IMEX is the heart of the global events and destinations business. What better place for us to set up shop? In 2022, we produced a series of interviews focused on how to take the tech-forward steps required in a post-pandemic world. This year, we’re back and calling all event tech thought leaders to share their insights. We’re focusing on making connections through technology, be it at real-world or digital events. You can sign up for your interview time here. 

Extra credit? Our booth (C5036) is adjacent to the mahvelous DAHLIA+Agency. Dahlia and Company will be offering a white-glove concierge service, so bring your questions about how to take your events to the next level. They’ll point you in the right direction.

74% of the structures used at this year’s Dreamforce were recycled or reused. Mahalo!

Image credit: Future / Mike Moore

Image credit: 360Fashion

Truth Not Trends
Looking for truths, not trends? Watch StoryCraft Labs’ new video Guiding Principles in Experience Design. A good experience needs a good storyline and a storyline needs some emotional heft.

Meta’s Got a New Verse
Mark Zuckerberg will probably go down in history as the guy who sunk the metaverse — at least the word “metaverse” — by arrogantly renaming his company Meta. But he’s been busy making amends (sorta) by rolling out a version of Horizon Worlds, the company’s VR community for headset-less “flat-landers”, which is most of us. 

The company announced that Horizon Worlds is available on desktop PCs and mobile devices. That means you won’t need to don a VR headset to go to the party and you’ll get a taste of what’s there. Warning, it’s sort of like being invited to watch a Dolby 3D movie on your computer screen. Kinda flat, but at least you’re invited to the party and just like in the theaters, Meta is hoping that you’ll pay the price to up your game to VR. 

In more Meta news, Horizon World avatars finally get to have real (or at least digitally imagined) legs. Previously, because of the camera limitations that could only capture upper body movements, you were relegated to being a legless torso in VR. Now, through the magic of algorithms, real locomoting legs are here. For more on the complexity of VR legs read UpLoad VR. 

No doubt Meta will be showcasing a more inclusive version of the metaverse when it holds MetaConnect on Sept. 27 and 28th, and at the same time introduce us to its next-gen, more expensive headset. You can attend for free. 

It’s the New Ozempic 
The writer’s strike (WGA) seemingly continues in perpetuity. It’s been nearly 5 months. And the SAG-AFTRA Strike (actors) trails just behind. This gets me thinking, what if AI really does become the future of entertainment? According to the Hollywood Reporter, big-name celebrities are signing on with Metaphysic, a digital-human AI company, to create their own AI-likenesses. Anne Hathaway, Tom Hanks, and Octavia Spencer are leading the pack, and getting out in front of this escalating trend.

New in Our Database
Check out the new listings in our database: Jugo, ssemble, Callaba and Virtual Magician.