Brandt Krueger and Will Curran sit down with Veselin (Vesko) Milev and Dessislava (Dessy) Marinova from Eventex to explore the world of event awards and event technology. As Eventex celebrates its 15th anniversary, Vesko and Dessy share insights into the global reach of the Eventex Awards, the evolution of their fully online format, and the impact of the Evalato awards management software. The team also dives into how creativity and innovation are recognized on a global scale and the fascinating trends emerging in event management.

Discussions Include:

• The growth and global reach of the Eventex Awards
• How Evalato simplifies the awards judging process and ensures fairness
• The shift to fully online awards and its sustainability benefits
• Trends in event design and technology across the world
• Using Eventex winners as creative inspiration for future event planning
• The importance of transparency in award scoring and feedback
• Predictions on how AI and sustainability will shape the future of event awards

Quotable Quotes:

• “Eventex is not just about competition; it's a learning experience.” – Vesko Milev
• "It’s not about the size of your event; it’s about the creativity and achieving your goals." – Brandt Krueger
• “Sustainability and AI will continue to drive the future of event management.” – Dessy Marinova
• “The software takes into account how you score in the morning versus the evening—personal bias gets neutralized.” – Vesko Milev

Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive deep into the distinctions between consumer, prosumer, and professional audio-visual gear. Using personal experiences and industry examples, they explore the evolution of tech and how it affects everything from home setups to event production. From audio chain optimization and home theater upgrades to the balance between cost and quality, the conversation touches on the nuances of choosing the right gear for the right application. Whether you're looking to refine your home theater or optimize your event tech, this episode is packed with insights into making informed tech decisions.

Discussions Include:

• Differences between consumer, prosumer, and professional-grade equipment
• Audio chain optimization for home studios and theaters
• Will’s home theater journey: From Sonos to high-end in-wall speakers
• Exploring the balance between quality and budget with tech purchases
• Using Dante for digital audio networking and audio routing
• Buying used gear: When to take the leap and the risks involved
• The ubiquity of networking gear and its impact on event tech setups
• Analog vs. digital: Pros and cons of keeping audio fidelity high

Quotable Quotes:

• "Buy once, cry once." – Alex Lindsay and the Office Hours panel
• "As you move from consumer to prosumer to professional, the improvements start to become incremental, but the costs don’t." – Brandt Krueger
• "You can start low and work your way up, but the key is understanding where the trade-offs are." – Brandt Krueger
• "Sometimes the satisfaction from gear isn’t linear to the price—you can obsess over small improvements." – Will Curran

In this episode, Brandt and Will experiment "live" with the latest in voice cloning from ElevenLabs, and discuss the implications for the events industry. They explore how tools like ElevenLabs' voice cloning and AI-generated sound effects could revolutionize event production and multilingual accessibility. From instant voice cloning that mimics the hosts' voices to generating custom sound effects on the fly, the discussion highlights the incredible potential - and some concerns - surrounding these new technologies. They also touch on the importance of security measures, like establishing a family codeword, to protect against potential misuse of AI-generated voices.

Discussions Include:

• The power and accuracy of AI voice cloning with tools like ElevenLabs.
• Practical applications for event tech, including creating multilingual event content and custom sound effects.
• The potential impact of AI on jobs in the voiceover and sound design industries.
• Security concerns and the importance of family codewords to guard against AI voice spoofing.

Quotable Quotes:

• "This was terrible a year ago... now it's really pretty good because the only thing they're focusing on is the text-to-speech stuff." — Brandt Krueger
• "Imagine the future though, that I could put a voice filter over myself and completely change my voice too." — Will Curran
• "Professional voiceover actors should be a little nervous about this and you should start looking into your contracts." — Brandt Krueger
• "We could just change [our voices] over to Morgan Freeman it'll be awesome." — Will Curran

In this episode of the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran explore the expanding landscape of internet connectivity for events. The duo discusses how advancements like Starlink and Peplink are revolutionizing how we think about internet access, making it possible to host events in previously unreachable locations. From streaming live video from the middle of the desert to setting up robust networks in remote national parks, Brandt and Will discuss the tools and technologies that are breaking down barriers and opening up new possibilities for event planners. They also touch on the potential of solar-powered networks, the implications of widespread satellite internet, and the creative opportunities these technologies present for future events.

Discussions Include:

• Starlink's Impact on Event Connectivity: How Starlink's satellite internet is transforming connectivity, allowing for reliable internet access anywhere.
• Peplink and Speed Fusion Technology: Combining multiple internet connections to create seamless and stable networks for events.
• Outdoor Event Possibilities: Exploring how enhanced connectivity could make outdoor and remote events more viable and engaging.
• The Future of Event Tech: Speculating on the next steps in internet technology, including solar-powered systems and drone-supported events.

Quotable Quotes:

• "In this day and age, connectivity is on a whole different level than we’ve ever seen before." — Will Curran
• "It’s not just about staying connected anymore; it’s about how far we can push the boundaries of where and how we host events." — Brandt Krueger
• "What would you do if you had internet access literally anywhere?" — Brandt Krueger

In this episode of the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive into the latest and greatest in event tech from things like concerts and the Olympics. From groundbreaking uses of 3D rendering and AI in corporate events to the jaw-dropping visual effects at concerts, they explore how technology is transforming the live event experience. The conversation also touches on the innovative approaches seen at the recent Olympic ceremonies and how they blend tradition with cutting-edge tech. Whether it’s the latest in LED wall integration or the creative use of drones and cameras, this episode offers a rich exploration of where event technology is headed.

Discussions Include:

• VR and AI in Event Production: How VR and AI are being used to create photorealistic environments for clients, allowing them to virtually explore event setups before they happen.
• Concert Innovations: The integration of 3D visuals and live lighting at Foo Fighters concerts, creating immersive experiences that blend real and virtual elements.
• LED Walls and Beyond: The growing use of LED walls in live performances and how they can be creatively redesigned for corporate events.
• Olympics Opening Ceremony: A breakdown of some of the tech behind the Paris Olympics' opening ceremony, including the stunning use of lighting on the Eiffel Tower and a floating mechanical horse carrying the Olympic flag.
• Trends in Spectacle: A reflection on the current phase of iterative innovation in event tech, where the focus is on refining existing technologies rather than introducing entirely new ones.

Quotable Quotes (should you choose to share):

• "It’s not just about what’s new; it’s about how you creatively use the tech that’s already available." — Brandt Krueger
• "We’re seeing artists and event producers push the boundaries of what’s possible, creating experiences that are not just visually stunning but also deeply immersive." — Will Curran
• "The Olympics showed us that even in the most traditional events, there’s room for technological innovation that enhances the storytelling without overshadowing it." — Brandt Krueger

In this episode of the Event Tech Podcast, Will Curran and Brandt Krueger dive into the fascinating parallels between the event industry and video games. They explore how concepts from popular games like Fallout can be applied to enhance attendee experiences at events. From the importance of choice and exploration to the potential of gamification, they discuss innovative ideas to keep attendees engaged and satisfied. Plus, they touch on the evolution of event apps and how to gamify actions that truly matter without alienating parts of your audience.

Discussions Include:

• How open-world games like Fallout can inform event design
• The balance between too much and too little choice for attendees
• The potential pitfalls of traditional gamification methods
• The importance of meaningful engagement metrics
• The future of event apps and wayfinding technology

Quotable Quotes Should You Choose to Share:

1. "I think there's some things that are more metaphorical, more spiritual when it comes to how we design our events. More strategic, there we go- that's maybe a more better, gooder word." - Brandt Krueger
2. "In the same way that we say we want more white space, we want the choice of more white space." - Will Curran
3. "Let's refocus our gamification on the things that actually matter, like networking and engagement with exhibitors." - Will Curran
4. "It's almost worse than not having gamification at all because now I feel deflated." - Brandt Krueger

In this episode of the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran explore the game-changing features of the Arc Browser. They share their personal experiences with this innovative browser, detailing its unique functionalities and how it stands out from traditional browsers like Chrome and Safari. From its clean, distraction-free interface to its seamless integration with AI and enhanced productivity tools, Brandt and Will dive into why Arc Browser might be the future of web browsing.

Discussions Include:

• Introduction and initial thoughts on the Arc Browser
• Unique features: clean interface, sidebar, pinned "bookmarks", and spaces
• Transitioning from other browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Edge
• AI integration in Arc Browser and Arc Search app
• The importance of privacy and potential monetization strategies for Arc
• Comparisons with other browsers and the future of browsing
• Pros and cons: current bugs, desktop vs. mobile experience, and more

Quotable Quotes Should You Choose to Share:

1. "Arc Browser feels like what Chrome did when it first came out—revolutionary and refreshing." — Brandt Krueger
2. "The 'Browse for Me' feature in Arc Search is a game-changer. It's like having a custom-built website for every search." — Will Curran
3. "The Arc Browser team has rethought the entire browsing experience, making it more intuitive and user-friendly." — Brandt Krueger
4. "It's the first time I've been excited about a web browser in 20 years. Arc Browser is truly that innovative." — Will Curran
5. "If you're looking for a browser that respects your privacy while boosting productivity, Arc Browser is worth a try." — Brandt Krueger

Will forgot to send me his referral link so here's mine- muahahahaha! (BK):
https://arc.net/gift/c123f69d

In this episode of the Event Tech Podcast, Brandt Krueger and Will Curran dive into the latest advancements in AI, specifically focusing on OpenAI's newly announced text-to-video engine, Sora. They explore its potential impacts on the events industry, the challenges and ethical considerations of AI-generated content, and the exciting future possibilities this technology could unlock. From transforming stock footage creation to enhancing projection mapping, Brandt and Will discuss how Sora could revolutionize event production.

Discussions Include:

• Introduction to OpenAI's Sora and its capabilities.
• Comparisons between Sora and previous AI developments like ChatGPT and Gemini 1.5.
• Early impressions and examples of Sora-generated videos.
• Potential applications of AI video generation in the events industry.
• Ethical concerns and legal implications of AI-generated content.
• Future possibilities for AI in video editing and event production.
• Personal experiences and insights into current AI tools being used in events.

Quotable Quotes (should you choose to share):

• "The genie is out of the bottle ... There is no putting it back in." - Brandt Krueger
• "Imagine creating video moments of CAD designs with a fly-in drone shot. The creative possibilities are endless." - Will Curran
• "It's about banning the behavior, not the technology." - Brandt Krueger

And for the record, we were using colons in our episode titles and words like "delve" long before AI.