“Business as usual” has had a serious makeover in the past years. Putting together a phenomenal trade show or conference takes experience, skill and the right technology. Gone are the days when a simple Excel spreadsheet and building relationships with venue staff were enough. To make a memorable event, you need to tap into technology.
The good news is that there are plenty of tools and apps out there. YouTube is becoming an increasingly popular way to engage attendees and simply get the news out there. The latest iPhone 5 face plate was leaked via a YouTube video, so why not create your own sensation? Don’t feel like you’re caught in a mousetrap when put in charge of staging the company’s next big hurrah.
Trends to Look out For
HTML 5 is quickly taking over the event app world. Sure, there are a lot of native apps that people adore but they come with problems (like high costs and sometimes simply not working). Event-planning pros can’t depend on something that won’t work all of the time. HMTL 5 lets you download apps directly to your platform so you don’t require Internet access to use it.
Some planners are getting tired of taking what they can get and are opting for the DIY route. There are a few options to customize apps exactly to your liking. Biznessapps.com and QuickMobile.com are just a couple of sites offering personalized app services. The best part is that they’re much more affordable than the going rate.
Leading With Logistics
Meeting solutions for things like online booking or taking payments on-site are also improving. Packages are available so that you can control room design and registration, or even find the best venue in different locations around the world. You’re busy and you don’t have time to sketch out room diagrams or call around to every venue in town.
Check out and compare catering menus in minutes. Considering going the cruise ship route? You can compare prices, layouts and destinations with one site. When it comes to pulling off a flawless event, you need the most up-to-date tools in your belt.
Play It Again
Recording conferences (and really any event) has been around ever since the first audio cassette was on the market. Then came the days of grossly expensive, lumbering video equipment. Recent years have seen a decrease in the costs of high-quality video recording which has made it a real option for conferences with a budget.
Features like playback, sound mixers and preview monitors are now affordable (really) for even a nonprofit organization. These options are also lightweight, durable and can be packed around without the help of an entire A/V crew. It looks like highlights of the trade show will be making a YouTube debut after all.
Byline: Michelle is an aspiring writer who currently works for a company that sells mousetrap products. When she’s not working she’s blogging on anything and everything! She loves how blogging gives her the opportunity to improve her writing skills, voice her thoughts and opinions, and share advice with an unlimited audience.
