Codey Eichenour, Smart City GM at NRG Park
With each new year, technology grows, and trends seem to change. 2018 has seen a considerable increase in event mobile applications. Some of these applications provide users with either online access or offline access, while others provide both.
Over time we find ourselves more untethered and reliant on the vast world of wireless, whether it be cellular wireless or wirelessly connecting to a private network. Regardless, almost everyone has a mobile device at their disposal, allowing content to be pushed directly to the end user. By being able to push content to each attendee at an event, show managers can provide more pleasant experiences that attendees will grow to love.
Mobile applications have a wide variety of benefits for both the supplier and the attendee. The supplier or host of the event can provide a more affordable ticketing solution, thus resulting in cost savings. In addition to ticketing solutions, mobile applications can be utilized for early registration requirements. During large events, you may find that it is difficult to get to where you need to go on the show floor. We have all been there, and we know what it’s like, trying to locate a map on a massive show floor. By utilizing a mobile application, you can put the maps and floor layouts in the palm of each attendee. This will not only assist the attendees with maneuvering around the show floor but will also ease their frustration. Some shows have a large number of keynote speakers and presentations that take place through the duration of an event; creating a mobile application to prioritize these presentations into a calendar is extremely beneficial. Organizing an event in such a way will prevent attendees from missing what’s most important to them. Further, savings can be cut to the supplier of the event by having a mobile app, due to not having to print documents or event programs.
As we continue to move forward, mobile application capabilities continue to grow, and the options expand. We are seeing more and more interaction between suppliers, attendees, and exhibitors. Applications are linked to social media for marketing purposes, as well as sponsorships.
These are just some of the benefits to mobile application utilization, yet there are endless options. We have all grown accustomed to the attendees coming to us; now we are also bringing the event to them.
If you would like further information on acquiring a mobile app for your next event visit Smart City’s sister company AppBurst at www.appburst.com.
