The forum translated tourism data and business intelligence into a physical programme of auditorium content, theatre sessions, labs and interactive booths.

On 28 March 2021, the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi hosted its Tourism and Data Analytics Forum virtually, bringing speakers from around the world together to examine tourism trends, data and emerging methodologies.


The brief required a complete digital venue rather than a conventional webcast. The experience needed a clear visual identity, secure access and meaningful opportunities for the audience to respond to complex analytical content.


Evolution designed the forum around three connected layers: a CGI environment that created a sense of place, a speaker workflow that integrated local and remote contributors, and an event portal that guided guests from registration into live participation.

The Challenge


A virtual audience encounters the entire event through one screen. Without variation, spatial depth and clear interaction, even strong content can become visually monotonous and passive.


Security was also central. Registration, access and live participation needed to operate within a controlled platform, while speakers joining from different locations had to appear consistently within the programme. Questions and polling needed to feel embedded in the event rather than added as separate tools.

Custom stage setup designed and fabricated by Evolution Events.

The Solution


The CGI stage gave the audience the impression of entering a designed environment rather than opening a video call. It established a coherent visual frame for presenters, data and discussion throughout the forum.


A live MC was broadcast from a green-screen studio and composited into the 3D environment. Global speakers joined through Microsoft Teams and were integrated into the same visual system, allowing the programme to move between contributors without losing continuity.


The dedicated portal acted as the event's digital front door. Guests could register, access programme information and watch the broadcast in one secure environment. Live questions and polls were built into the interface, creating a direct relationship between the content and audience response.


The production was tested as a complete user journey, from access and navigation to speaker transitions and interaction. This kept the technology in service of the forum's purpose: helping sector specialists understand and discuss new information.

Delivery Highlights


  • CGI stage creating a consistent virtual environment.
  • Live MC broadcast from a green-screen studio and integrated into the 3D setting.
  • Global speaker participation through Microsoft Teams.
  • Secure event portal for registration, information and live viewing.
  • Interactive questions and live polling.
  • Integrated design of broadcast, interface and audience participation.


Conference stage, content, speaker management, guest engagement by Evolution Events.

Outcome


The virtual forum gave a dispersed audience a clear sense of entering one shared event. The environment created continuity, while the portal made access, information and live viewing straightforward.


Audience participation was not confined to watching. Questions and polling gave guests an active role in the programme, making the digital format better suited to the exchange of tourism insight and data.

Project Ecosystem


Client:

Department of Culture and Tourism


Evolution Events: Led the identity, conference narrative, spatial planning, production management, registration, speaker logistics and live experience.


Evolution Scenic: Created the auditorium, theatre, Tourism Data Lab, BI booth and infographic environments that structured the delegate journey.


Evolution Technical: Supported presentations, panels, workshops and multi-space content delivery across the auditorium and theatre environments.


Evolution Furniture: Provided the conference and networking furniture required to shape functional delegate and industry-exchange spaces.