Event app is an essential and handy event-tech tool for an event planner. A good event app with all the required features can simplify various tasks for the event planner and can contribute towards various aspects of the event from audience engagement to feedback.

An event organiser opting for an event app may be successful in creating an efficient app with all the important event app features. But, the true measurement of success for an event app is the adoption of that event app.

According to Guidebook 25% of app administrators believe that at least a 50% download rate is required for a good ROI on an event app.

Hence, the app can be deemed successful only when your attendees download it and engage with the app.

One of the most persuasive ways to get maximum downloads and engagement on your app is by going paperless. Plan a paperless event, providing all the content to your attendees, from the schedule to venue map on your event app in a digital format.

Here are a few more suggestions as to how an event organiser can increase their event app downloads and engage their attendees with the app:

1. Promote your app during event promotions:

Event organisers can gain traction on their event app through their overall event promotion itself. The organisers can promote their event app through all their conference materials such as posters, banners, newsletters as well as social media posts.

The organisers should actively promote their app individually as well. This is to create awareness about your app and encourage the attendees to download and use your app on the day of the event. More the users, more the event ROI.

2. Contests and Giveaways:

In order to increase your event app engagement, it is extremely necessary to engage the audience in your app. A good way to do this is by providing some incentive along with engagement. Event organisers can conduct certain contests on the event app itself in the form of a quiz or a challenge.

Incentives can be in the form of giveaways at the end of an event. These giveaways too can have the brand name or the sponsor’s name on them as a way of promotion. It’s a good strategy for brand promotion.

3. In-event payment integration:

Integrating in-event payment with the event app will reduce a lot of hassle for the organisers as well as give the attendees a reason to download and utilise the app.The food coupons that are to be distributed post registration can be digitised and distributed through the app itself.

To further entice the attendees, various food coupons and deals can be given through the app that can be en-cashed at various foods and beverage stalls within the event.

4. Emphasis on the importance of app throughout the event:

A constant reminder about the app and its usage should be given to the attendees. Starting with registration itself, the attendees should be directed towards the event app for all the tasks.

This could also be mentioned at regular intervals along with other announcements at the event. A constant reminder along with an emphasis on the app’s utility will help you boost up the download rate of your event app.

5. Gamification:

All work no play make Jack a dull boy. It is great to have an efficient event app and promote it accordingly. But, there is no harm in adding a little fun to it in various ways. Gamification is one of them.

Adding fun and simple games will surely encourage the attendees to engage with your app. It is fun and will help the attendees pass some time. An element of competition added to the game will boost the chances of the attendees downloading a playing the games integrated with the event app.

6. Updates on last minute changes during the event:

Any event, however well planned may have some last minute hiccups at times. Certain things may not be in control of the organisers. This may lead to certain last minute changes or additions.

Live event news, updates and changes are to be conveyed to the attendees through push notifications within the app itself. Let your attendees know beforehand that they shall be updated on all these last minute modifications through the event app itself.

7. Debates and discussions on the app throughout the event:

The organisers can increase attendee engagement along with their event app engagement. This can be done by engaging the audience in debates and discussions on the event app throughout the event.

These discussions can be related to the event theme or can be based on the keynote speeches, presentations and talks at the event, etc. This will also give a chance to those attendees who are a little afraid of public speaking to express their opinions and share their ideas.

8. Q&A with the speakers and panellists through the app:

Networking platform and Social media integration are very useful features of the event app. These features can be used for multiple purposes.

The organisers can arrange Q&A sessions exclusively for questions asked through the event app itself, either through the networking platform or on Social Media as appearing on the event app feed. This will further attendee engagement with the presentations simultaneously facilitating the event app adoption.

9. FOMO:

FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) is a psychological trait that drives us to do a lot of things that we wouldn’t do otherwise. Organisers can surely cash in on the attendees’ FOMO.

Get your team, the speakers, the panellists, etc., as many people as you can, use your event app and promote it for you. Word of mouth works best at most times. Make the attendees feel that they’d be missing out on something really important by not using your app.

10. On-site app support:

Many a time it is possible that the attendees may find it difficult to understand certain functions of the app. It is also possible that the app may have some bugs that may have gone undiscovered before.

In such cases, it is always advisable to have on site app support to help the attendees navigate through the app and solve all their issues. The organisers should inform the attendees prior to the event about the app support and emphasise on it to assure their attendees.

Designing your app to maximise attendee convenience is another way to increase your event app’s download rates. The app can be leveraged even before the event begins. Transportation facilities can be an added feature on the app. Deals on accommodation and transportation can be provided through the app.

Apart from this, to further keep the attendees and other stakeholders of the event informed, the travel plans of the delegates can also be updated on the app.

Deals can also be provided on registration and ticketing if done through the app. These are just a few ways to pursue the attendees to download your event app prior to the event

Event apps are a boon when they’re designed and promoted aptly. Event app marketing is a necessary investment with a great return on investment as well as objectives if done right.

These are just a few tips to set you on the right path and help you boost your event app adoption.

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