Robots, Pushkin, massage: what else did the SPIEF-2019 organizers surprise with?

From June 6 to 8, 2019, the XXIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum took place in the northern capital. This annual event has become a significant platform for shaping the vectors of sustainable economic and business development, interaction between government structures and corporations, and international cooperation in various fields.

In recent years, there has been a steady growth in the scale of the Forum, reflected in the number of participants and invited guests from different countries, sessions, meetings, discussions, and signed agreements. 2019 was no exception: more than 19 thousand participants from 145 countries, more than 230 events of various formats, among which the central one was the plenary session with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation, the President of the People's Republic of China, the UN Secretary-General, and representatives of other states.

Plenary session with the participation of the President of the Russian Federation

But the Forum is not only business negotiations, contracts, and official receptions. In addition to the main program, participants and guests were also awaited by informal events: private parties, concerts and cultural program, dinners, "apartment parties", admission strictly by invitation. All of them were organized by partners and sponsors of the Forum and were intended to entertain guests, surprise them, and create a different, informal atmosphere of communication in which it is easier to make "necessary" acquaintances and discuss delicate partnership issues.

The event agency Aventura closely followed the progress of the Forum, paying attention to the organization of such a large-scale event, the construction of a complex multi-vector program, and, of course, what "tricks" were used to entertain and surprise guests.

Program at a Glance

The main program of the Forum included four thematic tracks, within which more than 1,300 Russian and foreign experts, moderators, speakers, government, and business representatives spoke. They shared their experience, modern practices, innovations, and engaged in discussions and debates.

Concerts featuring stars of Russian and foreign show business.

The busy official program smoothly flowed into evening entertainment events held in various locations. The cultural program had to match the given level, so real stars of Russian and foreign show business were invited. The band Leningrad, G. Leps, L. Agutin, Zemfira, Lyube, V. Butusov, Bi-2, Splin, Moralny Kodeks, G. Sukachev, Little Big, Khleb – these are just some of the invited artists. In addition, on various days of the Forum, guests were entertained by artists of the Vienna Opera Andrea Bocelli and Aida Garifullina, stars of the Mariinsky Theatre, A. Freindlikh, ballerina I. Liepa, a symphony orchestra, jazz performers, and others.

The cultural program, as they say, catered to every taste and color. After an intense information-filled day, one could relax at a dinner party, to the music of popular performers, or in a concert hall. But these are all traditional forms of holding such events. So how did the organizers surprise the guests of the Forum? What innovations, tendencies, and trends of the event industry were implemented? Let's talk about this in more detail.

How guests of SPIEF-2019 were entertained

Exhibition areas attracted a lot of attention, where unusual stands, models were placed, and projects and business ideas were presented. Let's look at the most striking ideas that correspond to modern event trends:

• The Gazprom Neft pavilion surprised with an endless modular screen with incredible graphics created by artificial intelligence. The colors and shapes of objects in the art project "Transformation" were based on multi-colored virtual geological models created using neural networks for oil exploration. The installation also conveyed the entire diversity of real physical phenomena. Micro-particles in the simulation reacted to virtual wind flows and even changes in light. When elements collided or touched the curved edges of the stand's display, their shapes, speed, and trajectories changed.

Gazprom Neft pavilion, art project "Transformation"

• One of the educational concepts was presented in the image of the robot Pythagoras – the study of artificial intelligence and the introduction of its elements into the pedagogical process to create social robots. Another robot, resembling a character from "Star Wars" and handing out gifts, was presented by Sberbank.

Robot from Sberbank

• Seeing the construction of the Crimean Bridge in 3 minutes was possible inside the corresponding stand. Its screens provided 360-degree visibility, creating a feeling of flying over the bridge.

Pavilion about the construction of the Crimean Bridge.

• Feel like a gamer and immerse yourself in the world of computer games in the Predator Thronos gaming booth with an immersion effect from Acer.

Predator Thronos gaming booth with immersion effect.

• The theme of the 220th anniversary of the birth of A.S. Pushkin was not overlooked. Animation on the large screen of the conference hall brought the poet and his nanny to life. And on the walls of the banquet hall – the heroes of Pushkin's fairy tales.

Animation on the theme of A.S. Pushkin on the large screen of the conference hall.

The density of the program and the diversity of discussions held in parallel at different venues limited some participants from attending the events they were interested in. A solution to this problem was offered by information and analytical support – the Summary service, a product of Roscongress and TASS. Its help consisted in providing short analytical summaries of the main events of the Forum, with conclusions and proposed solutions.

Updated security system: more than 100 cameras, facial recognition and license plate recognition system.

Updated security system.

• A popular photo spot was the stand with the golden Aurus Senat; some even got behind the wheel. The luxury car was part of a model street with accessible services and a safe multifunctional space – Russia Extends.

The "Aurus Senat" car.

• An exciting place was the Kalashnikov concern's stand – here a shooting range was set up, where a shooting tournament was organized for those wishing to test their skills and 'discharge' their nervous system after the busy program.

The Kalashnikov concern stand.

• Another way to unwind and take a break was the well-known game 'Snake' in an interactive form at the Tinkoff bank stand.

• But the most effective place for relaxation and emotional recharge was the chill-out zone presented by the Japanese company Yamaguchi. In breaks between events, those interested could enjoy a relaxing massage in special chairs to pleasant music amidst blooming cherry blossoms (though artificial, the ambiance was appropriate).

Chill-out zone with massage from the Japanese company Yamaguchi.

• At the Innosocium stand, for the first time, an exhibition of artists with developmental disabilities was held, titled "Inalienable". This is to draw attention to specialized institutions where there are no opportunities for the creative development of their residents.

• The pavilion of the State of Qatar after the Forum was transferred to the "Liniya Zhizni" charity foundation.

Pavilion of the State of Qatar.

• Bike lanes were installed on the Forum's main avenue, although guests preferred to walk.

Bike lanes are installed on the Forum's main avenue.

• For those who follow a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle bar and a vegetarian menu were organized.

• Sports games are popular at any events, regardless of their focus. For example, a gala hockey match, basketball, a race, a golf tournament, show jumping, tennis, squash, and even a chess tournament on a train from Moscow were held.

• Interest in sports at the exhibition was also drawn by a detailed miniature model of the St. Petersburg Zenit Arena stadium and the Zenit championship cup at the Gazprom stand, which remained with the club forever after its 5th victory. A separately designed stand dedicated to Euro 2020.

Miniature model of the St. Petersburg Zenit Arena stadium and the Zenit championship cup.

All participants of SPIEF-2019 note the high level of organization and holding of the Forum. Guests received a lot of new information, emotions and impressions. Active media and social media coverage confirms this.

The Aventura event agency carefully monitors innovations and fresh ideas in organizing events of this kind. Our specialists also implement the latest trends in their work, making your events spectacular and unique.