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New This Fortnight: 16/8/21

Photo: Samuel Pereira/Unsplash

This month, despite the dampening effects of Covid, we continue to see innovation and new initiatives in the event industry.

In optimistic Covid news, Rail Technology Magazine affirms the reduced environmental impact of virtual events: where a live 1,000-person conference produces 145,000 kg of CO2, the equivalent of driving 364,414 miles, the same conference held online would reduce C02 emissions by over 95%, to just 682kg.  Full story here.

Photo: PR Week

Creative agency Ogilvy came up with a viral idea to celebrate the 10-year-anniversary of Swedish furniture retailer Ikea’s loyalty programme.  They’ve bottled the scent of Ikea so that US members of the programme can win a “Store in a Box” hamper containing a limited edition candle that will make their house smell, no, not like new furniture, but like Swedish meatballs!  Read more here.

Photo: TTRWeekly

On the other side of the globe, Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator,  has launched an introductory events package for Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne – an entertainment resort and MICE destination in South Central Vietnam.  The resort’s facilities allow companies to host corporate events and team building activities on its well-appointed grounds including a ballroom that can fit 720 attendees and an outdoor space with a 220 guest capacity.  Find out more.

Photo: Noriko Hayashi/Bloomberg

And finally, event technology breathed some new life into the 2021 Olympic Games with a huge 55-meter wide display floating in Sagami Bay to provide a real-time video feed of Olympic sailing races.  The opening ceremony also boasted a now popular gimmick: a light show performed by 1,824 LED-equipped Intel drones.  Read more here.