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Brief
Through its regular participation in various global exhibition events, Web Spiders observed that delegates usually end up carrying a lot of paper for all the information gathered during the event. Managing this data in printed form can be quite a challenge. As a result, delegates want hassle-free ways of finding and arranging the relevant information.
At the same time, exhibition organizers want to explore new ways of achieving real time communication with various participants. Organizers, too, prefer new channels that provide greater service and help increase the revenue.
The solution was offered by Web Spiders for Internet World 2010, UK in the form of a WAP site as well as native iPhone application for the event2mobile application. The event2mobile application is provided by Web Spiders as a hosted solution.
What is event2mobile?
event2mobile is a platform that allows event managers and organizers to give visitors access to events through mobile devices. In essence, event2mobile turns your mobile device into a portable event guide!
Having event2mobile on their mobile phones translates into a useful and hassle-free experience for attendees to various events, conferences and seminars. There are no maps/ papers to carry, stands and participants can be located easily; you can view your location on a floor map, make notes, attach images and perform various other additional activities that an event guidebook would not allow you to do.
Event managers and organizers can use this as an extension of their printed event guide, and instantly communicate live updates, announcements and bulletins. event2mobile actually provides a single window to all annual events , while keeping the data active even post-event. Sponsors and participants can also use event2mobile as a platform for event marketing. Essentially, event2mobile is a Win-Win-Win proposition for exhibitors, event managers and visitors at the same time.
event2mobile actually provides a single window to all annual events , while keeping the data active even post-event. Sponsors and participants can also use event2mobile as a platform for event marketing. Essentially, event2mobile is a Win-Win-Win proposition for exhibitors, event managers and visitors at the same time.
event2mobile @ other International Events
event2mobile has been used at a number of international events, including the Learning Technologies Exhibition 2010, London and by Incisive Media, one of the world’s fastest growing B2B information providers, and the organizer of Online Information Exhibition and Conference and Information Management Solutions (IMS).
“We used the Event2Mobile Service for the first time at our Online Information 2009 show. It was quickly taken up by our visitors and this fast mobile solution certainly enhanced their overall show experience. We are looking to use it again this year with more customization.”
Jane Lewis, Senior Marketing Manager, Incisive Media
Strategy
Considering the rich features offered by iPhone, a native application for iPhone had to be developed for Internet World 2010, UK. At the same time, in order to ensure cross-platform compatibility, a mobile website also had to be developed that would support smart-phones across all major platforms including iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Symbian and Windows Mobile etc.
After understanding the requirements of visitors to Internet World, the following features were decided on:
- Register for an event directly
- Look up exhibitors and participants
- View conference and seminar schedules
- Check speaker profiles
- Use a floor plan (view and zoom in/out)
- Get event news updates
- Integrate with calendar
- Bookmark and annotate
- Attach images
- Link to Twitter and Facebook
Execution
Web Spiders was responsible for design, development, deployment as well as hosting for the event2mobile application. The Web Spiders team of designers studied the theme of event and created a design that would appropriately represent the branding as well as be in sync with the Internet World event website.
The client provided all the information about the event such as participants, partners, conference schedule, speakers and floor map etc. Alternatively event2mobile is also capable of fetching data in the form of XML or RSS feeds, if available.
Once the solution was developed, Web Spiders team conducted a thorough testing to make sure that solution is compatible with the corresponding mobile platforms. The application was then released to client and upon user acceptance, the mobile website was launched and the iPhone app was submitted to iTunes store for approval from Apple. This was published as a free app for visitors and exhibitors.
iPhone app was released in two stages: first version released before event would connect to the Internet each time a connection was available so that latest data was fetched and any updates are reflected in the application. Later another version was released post event that would connect to internet only once and download the data locally to device and then the local data would be accessed. This ensured enhanced speed for the user.
Results
event2mobile @ Internet World 2010
Internet World is UK's longest running, best attended and biggest annual event for digital marketing and online business, attracting over 12,000 visitors and more than 300 exhibitors. This year, the most talked about online business and digital marketing event of Europe had its very own portable event guide with event2mobile.
Smartphone users could just visit http://m.internetworld.co.uk from their mobile browsers to view all details on the Internet World exhibition. The official iPhone App for Internet World 2010 is available at here through any Web browser, or by searching for “InternetWorld” in the iTunes Store.
The iPhone app was published at here
The application has received more than 550 downloads so far.
The mobile website was accessible here
Benefits for Event Managers/ Organisers and Participants
Event Managers/ Organisers:
- The application opens a new channel for advertising and promotion
- It acts as a digital extension of a printed event guide
- Offers a win-win-win proposition for event managers, exhibitors, as well as visitors
- The information remains active even after the event is over
- Creates a new platform for event marketing and attracts a wider range of audience
Delegates/ Participants:
- Delegates are freed from the hassle of carrying loads of paper and maps
- The search facility integrated with floor map allows users to perform an instant search for stands and participants
- Allows users to view their location on a floor map
- Visitors can make notes of discussions or observations, capture images, and record videos which can then be attached to relevant items/ stands
- Visitors can obtain real time updates of the latest news and events
- The directory structure enables users to categorize information and cross-reference them while on the go
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