Just like social media, innovative technology is a must-have when planning top-notch events. We’ve taken a look at several different ways that you can use technology to enhance your guests’ experiences.
From joining the quantified self movement to letting attendees become 3D printing designers, there are plenty of ways to make your event memorable.
1. Conference app
Gone are the days when you just needed a website for your conference. Now, it’s helpful to have a dedicated app that attendees can access on their smartphones throughout the conference, and even after the event ends. Not only can you engage attendees in the weeks leading up to the conference or event, but you can also keep in touch with in the weeks following.
Make sure you’re able to send push notifications through your event app to let guests know when event photos, recaps, or new information about your company or organization have been added to the app itself. The Marriott Hotel General Managers Conference use their event app to build a professional community amongst their employees that remains active post-conference.
2. 3D printing
As the market for 3D printing continues to expand, the price of the once futuristic-seeming technology has become more accessible for many kinds of events. One of our favorite ways to include the technology is by using Shapeways.
This company allows you to have guests to design or modify a 3D printed model at computers or tablets on-site, and then Shapeways will print the design off-site and ship it to the attendee. Not only is it a way to engage guests at the event, but they will get a reminder of the event a week or so later when they get the model in the mail.
3. Quantified self
Biometrics were a big hit at SXSW in 2015. Both Buzzfeed and General Electric had attendees use gadgets to execute brain scans while completing a particular activity. GE had participants don scanning headbands while eating Austin’s famous barbecue. The color coded scans showed how the eaters brains reacted to different barbecue dishes and sides. Could this be the new way to scientifically execute a taste test?
Buzzfeed’s brain scans were to help promote the CW’s new show iZombie. Party attendees were shown different candies and their brains were scanned to see how they reacted. Anyone who participated was then able to email themselves copies of their scans.
4. Microlocation name badges
We’ve written about using beacons at your events before, but it’s worth revisiting as it is one of the top event trends to watch. The company Loopd provides a conference or event badge with a beacon. Syncing it with the iPhone app enables attendees to seamlessly share their contact information with each other, as well as interacting with specific areas of your event.
Our favorite part is that in addition to showing the attendee (and the event planning team) where they spent their time, you can also empower the attendee to access further information about their favorite displays after the event. That way each guest is getting information targeted to their interests. Plus, it keeps your event front of mind even after the evening has wrapped.
5. Live streaming
Don’t forget about your invitees who might not be able to make it to the event. Providing a live stream of the festivities means that your audience can grow exponentially. Two new apps recently took the social media world by storm: Meerkat and Periscope. They both do essentially the same thing, allowing users to livestream their, well, lives from their phones.
Meerkat was the breakout hit at this year’s SXSW, and Periscope, owned by Twitter, launched shortly after. Whether attendees are livestreaming your event or a member of your team is sharing updates, both apps offer a way for your guest list to be virtually endless and will turn your guests into live broadcasters from your event. Of course, using social media is one of the easiest ways to determine just how engaged your attendees were during the event.