Alison Jenks - May 10, 2011 at 3:30 pm
For years the event industry has used a mix of technology to connect with consumers and customers. But not until the iPad hit the market has the community embraced one single technology tool at once. Consumer events, b-to-b events, mobile tours—virtually every event type is somehow tethered to the iPad—and those that aren’t soon will be—for everything from data-collection and presentations to interactive games, content sharing and more.
Four topline benefits of the iPad at events:
1. IT’S IMMEDIATE. An iPad’s portability and 10-hour battery life makes it an “anywhere, anytime” event marketing device, which is why it’s so perfectly suited to the face-to-face industry. iPads provide a mobile “hub” for event marketers connecting live engagements and digital content.
2. IT’S ENGAGING. Powering iPad content are video and gaming platforms, which allow brands to showcase huge amounts of sexy, engaging content to engage customers, and encourage them to share with friends. HD video and mobile gaming solutions present branded content in polished, crisp ways.
3. IT’S MOBILE. A well-designed iPad app can give customers what they want, when they want it, and is always new and useful. The iPad 2 (and most tablets) now comes equipped with hi-def cameras, which is helping brands create custom photo and video content at events and empower rich social conversations, delivering big time ROI.
4. IT’S EVERGREEN. Brands will have to think about content in a whole new way now that the iPad can expand the event experience to 365 days a year. Events are a catalyst to deepening relationships with customers, so a successful tablet or app strategy should plan to extend engagement over time. Apps should be evergreen, allowing the customer to regularly unlock new features, receive new entertainment experiences, provide input and share content.
THE FUTURE
Get ready. Conference keynoters will answer webcast questions from remote attendees on video-conferenced iPads, and location-sensing technology embedded in apps will tell brands about consumer behavior at mobile tour stops. Data collection will happen seamlessly and automatically without the need for you with the intelligence you need. The “tablet network” will connect everyone associated with an event, from owners to attendees. That kind of agility and responsiveness will create positive experiences and big wins.
Want to learn more? Request the “Tech Tools: iPads and Events” whitepaper, or Contact Us to schedule a consultation.