Technology has completely changed the way that events are organised. New possibilities that enhance the experience of attendees are implemented by innovators every year, and thus the expectations of event guests are rising.

If your event doesn’t use technology to create a more immersive and engaging experience for your guests, chances are that you’ll have a hard time competing with other events that make technology a big part of their appeal. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities for using technology to not only make your attendees happy but to also help you save time and maximise your budget.

To get you started, here are a few event technologies that can help make your event a success in 2019.

Make Use of Mobile Apps

This year, the number of worldwide smartphone users is expected to grow to a staggering 2.5 billion. With so many people using the technology, it’s no longer possible to ignore the potential that it offers for event planners. Since people interact with their phones so much, you must use that to your advantage and get in front of them using the technology that they prefer.

One of the best approaches that achieve this is to develop a mobile app for your events. An app can get you a permanent spot on your prospect’s phone, allowing you to share updates, provide valuable information, and stay in the mind of the people that you want to reach.

The ability to send out messages that reach your audience instantly cannot be matched by almost any other service, and this can prove very useful not only for scheduled updates but also if you need to make an urgent announcement about unexpected changes.

But that’s not the only use that a mobile app can offer.

You can also use it for networking by allowing your attendees a more convenient way to exchange information which will increase the perceived value and quality of service at your event.

You can also use the app to gain invaluable insights about how you could improve future events and tailor them to the individual needs of your audience. Every event company knows how important it is to gain an in-depth understanding about the needs of your audience, and an app is a perfect tool for getting all the answers that you may need. This information can be used to make improvements to the way you set up your event, engage your target audience, and ensure that you give the best possible experience for the majority of your attendees.

Live Stream Your Event

Not too long ago, event planners were limited by the capacity of their venues and geographical constraints in terms of the people that they could reach. Today, that’s no longer the case.

Since putting together an event can be quite expensive, you need to use all the tools possible to make sure that you generate the biggest returns possible. Few methods are as effective for achieving that as streaming your event online.

With internet and technology making huge leaps every year, it’s now easier than ever to make your events accessible from anywhere in the world where there’s an internet connection. By streaming your event’s video or audio feed online, you have the opportunity to reach a much wider audience and maximise the potential of your event.

Broadening the reach and engaging people beyond your typical location, you can become more known to new segments of your audience and have a much easier time promoting your event in the future. Many people who see the event online may become interested in attending in person next time.

However, if you want to stream your event for a positive effect, you must make sure that you’re able to deliver a stream quality that matches the expectations of the viewers. No one wants to tune in to an event just to find a poor-quality video, inaudible sound, or a shaky connection with constant interruptions.

Your brand’s and event’s reputation are riding on the quality of the experience that you can provide. So, if you choose to use streaming technology to make your event accessible worldwide, you need to ensure that the quality is adequate. Otherwise, restoring the trust of online attendees will be difficult.

When choosing a platform to stream your event, you need to consider where your audience likes to hang out. That will dictate whether you should opt for a Facebook Live, YouTube Live, or a more specialised service for streaming your event.

You can always consult an event management company that has experience in setting up online streams of events if you’re not sure how to proceed because you don’t want to make mistakes that could tarnish your reputation forever.

Embrace Virtual Reality Technologies

VR technology is making its way into different kinds of industries, but it is set to be especially useful for event planners. As the technology of Virtual Reality becomes more accessible and affordable, while at the same time progressing in its capabilities, it is now becoming one of the most promising and exciting ways to engage your attendees and provide a new dimension to your events.

With VR, you can immerse your visitors in a 360-degree experience, allowing them to explore new worlds and interact with the environment. This can provide your event with a unique appeal and help you expand your reach in the process. But how to create a VR experience for your guests that helps enhance your event?

Well, for one thing, you should remember that Virtual Reality is a tool rather than the ultimate solution. It needs to be an augmentation of your event and serve a clear purpose otherwise, it can become a distraction that takes away from your event goals.

As for the technology, it comes down to three main components – the computer that will run the application, a headset to display the 360-degree view for the user, and some sort of controller or method for the user to interact with the environment. Luckily, this technology is now easier than ever to obtain, and you can rent the entire customised experience from various service providers. Then, your only task will be finding the best way to use the technology to fit your event’s concept.

Author Bio:

Sarah Hill is a content writer at Seven Events Ltd – An event company in London, offering conference and incentive travel, conference venue finding services, and corporate team building activities. She started her career in the events industry almost a decade ago as time progressed, she became an avid event blogger sharing her insight on corporate event planning.