Meaghan Maybee
As pc/nametag's in-house Word Wizard, Meaghan creates educational content that brings people together and drives meaningful conversations in the events industry.
Event technology is evolving faster than ever before—and for good reason. Today, 90% of event professionals agree that technology can have a positive impact on the success of their events. With the rise of virtual events and hybrid events, many teams recognize that the right tech solutions can take their event experience to a whole new level. In fact, one study even found that event technology can increase event attendance by 20 percent and productivity by 27 percent.
However, with so many new technologies being developed and released, it can be difficult to know which ones are worth your investment. In this article, we’ll cover some of the latest trends in event technology and how they can help you to increase efficiency, improve engagement and maximize your event’s return on investment (ROI).
Table of Contents
- Event technology definition
- Achieving KPIs with event technology
- Boosting attendee engagement with tech
- 8 digital event tools planners need
- What is an event technologist?
- Event technology resources
What is Event Technology?
Event technology is any digital tool, software, or machine that makes it easier to plan or execute an event. Some examples of event technology include:
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Event technology has the power to provide a better user experience for attendees, virtual audiences, and planners alike. For example, event professionals can use technology to get attendees checked in faster than ever before, resulting in higher satisfaction rates.
Technology can also keep both in-person and virtual attendees engaged, no matter how they choose to attend your event. Bringing people together to network and form connections is just a few clicks away.
Benefits of Technology on Event KPIs
Today, marketers and meeting planners have access to a variety of technology solutions to make their events a success. Each piece of their tech stack plays a part in executing an event from the second planning begins to the moment attendees leave.
A user-friendly event website, an intuitive registration process, an engaging mobile app, and tactical marketing tools are all examples of technology solutions that contribute to an enjoyable event.
Event technology can help you to achieve your goals, no matter what type of event you’re planning. It can help your organization accomplish a variety of KPIs like increasing brand awareness, creating lasting relationships with attendees, providing education and solutions, generating qualified leads, and even driving sales opportunities in the future.
- Tag Tip: When assessing which technology solutions to incorporate at your event, ask yourself what your main objectives and event KPIs are. How can you use technology to expedite the process and improve your chances of success?
How Technology Enhances the Attendee Experience
In the past, event planning was a very time-intensive, manual process. Thankfully, we now have access to data-driven solutions that make event marketing, planning, and data analytics faster, easier, and more effective than ever.
These tools don’t just affect the ease of your job; they also affect the satisfaction of your attendees. Today’s event-goers expect personalized experiences that operate smoothly with little-to-no tech hiccups. Congested registration lines, clunky mobile apps, lack of access to online information, and choppy streaming services can leave attendees feeling frustrated. An unsatisfactory experience could even put your future events at risk for lower participation.
Mistakes can and will happen, but it’s never a bad idea to brainstorm ways to leverage technology to smooth out the “wrinkles” you’ve experienced in the past while planning events. Our next section will cover some of the innovative ways you can use technology to make your next event more tech-driven than ever!
- READ: "Best Event Management Software" - a round-up by Crazy Egg
Graphic Source: Crazy Egg
8 Digital Tools Event Planners Should Consider
Whether you’re hosting a webinar or planning a full-scale conference, there are a variety of ways to leverage the latest developments in technology to create an experience to remember. Read on to discover some of our favorite event technology solutions that are on the market today.
1. Use email marketing tools to personalize event messaging.
Event marketers know that marketing strategies are all about bringing value to attendees and aligning their needs with useful products, services, and information. It's up to you to determine creative new ways to reach attendees, gain their attention, and tailor your event to their specific interests.
Email marketing tools (like MailChimp, HubSpot, and Constant Contact) are perfect for personalizing communication with your attendees. Start by acknowledging your audience’s pain points and appealing to the topics they’re interested in within your event marketing emails. This way, you’ll be more likely to catch their eye and convince them to attend your event.
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Brooke Ihlefeld, Digital Marketing Manager at pc/nametag |
2. Use event registration software to simplify sign-ups.
The registration process is everything. At this stage, people are still deciding whether your event is worth their time and attendance. They’re also exploring your event website and social media pages to see what your event is all about. What does your event aim to accomplish? What will attendees get out of the experience?
Make event registration simple by using software like Cvent, or creating a simple form for attendees to fill out. A complicated registration process can turn potential attendees away. Make sure to remove any unnecessarily complicated processes during registration. Your attendees will enjoy having the option to book digital tickets in advance (and you'll eliminate the need for physical tickets).
3. Leverage event diagramming software to design your floor plan.
Event diagramming softward makes event space design simple by allowing your team to visualize where tradeshow booths and exhibits will be, where furniture and registration tables will be set up, where buffet lines and banquet tables should be placed for optimal foot traffic, and more.
Event diagramming software gives your team a complete, detailed picture of how your event will approach seating, floor plans, foot traffic, lighting, cabling, furniture, décor, and other room elements. Many planners opt for drag-and-drop diagramming, but you can also play around with 3D walk-through software and interactive seating software to get a better idea of how your space design plan will work.
- Tip: Ensure your conference set-up is designed with diversity and inclusion in mind. For instance, make sure conference room aisles are wide enough to accommodate attendees who use mobility aids. Reserve seating at the front of the room for attendees with a need to sit closer to the stage.
4. Use facial recognition software to strengthen safety and security.
Facial recognition technology is one of the newer technologies coming to the industry, especially for improved event security and faster event registration. After attendees consent to facial recognition, they can scan their faces to gain access to the event. The machine now recognizes their features, making entering and exiting the venue faster.
Many attendees are already familiar with AI technology, especially those who use facial recognition systems to gain access to their smartphones. AI systems can streamline key attendee touchpoints, collect important information to improve future events, speed up check-in, and improve security.
Photo Credit: CVENT
5. Create a mobile event app to reduce waste and engage attendees.
Mobile event apps are revolutionizing the attendee experience, and there are a variety of ways they can be used to increase efficiency and make your event experience more enjoyable for attendees.
First, event apps make it easier to distribute information and conduct an eco-friendly event. By providing digital access to announcements, session information, speaker bios, exhibitor information, and resources, you’ll cut down on paper and reduce your event’s environmental impact.
Mobile apps are also great for amplifying attendee networking and keeping attendees engaged with your event. Not only can attendees receive personalized alerts and push notifications, but they can also create their own session schedules, participate in live questionnaires, provide real-time feedback to presenters and planners and connect with other attendees with a click of a button.
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Nicole Jacobson, Director of Marketing, Web, and Digital Operations at pc/nametag |
6. Use wearable technology for attendee data tracking.
Wearable technology is any device that brings tech-based functionality to something people wear at an event. Smart badges, wristbands, smartwatches, earwear, eyewear, and clothing can all be classified as wearable technology when designed with a tech-driven purpose.
While many wearables are still in the works, others are already available for integration with your event strategy. RFID wristbands, for instance, use chips to scan attendees into sessions quickly and efficiently, which can increase attendee engagement and satisfaction. Other wearables can be used to control security access, monitor attendee behaviors, and draw data for event planners to use.
- Did you know? Wearables can reveal a lot of information about foot traffic at your event. For example, use a wearable to reveal patterns of how attendees tend to navigate your tradeshow floor. Which booths get the most traffic? Which ones don’t? Use this information to help exhibitors drive more foot traffic in the future.
Photo Credit: Event Architecture
7. Provide RFID wristbands or badges for data tracking.
Radiofrequency identification (RFID) is a low-cost technology option that any event planning team can use to gather attendee admission information, detect security access permissions and even streamline access to your event. “Beacon technology” is a similar concept and allows teams to track attendee preferences and record attendee behaviors to create a more personalized experience.
RFID wristbands and name tags with RFID direct thermal inserts are two cost-effective options your team can use to gather useful attendee behavioral data. Review this information to validate the success of your event and highlight any areas that could use future improvement. For example, planners can use RFID technology as an analytics tool to track session popularity or the length of attendee visits at each booth.
- Did you know that RFID wristbands are compatible with RFID event software? This can help you to provide attendee tracking, event access security, cashless payments, social media integration, and much more.
Product Pictured: RFID Wristband by pc/nametag
8. Use gamification to improve attendee engagement.
"Gamified" events are in! Gamification is all about using gameplay to create a fun, immersive experience for attendees while also generating leads and booth visits for exhibitors. Digital quizzes, polls, scavenger hunts, and trivia games are just a few examples of interactive games you can use to create excitement and audience engagement at your event.
Not only will attendees enjoy playing these games, but you’ll also be gathering important information at the same time. A “spin-to-win" game, for instance, is a great way to give attendees the opportunity to win a prize. In turn, they’ll give you their information so you can start building a relationship with them down the road. Incorporate games into your event theme to create a cohesive experience.
- Tip: Want to get attendees to download your branded mobile event apps? Let attendees know there are interactive games within the app they can play with other attendees. Kahoot is a great website to use for live trivia your attendees are sure to love.
Event Technologist: What is it and is it right for me?
A survey by EventMB showed that only 38% of planners consider themselves “confident tech users” and almost half of planners agreed that having more technical knowledge would help them advance their careers.
In today’s digital world, the need for tech-savvy event professionals is growing by the day. If you’re someone who enjoys collecting data, interpreting analytics, and creating experiences for attendees, then consider becoming an event technologist.
Signs to Become an Event Technology Specialist:
- You’re an event expert who understands event objectives, operations, and technology.
- You have excellent communication and project management skills.
- You’re comfortable tackling the ins and outs of event data.
- You’re someone who enjoys research and identifying solutions.
- You enjoy identifying rising tech trends in the industry.
- You enjoy aligning event needs with technology solutions.
Event technologists are in charge of extending the reach of the events their organizations create. They know their way around registration systems, lead retrieval systems, content production, and other technology solutions that streamline processes and create efficiencies.
They may also be put in charge of recommending, managing, and maintaining event technology solutions. Check out this role if you want to become a business event strategist who wants to gain a deeper understanding of data, technology, and event design.
Make Your Event Interactive with Smart Technology
As an event professional, it’s up to you and your team to leverage technology solutions to streamline processes, improve security, and support data capture. With so many different technology options on the market today, you’re bound to find a combination of tech applications that work for you!
Looking for cost-effective ways to incorporate technology into the attendee experience? pc/nametag has a variety of brandable technology gifts to feature at your event, including USBs, power banks, phone accessories, earbuds, speakers, and more.
Don’t forget to set yourself up for success with on-site name tag printers, including thermal printers for an expedited registration process and fast, easy, smudge-free printing. Don't forget to stock up on RFID direct thermal name tag stock!
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