Image source: http://symplectic.co.uk

Are we managing our conferences & events right?

Nithin Samuel
Aug 22, 2017 · 3 min read

This is something I’m writing from a combined perspective of having managed several events and conferences as an IEEE volunteer, as well as the knowledge having worked in the events industry for a while now.

There are a lot of ways an event organizer is a true hustler. They have to run here and there to get the elements in place, the approvals, sometimes sponsors, then comes the registrations and much more.

In the middle of all this we forget to focus on the one thing that will make life simpler for both the organizer as well as the attendee, a good event platform.

Now there are a lot of players in the industry, but very few possess a one stop platform where you can have most of your event requirements, met at one place.

Why make our events smarter?

We spend months on getting a major congress or conference right. Why should we not simplify our role using a smart tool? How much more easier would it be if you can set things up one time and then watch as the marvel unfolds?

Gateway Vs. Event Platform?

Let’s say X is a payment gateway & Y is an event registration platform. X only meets the need to collect payments, whereas Y makes the registration a coordinated and hassle free process, which might automate your entire registration flow, including automatic emails when a delegate makes a registration, which could in-fact be later used for the event day easy check-in flow, and subsequently for badge printing.

Pseudo Event Platforms

These days lot of gateways are sugar coating their user experience by adding couple of layers on the outside and adding attendee forms. But at the end of the day they are still not a complete event platform to make this system flawless. You still have to use multiple platforms to get your event management done.

What to look out for?

Does your event tool help you with a registration widget on your own website?

Does the platform facilitate hassle free event day check-ins?

Do you spend lot of time sifting through ID cards on event day in-front of the delegate?

Then it’s probably time to look for a platform that meets all these requirements.

Image source www.conference123.org

How do you engage your event attendees?

Are you using a smart tool to keep your attendees engaged, up-to date, and make the most of the event? If not, you might want to have a look at the event engagement mobile apps available in the market. There are endless tools to get the same with various range of features.

You might want to ask the following questions while chosing an event mobile app provider.

Is is a Native / Hybrid App?

Do they provide a web dashboard to completely customize and manage the app post build?

Is there an option to preview how the app appears before making a purchase?

Do they have pricing plans that support add on usage?

A platform that is able to answer all these questions satisfactorily, would be your ideal go-to platform

Are you an event/conference organizer? Do you have more to add to this topic? Do reach out and we can discuss further.

Nithin Samuel is an active IEEE volunteer, leading a passionate team of volunteers at IEEE R10Today, having been involved with various conferences over the years, and handles global sales at Explara, an end-to-end event technology solutions platform.

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Nithin Samuel

Written by

Bibliophile, business developer at MixRank, and a humble photographer

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