Poken

Poken provides a suite of digital tools designed to enhance audience engagement and measure interaction at live events. Founded in 2007 by serial entrepreneur Stéphane Doutriaux, the company emerged from his recognition that traditional event networking and information collection were inefficient and wasteful. Drawing on a background in engineering and business, Doutriaux developed a solution centered on the concept of "touch to collect," initially known for its patented interactive USB stick that allowed attendees to exchange contact details and collect digital documents with a simple touch.

The company's core offering, the Poken 360° platform, is an ecosystem of event technology tools. It serves event organizers, exhibitors, and attendees in the corporate and trade show markets. The business model is based on providing these technology solutions, which can be purchased on a standalone basis or as an integrated package with other event services. Poken's technology utilizes Near Field Communication (NFC) and iBeacon products, such as smart badges, to facilitate seamless digital interactions. Attendees can collect digital content, exchange virtual business cards, and participate in gamified experiences, all of which eliminate the need for paper brochures and business cards.

For event organizers and exhibitors, the platform's primary benefit lies in its ability to capture rich, behavioral data. By tracking which sessions attendees check into, what documents they collect, and who they network with, Poken provides unprecedented insight into audience interests and a measurable return on investment. In March 2017, Poken was acquired by Global Experience Specialists (GES), a global, full-service provider for live events, for an undisclosed sum. Following the acquisition, Stéphane Doutriaux and the Poken team joined GES, integrating their technology to create more measurable and connected event experiences.

Keywords: event technology, attendee engagement, NFC events, iBeacon technology, digital business cards, lead capture, event analytics, trade show technology, corporate events, event ROI, live events, digital document collection, smart badges, event management platform, networking tool, GES, Stéphane Doutriaux