Event organizers want to be the head of the pack, but that takes something extraordinary. According to a survey of event decision-makers, it is challenging for most (71%) to replicate the in-person experience with virtual events. And even more (67%) find it challenging to convey the brand message through virtual events. Be it a virtual, or live event experience, event planning, and management can become a big headache. That’s why many are turning to custom event management apps to make their events stand out. Whether it’s a big bash, a tradeshow, or a conference, a bespoke event management app can elevate the experience for all attendees, all while cutting costs.

This enhanced experience leads to more satisfaction and engagement, making sure that everyone at the event – be it an attendee, sponsor, or exhibitor- gets the most bang for their buck. It also opens up a world of new revenue opportunities, from sponsored in-app content to augmented reality exhibition booths. The secret to success lies in deeply understanding your attendees and exhibitors. This will drive the app’s development and ensure that it provides value for both them and your business. So, if you want to make sure your investment pays off, you’ll want to tailor the app to your specific audience and build it from the ground up with help of mobile app development services.

Table Of Content
Advantages Of Developing Event Planning App
How To Enhance The Impact Of Your Events
Features Of Event Management App
Examples of Event Apps
Wrapping up

Advantages Of Developing A Custom Event Planning App

Hassle-free Organization

As an event organizer or manager, a bespoke event management app is like having a personal assistant; it makes your life simpler by taking care of tasks like registration, entries, and attendee interactions. 

Automation 

The automation through the mobile app also provides you with more valuable insight into attendees and how to improve their experience, which can boost revenue and your reputation in the industry.

Scalability 

When choosing a business app, one question that often comes up is whether to develop a bespoke app or go for an off-the-shelf solution. An off-the-shelf app can work well for simple tasks where the requirements are specific, but if you want a feature-rich event app that requires data collection and has room for future development, a bespoke event management app is the way to go. A custom event app will cater to your specific needs and has room for customization and scalability.

How To Enhance The Impact Of Your Events

Collecting data about your attendees is the golden ticket to improving the overall experience of your event. Surveys and questionnaires at the end of an event can help you find out where you need to make improvements, but it also allows attendees to voice their opinions and show that you value their feedback.

One major obstacle in event marketing is that attendees are often too tired to fill out surveys by the end of the day. But custom event apps can be the ultimate game-changer here. With a push notification feature, attendees can quickly fill out a form directly through the app, making it quick, easy, and convenient. This is especially important as feedback is most valuable when given right after the event rather than a few weeks later.

An in-app feedback form is like a cherry on top for your event, but what other toppings can you add to make it even more delicious? A custom event app can have a wide range of features that make your event more engaging and enjoyable for attendees. 

Features Of A Custom Event Management App

Up-To-Date Event Schedule With A Touch Of Personalization

A custom event management app is like having a personal assistant that makes sure your schedule stays on track. With an up-to-date schedule feature, your attendees will always know what’s happening and when no matter where they are. This ensures that you and your attendees are always on the same page and eliminates the need for a costly reprint of event brochures if the schedule changes. 

Furthermore, let your attendees take the reins and craft their itinerary. With a range of seminars to pick from, they can easily tap and select the events they want to attend to create a personalized schedule that suits their fancy. And that’s not all; they can even sync this schedule with their calendar, so they never lose track of what’s coming up.

To top it off, the attendees can even sign up for push notification reminders, so they don’t miss a beat; they’ll never miss a session that piques their interest; with this feature, your event will be running like a well-oiled machine. Giving attendees the power to build their schedule is like giving them a buffet of options and letting them pick what’s on the menu for the day.

The Interactive Floor Plan

An event app can turn a dull map into a thrilling adventure. Attendees can easily navigate the event floor and use filters to find specific vendors or seminars with a flick of a finger. They can also keep a running list of the booths they want to visit and check them off as they go. It’s like having a treasure map, but instead of discovering gold, they will find what they are looking for at the event.

In the future, new technology like Android P’s WiFi RTT support will make it easier to track user movement and use indoor positioning to pinpoint their location within one to two meters. This will give you valuable insights about hotspots and the most popular stands, allowing you to make informed decisions about the layout and flow of your future events. This technology is like a GPS for indoors, helping attendees to find their way around and identify the popular booths.

Polls and Q&As 

Live polls and Q&As can spark an event; it’s like adding an interactive component to a speaker’s session. With live polls, speakers can quickly gauge the audience’s interest and adjust their presentations accordingly, getting real-time feedback on their performance.

On the flip side, attendees can also submit and vote on questions of their own, making sure they get the most out of the event. With this feature, attendees are the masters of their own experience; they can steer the discussion in the direction they want and get answers to the questions that matter most to them. It’s like giving attendees a microphone and letting them ask the questions they want.

Online Tickets & Networking

Gone are the days of searching for a missing paper ticket or forgetting it at home. With a custom event app, attendees can keep their tickets safely tucked away in their smartphones and all the event information in one place. They will have quick links to social media and map directions, like a one-stop shop for all event-related needs.

And when it comes to networking, this feature makes it as easy as pie. Attendees can scan each other’s QR codes or use NFC to connect quickly and easily; no more fumbling with business cards. This makes networking faster and more efficient; it’s like having a virtual networking assistant.

Notifications And Search Options

A message board in a custom event app can be like a bulletin board for the event, giving attendees a space to post comments and questions and for organizers to post updates, news, and sponsored messages. It can be a valuable hub of communication throughout the event.

In addition, an app can include a directory of speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors that attendees can use to find what they’re looking for. They can search based on seminar topics or company categories, making it easy to find the right people to talk to. This feature can also open up new opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors to highlight their offerings and increase visibility. It’s like having yellow pages for speakers, sponsors, and exhibitors.

Cost to Develop an Event Management App

The cost of developing an event planning app can vary greatly depending on several factors. Here are a few things to consider:

• Location, location, location: The development cost can vary depending on where the app development team is based.
• Developer experience: A team of seasoned developers will typically charge more than a less experienced or newer team. It’s important to consider the needs of your project and choose the team that best fits those needs, even if it comes at a higher cost.
• Platform: The platform you choose to develop your app (iOS, Android, or hybrid) can also impact the overall cost.
• UX/UI: Simple and clean design makes the app stand out. The UI you choose for your app determines the cost of the app. A more attractive app design will cost you more but will engage increased traffic.
• GPS Functionality: An event management app needs GPS functionality to help attendees reach the event venue. This feature is a bit more costly, but it will make your app more useful.
• API Integrations: API integration makes the app easily accessible and is one of the features users look forward to. It leads to the seamless delivery of data and connection between programs and devices and thus affects the cost of the app.
• Chatting Option: Chat options for customers or the staff are essential for any event planning app; it will cost you a bit but will pay off in the long run.
• Offers & Discounts: Offers and discounts are a great way to attract customers and boost brand awareness, but they will also increase the cost of the app.

In summary, the cost of an event app depends on the specific requirements and features you need; it’s like building a puzzle where each piece costs differently, and you need to balance the cost according to the need.

Examples of Event Apps

There are many event apps available, but here are a few famous examples:

Eventbrite Organizer:

This app allows event organizers to manage their events, check-ins, and ticket sales on the go. It also offers analytics and insights to help organizers improve their events.

EventMobi:

This app offers a comprehensive suite of event management tools, including interactive agenda builders, attendee networking, and real-time analytics. Many significant events and conferences use it.

Whova:

This is an all-in-one event app that offers features such as interactive agendas, attendee networking, and surveys. It’s designed to help attendees get the most out of their event experience and provide event organizers with valuable insights.

Attendify:

A customizable event app that helps attendees navigate events and allows organizers to share content and communicate with attendees. Attendify offers features such as networking, scheduling, and attendee engagement.

SpotMe:

This app focuses on interactive meetings and events and allows for features such as live polls, Q&A, and surveys. It also offers an agenda builder and a networking feature that allows attendees to connect in real time.

Wrapping up

As the market for event apps continues to grow, more and more professional event planners are turning to app development to get in on the action and increase their ROI. If you’re also considering developing an event management project, partnering with a mobile app development company is a smart move that can help you achieve your goals. Give yourself a booster for your event management business and get in touch with our technical expert.