Event Tech

Survey: Who's Using Digital Tools for Events - And How? February 25, 2010

Digital-Tools-Research-Executive-Summary.jpgSocial media, virtual events, mobile applications, video streaming technology, digital event platforms, audience acquisition tools. Thanks to the burgeoning availability of technologies for enriching community engagement, show organizers now have an incredible opportunity for extending their events beyond the face-to-face experience. And, according to a recent survey by Champion's of the association market, many are making significant inroads into integrating a variety of technologies and social media into their event strategies: 83% of respondents currently using one or more digital tools, and 91% planning on using them in the next year.

In fact, the pace of adoption is only going to increase, as the survey reveals that two-thirds of respondents are planning on incorporating more digital tools into future events and none planned on using fewer tools in future event cycles. A variety of factors are driving this rapid adoption, but the primary motivation appears to be attendee demand. Sixty-nine percent stated that shifting attendee behavior was the driving force behind incorporating digital tools into their events.

"We'll be using more digital tools in the next year," concurred Frank Gainer, Conference & Conclave Program Director of the American Occupational Therapy Association. "If you want to survive and thrive, you better.  Social media is a must to get to the younger audience."

Signaling the growing importance of digital tools is the rise of a new position in the association market: One in five (18%) surveyed revealed that they had hired a digital direct/manager to lead their social media/digital solutions efforts. Associations are also seeing an impact on their bottomline as a result of leveraging digital tools. Eighteen percent are seeing cost-savings from usingsocial networks like Facebook and Twitter to replace traditional marketing efforts and communication with attendees. Thirty-three percent have been able to reduce their use of direct mail thanks to including social media in their marketing mix.

Want to learn more about how others are using digital tools and how you leverage them for your events? Read on - download the white paper.
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Navigating the Digital Landscape January 19, 2010

Play There's been a lot of buzz about how social media and other emerging and established technologies can help show organizers enrich their community's engagement throughout the event cycle. But it's a rapidly changing landscape: From social networking sites and digital event platforms, to mobile applications and video streaming tools, there are a myriad of available technologies show organizers can leverage to build and enhance their event communities, both onsite and off.

How do you know what's best for you and your event? A good first step is to begin at the beginning, by first understanding what technology and technology categories are available. Then, you can map particular technologies to your business goals and be sure your efforts are strategic, not reactionary.

Champion Exposition Services, working with its strategic marketing arm Immersa Marketing, have put together a Flash presentation that provides a comprehensive overview of the digital landscape. This presentation covers the primary technologies for community engagement for events, along with the established and emerging players. It's your roadmap; click here to find your way.
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