Marriott International’s European Convention Network (ECN) has joined forces GoInStore, a London-based technology start-up, to provide meeting planners with virtual live tours of meetings and events facilities.

The service, to be trialled for a six-month pilot period, integrates the latest technology with human touch to provide previews of function spaces that enhance the booking process for meeting planners. Event managers will be enable to use real-time mobile technology to conduct interactive virtual tours using a one-way live video stream and two-way audio channel.

Pauline Bronkhorst, Head of the ECN, said: “We’re really pleased with the progress we have made with the European Convention Network since its launch earlier this year, and are thrilled to be working exclusively with GoInStore to continue to strengthen our offering.

“Many of our customers plan large annual or bi-annual events in different cities, and are unable to carry-out site visits in person – our virtual tours offer the perfect solution and planners can continue to enjoy personalised interaction combined with the benefits of state-of-the-art technology to make well-informed decisions on their venue choices.”

Marriott International launched the ECN in February to allow regular meeting planners to engage with one dedicated contact person to organise meeting and events at 14 hand-selected European properties across brands.

GoInStore, founded in 2014, creates a first-person live video ‘through the eyes’ of a sales person, using wearable headware, and provides the customer with a new way to shop online.

“Having previously focused on the retail space, we’re excited to partner with Marriott International in Europe to apply our pioneering technology to a new sector,” said André Hordagoda, GoInStore’s co-founder.