Ultimate Guide For Event Tech

Nowadays, it’s difficult to imagine an exhibition without a mobile application, interactive map or event platform. Large organizers know that event technology can reduce time on event management processes, gain extra income and deliver greater ROI for attendees and exhibitors. But if you have not yet discovered the benefits of event technology, then this guide will help you navigate the variety of options.

Matchmaking Features

Matchmaking apps have revolutionized the way attendees connect at events. These apps use algorithms to match participants based on shared interests, goals and profiles. This personalized approach enhances the quality of networking interactions, leading to more meaningful connections. Attendees are more likely to engage actively in networking when presented with curated matches that align with their preferences. 

Example: Bizzabo's matchmaking feature analyzes attendee profiles and preferences to suggest relevant connections. The app facilitates one-on-one meetings, ensuring that participants connect with like-minded individuals in their industry.

Generating Revenue Features

Revenue-generating features, such as sponsored content and premium access, have become integral to modern event technology platforms. These features elevate the visibility of sponsors and exhibitors, offering them opportunities to showcase their products and services.

For example, ExpoPlatform has various methods to monetize events, including premium exhibitor profiles, mobile banner ads and interactive splash screens. They also let sponsors track important statistics such as clicks and impressions.

Lead Intelligence Generating ROI

Lead intelligence tools capture and analyze attendee interactions, providing valuable insights into their preferences and engagement levels. The lead intelligence tool aids in creating personalized experiences for attendees. Exhibitors can send targeted follow-up emails, offering relevant content and promotions based on attendees' preferences and interactions during the event. Many apps have a lead scanning feature that allows them to scan contacts and information about the exhibitors.For example, the Swapcard platform allows exhibitors to scan and store leads with their event mobile app, qualify leads in real time and drive targeted traffic to exhibitor booths — both onsite and online.

Online Registration

Online registration allows attendees to register faster. It also enables organizers to generate badges, customize registration forms and send emails.

Online registration reduces queues, enhances attendee experience and provides organizers with essential data for event planning and logistics. Almost all modern event platforms have this feature. Cvent’s registration has customized features that create a unique branding image of the event from the beginning.

Hosted Buyer Programs

Hosted buyer programs connect qualified buyers with exhibitors for one-on-one meetings, maximizing business opportunities. These programs increase the efficiency of business interactions, ensuring that exhibitors engage with attendees who have a genuine interest in their products or services. At the IMEX America trade show, hosted buyer programs bring together qualified buyers from the meetings and events industry with exhibitors. This initiative ensures that exhibitors meet with decision-makers actively seeking event-related products and services, fostering targeted and efficient business interactions.

Interactive Floor Plans

Interactive floor plans allow attendees to reserve and pay for booths. They save the organizer's time on event management, increase income with sponsorship options and make navigation at trade shows easier. Thanks to the wayfinding feature, attendees are given the shortest route from their current location to a desired one, helping them spend their time at the event effectively. ExpoFP´s floor plans possess all of these features and allow both DIY-creation of floor plans and collaboration with our professional Production Team for getting more enhanced design according to brand's guidelines.

Seamless Integration of Technologies

Integration between different event platforms and other software saves a lot of time and ensures that organizers don't need to contact the support team in case changes occur.

For example, Zapier automates both simple tasks and complex processes, saving time, improving data accuracy and facilitating better lead outreach. It is used for lead and data management, customer communications and internal processes. 

We used integration with Zapier for JetLAG, the largest Eastern European music festival in the United States. Organizers used Airtable, a virtual spreadsheet service, to create an event schedule. We needed to transfer their data to our system and synchronize it with Airtable, ensuring that any updates appeared both on our interactive floor plans and Airtable. Zapier retrieved the data from Airtable and transferred it to our API.

Thanks to the integration with Zapier, we have made the process more accurate and automatic, eliminating the risk of missing any updates. 

Event technology is primarily needed to optimize processes and increase the efficiency of trade shows. With access to analytics, you can make data-driven decisions to improve the performance of your event — both financially and in terms of customer satisfaction. In an era where it is recognized that networking is everything, you need to ensure you are providing a quality space for human connections.