Everyone wants to know what cool app or tool will steal the scene in 2009. The cruel thing about this is that technology changes so fast, many of the tools and toys that will make an impact next year haven’t even been invented yet.

Undaunted, let’s do a quick review of what became hot in our industry (and the rest of society) this past year, and boldly predict (or is that meekly guess?) what’s coming our way next year.

Let’s start with the old. Much easier … sort of like predicting yesterday’s news. This has been the year our industry really started to pay attention to social-networking tools. Facebook (www.facebook.com) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) both started to see a flood of boomers and Gen Xers join the Gen Yers in using these services. 

Now, I know the primary reason many of you got a Facebook account was to be able to see what your kids are up to. Then you used it to find old high school and college pals … but then you started to see how connective tools like these could extend to your event, or property marketing … to build a community, create dialogue, and listen, listen, listen to your customers.

This year, the promise of technology integrating into the hotel experience took some huge steps. The technology was there, but the apps kept falling short of the mark. But now, RFID (radio frequency identification) and NFC (near field communication) are common in nametags and other devices.

Have you heard about Hotel Evolution from Runtriz (www.runtriz.com)? It’s an application for your iPhone or iTouch (yeah, only those right now, but be patient) that you can download to access guest services during your stay. Order room service, request housekeeping to clean up the mess you made during dinner in your room, place a wake-up call — just a few of the services available using this app. The Malibu Beach Inn is using it, and if you don’t have an iPhone thingy, well, they’ll give you one to use during your stay. Imagine when this is available for all phones.

Oh, yeah — availability for all phones. That’s the promise of the Open Source Android mobile operating system. Google’s Android open-source platform telephone, the T-Mobile G1 (www.t-mobileg1.com) was released in October. The promise here is an open-source phone, adopted by many carriers, where anyone can build code and create useful applications. You may have heard about LogOn’s Event Assistant tool (www.log-on.nl/demo), which allows conference-goers to download meeting programs, exhibit floor plans, and an enormous variety of services right to their mobile device. With Android phones, perhaps your IT folks can write the app of your conference management dreams.So, what to expect in 2009? What? I’m out of space in this column? That can’t be….

Working Smarter Take Away

This was truly the year Twitter (www.twitter.com) and other microblogs exploded onto the scene. The ability to connect in short bursts has a definite impact on our industry (think of your attendees Twittering with other audience members during the keynote session).

We discussed Twitter in our last Working Smarter column, but is it the best microblog for us to be using as event professionals? Many folks think that Pownce (www.pownce.com) is an even more useful tool, as it combines the microblogging capability of Twitter with an ability to send files, as well as event RSVPs and details.

James Spellos, CMP, (jspellos@meeting-u.com) is founder and president of Meeting U., which provides customized training solutions for the meeting professional. A certified Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), he has 16-plus years of computer training, software training, meeting planning education, and technology consulting experience.

Working Smarter is sponsored by PSAV Presentation Services, www.psav.com.