Back in 2017-2018, we made our own event app. It’s how the whole “Tractus” thing got started.
But it was a solution in search of a problem.
I believe that most event apps fall into this category - a coder goes to a conference, and sees an “opportunity” to give folks something to look at on their phone related to the event.
They go away, make an app, and try to sell it.
Pretty soon, every event planner has a different set of features they want as part of it… and then they’ll definitely buy a license.
Event apps suck. They’re dying. And have been for a long time.
Why?
Julius Solaris points out a few reasons.
But at top of my mind is unkept promises around networking.
Many, many apps demo well, but the real-world execution doesn’t live up to the hype.
Terrible venue wi-fi - means most apps stop working.
Apple’s developer policies are awful - meaning app updates are onerous for event app developers to get into the store.
Sign in is a pain - even a magic link sometimes is too complicated for some people.
That’s just a few reasons. Then there’s the big one.
Attendees want to attend to network and mingle, not stare at their phones for the next few days.
If I want a show agenda, that can be a simple web page. You don’t need an app for that.
And this is where I think the biggest missed opportunity in events is - pushing the holy eff out of an app or event site BEFORE the event.
Use it to set up your meetings and scout out your visit BEFORE you arrive.
That way once you’re at the event, you can maximize your face time with other human beings.
In my experience being an app developer, a trade show organizer, and a trade show exhibitor is this: if you’re trying to figure out who to network with once you’re AT the show - it’s far too late. You’re wasting time.
You should be connecting with people BEFORE the show starts. Way before.
(I’m lining up meetings in advance of NAB. And lots of other NAB people are too.)
Here’s the part where event app devs are going to hate me.
There are already lots of channels to do that.
Discord is free. LinkedIn groups are free. Facebook groups are free. Social media DMs in general are free.
And that’s where people are already connecting.
Why do I need your event app if I can already connect with everyone I want to before the show and fill my schedule in a calendar that already appears on my phone and is sync’d with my computer?
LinkedIn, event hashtags, Discord, Slack, Telegram, WhatsApp, and Calendly already fill all the networking, comms, and organization roles that event apps do.
If you can answer that question as an event app developer better than all the above I mentioned, then you win the industry. It’s that simple.
It’s not easy, but it’s that simple.
Note that I’m talking about event apps for the attendee experience. For exhibitors and organizers, there’s a TON of use cases for event apps - lead generation, CE credit tracking, registration, and internal comms being the obvious ones.
IMO, if you’re an event app developer, focus on helping the organizers and trade show exhibitors have an amazing show.
Attendees want to attend.
(P.S.: Charging for lead retrieval for exhibitors? Come on. It’s 2024. That’s as bad as the venue’s $147,000 wi-fi that doesn’t work.)