There’s no doubt about it: technology can help make events more effective, especially when it comes to audience engagement. The industry is now home to hundreds of event apps that provide varying services and features that #eventprofs can choose from. A strong emphasis this year on interaction at events plus the capabilities to connect with social media (Twitter being one of the major players), poses the question:

Whatever happened to real-time interaction?

Though many are using Twitter as a center for a rich, resourceful stream of information (or #Blizzardof2015 updates), nowadays that information is most often previously scheduled. Unsurprisingly enough, using real-time channels can benefit all participants and venue of an event, from check-in and beyond.

Here’s how:

1. Powerful Notification

It’s like an SMS broadcasted to hundreds, thousands, maybe even millions of people. Insights, information, breaking news, and trending stats are accessible and shareable in a matter of seconds. This can be a major boost for event marketing in and of itself, pending the content provided is engaging and valuable to the end user, and is even more efficient and effective when used with RFID for location tracking, lead retrieval, and…

Image via iDownload Blog

2. Data Collection

Besides the event timeline, updates and general information generated from a checkin app, real-time analytics can show how guests tend to check-in. Codes or smart chips found on (printed) name badges provide tracking information that will not only help produce sales reports later on, yet will pin-point small tweaks that can be adjusted in real-time.

See the full video and more from #RedkenSymposium2015 here

3. Convenient + Inexpensive in an Instant

According to a recent study, it’s not just attendees and organizers using a mobile event registration app with real-time capabilities via smart devices. This is becoming wildly popular at large events, like trade shows, conferences and expos:

• Two-thirds of exhibitors are using tablet computers interactively
• Fifty percent of exhibitors use or plan to use touch screen technology

The growing group of Millennial attendees also prefer interactive formats: about 42% of them are using their smart devices to take photos and other data to save and share later on.

4. Organized Networking

All data and communication is streamlined and easily accessible in one place on each and every device. Quotes, statements, numbers, and other information missed by some are provided by others. Previously made connections may lead to present interactions at events, which can later on develop into future collaborations. 

The most important is that all participants feel connected and heard in their present situation/state-of-mind, despite physical boundaries and locations. 

Image via SlideShare

5. Improved Services

Concern, complaint, or compliment, using real-time aids in event production at the event and becomes part of the learning process for future events. It may seem like the obvious, but when the event is as large as thousands of people, it can increase satisfaction by reducing wait time.

Attendees reached out to Boomset via Twitter when concerns arose about a glitch in the QR app code, quickly notifying all involved parties to resolve the issue before it became a major problem.

How will you take engagement to the next level at your upcoming event(s)? See how it goes beyond iPad check-in: