Guest Post: Creating a great experience via your attendee app!

The attendee app has quickly become a staple of the event industry, something we expect as delegates to see on our phones before we head through the convention centre door. A good event app becomes the key attendee touchpoint at event time, allowing them to access the information and answers they need quickly and easily, network with other delegates, and engage with speakers and sponsors and navigate the event effectively.

When it’s done poorly however, an event app creates a frustrating roadblock that only serves to exasperate the user and make them want to throw their phone at the wall, and creates massive headaches for the event planner with queues of attendees seeking tech support.

So how can we as event planners get it right with event apps?

“One App Only” Rule

Firstly, remember the cardinal rule of Event apps – Your event should consist of one app only. The number one killer of event app engagement is to expect your delegates to download more than one app. Live polling, Q&A for sessions, attendee messaging and social walls are consistently ranked as the most used and appreciated features by attendees, and your app should contain these as a minimum. But not if it means a second download and a separate app. Good event apps include these all in one platform, so choose wisely – The events industry is filled with noise from new products and platforms offering shiny new apps and features for events, which all promise to be the next big thing in the event world. Remember that it’s a seamless experience, not whizbang features, that create a good attendee experience.

Real-time Connectivity

Secondly, your app should be connected in real-time to your registration solution, both for online pre-registrations but particularly so for onsite registration. This means that once registered an attendee is instantly set up to access the event app then and there, without delays and needing to create a new login or password. Save your onsite team some headache, and maximise the event app downloads by having newly registered attendees instantly emailed or texted the app details, including their personalised login credentials. A connected onsite experience and attendee app will also allow you to print their app login details directly onto the back of their attendee pass.

Conclusion

Your attendee app is arguably the most important engagement tool at event time, so give it lots of love. Focus on what you want to achieve and ensure the relevant features are all included in one event app solution, and that this solution speaks to your registration system. Your attendees and team alike will thank you for it.

Author: Thomas Gray

EventsAir has been at the forefront of Event Technology and Innovation for over 30 years, continually pushing the boundaries of what an event management platform can do. Built by event planners for event planners, EventsAir is a secure, scalable, cloud-based solution that can manage everything from in-person, virtual to hybrid conferences, meetings and events in a single online platform – anywhere, anytime and on any device. In use in over 50 countries by multi-national corporations, professional conference organizers, government departments and tertiary education institutions, EventsAir is also used in global congresses such as G20, APEC, CHOGM and ASEAN, as well as sporting events like The Olympic Games, World Rugby, Commonwealth Games and Pan Am Games. EventsAir is trusted by event professionals around the globe. For further information, visit www.eventsair.com