Do you have the right technology for your event?

Very few events take place these days without the use of some form of technology. Technology will play a big part in marketing and selling your event before, during and after it happens. We use an array of things at our own events, but with new innovations launched every day, how do you work out whether you’re considering the right technology for your event?

Firstly, the things considered may well be different depending on how your event is being organised. Are you doing it all yourself or will you be getting external suppliers in to provide your technology? A separate provider may suggest things you’ve not even thought of or considered!

Here are a few questions you should ask to work out the right technology for your event.

Is this piece of technology a good fit for the size or type of event?
Choosing the right tools will determine how well they are used and to what extent they help you achieve your event objectives. Work out how many delegates will be attending and what type of event it is (for example presentation, trade show, conference or workshop). This will give you or your provider a better idea of what is needed.

How will it enable me to achieve my event objectives?
Don’t use technology just for the sake of it. Are you looking to increase audience interaction? Or promote networking? Do you want to enable you and your delegates to discard the notebooks and go digital? The key is to decide what your objectives are and to use technology that allows you to meet them.

Will my delegates be able to engage with the technology?
The technology you use must not be too complex for your delegates to engage with. There are increasingly great, whizzy things out there, but if your delegates can’t work out how to use them, they’ll be useless. The aim is to make it as easy as possible for delegates to use your solution during and after the event, if appropriate.

What do I need to support the technology?
There is no point having the latest technology if it doesn’t work when you get to your venue. Many solutions will require stable and fast internet connections and wi-fi. Speak to your technology provider early on to be sure of what you need and make sure your venue has it available. Can the venue cope with your anticipated numbers all using the technology at the same time?

Is it cost-effective?
Your gadgets might be fun and flashy, but are they worth the money? Again, this links back to your objectives. If you can achieve the same goals without spending a hefty sum it may be worth scaling back. Set a reasonable budget and find a solution that fits within it.

Is it secure?
If you are planning to gather personal information or payment details from your delegates, the technology you use must be secure and adhere to the latest data protection laws, as well as with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI). Make sure that no personal information is available to third parties and set your delegates’ minds at rest.

Is there good customer support?
It’s important to know that somebody will be available if something goes wrong. Make sure the technology you use comes with the appropriate level of customer support and that it is easy to get through to a real human being if the solution you are using plays up.

Not every event requires a full set of technology features. Whatever you decide to use, the key is to make sure it works well, helps you achieve your aims and doesn’t cost the earth.

If you want help or advice about marketing your event, get in touch.