Jonny Hammond, senior marketing executive, Conference News, advises corporate organisers what to look out for when choosing event tech.
Corporate events are more than just meetings. Making your delegates feel engaged is crucial for elevating their overall experience and, with the rise of event tech, the options on the market could offer the missing piece of the puzzle.
However, it can often be hard to keep track of what is out there. Here, we outline some of the key types of event tech to enhance your next corporate event:
1. Event management software: streamline your events
Assisting with the planning, management and execution of your events, these platforms cover key aspects of the event organisation process. By centralising all your tasks on a single platform, you can save valuable time and provide a more seamless event delivery.
This software has gained traction among event organisers, particularly as their strategy changes. According to research from Forrester Consulting in 2023, on behalf of Cvent, 82% of respondents relied on point solutions while planning events in 2020 and 2021. However, 42% of these same organisers are already making implementing a comprehensive suite of solutions, with end-to-end management a top priority going forward.
2. Event mobile apps: your event navigator
With the capability to be built specifically for your event without complicated coding, these apps can be crucial for simplifying how you distribute event information for your delegates. Your attendees can even connect with each other through the app, personalise their event experience and receive important updates in real-time.
Recent findings from ExpoPlatform’s Event Tech Forecast 2023 are reflective of its popularity, with 64% of industry professionals considering it to be “a key technology feature” with the convenience and efficiency it brings to events.
3. Live polling and audience engagement tools: everyone gets a say
If you want to keep your attendees engaged in 2023, it’s important to give them a platform to share their thoughts. Polling apps can allow them to vote, ask questions and participate in fun competitions – ensuring your event is like a big conversation where every voice matters.
For example, Pigeonhole Live offers a series of interactive formats to suit your content, format and even speaker style. Attendees can chat, react, answer polls and even complete quizzes and surveys at your event so they feel like they are actively involved during each session.
4. Wearable tech: easy networking
Allowing delegates to connect with a simple tap, devices such as smart badges and wristbands can collect data passively throughout the event, helping you to keep track of where your delegates have been and what they’ve participated in.
But why is this useful? Just look at Hilton America’s Leadership Conference in 2017. By adopting smart wristbands, Hilton was able to not just drive engagement between attendees, but also quantify it. On average, attendees made 31 connections during the event. The wristbands successfully redirected their focus from mobile devices, helping them foster meaningful connections.
5. Gamification: adding fun challenges
Incorporating ‘game-like’ challenges into your event can make it more engaging and enhance your delegates’ overall experience. Featuring fun challenges and offering rewards can encourage your attendees to compete and be excited to be part of the event. According to Pavegen, gamification can increase engagement by 48%, so why wouldn’t you adopt this for your own event?
Putting it into practise
However, it is one thing to read about what’s available on the market. But speaking to these companies directly and trialling products allows you to truly gain an insight into how these tech types could be implemented into your corporate events.
Conference News’ Global Event Tech Summit offers an ideal platform to do just that. With registration officially open, join us at this year’s event on 22 and 23 November 2023 to find out how you can be supported with your upcoming events.
Sign up to attend for free here.
