What is an Event Management Software Platform?
Event Management Software Platforms are required to automate event planning, marketing, registration, and payment processing in a physical event. These event management platforms has evolved to support both physical event and also virtual events which are organized online.
With an ever-growing number of events, conferences, and webinars taking place in every field of interest, it is critical to maintain the attention of the audience and engage with them in a creative and exciting way. Hence, event management software solutions not only automate the events and conferences but also enhance the engagement of participants.
What features should you look for in event planning software?
Event management software platforms have a huge market and, hence, there are hundreds of vendors in this space. It can be difficult to know which vendor will be the best fit for your business unless you seek the advice of event management software consultants like us.
Here are some of the most important features to look for in event management software.
1.Registration for the event
Users should be able to register for the event. So, this is a basic functionality that anyone would expect in an event management software. Your audience should be able to choose the date they wanted to attend the event and as some events are organized for multiple days and offers several event registration packages.
2. Event ticketing system
The event industry is dependent on ticket sales for its profitability. As a result, the event platform should have a feature that allows attendees to purchase tickets. A trustworthy payment processor should also be integrated with the system.
3. Email Marketing
The event management software should have the capability to send emails to your registered members and participants.
4. Event Community
A community of members who are registered for the event is essential these days. This will help participants learn and understand who’s coming to the event.
5. Event App
Event Apps help to engage participants on the go. Most event management software comes with an event app.
6. Customizable Website Builder
You can call it a landing page or a full-fledged website. What matter’s is most event organizers also look for a drag and drop website builder for their events or conferences. This saves extra expenses they might have to make for a website building software. This is not the case with large events because they maintain an exclusive website and a registration page alone has to be integrated with the event management software. But for small event planners, an in-build website builder certainly is an advantage.
7. Real-time update about the event or conference
Event management is an art. A lot happens in the process of organizing a large B2B trade show. Hence, event management software should also have the ability to send instant emails and also push notifications through the event app to all the registered users.
8. Event lead management
One of the most critical features for all corporate event organizers is Event Lead Management. It’s a smart way to capture, process, distribute, and nurture leads from B2B events, conferences, and trade shows.
This feature is also known as a lead scanning system in some event management platforms. Its main function is to collect and organize leads for exhibitors and sponsors at conferences and trade shows.
The following functionalities should be included in the event lead management system:
1.Sponsors should be able to download the database of participants.
2.Segmentation of leads
3.Scanning QR codes to collect leads.
9. Surveys after Events
Large B2B events have a massive budget, therefore finding out if your event was a success in terms of sponsor satisfaction and audience experience is critical. As a result, an in-built event survey tool ensures that you can collect feedback from both sponsors and attendees on their event experience.
This can also assist you in determining which sponsors were the most satisfied, as well as what factors you should address in order to offer value to your sponsors when planning the next event.
You can also find out how the audience felt about the event registration, support staff assistance, whether the speakers were truly delivering value, and whether the sessions were worthwhile.
Overall, please avoid paying more for online survey software. An event survey feature should be included in your enterprise-grade event management software.
10. Event Operations Management
It is important that during the actual event, your event management software should help you automate lots of work. Example: A seamless registration process and confirming registrants when they enter the reception is essential. You should also be able to generate tickets and print it for the participants. Some event software also helps you with QR code in the participants badge which others can scan to record their company, designation and contacts.
11. Event Agenda
For any event marketer, a well-presented event agenda is crucial. Hence, make sure your event software includes a feature that allows you to design a user-friendly digital event agenda.
What are the best event management software vendors?
The event management software market is booming, and hence, many enterprise software companies and SaaS founders are keen on offering their product or solution for event industry automation.
Here’s a list of top event management platform vendors.
- Airmeet
- Zoho Backstage
- Boomset
- Zoom events
- Cvent
- Tripleseat
- Event Mobi
- Caterease
- Glueup
- Hubb
- Attendify by Hopin
- Hopin
- GruupMeet
- Blackthorn
- Ticketbud
I will be writing more in the weeks to come.
Venkat