Tech Giants: Metavent’s Anna Marie Rembold on Connection, Leadership, the Evolution of Events and Sustainable Balance  

November 18, 2022

Ever since she can remember, Anna Marie Rembold has been gathering people—starting with being the wrangler and organizer of friends as a kid, to organizing large groups of youth, to applying that passion to the corporate world.

“I absolutely love people, and I love—like it’s new every time—seeing the power of people gather and make connections,” Rembold said. “Those connections power the world, and that’s inspiring."

Nowadays, that includes virtual world connections as founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Metavent, a virtual events software platform designed to deliver unparalleled cinematic audience experiences that drive maximum attendee engagement and robust, real-time data and analytics.

Rembold's launch of Metavent in 2021 followed eight successful years as founder and president of Anna Marie Events (AME), a nationally recognized strategic event planning agency delivering branded solutions for companies. Under her leadership, AME was named an “Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Company” in 2019 and in 2018 recognized as a “Top 100 Women-Owned Business” and fourth fastest-growing private company in the Bay Area under the San Francisco Business Times “Fast List.” Meanwhile, she is past president of the Society for Sustainable Events (formerly the Green Meeting Industry Council).

What drives this prolific events industry leader, and why did she parlay her passion into event tech?   

“We incorporated event tech into our events since the earliest days of the company [AME], and having worked in tech from 1999 to 2000, I’ve been fascinated with the power of technology for many years,” Rembold said. “As we build Metavent, I often flash to the hilarity of watching people in VR headsets at massive trade shows many years ago. We’ve come so far!”

We checked in with Rembold to talk about her love of the industry, the lessons she has learned as a female event tech leader, what sets Metavent apart, pain points facing event profs, predictions for the evolution of events post-pandemic and how the industry can prepare.

What do you enjoy most about the events industry?

What I love is the raw creativity, humility, calm, adaptability and intelligence of the individuals that make up the industry. We have a unique ability to find solutions under pressure, to adapt to changing conditions, to visualize and build something from nothing, and to create [events] that impact people’s lives by providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences they will never forget. And we have so much fun doing it! There is nothing like it!

What prompted the launch of Metavent? 

During the spring of 2020 with the rise Zoom calls and the decline in live meetings, the problem of company culture became apparent. This spurred the idea for Metavent, which was incorporated in February 2021. With the demand for both virtual and live events nowadays, we’re serving both sides of the business with a fully thriving live events agency and an event tech platform. This allows us to best serve clients and all events in their portfolio.

How has the experience been thus far, and what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned, particularly as a female founder and CEO in the male-dominated event tech space? 

The experience has been so invigorating. Much like live events, we get the opportunity to build something from the ground up, only this time, we don’t have to send the build to the landfill or storage. We can use it over and over again. That’s very exciting! Some of the biggest lessons have been understanding the unique project and design timelines when building technology. In live events, we’re used to moving so fast and using “MacGyver” techniques on-site to fix any oversights. It’s an entirely different approach to building technology. You can’t just throw duct tape on at the 11th hour.

Being a female founder is frankly no different than being a male founder. We experience all of the same business challenges and ups and downs. The journey itself is remarkably similar. There is, however, great disparity on the fundraising side. A lot of work has yet to be done to balance the playing field in regard to funding female and diverse founders. As a founder, I focus on building the best solution for our customers and being the best leader I can—gender is irrelevant in those efforts. That said, I am aware that being a female tech founder, I am in the minority. A woman recently said to me that what I am doing is important because I’m “doing it for all women, setting an example of what’s possible.”  That was a great reminder and highly inspiring.

What are some of the aspects of your extensive background in events that have contributed to the success of Metavent, and can you give us a few of your biggest accomplishments since its launch?

We’ve produced hundreds of events over the years, which has given us a deep understanding of the attendee experience. For an event to have lasting impact, it’s so important to design a creative sense of place with engaging elements beyond the content and networking. Also, my background in fine art helps me visualize beyond the ordinary experiences.

Our biggest accomplishment with Metavent has been completing an operational beta and having customers within less than two years. I am hugely proud of the team. This took remarkable focus and dedication.

What truly sets Metavent apart in an industry where so many virtual and hybrid event platforms have rushed to the market in the past few years?

Fundamentally, we are thinking about online meetings and events in a unique way. In live events, much of the impact is in the conversations that are sparked by inspiring speakers or content. These conversations happen immediately after a session, when you’re walking down the hall or gathering in a session room. Metavent provides the opportunity for easy and immediate brainstorming, collaboration and connection in a fun, organic way. Attendees get to control this journey, with hosts putting a timeline around the activities. This can completely transform an attendee’s experience and their relationship to an event. 

What are some of the biggest pain points event profs are facing nowadays when it comes to event tech, and how is Metavent providing trendsetting solutions? 

We hear two things consistently: People want something that is more engaging than the typical 2D solution, and they want a reliable solution that won’t fail. We are highly focused on leveraging our collective 120-plus years of experience to deliver a distinctly different, beautiful experience for our customers at a friendly price. With our track record of 6-star service, we are focused on reliability and ease of use as a top priority.

Can you give us an example of one of the most successful and engaging ‘Metavents’ you’ve created?

One of our early projects was a sales kick-off for a publicly traded tech company. At the close of the event, the president said, “This was the best event we’ve ever had, live or virtual. It actually felt like we were at a live kick-off.” We were thrilled to have given our virtual attendees such an exciting experience—they didn’t feel like they were missing out. 

What are your predictions for the evolution of virtual, hybrid and in-person events in a post-pandemic world?

Virtual, hybrid and in-person events are all here to stay. Virtual gatherings are a viable, sustainable alternative and compliment to live events. I absolutely believe that [as] live events return, they will be different, and event tech will continue to play a bigger part in events. We are seeing a move to hyper-local for both sustainability and cost reasons. Some events simply do not translate to an online experience, like incentives and annual networking events for industry groups and associations. But many events do translate to virtual, and we have a huge opportunity to make great strides in upleveling the experience for attendees and brands. Going virtual significantly reduces our carbon footprint, and I believe we should all strive to find the right balance.

How can event profs prepare themselves?

I think constant education and keeping up on industry trends is a must. Keeping up on news in industry publications like TSNN and joining organizations like MPI, EDPA, ILEA, CEMA, PCMA and SFSE are great ways to stay educated and build networks of like-minded industry professionals. And getting certifications like the Digital Event Strategist (DES), Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC), CMP and CSEP is a great way to test and validate your knowledge. Experimenting with new technologies, stepping into a beta launch for smaller, lower-stakes events, for instance, and allowing yourself to play with new event tech/inventions is a great way to expand your knowledge.

What are Metavent’s next steps—big or small? 

We have exciting features on the horizon. However we do not discuss unannounced products or features. Stay tuned for exciting new announcements to come!

Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE, listen to our latest podcast HERE and engage with us on TwitterFacebookLinkedIn and Instagram!

 

Add new comment

Partner Voices
Less than six months ago, Lisa Messina joined the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as the first-ever chief sales officer after leading the sales team at Caesars Entertainment. A 12-year Las Vegas resident, Messina is a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and serves on MPI International’s board of directors. TSNN had a chance to catch up with this dynamic leader and talk to her about her vision for the new role, current shifts in the trade show industry, creating more diversity and equity within the organization, and advice to future female leaders. Lisa Messina, Chief Sales Officer, LVCVA With Las Vegas becoming The Greatest Arena on EarthTM, what are some of the things you’re most excited about in your role? Our team was at The Big Game’s handoff ceremony earlier this month, and I couldn’t help but think, “We’re going to crush it next year!”  These high-profile events and venues not only drive excitement, but also provide unmatched opportunities for event planners. Allegiant Stadium hosts events from 10 to 65,000 people and offers on-field experiences. Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Las Vegas in November, after the year-one F1 race, the four-story paddock building will be available for buyouts and will also offer daily ride-along experiences that will be available for groups. And, of course, the MSG Sphere officially announced that it will open in September, ahead of schedule, with a U2 residency. It’s going to be the most technologically advanced venue as far as lighting, sound, feel, and even scent, and it will be available for buyouts and next-level sponsorships inside and outside. There’s no ceiling to what you can do when you’re doing events in Las Vegas.  Allegiant Stadium As the trade show and convention business returns to the pre-pandemic levels, what shifts are you noticing and how do you think they will impact the industry going forward? Our trade show organizers are very focused on driving customer experience. Most of our organizers are reporting stronger exhibitor numbers and increased numbers of new exhibitors, with trade shows proving to be almost or above 2019 levels. Now our organizers are really doubling down on driving attendance and focusing on the data to provide that individualized, customized experience to help attendees meet their goals and get the best value. Some companies continue to be cautiously optimistic with their organizational spend when it comes to sending attendees, but I think it will continue to improve. As the U.S. Travel Association makes more progress on the U.S. visa situation, we also expect a growing influx of international attendees. What are some innovative ways the LVCVA helps trade show and convention organizers deliver the most value for their events? We focus on customer experience in the same way that trade show organizers are thinking about it. We got rave reviews with the West Hall Expansion of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), so over the next two years, we will be renovating the North and the Central halls, which will include not just the same look and feel, but also the digital experiences that can be leveraged for branding and sponsorship opportunities.  Vegas Loop, the underground transportation system designed by The Boring Company, is also a way we have enhanced the customer experience. Vegas Loop at the LVCC has transported more than 900,000 convention attendees across the campus since its 2021 launch. Last summer, Resorts World and The Boring Company opened the first resort stop at the Resorts World Las Vegas , with plans to expand throughout the resort corridor, including downtown Las Vegas, Allegiant Stadium and Harry Reid International Airport. The LVCVA also purchased the Las Vegas Monorail in 2020, the 3.9-mile-long elevated transportation system that connects eight resorts directly to the convention center campus. This is the only rail system in the world that integrates fares directly into show badges and registration. For trade show organizers, these transportation options mean saving time, money and effort when it comes to moving groups from the hotels to LVCC and around the city. Also, the more we can focus on building the infrastructure around the convention center, the more it supports the customer experience and ultimately supports our trade show organizers. Scheduled to debut in Q4, Fontainebleau Las Vegas will offer 3,700 hotel rooms and 550,000 square feet of meeting and convention space next to LVCC.  What are some of the plans for advancing DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) within your organization? We’re currently partnering with instead of working with a leading consulting firm, to lay the foundation and create a solid DEI plan and be the leader when it comes to DEI initiatives. The heart of that journey with the consulting firm is also talking to our customers about their strategic approaches to DEI and driving innovation in this space.  What are your favorite ways to recharge? My husband and I have an RV and we’re outdoorsy people. So, while we have over 150,000 world-class hotel rooms and renowned restaurants right outside our doorstep, one of my favorite things to do is get out to Red Rock Canyon, the Valley of Fire, and Lake Mead. Five of the top national parks are within a three-hour drive from Las Vegas, so there’s a lot you can do. We love balancing the energy of Las Vegas with nature, and we’re noticing that a lot of attendees add activities off the Strip when they come here.  Valley of Fire What advice would you give to women following leadership paths in destination marketing? I think it’s about being laser-focused on what you want to accomplish; building a team around you that lifts you and helps you achieve your goals; and being humble and realizing that you do it as a group. No one gets this done alone. Thankfully, there are a lot of women in leadership in this organization, in our customers’ organizations, and in this city that we can be really proud of. We’re a formidable force that is making things happen.   This interview has been edited and condensed. This article is exclusively sponsored by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority. For more information, visit HERE.