Getting Smart with Conference Information

Getting Smart with Conference Information

Technology has and continues to change the way that we interact with the world around us. It often (but not always) evolves in a way that makes our lives and activities run a bit more smoothly.

With the second nature relationship to technology that most of us have, it only makes sense that technology is leveraged to enhance various experiences, like the conference or convention experience.

In the past the preparing for a conference might have meant printing off pages of information, organizing emails and conversations, preparing a folder of information all before setting off for the conference or convention.  

With the dominance of smart devices, this previously daunting task of preparing to attend a conference is minimized. While it is not yet common, a number of conferences are taking a digital approach to enhancing the entire conference experience.

The previous paper based conference package is being replaced by a more detailed and integrated presentation either via a website or a smart device APP.

Creating a website is no longer as difficult as it once was.  Knowledge of HTML or CSS, or other coding languages is not required. Tools like Wordpress (wordpress.com & wordpress.org) and Drupal (drupal.org or drupalgardens.com) make creating a functional website a task for almost anyone.

There are a lot of resources available (both online and in books) that can help navigate you through building a site for your conference.

Since most people are inseparable from the smart devices it is only logical to create a website that also operates on a smart device, or create a App specifically for smart devices.  There are themes, widgets and tools available to convert your Wordpress site or Drupal site to a mobile friendly site.

Based on simple research via Google, I was able to find several suggestions of tools to transform a site to something mobile.

Mobify
Mofuse
WordPress Mobile Edition
WPTouch
WPTap
WordPress Mobile Pack
Mobile Press
Wordpress for iPhone/Blackberry/Android
WPhone

A little bit of research will help you to figure out which of the tools is the best option to help you take your site Mobile.

Now that you know what tools are available, what can you do with them? In short, you can organize all of your conference or convention materials into one slick package that keeps everything at your attendees’ finger tips.

Create tabs for each of the following:

Schedule
Sessions
Speakers
Sponsors
Things to Do (in the City of your conference/convention) – where to eat, where to shop, where to be entertained!
Attendee List/Contact (i.e. Twitter Handle)
Discussion Board
Hotel Information
Meal Information

In short, compile all of the data that you typically send out via emails or cram into welcome packages and neatly organize it on a website, or better yet a mobile website or App. This ensures that most attendees at any given time can access any and all of the data they need, including their schedule (that in paper form is often misplaced!). Also a website or an App allows for any updates or schedule changes a lot easier than paper packages.

If you are hosting a larger event with a greater number of delegates, consider a digital approach to disseminating information.

Stay tuned for the next blog that more closely examines some of the information you can include and how it can enhance the overall experience that your delegates have at your conference or convention.

As always, I like to end with some questions.

Have you been to a conference that has employed a website or App as a digital conference/convention package?

Thinking of the conferences you attend, what information would you like to see included in a website or App specifically for your event? What information are you always seeking?

And lastly, can you see putting this idea to use for a conference, convention or another event you are planning?

We want to hear your thoughts, so add your comment!