iPads®, tablets and smartphones are everywhere and at tradeshows they are as hot as ever. Here are a few ways they are being used by event management and attendees.
1) Booth Sales: An event manager can now walk the show floor with an iPad and meet with exhibitors to assign and sell them booth space for the next year on a live, interactive floor plan.
2) Mobile Apps: Instead of printing show guides, attendees are encouraged to download a mobile app for their event that will help attendees find the exhibitors and sessions that interest them and build a personal expo plan.
3) Concierge Service/Mobile Kiosk: Staff is hired to act as a mobile concierge. People wearing “Ask Me” shirts walk around the event in designated areas carrying an iPad to assist attendees with finding exhibitors, sessions, registration, coat check, bathrooms, restaurants, local attractions, transportation, etc. They carry an iPad pre-loaded with all of the resources they need to assist attendees with anything related to your event.
4) Conferences: Speakers can share their presentations, links, resources, videos, website and more on your site, via a web app, or within your native app. Attendees can follow the presentation on an iPad, engage in interactive questions, live tweet sessions and more.
5) Social Networking: Attendees will often use Twitter or Facebook to share what’s happening at the event. Show management can monitor tweets or posts and respond in real time to any questions and identify hot topics in real time.
6) Contests: iPads and tablets are hot and everyone wants one. iPad giveaways are great motivators for attendees to take action.
7) Booth Demonstrations: Many exhibitors are using iPads to demonstrate their software or play videos of their product in action to wow potential clients.
8 ) Videos: Attendees can access videos on speakers, exhibitors and products that interest them and share those videos with others.
9) Email: Many professionals use their device to manage their email while away from the office. Setting up charging stations and offering wi-fi is great customer service. If you run a B2B event it’s almost a necessity now.
10) Notes: Attendees can take notes while attending sessions or set up reminders for follow up on a product that interests them.
So, what’s the big deal about iPads, tablets and smartphones? Well, they have basically transformed how we do business and the way we interact with each other. If you are not yet supporting the use of these devices at your event, what are you waiting for?
What other ways are you seeing mobile technologies be used at your event? Please share in the comment area below.
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