It seems like almost every day there’s a new app or platform promising to help boost engagement or reach new audiences and the task of keeping up with the latest tricks, tools, gadgets, and trends can be daunting, to say the least. We caught up with our very own Mitch Colleran and Target Victory’s Abe Adams to explore the latest event tools, technologies and services that can help you save time, scale your efforts and make event planning (almost!) seamless. From the latest smartphone apps to hardware improvements and open API’s, Mitch and Abe have teamed up to share what technologies the event pros are using to make sure their events go off without a hitch. Let’s take a look!
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Housekeeping items
• Questions at the end
We’ll reserve some time for Q&A at the end.
• Slides will be posted
Feel free to take notes and photos, but we’ll
post all this content for you.
• Feedback
We’re building a community together, so we
would love to hear from you (and have you
follow-up to connect). #elevateDC +
#techtools / @Colleran + @AbeAdams
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Importance of Tech
1. Benefits of tech
Technology lowers costs, improves
efficiency, and increases utility.
2. Risks of tech
Lots of noise. Every service self identifies as
innovative. Limited resources to invest.
3. We can help
Understanding more macro market trends
will help you identify real opportunities to
improve your business.
5. #ElevateDC@Colleran / @AbeAdams
Tech trends: Mature
• Social
People are choosing hashtags before
venues. Your audience is there & so are you.
• E-commerce
Purchasing online is no longer just for early
adopters - it’s an expectation.
• Content
Blogs are no longer a strategy, they’re an
expectation.
7. #ElevateDC@Colleran / @AbeAdams
Tech Trends: Now
• Mobile
25% of all web usage is on mobile. Growth
is not slowing down.
• Connected Web
A typical SaaS platform now has an open
API. Industries are being created in making
connections between platforms.
10. #ElevateDC@Colleran / @AbeAdams
Tech Trends: Next
• Privacy
Backlash against popularity of online
identity. Anonymity is now a feature.
• Wearables
Watches, Google Glass, fitness trackers are
all being sold and hoping for mass adoption.
12. #ElevateDC@Colleran / @AbeAdams
Applying Tech
• Cost vs. Time
Every solution must consider the balance of
funding versus available time.
• Scalability
Solving for a single instance is not the
problem.
• Adoption
You need buy-in from other departments
and partners.
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Case Study
Romney-Ryan 2012
Events
• Unified Event Solution
Partnered with Eventbrite; Promoted and
executed 227 events in 4 months.
• Publicize Events & Maximize
Crowd Building
1+ Million RSVPs, 550k+ electronic tickets
• Enhance Turnout Data
Optimize time, location and event frequency
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Case Study
Romney-Ryan 2012
Events
• Cross-Device Promotion
Desktop, Mobile, & Tablet + Event App
• Pre- & Post-Event Marketing
Platform allowed for new marketing
opportunities before and after events.
550k+ New Email Contacts
620k+ New Phone Contacts
• New Resources
$4+ Million raised through event attendees
120k+ New volunteer recruits signed up
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Event Tech Trends – Cheat Sheet
Trend Huh? Do this!
Social
(mature)
Social media participation is
ubiquitous. Since your audience is
there, you should be there too.
• Be there (have Twitter/FB profiles for your company/brand)
• Participate in conversations – engage your audience.
E-commerce
(mature)
There is no longer a stigma around
buying online.
• Offer online registration/merchandise/etc.
Content
(mature)
People expect content from
brands, find your competitive
advantage and stand out.
• Diversify beyond the long-form blog post
• Try different platforms (YouTube, Medium, niche-specific)
Mobile
(now)
Mobile has a US high penetration
and usage is still skyrocketing.
• Make sure ALL your websites are optimized for mobile
• Consider a separate mobile app for your event
Connected Web
(now)
Web services and platforms are
becoming interconnected.
• Take advantage of integrated apps and APIs
• Consolidate data and have a ‘source-of-truth’
Privacy
(next)
Rise of anonymous and temporary
social networks.
• Only collect the data that you need
• Be weary of services that force social sign-up
Wearables
(next)
Increasing computing power makes
smaller/wearable devices
inevitable.
• Let this market grow more before making investments.