Esri maps over 200 spooktacular events around Ireland this Halloween

Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has created a digital map of over 200 frightfully fun festivals and events happening across the island of Ireland this Halloween.

Esri’s ArcGIS digital mapping system was used to create an interactive map which features something for everyone this spooky season. The map details daytime and family-friendly events, as well as events for those who fancy more of a scare.

From creepy campfire tales in Belfast and after-dark jail tours in Cork, to a nightmare on Church Street in Mayo and a ghostly bus tour in Dublin, this map will help ghosts and ghouls of all ages and interests plan their celebrations for Halloween 2024.

Must-Visit Gaming Technology Events in the UK and Ireland

The United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland have emerged as vibrant hubs for gaming technology, hosting an array of events that cater to enthusiasts, professionals and industry leaders. 

There are plenty of events lined up over the next 11 months, bringing together developers, gamers, investors and enthusiasts in an exciting mix of knowledge and sheer fun.

These gatherings offer a unique blend of innovation, networking opportunities and insights into the rapidly evolving landscape of gaming technology. 

Whether you are a seasoned industry veteran or a curious newcomer, these must-visit gaming technology events in the UK & Ireland are worth checking out.

They will spark your interest and open up new opportunities in the ever-evolving world of gaming.

ICE London – February 6-8

The International Casino Exhibition (ICE) is firmly established as one of the most important events in the gaming industry’s annual calendar, hosting around 650 international exhibitors showcasing their products and services at ExCeL London. 

The event provides a comprehensive glimpse into the latest trends across a number of sectors, ranging from sports betting and online casinos to mobile development and eSports. 

The top Irish casino sites will join their UK counterparts to showcase their latest innovations, which will undoubtedly attract a wide audience and an increased customer base.

ICE London also offers valuable networking opportunities, and educational sessions relating to the lucrative iGaming industry are also an integral part of this feature-packed three-day event. 

One of the notable highlights of ICE London is the strong focus on eSports, and this year’s event line-up will be no different. ICE London will feature a Formula 1 eSports showcase, allowing enthusiasts to wager on some exciting high-octane action.

An extra layer of excitement to the showcase is the provision of live odds throughout the arena, enabling gaming fans to engage in real-time wagering on the races. 

ICE London will serve as a platform for industry players to showcase their innovations while offering a platform for knowledge exchange and fostering connections within the gaming industry.

Torquay Comic Con & Gaming Festival – February 17

The family-friendly Torquay Comic Con and Gaming Festival is scheduled to take place at the Riviera Centre on Saturday, February 17. 

This exciting event boasts a vast range of attractions, including captivating cosplay contests, appearances by comic artists, diverse vendor offerings and impressive displays of rare collectables. 

The event also offers plenty of excitement for gaming enthusiasts, featuring the Gaming 4u Gaming Zone.

This includes virtual reality (VR) games, Mario Kart and more, allowing attendees to test themselves against fellow gamers.

Develop:Brighton – July 9-11

The Develop:Brighton conference has grown into a cornerstone event in the gaming sector, serving as a crucial platform for the UK and Irish game development industry. 

This conference serves as an epicentre where industry professionals converge to network, exchange ideas and cultivate meaningful partnerships in an inclusive and collaborative environment.

The 2023 edition delved into important topics such as artificial intelligence (AI) content, player acquisition and monetisation, covering the spectrum of gaming genres.

Informative conference sessions led by the top talents in the industry offer delegates a unique opportunity to gather insights from those who have ascended to the pinnacle of their profession.

This three-day extravaganza is a must-attend for anyone involved in the gaming industry, providing a chance to shape the future of their innovations by learning from the foremost thought leaders in the sector.

Develop:Brighton is a testament to the dynamism and collaborative spirit that propels the gaming industry forward, making it an indispensable annual event for those who seek to stay at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

GamerFest Dublin – October 22-23

GamerFest is the premier gaming convention and eSports festival in Ireland, having successfully hosted events since 2017 that collectively attracted over 10,000 enthusiastic visitors across various Irish venues.

Dublin is set to host the upcoming GamerFest in October, which promises an exceptional weekend experience for 5,000 gamers.

The event offers attendees a chance to immerse themselves in the latest games, engage with their favourite content creators and witness thrilling gaming action on the GamerFest Live Stage.

Since the inaugural edition of GamerFest, an unwavering commitment to the gaming community has remained a priority to the organisers.

This dedication is reflected in the detailed and precise planning of each event, ensuring an unforgettable experience for attendees. 

The emphasis on community guides every aspect of the events, with organisers striving to provide the best possible games, content, special guests and entertainment.

GamerFest events are grand celebrations of all facets of gaming, encompassing eSports, virtual reality, live stage performances, captivating cosplay displays and a treasure trove of enticing merchandise. 

They aim to create a vibrant and inclusive environment where gamers and enthusiasts can come together to share their passion and revel in the gaming world.

The Evolution of Gamer Culture in Seven Steps

Esports has evolved into a culture of its own. From its origins in video arcade games, complex esports gaming has developed into an industry worth billions of dollars. Gamer culture attracts massive audiences who are eager to support their favorite professional teams and players.

1. Games from the Millennium

Arcade games such as the iconic Space Invaders that launched in the late 1970s quickly developed into Nintendo classics such as Super Mario in the 1990s. However, it was the Millennium that saw the greatest transition into what is now commonly referred to as esports. As the 2000s arrived, so did sprawling virtual worlds such as EverQuest and World of Warcraft. These complex games suddenly attracted millions of players who became firmly engrossed in these exciting, fictional kingdoms.

2. Technology and Esports

Without the advancement of technology, esports gamer culture could never have advanced at such a rapid pace. Cable and fiber optics enabled the internet to achieve unfailingly accurate high-speeds. In turn, their super fast capabilities encouraged the growth of competitive gaming. Forums and chat rooms provided places for people to discuss the games, and the players that were emerging as the earliest professional esports gamers.

3. Fan Bases for Gamers

In response, gamers began building online followings through displaying excerpts from their gameplay. YouTube in particular was the home of the earliest gamers such as the legendary PewDiePie who now regularly entertains up to 78.6 million subscribers. Viewers loved to watch the accomplished play of these professional gamers who helped to make esports titles including Counter Strike: Global Offensive incredibly popular.

4. Tips and Tricks

Players such as Tenz ensured a secure online following through showing video clips of their spectacular tips and tricks. Even viewers who were not interested in actually playing the games became enthralled at learning the secrets of how professional players plied their trade. Potential players of the future could refine their skills through emulating the demonstrations of deadly accurate play.

5. Organized Leagues

The popularity of esports prompted gaming developers such as Riot Games to organize global and regional leagues. They are currently promoting separate leagues for talented ladies who often feel intimidated or unjustly ignored by esports’ male players and viewers.

6. Great Tournaments and Live Events

As professional players gained in popularity, so did the gaming tournaments and leagues. Live events included the World Championships for games such as Fortnite and League of Legends. The excitement tournaments generated quickly attracted massive audiences. Cosplay became popular as fans copied the elaborate costumes of agents.

7. Live Streaming

Vast audiences of up to 100 million could be achieved through the live streaming of events. Channels such as Twitch have now grown into reliable methods of viewers watching their favorite teams in action. Check out www.1337pro.com/en/csgo/match-scores for the latest esports scores and matches.

Survey reveals 1 in 10 attendees have dozed off in boredom at an event

AVCOM, the premium event production agency, today announces the results of a survey which has revealed that 1 in 10 (11%) of corporate event attendees in Ireland have dozed off in boredom after becoming disengaged at an event. The findings, which are part of AVCOM’s ‘Experience More: The Future of Events Report 2023’, found that 97% of respondents have become disengaged at an event.

AVCOM’s report uses research, carried out by Censuswide, to delve into the future of corporate events. Carried out among 200 professionals in Ireland who attend corporate events, the research provides powerful insights into the future of corporate events in Ireland, with the role of technology proving to be a major factor for engaging event-goers. When not engaged, event attendees admit to having worked (51%), looked at their phone (48%), eaten or drank something (41%) or fallen asleep (11%). A significant proportion of attendees have even carried out household chores (23%).

The report found that attendees seek to have more experiential elements incorporated into events in order to keep them engaged. Respondents identified networking (56%) as the primary motivation for attending an event, followed by hearing from subject matter experts (50%). On average, the maximum length of time event attendees want a speech or presentation to last is 26 minutes, 18 seconds.

 Although traditional technologies can enhance the experience of event attendees, there is an increasing desire for a more immersive experience. Event attendees are interested in technologies such as a dedicated event app (86%); high production values covering staging, visuals, lighting and set design (81%); Virtual Reality (71%); Augmented Reality (67%); and holograms (65%).

While technology has the potential to engage attendees, it can also have a negative impact when it malfunctions. When asked about the most frustrating technology issues that they have encountered at events, 58% cited bad audio. Following this was poor video quality during presentations (45%); inadequate video quality when joining virtually (41%); difficult-to-see presentations (38%); no or bad Wi-Fi (35%); and poor lighting (20%).

Paul Murphy, Managing Director, AVCOM, said: The events industry has transformed, and we recognise the need to adapt to meet the changing needs of our customers and their attendees. Our research highlights that the expectations of audiences have evolved, and it is no longer enough to focus on traditional technologies. Audiences now demand more sophisticated technologies to keep them engaged, like virtual and augmented reality. Even holograms aren’t being ruled out by today’s tech-curious event attendees.

Through the use of life-centred design-led thinking and the latest cutting-edge technology, AVCOM creates dynamic and immersive event experiences that engage attendees on multiple levels and leave a lasting impression. We believe that events are about more than just providing information; they are about bringing people together, fostering connections, and enabling collaboration. Our commitment to our customers is to work closely with them to deliver best-in-class experiences that enable attendees to experience more and achieve their goals, both online and offline.”

Nokia Mobile Dublin Launch event October 2022

Today Nokia Mobile (HMD Global) had a private launch event in Dublin, Check out the products on show and stay tuned for more soon on here and techbuzzireland.com One message Nokia made clear at this launch is sustainability and being eco friendly as you will see with their new packaging and a clean portfolio of devices you will recognise unlike other that flood the market with multiple devices.

There is a phone for everyone here at all price points and send a message, feature phones is one great place to start for a digital detox yet giving you the basics and my pics is the Nokia 5710 Express Audio which combines two products in one, that being earbuds built into the device itself and the earbuds will work with other products too and not just the phone itself..

Check out a quick video below at what is on offer and stay tuned for more and reviews coming soon. I have been an avid Nokia fan over the years and own a huge collection of devices from yesteryear which I plan to take a look down memory lane soon here and on our YouTube channel.

Video Link 

 

How Strobing Lights Can Enhance Your Events

Are you looking for a way to enhance your events and make them more memorable? If so, strobing lights may be the solution you are looking for! Strobing lights create an intense effect that can really capture people’s attention. Not only are they visually appealing, but they can also create an exciting atmosphere that will keep guests entertained. They can be used at any type of event, from weddings to corporate events. In this blog post, we will discuss the benefits of strobing lights and how they can be used to create a stunning visual experience for your guests!

What strobing lights are and how do they work?

Strobing lights are a type of lighting that emit short, powerful bursts of light. They are often used in clubs and other nightlife settings to create an energetic atmosphere.

Strobing lights work by flashing on and off very quickly, so quickly that the human eye is unable to see them as a continuous light. Instead, they appear as a series of quick flashes. This creates an effect that is often called “strobing”.

Strobing lights typically use LEDs, which are light-emitting diodes. LEDs are able to produce quick pulses of light by turning on and off very rapidly. This rapid pulsing creates the illusion of sustained light, even though the individual pulses are very brief. 

The benefits of using strobing lights for events

Strobing lights are used to create an effect that makes it seem as if the light is ‘strobing’ or flashing on and off. This creates an interesting visual effect that can be used for events, such as parties, to make them more exciting.

Strobing lights have a few benefits. First, they can help to attract attention and create excitement. Second, they can be used to create an illusion of movement or depth. Third, they can be used to improve the visibility of event space. Lastly, strobing lights can also be used to create a sense of fun and excitement.

Different ways to use strobing lights to enhance your event

There are a few different ways to use strobing lights to enhance your event. You can use them as a way to create excitement and energy among your guests, or you can use them to highlight specific areas or aspects of your event.

For example, if you want to create an energetic atmosphere, you can place strobing lights around the perimeter of your event space. This will help create a flashing effect that will grab people’s attention and get them excited about what’s going on. Alternatively, if you want to focus attention on a particular part of your events such as the stage or the dance floor, you can place strobing lights in those areas.

How to choose the right strobing light for your event?

When selecting a strobing light for your event, it’s important to consider the size of the space and the type of effect you’re hoping to create. Larger spaces can accommodate more powerful lights, while smaller spaces may require a more subtle effect.

Small spaces can be overwhelmed by too much light, so it’s important to choose a strobe that has a lower output. If you’re looking for an eye-catching effect, go with a strobe that has a higher output.

It’s also important to take into account the color of the light. Some strobes produce white light while others produce colored light. If your event is themed, choose a strobe with the appropriate color for your theme.

Planning and preparing for your event with strobing lights

When you’re planning an event with strobing lights, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

First, make sure that the venue you’re using is prepared for the lights. This means ensuring that the ceiling and walls are white or light-colored, as dark surfaces can absorb and reflect light differently than lighter ones.

Additionally, you’ll need to make sure that any curtains or other materials covering windows are also light-colored, as darker fabrics can make strobing lights appear even brighter and more intense.

Finally, it’s important to provide guests with a warning before the event so that they can be prepared for the lights and know what to expect.

How to set up and control the lighting effects?

There are a few ways to create strobing lighting effects. One way is by using a dimmer switch to slowly change the brightness of your lights. Another way is by using a controller that can be programmed to change the light patterns.

If you want to create strobing effects with regular lightbulbs, you can use a dimmer switch to vary the brightness of the light. You can also buy special controllers that allow you to create custom light patterns. These controllers usually have a display screen that lets you see what the light will look like before you actually run it.

Tips for using strobing lights to enhance your event experience

By using strobing lights, you can create an exciting and energetic atmosphere that will keep your guests entertained. Here are a few tips for using strobing lights effectively:

  1. Make sure the venue is dark enough so that the strobing lights will be visible.
  2. Use a mix of colors to create a varied and interesting effect.
  3. Keep the light patterns simple so that they are easy to follow.
  4. Avoid using too many strobing lights at once, or it may be too overwhelming for guests.
  5. Experiment with different light speeds and intensities to find what works best for you.

How To Host A Successful Online Event In 6 Simple Steps

Events held online are referred to as “virtual events.” The events can be private webinars, public live streaming, sponsored online conferences, or unstructured social media gatherings. Since you don’t have to pay for a physical location, hosting a digital event is particularly cost-effective. In addition, you may reach a worldwide audience from the comfort of home. Check out the tips provided here to learn how to host the best event possible.

1. Recognize Your Target Market

Keep in mind that content is critical when picking a topic. Select what you think your guests will find interesting to make the most of their time at your event. Consider narrowing your focus rather than broadening it. For example, if you’re marketing to dog enthusiasts, concentrate on a particular breed. Then, narrow down your awareness of that species to specifics that aren’t generally well recognized. As a result, your audience will be particularly engaged in your event and you will be providing a positive experience for them.

2. Invite an Appropriate Speaker

In the case of a virtual event featuring speakers, research is key and your speaker needs to be comfortable and experienced with the platform and subject matter. They must have confidence and credibility. Research potential speakers to discover how they present an informal speech. This way you can assess their skills and therefore guarantee their presentation skills. Consider asking for footage of the speaker from a prior virtual event because not all speakers have the expertise or thrive in a virtual context. Make a note of the speaker’s comfort level and preparedness during pre-event online meetings and if they appear to be a good match for your conference.

3. Publicize Your Event

Consider building a homepage based on the sort of event and the audience you’re trying to reach. By including juicy facts about what they’ll learn on the landing page, you’ll get your viewers eager for your events. Guests can sign up, and you can easily communicate the full details of your event with this tool. To get the word out about your next event, create a blog. Let them know what they may expect to gain by attending and why it’s important to you right now. You may then use social media to get more information on virtual events guide and promote the word with the blog article. If you want your guests to ask more questions or share information on social media during your event, utilize hashtags or develop a customized keyword of your own. In this way, your viewers are more engaged, and your brand’s visibility is increased.

4. Collaborate With An Event Coordinator

With the help of a team, creating a virtual event is a lot easier and faster. As a virtual event planner, there are many moving components and various strategies to consider, so it’s worthwhile to do some analysis and talk to your colleagues about what worked and what didn’t. Don’t forget to write down everything you learn from them and your experiences of virtual events, so that you may use it when it’s time to start taking the wheel. Then, incorporate these ideas into your event preparation checklists. Consider enlisting help from the most tech-savvy members of your staff if you can. For example, they can help you in selecting a framework with the appropriate settings and capabilities. Additionally, this individual can serve as a mediator between attendees and the event’s technical staff on the day of the event. Finally, make sure you choose the correct medium for your event if you don’t have a crew to help you out. 

5. Stay in Touch After The Event

Ideally, your attendees had a good time, and you can now connect with new people. If that’s the situation, take advantage of it and prolong the duration of your function.

Make sure to follow up with your attendees after the event. If you recorded the event or wrote up any post-event notes, distribute these to individuals who participated so that they have a record of what was discussed. Provide a post-event suggestion box and your on-demand and events material to all attendees. Make the most of this chance to get helpful input for upcoming events, discover more about your market, and help to build trust.

6. Create a Strategy

Understanding your audience and creating an event strategy that attracts and entices potential attendees is critical when hosting a virtual event. Spend the effort to design your online event approach as one of the most fantastic online events. When planning, consider the people who will attend, the obstacles and issues they face, and their objectives. Building a solid basis for your virtual event starts here.

 

 

Overall, remember that segmenting your audience into appropriate groups, such as gender and job title, and measuring the level of interaction for each group is essential. Before, during, and after an online event, it’s a good idea to solicit customer feedback via polling data. The critical thing to remember is to stay focused on the goals you set forth at the outset of the strategic planning. What matters is achieving the goals you set out for yourself.