Nextech AR Prepares Map D For Rapid Growth in 2023; Hires Industry Leading Executives, Positioning To Lead The Global Events Industry

Live Event Augmented Reality Wayfinding & XR Experiences Expected to Drive Triple Digit New Revenue Growth in 2023

Nextech AR Solutions Corp., a Metaverse Company and leading provider of augmented reality (“AR”) experience technologies, wayfinding technologies and 3D model services is pleased to announce 26 new contracts in the month of November alone in it’s Map D business. In addition the Company has made key executive hires for Map D as it positions itself for triple digit growth potential in 2023. By leveraging augmented reality and XR experiences Map D is undergoing a transformation becoming a leading Event Technology Company and becoming an integral part of the Nextech Event Solutions brand.

Currently, Map D is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nextech AR Solutions. Over the past decade Map D has been one of the most popular self-serve event management tools among associations now utilized for any event format of all sizes from small gatherings to large-scale conferences. With simple navigation and a user-friendly interface, Map D helps reduce the time and effort necessary to manage events efficiently and effectively while transforming complex event production into a simplified experience.

“Our goal is to provide our customers with the most innovative event technology in the market,” said Melea Guilbault, CEO of Map D. “These new partnerships and hires underscore our commitment to providing best-in-class solutions that enable our customers to create unforgettable experiences.”

Evan Gappelberg, Nextech AR CEO commented, “We have always had plans for Map D to expand beyond just the association space and play a larger role in the $50 billion dollar event industry. It has taken 2 years of development work to get Map D, (now Nextech Event Solutions) ready to take on this huge opportunity and with Melea, her team and our technology we are now ready to take this challenge on.”

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“These new partnerships and hires underscore our commitment to providing best-in-class solutions that enable our customers to create unforgettable experiences.”

New Executive Hires

Melea Guilbault

In September, Nextech AR announced the appointment of Melea Guilbault as CEO of Map D. Melea brings more than thirty years of experience in high-growth companies inclusive of technology, pharmaceuticals, and community-based organizations, and brings extensive commercial, operational and executive management experience with companies such as private-equity backed Community Brands and Yourmembership and Fortune 500 Medtronic, Takeda & Bristol-Myers Squibb.

Vanessa LaClair, CAE, CMP

Vanessa LaClair is a leader in the association space, bringing deep domain and industry knowledge as a CAE (Certified Association Executive) and CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and most recently serving as the Executive Director of the Empire State Society of Association Executives (ESSAE). Having been involved in association management and volunteer leadership for more than 20 years, Vanessa is able to help members be their best by building connections to knowledge, ideas, relationships, and marketplace opportunities.

At Map D, Vanessa will be focused on event solutions and community engagement, expanding our current market reach through training and development, building strategic partnerships and customer success initiatives.

Whitney Kendrick

Whitney Kendrick has joined the Map D team as VP, Product Growth & Marketing. With a background of almost two decades in B2B SaaS applications, platforms, marketing, and operations, she has built her network and career through social perseverance, trust and commitment. Whitney has cultivated partnerships and handled acquisitions with companies such as Web.com, ReachLocal, Gannett, ProSites, Marketing 360, Paychex.

At Map D, Whitney will be focused driving commercial success and growth through demand generation, packaging, and positioning, and to collect market insights to further enhance our product and sales capabilities.

Map D Transforming into a Event Technology Solution Provider

Integration with ARway and Web 3.0 Technology

Map D has integrated Nextech AR’s groundbreaking Web 3.0 technologies: ARway (Indoor Wayfinding), ARitize 3D (3D Models) and ARitize Holograms (AR Human holograms). These integrations enable Map D to bring its events and associations clients into the metaverse.

Announced in June, the Company began testing and gained early success with a massive breakthrough in scaling the creation of spatial maps for events, especially augmented reality (AR) wayfinding with the ARway platform. ARway’s technology will allow event show organizers to sell AR wayfinding to exhibitors as well as sponsorship opportunities, creating additional sources of revenue.

The ARway Platform has an unlimited number of use cases for augmenting physical spaces within the events industry: including, conventions, trade shows, conferences, corporate meetings, real estate, sports events and more. With value propositions spanning multiple industries and use cases, this opens Nextech’s 3D/AR technology solutions to new markets and provides a seamless integration with the events and association clients of Map D.

The Map D business has been gaining sales momentum in multiple categories as seen below in the number of contracts, renewals and partnerships signed over the last several weeks. 25 deals have been closed in the month of November, 2022 alone.

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New Deals & Renewals

Event & Association Management Companies

• American Tradeshow Services (ATS) – 2023 MD Expo, NADC, HEAT
• Anthony J. Jannetti, Inc | 2023
• AMC | Meeting Management Group Inc – 2023 FHEA Trade Show and Educational Conference
• Midwest Shows, Inc.
• High Lifter Events | Rally (multiple shows)​

2023 New Events

• ISACA | Information Systems Audit & Control Association
• AAPC | American Academy of Professional Coders – HEALTHCON
• FHIMA | Florida Health Information Management Association – Annual Convention
• AWWA | PA 75th Annual Conference
• NACE | National Association of College and Employers |Conference & Expo
• IIABSC | Spring Conference
• SNAPA Annual Conference
• SCAV – Southeast Veterinary Conference
• The Institute of Internal Auditors | GAM, International Conference, and GRC
• National Apartment Association Diversity Leadership Program
• Apartment Association of Nebraska | Annual Trade Show
• Texas Society of Architects – 84th Annual Conference and Design Expo
• Home & Outdoor Living Expo
• Logic – ACI Alliance CI
• Clay County Fair
• TCS Toronto Waterfront Marathon Expo
• The DONNA Foundation
• Eriksberg Boat Show ​

2022 Q4 | Strategic Partnerships

• IAEE | Expo Expo | International Association of Exhibits & Exhibitors​
• TNSAE | Tennessee Society of Association Executives
• AENC | Association Executives of North Carolina (AENC)