A robust mobile event app should help you meet your goals and improve every aspect of your event or conference. Each app should be designed to deliver results and benefit your attendees, speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors. Here are the top 7 things to look for if you want a mobile app that will take your event to the top.

1. Native mobile apps

We expect the internet to work wherever we go. But that’s not always the case—especially at conferences. So, it should be no surprise that unreliable internet tops the list when it comes to attendees' pet peeves. If the internet isn't working, neither will a web-based app. Dealing with slow-loading pages is frustrating on its own. Not being able to access event info leads to unhappy attendees. Native apps don't have this problem since they don't rely on the internet to function. They're faster. They're more responsive. And they work anytime, anywhere. Native apps also offer extra features that improve the overall event experience.

2. Push notifications

Reach your attendees 24/7 and let them know about important changes, fun activities, or exciting offers as they happen. Being able to react to unexpected situations and send out quick, effective updates is crucial to whether or not your event is a success. The One Lambda Advanced HLA Technical Workshop experienced this firsthand when they were forced to change their venue. No one expected it to rain in Hawaii, but a single push notification saved the day.

Your exhibitors and sponsors can also use push notifications to send out special discounts, coupons, and other promotions. This helps them connect with more attendees and increase their presence at the event.

3. Gamify

Want to connect people and get them talking? This can be one of the trickiest parts to any event. Adding an in-app game like Click takes the pressure off of networking by making it feel less forced. Studies show that gamification drives interaction with others and engagement with the app. Including exhibitors and sponsors in the game also encourages attendees to visit their booths. Click works because it focuses on what motivates people—competition, personal achievement, and reward.

4. Messaging within the app

Before mobile apps, it was impossible to know who was attending a large conference, convention or trade show. If you wanted to stay in touch after the event, you had to exchange names and numbers. A mobile event app makes connecting with others more convenient since it stores the contact info of all the attendees who downloaded the app. Attendees can use in-app messaging to "meet" and interact with each other before the event even begins.

And the more connected people feel to others at your event, the more likely it is they’ll have a positive experience that stays with them once they're back home. Attendees can also use in-app messaging to share their notes—making the overall experience more valuable for other people at the event.

5. Real-time updates and auto upload

Speakers switch times. Meetings move rooms. Exhibitors get added. You want to be able to update event information on demand and keep your attendees in the loop. Our Event Center gives you the full control and flexibility you need to make these updates in real-time. There’s no need to panic or stress about the unexpected. All of your attendees will have up-to-the-minute access to all the event details.

6. In-app advertising

A mobile event app offers many new ways to advertise. You can help sponsors and exhibitors get more leads by linking their ads from within the app to targeted content or promotions.

The mobile advertising market is growing fast because it’s effective. A study by Hipcricket showed that 64% of surveyed people with smartphones made a mobile purchase after seeing a mobile ad, but nearly 75% of them haven’t received mobile ads from their favorite brands. If you want to gain sponsors, show them how in-app advertising can lead to new business and make them more successful.

7. Reporting & Metrics 

Imagine getting a closer look into what your attendees liked most at your event without making them fill out a survey. A mobile event app makes this possible by tracking useful metrics. You can use these detailed reports to: analyze your planning and marketing efforts, improve different aspects of your event, and show the value of an event app to others in your organization.

These metrics include:

• Total number of iPhone & Android users


• Total number of times app was opened per day


• Individual banner taps and total banner views


• Exhibitor profile views


• Number of times people shared contacts


• Number of views when ad links to content within the app


• Number of views when ad links to content outside of the app


• Tweets posted


• Top favorited activities & organizations


• Top rated activities & organizations

You can also show results of in-app advertising to sponsors so they can improve their marketing methods. Showing the ROI will  help you pre-sell sponsorships for next year's event.

Want to learn more about mobile app features and their benefits? Register for one of our free webinars.