From the makers of Fashion GPS, an invitation, scheduling, and seating system used by the fashion industry since 2006, comes Events GPS. Launched in August, the service offers electronic invitations, mail merge, interactive seating plans, and on-site digital check-in that can be done with QR codes or with R.F.I.D. chips embedded in physical invitations. Events GPS has a Web-based system and a mobile app. Hosts can use the system to store contacts, including photos, and track which events people attended in the past, where they were seated, and other details. After the event, Events GPS can generate reports regarding attendee engagement.
PlanetNow is a cloud-based event management system that launched in March. Planners use the system to create an event Web site, process registration, oversee transportation, coordinate venues and vendors, manage sessions and special events, and conduct surveys. The system’s mobile app has a matching algorithm integrated with LinkedIn and GPS services that helps attendees discover other people at the event with common interests or backgrounds.
Available since March, Now Attending is intended to facilitate engagement at corporate and social events. Planners use the system to create a custom event site to manage R.S.V.P.s. If attendees connect their Facebook accounts when they register, the system will show which of their friends are also attending, their hotel selections, and more. The system will soon be integrated with LinkedIn, as well. At the event, attendees use the Now Attending mobile app to view their personalized agendas and communicate with the host and other attendees. To promote engagement, photos shared through the app can simultaneously be displayed on a large screen that can also include sponsor information and trivia about attendees, such as who traveled the farthest.
EventDay is an event management platform that launched last year. Planners create an event Web site to manage registration, attendee communication, badges, and coordination of speakers and exhibitors. The system can be integrated with digital signage at a venue to provide real-time updates to schedules and sessions. The system provides two mobile apps: one for the event host that provides information such as check-in status and sponsor management, and another for attendees that is focused on scheduling and session content. Hosts can also use EventDay to moderate questions during a session that attendees send via the app, texts, or Twitter; approved questions display on a large screen in front of the audience.
SignUp4 purchased RapidApp last year and has integrated it into its event management system. As planners build their event Web sites in SignUp4, the system automatically creates the identical elements in the mobile app. When attendees register on the Web site, the attendee list updates in the app. The app also provides location services integrated with Google Maps and allows attendees to share photos with one another. SignUp4 plans to link the app with its travel management system so planners can see attendees’ itineraries and attendees can receive real-time updates on flight delays or other changes on their mobile devices.
