Hybrid and Metaverse Events Are Coming to Vegas. Is Your Venue Ready?

Highly regarded as the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas is famous for its exciting entertainment hosted at world-renown venues like Regal Red Rock Stadium, the Bellagio Hotel & Casino, and Caesars Palace.

Recent reporting places Vegas in the top three growth markets in the U.S. for corporate events. While other major cities like New York City are still recovering from the effects of the pandemic, Las Vegas has made an incredible comeback in the last year. Apart from welcoming over 32 million visitors in 2021, the city witnessed the debut of Resorts World Las Vegas, Virgin Hotels, and the Las Vegas Convention Center’s $1 billion West Hall expansion. As Las Vegas paves the path for in-person trade shows and other live events, what does the future look like for the city’s tech-driven events infrastructure?

The Future of Las Vegas Venues: Hybrid and Metaverse Events

It’s no secret that events in Las Vegas have changed dramatically post-pandemic. These days, digital touchpoints and interactive services are in demand as Las Vegas venues welcome guests back to the city. Many venues shifting towards a digitally-enhanced experience will need help adapting and managing their technology infrastructure.

For example, virtual and augmented reality are revolutionizing how people enjoy entertainment and connect with the world. Companies across industries are exploring how new interactive technologies can create immersive experiences, increase brand loyalty, and facilitate unique connections with attendees. However, many Las Vegas venues may struggle to adapt if their space is not equipped to accommodate the extraordinary demands of digitally enhanced events.

Let’s take a deeper dive into two categories of digitally enhanced events event planners are increasingly hosting in Las Vegas: 

Hybrid Events

Post-pandemic, traditional in-person events have transitioned to hybrid events, and venues can expect this trend to continue. Hybrid events provide planners, presenters, attendees, and sponsors with the ability to reach and connect with more people through a combination of physical and digital spaces. Imagine uninterrupted live streaming, connected mobile apps, high-definition audiovisuals, and digital signage that provide interactive options for enhancing the attendee experience.

Metaverse Events

The metaverse is a virtual world that aims to take people beyond the screen and into new realities. Metaverse events are large-scale events involving multiple technologies and digital software that replicates 3D interactions. If a virtual meeting is a series of computer-generated characters, a metaverse event is a virtual world built using digital software. These events can be held remotely or hosted at a physical location. They feature immersive 3D environments that rely on new technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) or Augmented Reality (AR). Audiences attend 3D conferences as an avatar. While the metaverse is still relatively new, several tech companies and start-ups have entered the market. The metaverse provides unique event experiences, and event planners and venues worldwide are preparing for the demand for this new type of event format.

A Solution for Modern Event Experiences in Las Vegas

Nowadays, event planners and IT Directors at hotels and convention centers are asking themselves:

1. Is my venue prepared to host the latest hybrid and metaverse events?
2. Can our current infrastructure support the demands of today’s digitally oriented consumers? (It’s much more than just internet bandwidth.) 
3. How can I ensure uninterrupted live streaming and secure access for all attendees?
4. How can I maximize our space and technology to generate the greatest amount of revenue?

Answer these questions definitely with the support of a full-service event technology partner. Having recently expanded into Las Vegas, Xpodigital helps venues upgrade their technology infrastructure and support new approaches, including live, hybrid, and metaverse events. On-site experts are provided to plan, upgrade, and fully manage the venue’s digital networks. The company currently powers world-class events for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, regional convention centers, and corporate events for brands like IBM, Citrix, Gartner, and RSA. Services include IT consulting, documentation, network architecture design, and the latest in live streaming and sub-second failover technologies.

The last two years have underscored the critical need for venues to provide the digital infrastructure and internet architecture necessary to support live, virtual, and metaverse events. As tourists and business travelers return to Las Vegas to attend events, an opportunity has emerged for event planners to collaborate with hotel venues and convention centers to create unforgettable digital experiences for attendees. From smart digital signage, high-definition AV, and unlimited Wi-Fi connectivity to social media integration, technologies continue to evolve and shape the nature of events. Now, it’s up to Las Vegas venues to respond to the demand and remain ahead of the curve.

Is your venue ready for hybrid and metaverse events? Discuss your options with the experts at Xpodigital.

Thank you to our guest blogger today, Xpodigital.