IMEX 2025 - Jen’s Highlights
Smart Tech, Real Connection, and the Future of Event Design
Whilst IMEX has come to a close for another year, we still have lots of great things to share - here’s a sneak peek into Jen’s top two finds at IMEX 2025…
Zenus AI and behavioural analytics.
This US based company really showed off their international reach, showcasing ethical use of facial analysis and AI powered behavioural analytics.
Upon first glance, the technology zone at IMEX can be overwhelming, and since Swoogo is already Motive’s trusted event registration partner, Jen wasn’t looking for a new system. But she is always on the lookout for the next big thing. Amidst the noise, one stand stood out for its simplicity — and its wow factor.
Jen spoke with one of the co-founders who explained that the technology helps capture behavioural insights without collecting personal data, offering a live dashboard that tracks audience reactions to content, event design, and speaker engagement.
In short, it’s real-time feedback on how your event is landing. Now that’s next-level insight.
We think there’s huge potential for this kind of tech in the New Zealand marketplace. By understanding emotion, energy, and engagement, there’s room to make even more memorable and meaningful experiences for our clients and their guests, every time.
Jen’s personal take away? By doing things ethically, bridging the gap between emotion and data is possible. Great events are about how people feel and now we can actually measure that. It’s exciting to think about what this can actually look like and what kinds of feedback will track, beyond the post-event surveys.
Unexpected connections often leave the biggest impression.
While Jen hadn’t planned to meet with Carmo from ECMeetings, this impromptu catch-up ended up being one of her most memorable conversations at IMEX. Real, genuine connections are important to us at Motive and so when Carmo didn’t try to push a hard sell, it really was just two event professionals chatting about places they love.
As Carmo spoke about Portugal, especially Lisbon, where old-world charm meets modern vibrancy- her passion was infectious. She shared a philosophy that really resonated with us:
“If a programme doesn’t have that wow factor or feels a bit too generic, start again. What else can we do?”
It was a simple but powerful reminder that at the heart of great destination management is storytelling. It’s about combining professionalism, local expertise, and a genuine love for place- the ingredients that build trust and lasting impressions.
And Portugal? It’s definitely a standout for the New Zealand incentive market. With its rich history, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture, and world-class hospitality, we can see why Carmo speaks about it with such affection.
The magic of this exchange was in its authenticity- a shared belief that when we lean into local stories, hidden gems, and culturally rich experiences, we create events that feel personal, immersive, and unforgettable.
