser solutions. Garnering prospective clients was made undemanding and effective using a badge scanner provided by Mash Media – doing their part for sustainability. This well received addition allowed us to streamline our already meticulous operation from start to finish, enabling us not to deal with the outmoded and tedious practice of manually inputting copious amounts of contact information into a spreadsheet. You could sense the enthusiasm in the air as exhibitors were back interacting with their stand visitors – and it was the same for us! We missed old friends and relished the experience meeting new people of all ages, various backgrounds, and industries.

‍What response did our Giant Smartphones receive by stand visitors at Confex 22?

Its no secret that our Giant Smartphones when seen on event stands trigger “jaw-dropping” reactions from passers-by, who then have the sudden urge to go up and touch the screen, usually because they are in awe by the sheer size and unbelieving nature of its function as a smartphone (“The Wow Factor”). So, we knew what to expect. However, we were in for a lovely surprise in the form of exceptional compliments on our new slimline designs. Maintaining the same “Wow factor” response, the new slim line designs simultaneously managed to engage the interest of our visitors, not only on the variety of content the Giant iTabs can facilitate but capture their attention with the modern aesthetics of the new Giant Smartphone range, making it essential on our, and our clients’ event stands.

Giant iTab stand visitors Confex 22 Instagram: whatnyomidoes / bianca_lifecoach_bc Twitter: punchtownmedia

What statistics from Confex 2022 (provided by Mash Media) support our experience?

In total Confex had over 5500 distinct attendees in 2022.

Event technology was rated the top area of interest for attendees.

We saw an adoption rate of 51% for our event app this year for attendees and 65% for exhibitors, both of which represent a big increase on previous years’ adoption rates.

The use of smartphones at events for researching event information to plan their day, is on the increase.

‍So, what can we learn from this?

Its clear technology was the main focus for this event, not only in the way of stand design, but in the practical applications it served displaying visitor information and generating leads. Additionally, there is a rising trend for deploying more event tech, supported by the significant need for more sustainable alternatives to printed materials; having the ability to update content remotely. Often, speakers & schedules change during the course of an event, having the modality of remote access to digital content , the modus operandi of digital tech allows for live feed and/or pre-configured content to be immediately updated accordingly.

What did other Exhibitors have to say?

It was my first event onsite event, and I could not have asked for anything more. The event was very well curated with friendly staff members and great breakout areas
– Joy Mukherjee, Hubilo

Great show, Confex delivered a great audience! – Rob Bartholomew, RefTech

Confex 2022 brought the industry back with a bang and what perfect way to re-launch the events year, then with a show where the events industry meets – Sophie Robinson, Lick Me I’m Delicious

Have a look at some of our clients from Confex 2022 below!

Fill out a webform inquiry on the bottom of this page to book your new Giant iTab or call us on 07879 702508 to speak to one of our sales team.

Categories: Blog

Better Together – Being together in times of crisis

September 24, 2020

Mark Jones, CEO & Founder of Giant iTab

‍The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the events industry across the world. As a supplier of event tech solutions to trade shows it hit our traditional business hard. With no events taking place the orders dried up, a scenario echoed by most suppliers to this industry. And sadly, there does not appear to be an end in sight. Much like other suppliers we’ve reacted to the market conditions and are working hard to support our customers old and new with a product range that’s been adapted to offer extra health & safety features for events in the new norm, but we are not alone in saying these are challenging times and uncharted waters.

As we have tried to navigate the treacherous landscape over the last six months, being part of an association has been extremely beneficial. We have been a member of the Event Supplier and Services Association (ESSA) for over two years. We decided to join as we felt that we had reached the stage as a company where we would benefit from being part of an association who represented our individual and collective needs within the events industry. We were introduced by Mash Media’s Group Operations Director, Dan Edwards, who is on the ESSA Board. Benefits such as free legal and HR advice, as well as the opportunity to network at a high level with like-minded members operating within the event sector were particularly appealing.

Before COVID-19 we benefited from receiving regular newsletter updates from ESSA about the industry and activity of individual members which gave us a good overview of how events were fairing and where some of the major events were taking place. We were also invited to join the association’s AGM which provided many interesting sessions and speakers and role-play opportunities designed to help us hone our teambuilding skills and be more creative in our business thinking.

When COVID-19 steamrolled the UK in March, being a member of an association became really important for me as the founder & CEO of a business which had built its success around events which were no longer able to take place. ESSA was the voice of the events industry helping us understand the situation better as it evolved and most importantly representing our company and our peers to the Government. ESSA explained to the Government how our unique service situation meant that we were suffering as an industry, the recovery would be much slower and later than other industries and that we needed additional help to be able to weather the storm for the long term. It was also extremely beneficial to have regular webinar and zoom meetings (hosted by Andrew Harrison of ESSA) including being able to listen and speak with other business owners who were finding themselves in a similar position. When we were in the early days of COVID-19 and in lockdown, this highly isolating situation was nerve wracking but was made simpler by being able to share our experiences and see that other people were in the same boat.

There is no substitute for being part of a group of like-minded people and like-minded companies all with a common cause and a common objective, to keep the industry strong and to grow and develop the industry in partnership with other companies. I would strongly advise joining an association, even during the current crisis, for no other reason than to suggest that it makes you part of a group collective where you can share your views, hear other people’s views and take a more holistic view about your position and the economic climate that you operate in. You only really get out of it what you put in, but it is worth the money and the effort. Even In times of a crisis being a member of an association pays dividends as now, more than ever, we are better together.

Categories: Blog

World’s First Hybrid Sanitiser Smartphone

September 10, 2020

Event technology and digital solutions provider Giant iTab has launched the world’s first Hybrid Sanitiser Smartphone to keep event goers safe during the pandemic. Based on its award-winning smartphone solutions, the new kit has added health and safety features including hand sanitiser and a temperature monitor. Good hand hygiene is an integral part of stopping the spread of harmful germs and bacteria in the current climate and will be a top priority for event organisers and venues as events re-start.

Categories: Blog

The Smart Alternative to Visitor Safety

September 10, 2020

Giant iTab’s 22” hybrid Sanitiser Smartphone is available to rent, lease or buy. It is super slim, stylish, and its all-in-one design allows the flexibility to place the kiosk where you need it most. The smartphone comes with optional touchscreen capability enabling enhanced interaction and engagement with all your digital content. The extra-large sanitiser reservoir provides up to 9,000 dispenses. This minimises time between refills and offers the best low maintenance option on the market.

Categories: Blog

International Women in Tech

September 10, 2020

With International Women’s Day taking place this weekend, we are celebrating the talented women in tech that make up part of the Giant iTab team. Event and Operation Assistant Holly Flintham is Giant iTab’s rising star. Holly joined the business in 2018 as part of a Government sponsored Digital Marketing apprenticeship and is looking forward to extending her training and career with the company.

Categories: Blog

How Education and Technology Crossover

September 10, 2020

We are proud to be partnering this week with our colleagues and friends at Hyve group for four days of stimulating conference and exhibition at BETT 2020 held at London’s Excel. The event sees the global education community come together to celebrate, find inspiration and discuss the future of education as well as how technology and innovation enables educators and learners to thrive.

Along with over 34,000 attendees and an exciting range of Edtech suppliers, Giant iTab will not only be supporting the organiser by using our Giant iTabs for wayfinding and accessing integral show information but also exhibiting and talking with educators and leaders from the sector on how Giant iTab solutions are already in place in universities and colleges across the country to help education departments with various applications. These universities include the University of Rotterdam, University of Loughborough, University of Herts, Nottingham Trent University, Middlesex University, Lambeth Academy to name a few.

In the education sector Giant iTabs are used to help navigate students during Fresher Weeks and open days, to help app developers when teaching and training students and even as live timetables and event schedulers. We’ve also helped with more broad applications such as providing an advertising and promotion technology for college and university commercial teams right the way through to the chosen technology for visitor experience centres.

Where technology and education cross over is often when usability and familiarity come together to make technology fun and engaging for the students. Learning in this environment only enhances the students’ experiences. Our client Magdalin Clancy, Assistant Principal, Business – United Learning from the Lambeth Academy says: “The Giant iTab is a really powerful way to engage this young generation. If anyone is hesitant about how to attract people on to a stand, then look no further. We had queues around the block – the content is what the students were interested in and the Giant iTab showcased it beautifully.”

The rise in mobile learning has fuelled a growing demand for technology to provide a ‘group learning experience’. Using the same individual mobile experience students would use for educational apps in their everyday student life, engaging a number of students and using the same apps and hardware but on a larger scale allows educators and students alike to go through that journey together. The Giant iTab truly facilitates that experience.

We think this beautifully sums up how technology and education can cross over and benefits all parties. As they say in show business: “I’m here all week”. So, if you’re attending BETT 2020 and would like to learn more or simply have a coffee and chat, come and visit us in Hall 8 on stand SB46. See you on the show floor!

We think this beautifully sums up how technology and education can cross over, as they say in show business, I’m here all week, so if you’re attending Bett and would like to learn more or simply have a coffee and chat come and visit us at Stand… See you on the show floor!

Categories: Blog

Technology to Drive Engagement

September 10, 2020

‍The world of digital has obvious benefits for online communities. The myriad of tools, apps and other technology available today allows for globally dispersed communities to communicate, present or simply conduct a meeting online. (internet permitting!) Yet this is only a small piece of the pie. The real pay-off for many sectors comes when these tools drive engagement and more face-to-face time with colleagues or clients.

Categories: Blog

How to Create a More Sustainable Event

September 9, 2020

It’s safe to say the events industry isn’t the greenest of industries. Events create a lot of waste and leave a significant carbon footprint. In fact, a recent ‘Meet Green’ survey found the average conference attendee produces 1.89kg of waste per day, 1.16kg of which ends up in landfill.

While many events have a long way to go to be greener, some are doing their bit to reduce their carbon footprint. We recently worked with MWC Barcelona, the largest mobile event in the world attracting 109,000 visitors. The event is recognised by the Guinness Book Of World Records, no less, as ‘The World’s Largest Carbon Neutral Trade Show’ and in 2019 its organiser GSMA decided to scrap the show’s printed event guide in place of an event app which could be accessed, viewed and downloaded via Giant iTabs strategically placed around the event venue. The project resulted in over a quarter of a million touches recorded on the giant smartphones across the four-day show. The smartphones helped to increase visibility of, and access to, key event information and to drive attendees to where they wanted to go, increasing event app adoption and eliminating the need for a printed event guide.

MWC Barcelona is just one example of an event making positive steps for the environment. As an event technology company, we too are increasingly aware of our carbon footprint. Flying our kit to events across the world has a big impact on the environment. To fly one member of staff along with our kit to Singapore from London has an estimated carbon footprint of 1.8 tonnes.

In the last couple of years, we have taken steps to decrease our carbon footprint by working with partners across the world. These like-minded AV technology companies deliver our Giant iTabs to customers at a local level in their own territories, saving the need to fly our team and kit back and forth to each event. The Giant iTab network currently covers four continents and 12 countries and by creating this network we are benefiting the environment as well as the customer. Working with a ‘local’ AV Rental company, operating in the same time zone, using the same language and currency with intimate knowledge of the culture and geographical landscape, has inevitably got its benefits.

The environmental impact of events isn’t going to go away but by working with suppliers with global partners and replacing printed materials with digital technology, there are plenty of ways we can all do our bit to be more sustainable.

Categories: Blog