Organizing a successful event requires meticulous planning, impeccable organization, and smooth execution. Event professionals often need help managing the many tasks necessary to bring an event to life.
Fortunately, an all-in-one event platform offers a lifeline in this chaos, providing a comprehensive way to streamline the event planning process.
This blog post will explore what an event platform is, its benefits, key features, and how it can transform your next event into a resounding success.
What is an Event Platform?
An event platform simplifies the complex process of organizing events by streamlining and automating tasks.
Typically, event platforms offer a wide range of functionality. From event registration, check-in, and ticketing to attendee engagement and post-event analysis, an event platform serves as your centralized hub that automates and optimizes numerous tasks, saving time and effort while enhancing overall event success.
Event management software simplifies the complex process of organizing events by streamlining and automating tasks.
Typically, event management platforms offer a wide range of functionality. From event registration, check-in, and ticketing to attendee engagement and post-event analysis, event management software serves as your centralized platform that automates and optimizes numerous tasks, saving time and effort while enhancing overall event success.
Benefits of an Event Platform
Here are some of the specific perks you'll enjoy by embracing event tech:
- Efficient Organization: Event management software eliminates the need for manual processes and replaces them with automations that enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and improve overall productivity. Organizations can effortlessly manage every aspect of the event lifecycle by centralizing all event-related data and tasks in one platform.
- Effortless Attendee Engagement: The best event platforms facilitate multiple opportunities for real-time interactions between event organizers, exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees. Interactive features, such as live polling, Q&A sessions, and speed networking help to create an immersive attendee experience.
- Simplified Event Ticketing and Registration: With event management software, the days of manually handling ticket sales and registration forms are over. Organizers can now create customized registration forms, securely process payments, and generate electronic tickets. Event attendees can easily register online, purchase tickets, and receive automated confirmations and reminders.
- Streamlined Speaker and Agenda Management: Coordinating speakers and managing the event agenda can be daunting. An event platform simplifies this process by providing a centralised hub for speaker communication, session scheduling, and agenda updates. Organizers can efficiently onboard speakers and build or import speaker and session details.
- Effective Exhibitor and Sponsor Management: Exhibitors and sponsors play a vital role in events, and managing their needs and expectations can be challenging. Many event platforms offer dedicated modules to streamline exhibitor and sponsor management. From booth selection and payment processing to providing exhibitor lead capture tools and real-time analytics, event planning software helps event planners maximize the exhibitor and sponsor experience.
- Seamless Live Streaming: In today's digital age, offering hybrid events with both in-person and virtual components is crucial. Many event platforms include or integrate seamlessly with live-streaming platforms, allowing organizers to deliver captivating virtual experiences to remote attendees. It provides a unified interface where attendees can access in-person and virtual content, ensuring a cohesive event experience.
- Efficient Lead Capture: Generating and capturing leads is a primary goal for many events. Event platforms facilitate lead capture through features like QR codes on tickets and badges and event apps with built-in QR code scanners. Event organizers and exhibitors can effortlessly capture valuable attendee data, measure the success of marketing campaigns, and nurture leads for future events.
Still not quite sure if your use case will benefit from event technology? Explore how to use event management software to solve common pain points, or read on to learn what tools are typically included in these platforms.
Still not quite sure if your use case will benefit form event technology? Explore how to use event management software to solve common pain points or read on to learn what tools are typically included in these platforms.
Key Capabilities to Look For in an Event Platform
Leading event management platforms like Accelevents can handle events in any format or size. Here are some of the key features we've included in our platform - use these as a guideline for what is typical for a solid event tech solution:
All-in-One Event Management System: Our event management system centralizes all event-related tasks, workflows, and data, providing a unified platform for streamlined event planning, execution, and analysis.
CRM Integrations: CRM Integrations: A robust event platform integrates with leading Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems such as HubSpot, Salesforce, or Marketo, enabling seamless data transfer and ensuring a unified view of attendees and prospects.
Event Website and Registration Forms: Customizable event websites and registration forms empower organizers to create a branded online presence, attract attendees, and facilitate seamless ticketing and registration process.
Event Check-In & Badge Printing: Assisted check-in and self-check-in options with built-in badge printing streamline the check-in process.
Real-time Reporting: Comprehensive reporting and analytics allow organizers to gain valuable insights into event performance, attendee engagement, and conversion rates. Look for dashboards with real-time metrics to accelerate informed decision-making.
Mobile App: A dedicated mobile app ensures attendees have all the event information at their fingertips. It provides personalized schedules, in-app messaging, interactive floor plans, event notifications, session reminders, and networking opportunities.
Social Media Integrations: Many event platforms integrate with social media platforms, allowing organizers to leverage social media for event promotion, attendee engagement, and real-time updates.
For a deeper dive into event software tools, take a look at our comprehensive guide covering all the important event management software features you should keep in mind when choosing your next platform.
Popular Event Platforms (and Who They’re For)
- Accelevents: Accelevents is a highly rated event management platform known for being one of the easiest to use in the event industry.The software covers your entire event from start to finish and supports virtual, hybrid, and in-person events. Their event technology is meticulously crafted to support all types of events, from large conferences and trade shows to training seminars, workshops, and fundraisers. Accelevents’ event management tools offer a unique combination of enterprise-grade functionality and ease of use. They include a website builder with event page templates, enterprise-level registration tools, credit card payment and invoicing, check-in and badge management, engagement tools such as gamification and speed networking, lead capture tools, email marketing, event apps for attendees and event planners, and more.
- Eventbrite: Eventbrite provides basic tools for event registration, ticketing, RSVPs, and promotion, which can be sufficient for smaller events. This event software is user-friendly and quick to set up, which is perfect for event organizers who need a simple, fast solution for their next free event or neighborhood gathering.
- Cvent: Cvent is an enterprise-grade event management solution that provides end-to-end event management functionalities for onsite and virtual events ranging from large conferences to webinars. Features include event pages, online event registration, venue sourcing, mobile apps, attendee management, event data analysis, and event reporting. Their event planning tools are comprehensive but notoriously challenging to set up and use.
- Bizzabo: Bizzabo is a comprehensive event management platform that combines registration, ticketing, networking, and marketing tools to create engaging event experiences for all stakeholders. As with Cvent, users report excessive complexity and limitations to the ability to customize tools as the main drawback.
Choosing the Right Event Platform
When selecting an event management platform, consider the following factors:
- Functionality: Ensure the software offers the necessary features to meet your event's specific requirements, such as ticketing, online registration, attendee engagement, and analytics.
- Pricing Structure: Evaluate the pricing models and understand the cost implications, including additional fees for specific functionalities or attendee numbers.
- Customer Support: Look for a software provider that offers responsive and knowledgeable 24/7 customer support to assist you throughout the event planning and execution process.
- Onboarding Process: Consider the ease of onboarding and implementation of the software. Look for providers that offer training resources, documentation, and personalized support during the initial setup.
Event Platforms Versus Registration Tools: What To Choose
While they may seem similar, all-in-one event platforms and registration tools serve different purposes in the event planning process.
Conversely, an event platform is a comprehensive tool covering all facets of event planning and execution. Beyond registration, it manages event marketing, attendee engagement, session scheduling, and post-event analysis. Opt for an event platform when handling more complex events requiring broader capabilities, such as attendee interaction or integrated analytics.
Event Tech Is Evolving: Prepare for What’s Next
The evolution in event planning is shaped by digital transformation, and cloud-based event platforms are at the helm of this shift. Offering versatility and extensive functionality, these SaaS platforms have simplified event operations and enhanced attendee engagement. Event professionals can now save time spent on event scheduling and project management to focus on creating awesome event experiences that matter to their audiences!
The event landscape will continue to evolve, and so will the tools that support it. Integrations with emerging AI technologies are already happening. And as data-driven decision-making becomes paramount, analytical capabilities of these tools will also gain prominence.
So, whether you and your team members are planning an engaging seminar or a flagship conference, remember: there's always room to innovate your event planning process!
If you're interested in an event platform that can adapt to future changes while meeting your unique needs and goals, contact us for a demo. We'd love to learn more about your event strategy!
