Written by Steve Hill and found on Event Industry News: www.eventindustrynews.co.uk (Article) - Nov 2011.
Recent research from Meet Birmingham showed that 80 per cent of event organisers believed that technology is not currently being deployed as effectively as it could be in the live events industry. Here, Steve Hill, creative director of leading live events, project management and design consultancy, Amber and Green, explains why he believes the industry must embrace new technology and realise its potential.
All of us in the live events industry – unless you have been living on Mars for the last decade – will have become used to online registration systems, computer badging systems, interactive keypads and online trade publications. All exhibitor manuals are now digital and most exhibition press offices ask for digital press kits. And, in both our business and personal lives we are used to ordering items online. But there is a whole raft of technologies out there that the live events industry seems slower to pick up on than other sectors.
The Birmingham research suggested that part of the reason for this is a skills gap, and I would not argue with the fact that as an industry we need to gain more of an understanding of how technology can be used effectively. This is not to say that technology is ever going to replace live events. Rather, if one accepts that live events are about networking, then digital technology can be deployed to expand the audience for the event. This creates a virtual community that can exchange ideas and information, provide interactive and targeted communication, supply real-time information gathering and – at the very basic level – arrange appointments between delegates, exhibitors and visitors prior to the event. In other words, the event itself becomes part of a wider conversation.
Such “conversations” can also be tracked by technology to provide behavioural data that can be used after the event for CRM purposes.
At the moment, however, there are various platforms for digital technology – such as Bluetooth, smartphones, iPhones, iPads, Androids – all of which can communicate with other devices on the same platform. There is now available a smartphone app, Quick Response (QR) code (a type of 2D barcode) that enables event organisers to communicate with delegates. However, to use QR, which is specifically designed for smartphones, one has to download a special QR code reader app to interpret the codes, and there are readers for iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows Phone. At the same time, Microsoft has Microsoft Tag, which is a rival but similar offering to QR codes.
All very well and hi-tech, but there is even more potential to digital communications for our industry. I am sure that the day when we will have cross-platform systems, giving us the ability to communicate to and between delegates whatever their digital device, is not far away. The potential then is unlimited.
But let’s step back a moment from digital conversations centred on an event, and look at how technology is taking over event planning.
I already know of a Windows-based software application that enables the live events hire sector to run and manage event schedules more effectively; and we have recently seen the launch of LiveEventTracker, a revolutionary online system designed to streamline storage, fulfilment and logistics for the live events industry.
Described as “the new event management system” LiveEventTracker has been specifically designed to help companies organise their event and exhibition assets and call upon them whenever needed, saving time and money.
And money is where perhaps one of the greatest potential for technology lies. More and more client companies are looking to the bottom line, and demanding that live events provide a measurable ROI. If, as well as enhancing an event, technology makes the organisation of an event easier, the time spent by delegates at events more relevant and engaging, then the event itself becomes more efficient and cost effective – an important factor in these days of tightening budgets.
ConfexLive is a next generation integrated interactivity, communications and research tool. It utilises mobile and social media channels to deliver information, collect feedback and encourage interaction - prior to and during conferences, exhibitions, functions and networking events.
It is essentially, as the article above mentions, a "cross-platform system, giving the ability to communicate to and between delegates whatever their digital device".
Read more about ConfexLive here, or otherwise contact us directly.
ConfexLive is a next generation integrated interactivity, communications and research tool. It utilises mobile and social media channels to deliver information, collect feedback and encourage interaction - prior to and during conferences, exhibitions, functions and networking events.
The 5th Annual African Education Week Convention and Learning Expo is Africa’s largest multisectoral gathering, where a broad range of education stakeholders from the public and private sector collaborate to realise their vision of quality education for all. It took place from the 6th to 8th of July at the Sandton Convention Centre, South Africa and was attended by over 2,000 people.
ConfexLive was utilised during African Education Week 2011.
“ConfexLive has proven itself as a valuable tool to enhance our conferences and the delegate experience, and we will continue to use it at our future events...”
LeAnn Hare-Keymer, Portfolio Director, Clarion Events
Click here to download a 1 page case study, explaining how ConfexLive was implemented in order to maximise the success of the conference.
Written by Meaghan Edelstein, and found on www.mashable.com
Using social media to enhance events might seem like a no-brainer, but many conferences — even social media ones — fail to take full advantage of the low-hanging fruit that social platforms offer, like ways for attendees to communicate with each other, broaden their participation, share information and have fun. If you’re planning a conference, here are some ways to incorporate social networking into your big day.
1. Help Attendees Connect With Each Other
An important part of any conference experience is connecting with other attendees. Whether for the purpose of making business connections, making friends or building brand exposure, conference networking is key. SXSW, the annual music, film, and interactive conference and festival, recognizes the value of connecting – so much so that it is launching SXsocial for its upcoming event. SXSW CTO Scott Wilcox reveals the event’s new platform. “For 2011, SXSW is embarking on the creation of a new platform called SXsocial to help registrants network with each other by leveraging their social media relationships on networks and sites like Twitter, Flickr, Facebook, LinkedIn and others,” Wilcox says. SXsocial will enhance how attendees already use social networking sites at conferences. “Registrants can build an extended profile including a photo, bio, links to their profiles on other networks, and tags of their interests both professional and personal. Users can search for other registrants based on this criteria and flag their favorites,” Wilcox says. Helping attendees form relationships benefits both those buying tickets and the event organizers, SXSW has found. “Overall, SXSW aims to have a simple but smart way for registrants to connect with other registrants one-on-one before, during and after the event in a way that forms lasting relationships,” says Wilcox.
2. Broaden Participation
Social media platforms provide a unique, zero-cost marketing opportunity to expand conference participation beyond the confines of a venue. Twitter spokesperson Carolyn Penner says Twitter can get people who aren’t even at the event involved. “When an event happens offline, whether a conference, sporting event or concert, the conversation around the event is happening online in real time on Twitter. This offers a unique opportunity not only for attendees, who can interact with each other and see what other attendees are saying, but also — and more interestingly — for people who aren’t there. They can become part of the event without actually being there — with hashtags, photos, videos, and other content being shared on Twitter. And, the new version of Twitter makes it even easier to follow the conversations and see media via the details pane,” Penner says. Facebook’s live stream box can also be a powerful tool for broadening event participation. With more than 250 million people connecting on Facebook every day, it’s the perfect space to reach out to millions who may not be in attendance. Live streaming via Facebook gives anyone who has access to the Internet the ability to get involved. The use of Facebook’s live stream box during President Obama’s inauguration is a perfect example of how effective this feature can be, according to Randi Zuckerberg, Facebook’s head of consumer marketing. Working with CNN, Facebook built a live stream box that resulted in unique status updates by more than 2 million people and 26 million live streams on CNN. During Obama’s inauguration, CNN saw half a billion viral updates linking back to its site. You can also broaden conference participation on social networks with commenting on the conference’s Facebook Page, answering questions posed by speakers, tagging pictures and encouraging attendees to vote by “liking” the best wall posts.
3. Encourage Attendees to Share Information
A great wealth of information can be garnered by using social media platforms during your conference. Attendees can leave and receive tips about particular speakers, share what they think about the venue, post pictures, find other attendees quickly and, of course, share the best places to eat. Organizers, in turn, can use these same social platforms to – almost immediately – address any concerns, enhance those things that are working and ultimately build an even better event. Foursquare is one of the hottest social tools for sharing tips. Foursquare spokesperson Eric Friedman explains the site’s many uses related to events. “Setting up a Foursquare venue at a conference, event or trade show, and encouraging people to check in, lets the organizer see which areas of the event are most popular and lets attendees find each other and meet easily. There are a myriad of reasons and opportunities available to event organizers, and we try to make the system as easy as possible. You can get great feedback from people who come by, track stats and see the breakdown of your visitors, as well as reach out to people. Individuals can see who else is around them, as well as what events are ‘hot’ and see comments.” But don’t limit yourself to just one social platform; each has unique abilities, and often attendees have a favorite network where they prefer to express themselves.
4. Provide Recreation
If you’ve ever attended a professional or academic conference, you’re probably well aware they can be made of long days and sometimes dry lectures. Use social media to create some recreational activities to increase the energy and ameliorate the tedium. Try creating games and contests that get attendees involved. For instance, you can encourage participation by employing social media platforms that use rewards. Event organizers must be creative in this endeavor, though. Monetary prizes aren’t necessarily the most effective. Consider what might motivate the attendees of your particular conference. Face time with speakers or a celebrity at an event could be valuable to attendees. Try giving away what might be desirable collectables or memorabilia to your particular audience. For example, people attending a writers conference might value a signed book by a presenting author, and attendees of a social media conference love access to the newest technology.
5. Put It All Together
Blogworld takes advantage of a multitude of social networking platforms like, Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Plancast, Sched.org, USTREAM and Plixi to amplify the conference experience. According to founder and CEO Rock Calvert, the company’s use of social media prior to, during and after the the world’s largest social media conference and trade show is “…light years ahead of other conferences.” Prior to the conference, Calvert uses various social platforms to inform people about the event, accept speaker applications and make announcements. In addition, Blogworld allows attendees to socially pick sessions, as well as invite and tell people that they are attending. During Blogworld’s three-day conference, social platforms help facilitate and encourage attendee participation. Facebook is used to create polls, allow for public comments and encourage suggestions from attendees on how to improve the event. Organizers also encourage attendees to micro blog, which gives readers the opportunity to experience the event from numerous vantage points. Calvert credits these tools with “keeping the Blogworld experience transparent.” How does social media make Blogworld better? In 2009, Blogworld set a Guiness World Record for the distribution of the largest mass message through social media, with a #Beatcancer hashtag. The campaign also raised more than $70,000 for social good efforts. In addition, Calvert tells us, “Social media creates social attendee lists, starts conversations, encourages meet ups, [and] allows conference organizers to react to issues immediately…. Incorporating social into our conference simply makes the experience better.”
Conclusion
Whether customizing your conference on the fly to meet the needs of your audience, creating media buzz or engaging participants, one things is clear: social media has revolutionized events. If done right, your conference or event can become a global experience. How have you used social media to enhance your own events? And, how have you used social media, as either an attendee or from home, to participate in an event? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
ConfexLive is a next generation integrated interactivity, communications and research tool. It utilises mobile and social media channels to deliver information, collect feedback and encourage interaction - prior to and during conferences, exhibitions, functions and networking events.
Benefits
Full turn-key solution with a minimal overhead.- Easy deployment with reduced paper and admin costs.
- Fully customisable research survey forms.
- Improves event quality and real-time insight.
- Simple ‘Moderation’ remote control.
- Integrates SMS, Twitter and Mobile Web - leading to viral publicity if desired.
- Give every participant a "voice" via their own mobile phone.
- Fully flexible screen design and management - potentially adding another marketing or sponsorship platform.
- Becomes a central repository for all research data related to an event.
- Built on 20 years of Confex experience.
Key Elements
- Session Interaction and ARS -
Collect comments and questions automatically during multiple sessions. These can be moderated and displayed in-session, and can be used as an Audience Response System (ARS).
- Research -
Collect ongoing feedback and comments about the program, speaker, event quality, and general suggestions. Obtain rich data for future event planning and quality management, and use as a central repository for research year-on-year.
- Insight -
Collect additional market information, which can also be used to benefit key sponsors.
- Pre-event Marketing -
Add a new pre-event lead generation and marketing channel.
- Broadcast Messaging -
Manage messaging before and during the event - delegate alerts and reminders, dead-spot management and sponsor messages.
- Sponsorship Inventory -
Add great new sponsorship items through the messaging and projection/signage medium - ConfexLive is often a revenue source.
For more information, go to the ConfexLive webpage - www.touchwork.com/confexlive