If you have been around corporate event planning long enough, you will remember the days of overhead projectors, voluminous training manuals, and other images of the pre-digital age. More common nowadays are event-based hashtags for following meeting commentaries on Twitter and iPads being used to take notes and multi task while listening to presentations.

But technology keeps evolving, and changing the way we conduct -- and plan -- corporate meetings. Here are the top three ways I see technology is changing corporate meetings:

Rise of the App. Mobile Apps for Conferences will begin to take center stage. Say goodbye to the welcome packet and hello to the digital agenda which attendees will interact with throughout their meeting. This is already proving to be a great method for organizers -- and sponsors -- to engage meeting attendees.

Cost Reduction. If planning and execution is all automated, that means it can all be trackable and measurable. As certain processes and even functions can be compressed, so can costs. 

Data Collection. Like some modern-day theme parks that track guests through smart cards and other devices, meeting organizers will be able to track which seminars attendees went to, what exhibitor booths they visited, which presenter created the most buzz on Twitter, and any other type of data you can possibly imagine. 

Though most of these might sound a bit like Big Brother is watching, if implemented correctly, they should result in a better attendee experience and efficient and more cost-effective event for organizers and sponsors. What do you think?

Need help with integrating technology into your next event? Contact Cor Events today.

Lea Cerdido is a Certified Meeting Professional with more than 20 years of experience in corporate meeting services and negotiating hotel and vendor contracts nationwide. You can contact her at lea@cor-events.com.