Technological capabilities can be utilised in a number of different ways. Whether this be the up and coming rise of virtual reality, the integration of mobile applications, or simply the new techniques used to market an event using a range of social media platforms, finding the right technology can often be a daunting prospect for some.
.jpg?fileSignature=L1VzZXJGaWxlcy9GaWxlU3RvcmUvQ21zTm9kZS81ZjIyMzk2MC00YWRmLTQ3MGMtODRhMi0xMDY5ZmMwYzk4MDItbWFpbkltYWdlLmpwZw==)
With the constant development of technological advancements, enhancements and changes, it is easy to understand why technology has become such big part of our everyday lives. The event industry is ever changing, and event technology is shifting the way events are managed, created, planned and marketed.
With such a rise in technology at events, organisers who have yet to 'jump on the moving train', but are considering integrating technology into their event, often pose the questions ‘what influence could technology have on my event, and is it something that should be considered?’
We explore 5 key questions you should be asking when deciding whether event technology will be right for your event.
Will my event tech make my event more engaging?
According to an Eventbrite survey, 65% of millennials are driving the “Experience Economy”, preferring to spend their hard-earned cash on real experiences that create moments of connection, rather than material goods.
Technology has opened up the ability to achieve this and can help you facilitate by improving and increasing the efficacy of the experience of your attendees. In keeping them involved right from the start – before, during and after the event, it also deepens the engagement with the audience.
The introduction of technology can not only help to save time and paper, but it has become an integral part of engagement in the event industry today, with the use of event apps, websites and landing pages, digital signages and presentations, experiential videos such as AR and VR, to name just a few.
You can find out more about some of the cutting-edge technologies here
Will my event tech help to improve future events?
With the demand by consumers for ever more engaging content, event technology can be an excellent tool to give your event that cutting edge. In a survey conducted here at Event Insurance Services, 61% of the respondents agreed with the statement that “Making sure to use the newest event technologies is one of the most important parts of the event”, whilst 54% of respondents agreed that “Engaging audiences with good event technologies is one of the most important factors in driving sales at events”.
If you can find a creative, cutting edge way to incorporate immersive event tech trends into your future events, you could see a swift upturn in your events revenue, as well as contribute to improving the overall experience that attendees have.
Will my event tech bring me a return of investment (ROI)?
To be able to show its impact, it is very important that the event technology that you use is able to show a contribution and a value to your business, and there is no better way to show this than through a positive return on investment.
In fact, research from Eventsforce has found that 3 out of 4 event planners said that calculating ROI and measuring event success was the one reason they collect data from events. This highlights how important ROI is for an event. With multiple professionals and various stakeholders involved in the event planning and event management process, how can you make sure that you are measuring and proving your events success? This question is the very reason why defining the metrics that will make your event a success should be a high priority task, and to answer this question you need to be aware of the KPIs (key performance indicators) of a successful event.
Does the event tech suit my event?
Although there are a vast number of opportunities that event technology can bring to events, the question needs to be asked about whether the technology that is used will be suitable for the event.
So, what needs to be considered when choosing an event technology? Do you go for registration software that will help organise and streamline processes? Do you choose an app that offers a great user experience? Or do you just go with the trendiest technology that will give the ‘wow’ factor?
There are numerous event technologies which can provide some impact to your event, however there are a few key questions to ask yourself before making that final decision
Does it meet your goals? When looking into tech features, you have to make up your mind about whether or not it can help to achieve your goals. Go through your business goals again and be sure to fully grasp whether or not the event technology will contribute to their success.
How will it impact on your audience? Knowing your audience and what they would want can be key in choosing the right technology for an event. Who are the people that make up your event's stakeholders? What are they looking for when attending events? What are their goals? What is it you have to offer in order to meet and exceed their expectations?
Does it meet your budget? Budget is often at the forefront of any decision and it can play a big part in deciding on an event technology solution. However, there is a but. Budget can often have the biggest influence on the final decision, and looking for that ‘cheaper’ option may not always prove to be the best move to have the best outcomes on your investment.
However, one of your top priorities should always be to find the right solution that meets your needs and also fulfils your audience's expectations of your event.
Will my tech be insured?
Getting insurance for your events technology is something that should be considered. Investing in the technology can be very expensive and can often be used in situations where it is liable to damage. This could cost businesses lots of money and have a negative impact on the ROI of an event. Introducing technology at an event can create additional risks to attendees, so having public liability, or event employer liability, could provide some protection to organisers.
At Events Insurance Services we also offer event equipment insurance, which covers for the accidental damage, loss or theft of any event equipment which you are legally responsible.
Event technology has the potential to create many complications, especially at an enclosed, indoor event. At Event Insurance Services, we offer specific insurance policies for indoor events, such as:
- Exhibitor & Exhibition Insurance
- Stallholders Insurance
- Conference Insurance
- Shows & Fairs Insurance
If you are interested in finding out more about investing in event technology, you can find out more about more about it in our latest whitepaper that discusses some key types of event technology, how you can measure the impact of your investment, and ultimately whether event technology is worth investing in.