Modern events today run on two tracks: analogue and digital. Ideally, anyone attending trade fairs and conferences will have their own Event app The organiser is provided with a software tool that can be used to navigate around the event site, make new contacts, book keynotes, find further information on exhibition stands and much more. As an organiser, it is best to use powerful software that combines all information interfaces on one practical platform. With an integrated event app, you can equip your visitors, presenters and employees with an extremely practical tool.
What your trade fair/expo app must be able to do
If you are planning an event such as a conference, congress, trade fair or expo, you want to make all the information available to your participants on mobile devices. The best way to do this is to use a Digital signage softwareenvironment that draws all the data you need from the same system that you use for your on-site displays (stele, monitors, TVs, etc.). You then have complete control over what information ends up on all possible devices: on an employee's tablet, on a visitor's smartphone, on the information pillar in front of the entrance and at home on an online participant's laptop. In terms of presentation, too, everything then appears to be from a single mould - this is one of the main tasks of professional Digital signage solutions. This also includes a Event-App. The most important tasks of a Event app are:
- Site plans, directions and diary
- Start surveys and present real time results
- Interactivity between visitors, presenters, sponsors, organisers, etc.
- Public forum for questions, feedback and suggestions
- For hybrid events: live streaming of stage programmes such as keynotes
The year 2020 inevitably shifted large areas of the event industry into the digital sphere: the so-called hybrid events enable participants to take part in events purely online - no matter where they are from. At physical events in this coronavirus era, it is important that participants and speakers can interact while maintaining social distancing. An event app with corresponding chat and messaging functions is a partial solution to this problem.
Example: PRESTIGEenterprise event app
As an example of a Event-Appwhich is integrated into a powerful digital signage software environment, we use the event app from PRESTIGEenterprise under the microscope. In the PRESTIGE Mobile Portal you can store all the important key data for your event: Directions, site plans, agenda, participating sponsors and partners, and more. You can then build your own customised event app by installing modules. The PRESTIGE modules are the main features of the software, so to speak, which you put together according to the modular principle so that you end up with your desired app without corners and edges.
These are the standard modules in the Event-App construction kit
Users can see the schedule of the event and receive further information on the individual programme items.
This is where you store image material for users: photos, info images and more.
Here you can enter the address of the event location with a practical link to Google Maps. With additional directions, you can help your participants find their way to your event.
With the help of a questionnaire, participants can leave valuable feedback here - during or after the event.
Additional modules for customising your event app
A central feature of the Mobile Portal is the push function, which you can use to send important messages to participants' smartphones via push message.
This is where participants exchange information and send each other personal messages to network and get to know each other. The chat can also provide assistance. The event team can take part in the chat.
Here you will find links to websites or to the iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.
The beacon function is primarily used for the push message function. This allows these messages to be sent specifically to a group of participants who are at a certain location (e.g. around a defined "beacon", such as an exhibition stand).
During a presentation, the organiser can use it to ask the audience questions or moderate a vote. The organiser receives the results in real time and can integrate them into the presentation.
Here all partners and sponsors have space for content to advertise themselves.
With this function, participants are assigned a contact person who they can consult directly if they have any questions or difficulties - with a picture and contact details.
This module shows all registered persons with a brief description and facilitates both organisation and communication.
This is where participants can find all the speakers who will be appearing at the event, optionally with more detailed information such as a short biography.
The audience uses this module to send questions to the speaker. The speaker can respond to them in real time. This is extremely practical for a Q&A session after a keynote speech, for example.
This means that the look of the app is not static, instead you can set several images as banners that alternate with each other. You can use this for a more efficient information strategy.
This module provides a legally secure legal notice.
Tip: You can test PRESTIGEenterprise free of charge!
An event app must be efficient, both for the organisers and especially for the participants. This app is usually only used during an event, so participants are all the less motivated to familiarise themselves with the app before they can even use it. With an event app that is perfectly tailored to your needs - like the one from PRESTIGEenterprise - you can expand your offering with a powerful tool that equips your participants with practical tools.
Inspire your visitors with your digital offering instead of overwhelming them. Take your event to the next level - the future of the event industry is digital.