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DIGITALIZING EVENTS IN 2016: A LOOK AT DIGITAL SIGNAGE + EVENT APPS

There is no single technology that is best for events. Global event industry giants at BizBash even tried to narrow it down, but technologies still ranged from live streaming feeds to GIFs and smart board smartboard scheduling. There are, though, several items that are highly recommended regardless of the nature of your event.

Along with an increase in interest among marketers using event technology, there are two types that automatically come to mind when it comes to more digital event management used by many industries: event apps and digital signage.

WHY ARE EVENT APPS IMPORTANT?

For starters, 22% of the world’s population owns a smartphone as of the end of 2015. An event app enablesattendees to customize their experience and how they choose to proceed with the multitude of activities going on at once. From event registration and check-in, to multi-session event management platforms, users can customize their own schedule based on the workshops they decide to attend.

Likewise, sponsors can also reach out to specific guests that indicated an interest in their booths or exhibit. Through event apps, you will also be able to send out materials, such as polls, surveys, map of the venue, transportation information, etc.

Attendees can become part of the event through said polls, surveys, and even interact with speakers via an app, which is great to break any shyness or intimidation! However, another unique benefit of working with an event app besides attendee networking? Valuable data collection in the form of interaction.

Event professionals can create active participation with attendees by using smartphones, iPad kiosks, and other forms of event tech, while collecting important information like signatures, photos, and even payments, too. (Note: Event industry professionals ought to be aware that cashless payments on the rise internationally!

DIGITALIZING MEDIA

Digital signage is another piece of technology that is just as important. Sure, you can save a few bucks by just relying on paper posters and banners, but advertisement through a digital screen just looks cooler. A whopping 63% of people also indicated that a message shown on a digital screen captures their attention.

European outdoor advertising company JCDecaux has deployed their digital marketing strategy this year. At the beginning of January 2016, the company began placing 1,000 digital screens in a bus concession area so as to attract tourists, shoppers, and locals through smart advertising via targeted campaigns and social feeds.

There’s another benefit that makes it stand out, and that’s the use of digital signage as a social media wall. Remember, social network integration is very important, and you want to make it known to attendees what their fellow guests are saying about the event, thus encouraging them to chime in with their own tweet or selfie.

Combine these efforts with an event hashtag, this can generate a lot of buzz. It’s a great way to get extra content out there, shout-outs to sponsors, and keep the conversation going – even for those who aren’t physically at the event.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS

There you have it, two technology implementations (among many!) no event should do without. The investment is well worth it and shows to your attendees that your company is up to date with current trends. This will especially hit a sweet spot with the millennial and younger demographic.

AUTHOR BIOS:

Dan McCarthy is an Event Manager at JD Parties, an event management company based in the UK. Dan has 5 years of event project management under his belt. He has worked on many successful events, and currently he shares his knowledge by writing on the company blog. Follow him on Twitter @DanCarthy2.

Monica Wolyniec is Director of Marketing at Boomset. She is especially focused on sharing knowledge and industry insight while establishing international connections across social platforms (@itsmemonicamarie on Instagram). Read about all this and more on her blog, Mindfully Travel.

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