As part of our ongoing examinations of conference-related technology, yesterday we discussed how effectively event professionals are using social media to share information, network, and learn from one another.
Today, we turn to mobile. Mobile is another rapidly growing field that can bring real value to event planning, especially with the dramatic increase in smart phones.
We just came across what seems to be a phenomenal idea, thanks to Roger Lewis’ great round-up article, “Top 5 Technology Trends in Event Measurement:” Event managers can now provide surveys and conference evaluations via attendees’ mobile devices. Besides all the obvious benefits including saved paper and easily tabulated results, we will be curious to see if response rates improve.
By going directly to attendees’ telephones, we may be removing some of the barriers to responding (inconvenient to complete, misplaced survey, etc.). Before and during events there are opporutniteis to take advantage of mobile too, with text alerts and mobile scheduling tools.
Have you found a brilliant new use for mobile technology? We’d love to hear about it.
Tags: evaluations, event-planning, messaging, Mobile, scheduling, smart phones, SMS, surveys, technology trends
July 19, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Hi Conference Hound,
I used to work for a company that provided mobile technology services. So, I have seen quite a few different options out there.
Right now, there are three different types of mobile services on the market: (1) Handheld devices that are provided to each attendee. (2) Web-based mobile applications. (3) iPhone & Blackberry downloadable applications.
All three solutions offer different pricing and service performance. What is clear is these tools are contributing to higher levels of participant satisfaction – because you can do more with these tools than before. Here are some examples:
(1) Personalized Agendas with real-time updates
(2) Delegate Lists
(3) Messaging
(4) Speaker Questions & Answers
(5) Lead Retrieval Services
(6) ARS
(7) Feedback Forms (you have mentioned this)
(8) Conference Guides
(9) Conference Center Maps
(10) Table Settings & Way Finding
This area will continue to grow and expand over the next several years. It will be fun to see how the market evolves here.
- Sam
Twitter: @samueljsmith
Blog: http://interactivemtgtech.wordpress.com
July 22, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Thank you. This is very informative.
July 23, 2009 at 8:41 PM
I am an intern at Cadmium Cd, a company that makes conference proceedings for conference planners and businesses. Proceedings such as presentation slides with the synchronized audio, speaker data management and much more! We also have services that can be put the proceedings on an iPhone, iTouch or Blackberry. Visit our website (which I helped to create!) audioproceedings.com or call 410-638-9239 and ask for Michelle. If this is not what you are involved with then thank you; but if you know anyone that might benefit from our services could you give me their contacts. Thank you!