When it comes to managing an industry event or trade show, the key to success is ensuring that your attendees and exhibitors are gaining value year after year. One of the most effective ways to engage these unique audiences is by placing a heightened focus on fostering connections across the event.
Content provided by Brett Glatfelter, Vice President of Exhibitor Engagement at Map Your Show.
Understanding the challenges that your attendees and exhibitors face before, during and after your event is something every trade show manager has struggled with.
The clearest barrier to overcome is keeping attendees and exhibitors actively engaged with the show at their convenience. Event management teams will need to ensure there are interactive experiences that cater to participants' diverse interests and schedules. This can include opportunities before, during, and after the show, such as press releases, email templates, and exhibitor video clips. Without it, exhibitors may miss out on potential leads due to ineffective messaging or a lack of messaging altogether. This could be a result of the attendees' lack of interest or poor perception, leading to missed opportunities for both parties. Unless there is an easy and efficient way to plan their experience prior to the show, attendees are likely to miss an exhibitor or session they would’ve been interested in seeing.
Not every space on the show floor is created equal. Exhibitors are looking for prime spots, such as booth space near scheduled sessions, stages, or experience opportunities where attendees are likely to flock. However, exhibitors may not always get the space they hoped for and instead will need additional opportunities to stand out in the crowd.
By the time the show is over, attendees have so many business cards that it is hard for one exhibitor to stand out from another. Scarce communication (exhibitor to attendee) and follow-up after the trade show can hinder the process of converting leads into actual sales and business opportunities.
Now that you understand some of the challenges that event attendees and exhibitors may face, it's essential to bring in the right tool to address their needs. In this case, an event mobile app is your key to success. Let’s dive deeper into the reasons why a trade show mobile app is crucial for your event's success.
Real-time updates and push notifications keep attendees informed about schedule changes, important announcements, and special offers, enhancing their overall experience. Interactive maps of the event venue available on the app help attendees navigate efficiently and locate booths, sessions, and amenities.
When implementing a trade show mobile app, event organizers can gain valuable insights into attendee behavior. The show app can track interactions to identify the most popular sessions, booths, and activities, providing valuable data for future event planning. Additionally, by analyzing app usage statistics, organizers can measure engagement levels and identify specific areas for improvement, ensuring that future events are even more successful and engaging for attendees and exhibitors alike. Exhibitors also gain insights from the app, such as attendee information, to stay connected and improve engagement.
There is no better place to put exhibitor sponsorships than in the hands of attendees. With the right event management technology provider, a trade show mobile app can also be an additional source of revenue.
Sponsorship sales can also benefit from utilizing a designated team, adding to your show’s success. Learn more about mobile app design expectations and sponsorships available, here.
Go beyond sponsorship sales alone by blending in opportunities for on-site booth renewal and exhibitor training. Unlike some event management companies, Map Your Show works with your onsite team to improve the current sales process. With Map Your Show’s Exhibitor Engagement team, you can bring the best of the best opportunities to your exhibitors.
Event mobile apps eliminate the need for printed brochures, wayfinding devices, kiosks, and other electronic devices, as everyone can access information on their phones. This not only reduces paper waste but also contributes to a more sustainable event. By incorporating these features into event apps, organizers can fulfill their commitment to environmental responsibility and minimize the event's environmental impact.
At the end of the day, bridging the gap between event attendees and exhibitors is crucial for the success of any industry event or trade show. A trade show mobile app can address challenges such as enhancing engagement, managing overcrowded spaces, improving booth visibility, and streamlining communication.
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Map Your Show is “Your Trade Show Technology Partner”, offering a wide range of capabilities for your trade show, conference, or industry event, including Event Floor Plan Mapping Software, Conference Management Software, Event Mobile Apps, Exhibitor Education, Sponsorship Opportunities, and more. Let us assist you and your team in creating your ideal trade show and event mobile app. Contact us today for a free demo.