Embracing Change: My Journey Through the Evolution of Event Technology

Shane Derr Founder, Eventeck

A Glimpse into the Past

I was born into a world of rotary phones, punch cards, and mechanical ticket punches. A generation of children grew up riding Big Wheels, dreaming about Power Wheels, and racing Hot Wheels. In the 1970s, technology felt tangible and simple — but change was coming fast.

In 1977, the Atari 2600 was released. It became one of the first mass-market consumer electronics that captured the imagination of an entire generation. This sparked careers in programming, engineering, and video game development. By the 1980s, computers were making their way into classrooms alongside textbooks and businesses were discovering how computers could transform their operations.

The Internet Revolution

The 1990s brought the meteoric rise of consumer internet use. Early dial-up connections were slow and fragile by today’s standards, but they carried the beginnings of social networking, news distribution, and global communication. By the end of the decade, broadband had arrived. Adoption was rapid: in 2000, only about 3% of U.S. households had broadband; by 2010, roughly 62% had upgraded to broadband internet.

The 2000s also saw the rise of mobile devices. Suddenly, powerful computers fit in our pockets, giving us instant access to information and social connections on a scale few had ever imagined. As a child, I remember looking through a bookshelf of encyclopedias to find answers, now the answers we need are a few clicks away and available virtually anywhere in the world we find ourselves, not just at home, school or our library. These innovations reshaped our daily lives — often for the better, but also at the cost of face-to-face human interaction.

The Age of AI

Fast forward to today, and we stand at another turning point: artificial intelligence. In just a few short years, AI has moved from science fiction to everyday life. The potential is staggering — from transforming healthcare to streamlining how we work — while the risks of misuse are equally profound. Like the Atari in 1977, AI is sparking that same “wow” reaction, but with consequences that could shape world history.

My Journey in the Events Industry

I’ve been fortunate to ride each of these waves. Over the past 25+ years in the conference and events industry, I’ve witnessed the shift from paper badges and handheld scanners to web-based registration, QR-coded access control, and modern onsite solutions. In 2024, I launched Eventeck under the Infinifecta umbrella to bring this hard-earned experience together into technology and onsite support that actually works in the real world.

At 52, I often still feel like I’m in my twenties. Technology keeps us young at heart, but my perspective is also shaped by my own story. Like many, my childhood had its share of turbulence. Those experiences left me with baggage, yes, but also with empathy. I’m a founder who believes small gestures matter, who sometimes still gets emotional, and who puts compassion into the way we design our software, run registration, and serve clients onsite.

Building Eventeck

Eventeck is, at its core, built by experience: decades of on-the-ground knowledge, lessons learned from challenges, and a belief that technology should make life easier, not harder. We aren’t just writing code — we’re building systems that help real people do their jobs better, treat attendees with care, and feel supported when the pressure is on.

If you’re reading this as a client or partner, know that our work together is more than a contract. It’s a relationship built on trust, shared goals, and the drive to make your event a success. That’s what drives me, and it’s what drives Eventeck.

My journey through the evolution of event technology has been both challenging and rewarding. I am excited about the future and the possibilities that lie ahead. Together, we can create events that leave lasting impressions.

Warmly,

Shane Derr

Founder & President, Eventeck