Nextech3D.ai launches AI event marketplace targeting $1T industry - ICYMI

Nextech3D.AI (CSE:NTAR, OTCQX:NEXCF, FRA:1SS) earlier this week discussed the launch of its AI-powered event marketplace through KraftyLabs, with CEO Evan Gappelberg outlining the company’s strategy to transform monetization across the global events industry.

Speaking with Proactive, Gappelberg said the company is positioning itself beyond traditional event software by building what he described as “a revenue engine for the entire events industry.”

He noted that the events market exceeds $1 trillion globally but argued that monetization methods for exhibitors and sponsors have seen little innovation over recent decades. According to Gappelberg, Krafty aims to address that gap by layering a transaction-driven marketplace onto Nextech3D.ai’s existing event platform infrastructure.

The executive compared the concept to a “Shopify for events,” enabling exhibitors and sponsors to create interactive attendee experiences ranging from tastings to gamified booth activations. These experiences are designed to improve attendee engagement while simultaneously generating qualified sales leads and measurable return on investment for exhibitors.

Gappelberg explained that attendees would interact with exhibitors through Nextech3D.ai’s event app, answering qualifying questions in exchange for participating in experiences hosted at booths. He said the approach creates actionable data opportunities while improving the overall event experience.

Importantly, the company believes the monetization opportunity associated with these services could ultimately exceed revenues generated from traditional event software offerings.

Gappelberg emphasized that Nextech3D.ai is leveraging infrastructure and technology it already owns, which may limit the need for substantial incremental capital investment. Instead, the company is integrating its existing platforms to create additional monetization layers across industries it serves.

Management also highlighted feedback from industry executives who reportedly view sponsor and exhibitor ROI as one of the largest unresolved challenges in the event sector. Gappelberg said Krafty’s marketplace directly addresses this issue by helping exhibitors attract attendees while improving measurable engagement outcomes.

Potential catalysts for Nextech3D.ai may include adoption of the marketplace by large trade shows, expansion of transaction-based revenues, and increased demand for AI-driven event engagement tools. Further commercialization of the platform could also strengthen recurring revenue opportunities tied to exhibitor participation and sponsor activations.

“The future of event tech isn’t about managing events,” Gappelberg said. “It’s about monetizing them.”