Event Companion
Cadentia
A map and navigation feature for an AI event companion, helping fair visitors discover exhibitors and find their way.
Details
- Year
- 2025
- Role
- Owned the map feature end-to-end
- Services
- Concept Design, UX/UI Design
- Website
- cadentia.ai, messukeskus.com
The Problem
Our version 1 user research on the pilot surfaced a clear need. Visitors wanted a map of the event to navigate and discover exhibitors, and they named it as one of the first things they would reach for. The challenge was adding a map while ensuring easy access to the AI companion for contextual assistance.
Approach
Grounded in the user research findings, team reviews, and research of common map and navigation patterns for indoor and outdoor wayfinding across desktop and mobile. Fast pilot pace, so research fed directly into iteration.
Key Decisions
Orientation without user location
We couldn't access the user's location, so the map itself had to make orientation obvious. I highlighted the main areas and stages as anchors, the highly discoverable landmarks that help a visitor grasp where things are.
From chat-first to an interface-first copilot
Reviews and testing showed users wanted clear views, not everything funnelled through chat. I modelled the structure on the event flyer the product was replacing, a navigation bar with exhibitors, program, and map as separate views, with the conversational layer always reachable for help.
Keeping the map legible
I specified how filters and search should work, and a layered structure limiting how many items and pins appear at once.
Cross-vertical collaboration
I worked closely with the events-vertical designer on a shared concept and roadmap, since the map widget would be reused across verticals. This map and planning concept later became the foundation for the trip planner (see Saxdor case study).
Outcome
The map feature shipped and received positive user feedback and showed high engagement. More than 25,000 visitors used the Cadentia AI-powered event guide at two of the biggest fairs at Messukeskus. Nearly half of the users were active and explored the map feature, tagging favourites, navigating, and interacting with the AI for personalised guidance and suggestions.
Reflection
This project taught me how much a clear concept design and close collaboration with developers on the roadmap and technical foundation matter, so the design integrates properly with the tech side. It also confirmed that interface-first with AI assistance is the more valuable proposition. Users want to discover and see visuals, meaning AI should be an option and an addition, not a forced feature. If we make AI features seamless and so good that users choose to use them, we can build trust with our users.