Connect More! 19 Ideas for Greater Event App Engagement

Section 1: Get Personal

Get Personal is a method for delivering customized content via an event app. Personalized content provides attendees with a solid reason to use the app by delivering information directly applicable to attendees. The section recommends offering personalized itineraries, session favorites, and login-type content customization so attendees can see different information. Attendees should be informed that personalized content will be available in the app to illustrate the value beyond a paper agenda.

Section 2: Play Games

Play Games is a section about gamification strategies to drive attendee behaviors. Gamification uses small rewards to influence attendee behavior by providing badges and leaderboards; with planning, gamification can significantly increase app ROI. The badge game enables setting a list of tasks and awarding badges for task completion, with badge levels (bronze, silver, gold) and a leaderboard showing who earned which badges to incentivize targeted actions. Not all gamification must be competitive; rewards can be non-competitive, such as a free latte for showing the app homepage or door-prize drawings based on app engagement.

Section 3: Super-Charge Agenda Details

Super-Charge Agenda Details describes features to enhance agenda management. Speaker Portal is a feature that allows speakers to log in and upload content to their sessions directly, without organizer intervention. An in-app to-do list before the event informs attendees of required tasks and enables progress tracking as items are checked off. Attendees can take notes in the app and have those notes emailed to themselves, offering a green, hassle-free option for notes. The speaker portal, once access is granted, runs itself and saves significant time for the event planner.

Section 4: Interact and Crowdsource

Interact and Crowdsource outlines on-site engagement tools. Live polling enables a Q&A session without a microphone; attendees answer in the app, and the moderator can display the most relevant questions. Discussion boards support crowd-sourced topics; speakers collaborate on questions and topics and schedule time to feature top responses. A photo booth in the lobby invites attendees to upload photos to the app, with staff posting initial photos to encourage participation. Photo bingo or a photo scavenger hunt motivates attendees to post photos at locations, with sponsorship ties. A pre-conference “get to know you” survey collects attendee information visible in profiles to facilitate networking. Crowdsource a report on an industry topic, offering all participants a free copy; with the right participants, the report may be sold to non-attendees.

Section 5: Promote, Promote, Promote

Promote, Promote, Promote concentrates on communicating the app’s value. A registration checkbox offers a green option to use the app instead of printing a large program guide. A separate pre-event email highlights what will be available in the app, including personalized agendas, contact exchange, a badge game, photo sharing, and speaker handouts. A placard at the registration or sign-in table provides download and login instructions, including Wi-Fi details. On-site support is recommended; maintain a laptop at the registration desk so staff can log into the app dashboard to fix issues such as incorrect email addresses or attendee list problems, improving adoption.

Section 6: Finally, Delegate

Finally, Delegate discusses on-site support. Consider on-site app support to handle participant questions and issues by sending an account manager to the event. The account manager can run live polls, assist with in-app promotions, and update schedule changes in the app. The document also describes Certain’s broader enterprise capabilities, including event automation, lead intelligence, and integration with marketing and CRM systems, along with contact information for Certain.

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