According to Neil Levin, general manager, Australia and New Zealand, at Hire Intelligence International, touchscreens and interactive kiosks have become essential components of modern exhibitions and trade shows.

“Event organisers are seeking advanced visual technologies, such as 4K and 8K screens and LED posterboards and totems, to create immersive experiences,” he says.

However, Levin also notes the technology landscape isn’t without challenges, particularly in connectivity.

The shutdown of Australia’s 3G network has significantly impacted 4G connectivity, creating new hurdles for event organisers.

“They have not increased 4G capacity at all – all three telcos admitted as much – and their focus is on 5G, but 5G has a shorter range and coverage is still minimal,” says Levin. This transition period is requiring careful management of client expectations around network reliability.

Despite these challenges, demand for event technology evolves, and not just in terms of using tech to enhance delegates’ experience on the day. Levin has observed increasing focus on cybersecurity, particularly for longer-term rentals.

“We have many clients hiring for one-to-six-month projects where there are requirements for secure routers and reliable endpoint protection,” he says.

“Even for shorter events, there’s growing demand for post-event data sanitisation services, reflecting increased awareness of data security.”