Digital Engagement

ISS Shangri-La Dialogue Interactive Touchscreen

Transforming Complex Defence Data into an Engaging, Interactive Experience

ISS Shangri-La Dialogue Interactive Touchscreen - screen 2

ISS Shangri-La Dialogue Interactive Touchscreen - screen 3

Summary

At the prestigious IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, global defence leaders gathered to discuss security challenges and strategic developments. To support this, IISS needed an intuitive, data-driven solution that made complex military and defence information accessible and engaging for attendees. We delivered an interactive touchscreen experience that visualised global military balance, defence economics, equipment inventories, arms transfers, personnel figures, and operational deployments - all in a format designed to drive insight and discussion.

EventIISS Shangri-La Dialogue - Asia-Pacific's premier defence summit
ClientThe International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS)
SolutionInteractive information point

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ISS Shangri-La Dialogue Interactive Touchscreen - interactive exhibition stand experience by SmartExpo

The Challenge

IISS is known for its authoritative research on global defence and strategic affairs. For the Shangri-La Dialogue, they needed to present vast amounts of data in a way that was not only accessible but engaging for an international audience of policymakers, defence officials, and media.

Presenting detailed military and defence data without overwhelming users
Engaging a diverse, high-level audience with varying levels of technical expertise
Encouraging meaningful interactions in a busy event environment
Ensuring reliable, fast performance in a live setting

Objective

Educate

Help users understand strategic trends and force comparisons across regions

Objective

Simplify

Make layered defence data accessible in just a few touches

Objective

Generate

park discussion and interest in IISS analysis among influential attendees

Objective

Showcase

Position IISS as a leader in accessible defence intelligence

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The Solution

We designed and delivered a large-format touchscreen experience tailored for the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. The platform enabled users to explore military, economic, and security data across countries and regions through intuitive, interactive screens.

Feature

Interactive Military Balance Map

Users could explore countries, alliances, and deployments, with layered data on forces, equipment, and personnel

Feature

Defence Economics Explorer

An interactive breakdown of defence budgets, spending trends, arms orders, and deliveries, enabling comparative insights

Feature

Global Security Data Hub

Real-time access to curated datasets, enabling users to quickly understand strategic dynamics

Design & UX Features

Clean, data-focused interface tailored for policy and defence audiences
Interactive global maps with touch-activated country profiles
Animated transitions to guide user attention
Responsive design optimised for large touchscreen displays
Quick-access filters for regions, alliances, and data categories
Robust offline functionality for event environments

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The Results

Business Impact

The touchscreen solution reinforced IISS's reputation as a leader in strategic research and data dissemination. By transforming complex defence information into an accessible, interactive experience, IISS not only educated event attendees but also sparked meaningful conversations among policymakers, defence experts, and media representatives. The success of the project demonstrated how digital tools can amplify thought leadership, foster engagement, and support IISS's mission to promote informed dialogue on global security.

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