IML News & Events

Gone are the days where IML just quoted on client events. Interactive conferences were the buzz word back in the day and IML Interactive jumped at the opportunity to introduce our voting technology to clients. Creative intermediaries loved our technology as the interactive voting element added value to the meeting or conference.

Looking back at the past 12 months, this picture has changed dramatically. So has the concept of value and ROI at meetings and events changed over time. The change has created exciting opportunities making the future outlook even more promising. This change was brought along by people and not the technology shaped by our proficient in-house research and development team. These people are the IML employees who are passionate about the industry we serve and the company that employs them.

Similarly, the world around us is changing at a rapid pace. The environment in which all industries do business is becoming more sophisticated. To survive, business needs to adapt which require paradigm shifts at an ever increasing rate.

It is thus refreshing to be part of the global IML business where the paradigm has shifted from a technology provider to technology being used as a means to reach very specific goals. The keyword here is “goal”. Instead of quoting our clients outright, we now discuss with our clients the goals of a specific meeting or conference and we question them on the measuring of the ROI of the meeting.

IML engages over half a million people globally every year at over 2500 meetings.  This depth of experience has allowed us to create a proven 3 stage approach designed to maximise the value at each and every event.  The focus now is on harnessing audience insight through a consultative process of discovery, solution and insight.

IML guarantees maximum effectiveness and a return on investment for the conference or event at which our initial collaboration and subsequent technology are incorporated. It is essential to create an environment that actively promotes audience interaction by taking advantage of strategic yet simple-to-use solutions that help capture and make sense of all of the rich content that is created. This is where IML is leading the way with harnessing audience insight.

Delegates are demanding value, they want to be heard, they want to partake in the discussions and they no longer want to sit and view endless PowerPoint presentations. On the other hand, managers require a ROI at meetings and conferences. The end result is real value, for the delegates, the organiser and, where corporate meetings are concerned, for the organisation too.

The 16th August arrived at last and so did a full house of Event Organiser Network members at the 6th annual Event Organiser Network Showcase and Exhibition.

With some delegates good-naturedly having to sit on the stairs in the The CSIR International Convention Centre auditorium, the days program was opened by Wayne Steven-Jennings MD of hosts, The Africa Conference Directory.

IML is proud to have been involved in this event again this year round, sponsoring the use of the IML Connector keypads for interaction and fun during the day.

Read the full story here

IML is proud to have sponsored the use of the IML Connector keypads for the SAACI National Conference held at the Indaba Hotel in July 2012. Through consultation, IML assisted SAACI in identifying opportunities to engage with the audience members attending through means of the IML Offering.

Held over 2 days, all attendees could participate by means of text messaging or the use of the built-in microphone of the IML Connector. All Presenters were rated anomymously and the results were hidden. Demographic questions were also asked so that SAACI knew exactly which areas were represented at the conference. Fun questions were asked inbetween in order to keep the audience in high spirits and the IML technology was even used at the Annual General Meeting of SAACI to vote on ammendments to SAACI structures – proving just how flexible the IML Offering is!

IML Worldwide, a specialist in the provision of interactive event technology and the global leader in harnessing audience insight, has signed a Channel Partner agreement with Peru-based Stringnet Multimedia System S.A.C. This agreement means IML will have a reseller partner in the growing Latin American market for the first time.

Stringnet’s relationship with IML Worldwide began at InfoComm 2012 when the company first came into contact with the IML Connector solution which was used during the conference’s education sessions.

Click here to read the press release in its entirety.

Just as you wouldn’t remove the SIM card from your phone before attempting to make a call, you shouldn’t hold a meeting without measuring (and ensuring) the return on its investment. This is where enabling solutions that allow people to proffer their opinions, respond to questions, and speak freely add the real benefit to events.

When you don’t have a SIM, there is no value created. Perhaps the event industry is basically the same. It’s about connecting with the audience, harnessing the insight they can provide to make theirs and my organisation better.

Read more about how connecting with attendees drives value on our Harnessing Audience Insight blog.

Danie Greyling, MD of IML South Africa, will participate in the 2012 Change a Life Cycle for the second year.

The 2012 Change a Life Cycle Tour returns home for an epic journey that will take the Change a Life cyclists through the rugged terrain and pristine landscapes of the Waterberg. Of course, the highlight of this annual event which is supported by South African business leaders is the opportunity it creates to transform the lives of hundreds of beneficiaries of the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust. For more information, click here.

IML regularly holds informative interactive training days where conference or event organisers are trained on how to use interaction at conferences or events. Should you wish to receive an invitation to our next training day, please click here.

A successful event is all about the content.

It’s an interesting decision that businesses face when they consider the use of Audio Visual (AV) equipment at an event, meeting or conference. How often is the decision about the use of AV equipment seen as a strategic one, rather than a tactical or convenience one? Generally not often; indeed, do senior people in many organizations even realize what the implications can be?

Read more about IML Worldwide’s position that a far better ROI can be achieved by taking a more strategic view of their events on our Harnessing Audience Insight blog.

IML are one of 4 companies shortlisted for the ‘Best Technology for Conferences’ Award for the IML Connector.

The IML Connector is an all-in-one interactive meeting tool. Designed to make meetings more efficient and effective, this device features a high-quality microphone, built-in speaker, full text keyboard, advanced voting solutions, color screen and individual data tracking.

The 2012 Awards ceremony will be held at The Brewery, London on Friday 15th June

For more information visit: http://www.conferenceawards.co.uk/ 

IML is a proud supporter of the Change a Life initiative.  Danie Greyling, the MD of IML South Africa, participates in the cycle race on a yearly basis. IML also sponsors the use of the IML Fundraising technology for the Change a Life Cocktail event to raise funds for this worthy cause.

About the Mike Thomson Trust

The Change a Life Cycle tour is the primary fundraiser for the Mike Thomson Change a Life Trust, which was set up following the murder of one of our Computershare colleagues, Mike Thomson, in September 2007. Computershare together with Mike’s family set up the trust in his honour to help fight the causes and symptoms of crime. Improving crime detection through DNA sampling, trauma counselling for victims of crime and sexual abuse, helping to rehabilitate youngsters in conflict with the law and inspiring disadvantaged youths to become positive role models in their communities, are the areas that the Trust fund supports. For more information about the Trust, click here.

About the Change a Life Cycle Challenge

Computershare organises and manages the annual Change a Life Cycle and matches rand for rand all funds raised through cyclist entry fees. Sponsors’ donations pay for most of the direct costs associated with the Change a Life Cycle, ensuring that cyclist entry fees and Computershare’s matched funds go directly to the Change a Life Trust. The 2010 Change a Life Cycle follows two successful events in 2008 and 2009, which raised a combined R6 million for the Trust.
A worthy cause to contribute to!

Contact us for more information about this initiative.