Speecheo Wins Inaugural Technology Showdown at IMEX America

October 24, 2014

Among the hundreds of events held at and around the record-breaking IMEX America last week in Las Vegas, the inaugural Technology Showdown featured 11 start-up companies whose products were less than 2 years old.

Speecheo, an app that allows attendees to make notes on PowerPoints during educational sessions, won the “experts” award. 

As the winner, Speecheo won a free booth for next year’s IMEX America Tech Pavilion, promotion in IMEX publications and the Event Manager Blog.

Crowdmics, an app that turns a smartphone into a microphone, was crowned crowd favorite.  They also won the Society of Independent Show Organizer’s Innovation Battlefield that was held during the Executive Conference in Atlantic City in August.  

Culled from 30 entrees, the other nine finalists for the Technology Showdown were: InitLive which helps to control and monitor event volunteers; GruupMeet which helps manage multiple meetings; Attendify, event apps that drive engagment; Planning Pod featuring 26 different meeting planner tools and the ability to share information across devices; Topi, a social connecting app; Eversnap, a photo aggregating and archiving app; Sli.do a meetings audience engagement app enabling the audience to question speakers and make comments live; and Speaker Sponsor, a marketplace app connecting speakers with small business sponsors for targeted meetings and conferences.

Each entry was allowed a two-minute demonstration, then the audience voted through the IMEX App, Twitter and via text for the crowd favorite.

A distinguished panel of industry tech experts: Julius Solaris, Miguel Neves, Liz King, Dahlia El Gazzar and Brandt Krueger, decided the winner.

The Technology Showdown was sponsored by IMEX America and the Event Manager Blog.

Add new comment

Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.