For event professionals, there was one major standout at the Apple Event in San Francisco this week. No, it wasn’t the new Game of Thrones trailer (although we were pretty excited about that as well). It was a closer look at the Apple Watch.
First things first, what all can Apple’s first foray into wearable tech do? The watch will feel familiar to iPhone users, as it has many similar features, just on a smaller scale. Users will be able to take calls, send texts (via both canned response and dictation), get updates from Siri, and call an Uber to take them to wherever they need to go. Plus, there’s a whole suite of health and fitness related apps that keep Apple Watch wearers active, and remind them to get up and move when they’ve been at their desks too long.So how is this going to change the world of events? We came up with a few ideas of how this new smartwatch can will add a whole new level to the events you can plan.
- Giving Guests Access: Apple demonstrated how the watch can be used unlock your hotel room door with just the flick of a wrist. Hopefully, that technology will make it easier to check in guests, and give VIPs access to special sections.
- Checking Guest Statistics: As you’re monitoring the event throughout the evening you won’t have to pull out your tablet or smartphone anymore just to see how many people have checked in and which VIPs have arrived. You’ll be able to connect the Apple Watch to your guest list app and monitor and report on your latest stats just by glancing at your wrist.
- Collecting Donations: Just like you’ll be able to pay for your morning cup of coffee with Apple Pay, we’ll be excited for guests to be able to donate money at an event or pay for their silent auction items. Impulse purchases are great if they are benefiting a charity, right?
- Interacting with Beacons: You know we love beacons from our look at the latest event technology, and that love extends to beacons interacting with smart watches as well as smart phones. Beacons can prompt your guests to interact with a specific part of your event or give them more information when they enter into a designated area. We’d also love to see the beacons working with the haptic feedback available on the Apple Watch. A brief tap from the Taptic Engine on their wrist is sure to get your guests’ attention.
- Making Your Life Easier: The benefits of the Apple Watch don’t just stop at your guests, we think it will make executing a fabulous event even easier as well. If each member of your team is wearing an Apple Watch on event day, you’ll be able to communicate seamlessly during the event without having to worry about carrying a phone or using a two-way radio. Plus, when dealing with guests, a silent, haptic notification on your wrist is much more discreet and professional.
Now let’s play devil’s advocate for a minute. You’re not going to be able to start integrating the Apple Watch into your events immediately, even though we know you’d love to. It will take a little bit of time before the Apple Watch is widely adopted across the market. And it remains to be seen just how many people will jump on board. Keep in mind, there are other products already on the market that are very similar, like the Pebble Smartwatch, although it doesn’t have the Apple juggernaut behind it.For now, we’re rating the Apple Watch as a device to keep your eye on, especially if you plan events in the technology, fashion, or health arena. For more mainstream events, you might have to give it time — just think back to how long it took to get from first creating your Facebook account to the day social media became part of almost every event you plan.