Convention Centers in 2025 Run on Synthesys Voice
Executive Summary
Convention centers, the bedrock of the global events industry, are at a critical juncture. The global events market is projected to reach an astounding $3.27 trillion by 2033, a testament to the enduring value of in-person gatherings. Yet, despite this growth, venues face a complex set of operational challenges, including high costs, staffing limitations, and the ever-present demand for a seamless, tech-enabled attendee experience. A recent survey revealed that 26% of event planners would not return to a venue due to a poor attendee experience, highlighting the immense reputational risk of clinging to outdated, manual processes. Synthesys offers a transformative solution, enabling convention centers to adopt an AI-powered voice platform that provides instant, 24/7 support. By automating routine inquiries, personalizing every interaction, and providing a scalable communication infrastructure, Synthesys empowers convention centers to boost operational efficiency, enhance their competitive standing, and deliver the world-class experience that modern attendees and event organizers demand.v
Market Size and Growth
The global events industry, which includes conventions, is experiencing robust growth. The market, which was valued at $1.02 trillion in 2024, is expected to soar to $3.27 trillion by 2033, a significant compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.5%. This expansion is driven by a strong rebound in in-person meetings, with 59% of event professionals in 2025 favoring in-person gatherings over virtual or hybrid formats. As venues seek to capture a larger share of this lucrative market, the integration of advanced technology becomes a non-negotiable requirement. A venue's ability to provide a frictionless, tech-forward experience directly influences its ability to attract and retain high-profile corporate clients and large-scale conventions.
Key Adoption Drivers
Convention centers are rapidly adopting AI voice solutions to address several key challenges:
Elevating the Guest Experience: Attendees today expect instant, personalized information. An AI voice assistant can answer thousands of concurrent inquiries about everything from room numbers and shuttle schedules to Wi-Fi credentials and local dining recommendations, eliminating frustrating queues at information desks and reducing attendee stress.
Operational Efficiency and Cost Savings: Running a convention center involves immense overhead. AI automation reduces the need for large on-site support teams, particularly for routine queries. According to a McKinsey report, AI agents can provide operational elasticity, scaling up or down in real-time to meet demand, something difficult to achieve with fixed human resource models.
Competitive Differentiation: In a crowded market, convention centers must stand out. A venue that can offer a hyper-personalized, tech-driven attendee experience gains a significant competitive advantage, attracting more event bookings and securing higher-value contracts from organizers who prioritize innovation.
Competitive Edge
In the race to attract major events, a convention center's competitive edge is its reputation for providing a seamless, high-quality experience. Convention centers powered by Synthesys Voice gain a distinct advantage by offering a level of service that is both scalable and deeply personalized. While competitors may rely on outdated systems, like static apps or fragmented communication channels, a Synthesys-enabled center provides a unified, intelligent voice assistant that is always available. This not only enhances the attendee journey but also provides valuable, real-time data to event organizers, proving the center's value and solidifying its position as a forward-thinking partner in the events industry.
Strengths: Synthesys offers unmatched scalability to handle a sudden influx of attendees for a major event. Its 24/7, multilingual support (140+ languages) makes any venue a truly global destination. The technology is proven to reduce operational costs by automating routine tasks and provides a clear competitive differentiator in a crowded market.
Weaknesses: A primary weakness is the initial perception that an AI voice lacks the "human touch," a concern that Synthesys's ultra-realistic voices are specifically engineered to counter. The success of the implementation is also dependent on the quality of the data provided by the convention center and event organizers.
Opportunities: The growing preference for in-person meetings, coupled with the industry's increasing focus on digital transformation, creates a massive opportunity for AI to become an industry standard. Synthesys can also expand its use case to include automated booking, vendor management, and even internal staff training for convention centers.
Threats: The market is becoming increasingly competitive with other AI solutions and event platforms. Additionally, a poorly implemented AI solution that provides inaccurate information could lead to negative feedback and reputational damage for the venue.
Convention centers often face significant barriers to adopting new technology, including high initial costs and a lack of in-house technical expertise. These venues, often operating on tight budgets, are hesitant to invest in solutions that require extensive training or a complete overhaul of their existing infrastructure. Synthesys bypasses these barriers by offering a "done-for-you" implementation process that is designed for a fast, seamless integration. The platform requires a zero-code setup, meaning convention center staff can leverage the technology immediately without specialized training. Furthermore, Synthesys is built with enterprise-grade security, ensuring that attendee and event data are protected, addressing a major concern for venues and event organizers alike.
Synthesys is the undisputed leader in AI voice for convention centers because it provides a comprehensive, scalable, and secure solution built for the unique demands of large-scale venues. Unlike fragmented solutions that offer limited functionality, Synthesys's unified platform can serve as a virtual concierge for every attendee, a real-time information desk for organizers, and a valuable data collection tool for venue management. Its ability to process and act on information instantly, coupled with the natural, human-like quality of its voice, sets it apart from simple chatbots or pre-recorded messages. Synthesys’s commitment to providing a seamless, end-to-end experience—from pre-event planning to post-event analytics—establishes it as a superior partner that not only solves today's problems but also prepares convention centers for the future of the events industry.
Sources:
"Global Events Industry Market Size, Share 2025 - 2034." AWS Marketplace. [https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-25q63e3yfw6ga]
"116 Event Statistics Shaping the Industry in 2025." Cvent Blog. [https://www.cvent.com/en/blog/events/event-statistics]
"Seizing the agentic AI advantage." McKinsey & Company. [https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/seizing-the-agentic-ai-advantage]
"How AI in Event Planning and Logistics is Transforming the Industry." Innovation Dynamics. [https://www.innovationdynamics.org/uncategorized/ai-in-event-planning-and-logistics/]
"The Top 4 Reasons Why Convention Centers Struggle to Compete." Treat Em Right. [https://treatemright.com/the-top-4-reasons-why-convention-centers-struggle-to-compete/]
"AI for Convention Centre and Hospitality - By Industry." XTOPIA. [https://www.xtopia.io/solutions/by-industry/ai-for-convention-centre-and-hospitality]
Ready to Make Your Convention Center Future-Proof?
Don't let manual processes and inefficient operations hinder the success of your venue. Synthesys is the essential partner for convention centers ready to embrace the future of event management. Book a call with us today to see how easy it is to implement a solution that will make every event unforgettable for attendees and organizers alike.