Attention spans of the average American have allegedly dropped to levels lower than a goldfish based on a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information. Knowing what tools of the trade best leave their mark is important as event planners and organizers prepare to maximize the effectiveness of a conference, meeting, or trade show in the limited time available to make an impression at an event. Mobile event apps provide a number of features to help in these important efforts to engage and retain attendees.
read moreEvent planners and organizers must tackle countless logistics before any meeting, conference, or trade show and often lack the manpower to address everything months in advance. Other times changing initiatives handed down from company higher ups or extra funds in the budget changes priorities. In many cases the need for a mobile event app might only be fully realized with a month or two to spare and begs the question: is creating a high quality, native mobile app available for iOS and Android users still a reality?
read moreScanning the agenda of most events means finding a handful of networking events typically in the form of end-of-day dinners, breaks, and perhaps social functions bookending the main helping of sessions. Yet most event planners and organizers fall into the trap of scheduling these traditional social events and overlooking alternatives best suited for genuine networking. Consider alternate takes on networking and utilize a mobile event app in the process to ensure attendees are maximizing their time and efforts.
read moreMost event planners and organizers look at how many times their app has been downloaded as a measure of its success—or lack thereof—at a meeting, conference or trade show. Other statistics like active and retained users are also popular and often satisfy the curiosity of higher-ups who signed off on the event app in the first place. Yet digging deeper into analytics for native iPhone, iPad, and Android mobile event apps explains a lot about attendee behaviors and can greatly improve both the app and event itself for upcoming years.
read morePeople involved in the planning and implementation of events are not always the key decision makers when it comes to budgeting for valuable improvements. The rise in mobile technology and concurrent spike in event app popularity is making it harder to leave a mobile app out of the equation, yet many event planners and organizers still need to justify choosing a mobile event app to higher-ups. Continue reading to learn how to frame and pitch a mobile event app to decision makers who ultimately give the final say in considering and adding an engaging tool to any meeting, conference, or trade show.
read moreAppBurst’s “Best Event Industry Articles” series aims to share insight related to the event industry from around the internet with a focus on mobile technology. Content sources range from event industry-specific blogs to major technology websites and everything in between. Along with original Apps For Events blog posts, we hope these summaries serve to better educate our readers on mobile technology and the many benefits of event apps.
read moreEngaging attendees at events and throughout the year is increasingly easier with a mobile event app. Specifically targeting or incentivizing those who attended the event and downloaded the mobile app, however, receives less attention. Consider strategies to thank and recognize attendees through mobile apps to increase user retention, registration numbers, and discussion about the event.
read moreThe goals of event hosts vary from bringing together internal employees or industry leaders to promoting products and services. Each and every organization hosting an event—regardless of the goal and makeup of attendees—is best served by promoting its own brand. A cohesive brand available via resources like social media and mobile event apps leaves a lasting impression in the days and months after the event to not only increases the chance of attendee retention and discussion about the event well into the future, but enables event hosts to better spread their own message to existing and new audiences. Utilize available technology, pay attention to the finer details, and engage attendees to achieve a consistent brand and reach bigger goals.
read moreThe benefits of mobile event apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android are only truly realized when a significant portion of attendees agree to adopt the technology and make it their go-to resource for everything related to a meeting, conference, or trade show. Even the best mobile event app in terms of available features and the potential to engage users can’t provide a human touch. Everything from promotion and availability to quality content and incentivizing attendees boils down to event planners and organizers devising a game plan to ensure mobile event app adoption success.
read moreEvent app features and benefits continue to increase along with the rise of attendees expecting an engaging mobile experience at meetings, conferences, and trade shows. The ideal event app addresses two big-picture ideas: customization and personalization. Understanding the difference between both ideas as they pertain to mobile technology and making sure both are addressed during the development process ensures everyone involved at the event—from hosts and planners to attendees—greatly benefit from going mobile.
read moreMobile event app sponsor and exhibitor directories offer companies the chance to be listed and found by hundreds or thousands of attendees at meetings, conferences, and trade shows around the world. Those unable to attend the event may also access the mobile app to find and interact with listings. Many event planners and organizers, however, fail to take full advantage of mobile app providers who provide near unlimited potential to expand these directories with descriptions, full contact information, maps, and even marketing content such as PDF brochures and videos.
read moreFrom discussing logistics and strategies to sales kick-offs and end-of-year reviews, internal meetings within a company or organization are prevalent and often benefit from a mobile event app. Employees travel from different regions or countries to gather for short periods of time, needing easy access to content and ways to connect with colleagues; event planners and organizers must also make sure attendees get the most out of the event. Continue reading to better understand how a mobile event app for iPhone, iPad, and Android can best address the needs and goals of everyone involved at internal company meetings.
read moreThe goals of both attendees and exhibitors at trade shows are in many ways unique to other conferences and events. Priorities often revolve around networking and converting clients as opposed to more traditional event priorities like industry education or company-specific logistics. With a greater portion of business in all industries now being conducted via mobile technology, understanding event app benefits for trade shows ensures everyone involved enjoys the biggest return on investment.
read moreAppBurst’s “Best Event Industry Articles” series aims to share insight related to the event industry from around the internet with a focus on mobile technology. Content sources range from event industry-specific blogs to major technology websites and everything in between. Along with original Apps For Events blog posts, we hope these summaries serve to better educate our readers on mobile technology and the many benefits of event apps.
read moreLive polling enables event planners and organizers to provide better levels of engagement between speakers and attendees. While traditional audience response systems are limited and require an additional investment by event hosts, a mobile event app gives attendees access to session information, PDF documents, and other resources alongside the ability to submit live responses to questions posed at sessions.
read moreThe addition of scheduled push messaging to a mobile event app’s feature set gives event hosts and planners another tool to not only engage attendees, but generate additional revenue and ensure users receive vital information when they need it most. Perhaps more importantly, the ability to schedule push alerts streamlines an important element of any event planner and organizer’s role before and during the event. Continue reading to learn more about four major benefits of scheduled push messaging for event apps.
read moreCompanies associated with events and event management in a variety of capacities are already in a position to greatly benefit from a reseller arrangement with a mobile app development company. From those providing event services in a specific industry like healthcare to those offering conference facilities or perhaps full event management services, the rising popularity of mobile event apps means nearly every event planner and organizer is at least considering going mobile for their next event.
read moreThe evolution of mobile app usage directly impacts both event hosts and attendees. A new ComScore study sheds light on users in the United States, Canada, and United Kingdom to provide demographic information, media usage, and more as it pertains to mobile apps in 2015 and beyond.
read moreAn article by AppBurst co-founder and lead software developer Rob Cartagine was recently featured in Special Events Magazine. The post focuses on the rise of interactive features in mobile events apps such as exhibitor maps, live polling, sponsor features, and user sign-in capabilities. The days of merely providing a digital version of an event's paper program are long gone, as the article details a number of interactive features event planners and organizers are able to utilize in an effort to better engage attendees at meetings, conferences, and trade shows.
read moreA successful social media campaign begins with work before the event and extends to a concerted effort during the conference, meeting, or trade show. In the final part of a three-part series highlighting social media best practices surrounding an event, the ability to smartly use downtime in the months following an event is highlighted to ensure event planners and organizers are engaging attendees around the year.
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