Why you need an event app?

Event apps are transforming the face of the event industry!

As per the latest event industry statistics by EventMB, while  26% of the event planners are considering using an event app, 46% of them are using it already.

Though this transition from old-school event planning to tech-driven event planning isn’t very smooth, many event profs still face challenges while onboarding in the event technology. This is because of the confusion and the misconception regarding the event apps. 

In this article, we try to address queries that are based on –

1. 1. the choice and
   2. the utilization of event apps. Let’s start with some basic insights on what an event app is and what it can do for you.

What is an event app?

The event industry journals of the early 90s mentioned a piece of rare, costly but valuable new technology that created a buzz among event profs- that was a cellphone but with time, the event industry changed and so did cell phones. Attendees started preferring the ease of access to anything else and smartphones brought the world within their palm, this led to the advent of an event app.

 An event app is a mobile application meant to enhance the overall event experience of the attendees.

It started as a tool to showcase the program online so that attendees can have all the event details at their fingertips. But now, it is a lot more than that. Be it registration, promotion, engagement, onsite interaction; it has become a one-stop solution of the event industry. From a nice-to-have accessory to a must-to-have necessity, an event app has its own eventful journey!

 What are the types of event apps? 

From simple event registrations to the onsite engagement of the audience in the conference or trade shows everything is now possible with a simple click of your event app. But before we dig deeper into its applications, these are the 3 broad categories of app you need to know about- 

Custom-made mobile apps

These apps are fully customized that you create with a developer, with your precise specifications in mind. In this case, your UI can be as interactive and ideal as you want (as your pocket allows). This app is an obvious choice for many businesses. But as an event organizer, money is always your constraint, so spending a hefty amount solely for an app (no matter how awesome) is never a good choice! 

Container/Universal app

Within a container app, an event organizer can display his branded app. As the name suggests, it has the ability to showcase multiple event brands within the same app. It sounds great but there’s a hidden pitfall. These apps are not 100% branded (though you’ll find many software companies selling them as “branded universal apps”). With such an app, you provide your user with a link that directs him towards your event display section. 

White-label apps

These apps are more personalized when compared to container apps as they are 100% branded. These apps refer to generic templates, modules, and framework which can be customized with your company name, logo and other details. A simple drag & drop process and you get an event app precisely in the name of your event. This app enhances your event’s branding.

While custom-made mobile apps demand too much investment, container apps (despite being economical) don’t provide your event with the much-needed branding. White-label apps, by far, are the best option if you’re in the event industry!

How can event planners best utilize it? 

A single event has got many stakeholders. There are those sponsors who want to get promoted and then there’s the organizer who’ll go beyond limits to limit his expenses; there’s an exhibitor who is precisely interested in generating leads and then we have the attendees who hope for an eventful experience. A great event app satisfies all these needs in one go. Let’s see how?

Ease for attendees

Attendees are the focal point of any event. At the end of the day, it’s about their experience which is not just confined to D-day but spans the entire event cycle (from registration to feedback). Modern-day attendees are tech-savvy. American consumers now check their smartphones an average of 52 times a day. So it is evident that apps are the best ways to reach out to them. A great event app empowers attendees so that they can plan their experience, participating accordingly in the sessions of their choice. Apart from that, it enables-

Initial Networking

Events are primarily about networking and connecting opportunities, and with an event app, this becomes easier. You can transform your event app into a mini social network by providing features such as photo sharing, social timelines and messaging. More the networking among attendees, more are their chances of turning up at the event.

Continuous engagement

While networking is about getting attendees on a platform, engagement is about getting them involved. This can be done using push-ups notifications, news feeds, surveys, reminders or anything that tends to engage.

Onsite Interaction

Apart from the manual interaction that we see during the events, there are various digital means to interact with the attendees. An event app can be used to include Q&A session, virtual games, and live polls to make the event interactive.

Exposure for exhibitors

As discussed earlier, An exhibitor is solely concerned with his booth and the leads he is going to generate out of it. Your app can be a good chance for him to get exposure.

Not only that, attractive booths with tech-enabled event app connectivity can help you increase the footfall on the day of the event.

Other than being a great way to connect your events community there are more ways you can benefit from an event app. 

Eco-friendly events  

Event app helps you reduce the carbon footprint of your event. Not only it helps save the environment and do your bit for the world but also ads up another reason why your events are worth attending. Plus event apps helps you cut down paper & printing cost, and the quality of your networking channels can be enhanced which would have proved expensive otherwise. 

Generating new revenue streams

Once you have an active community of attendees on your event app, you can always utilize it to generate new revenue streams. Be it full-screen commercials or branded placement opportunities, there are a plethora of services your app can offer. Also, the real-time data points that you get from your dashboard analytics are accurate selling points. You can utilize them to attract sponsors.

All these tech support solutions are now available with event apps. You don’t need to spend a fortune in creating one, plus the same app can be used for multiple events. API interactions are another advantage of event apps you can connect all your data to the app and have your community online, send mass messages to your audience or stay in touch with your event stakeholders, this is all possible with event app investment.

Now if you are wondering how and what is an API integration for an Event app that’s a topic for another day!