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Planning any event, from large association conferences to client appreciation events, requires many moving parts. Scheduling travel, booking venues, managing speakers, and arranging paperwork all fall onto the head organizer’s shoulders. Modern software applications for event organization give planners on-demand access to the most pertinent event information – minimizing stress while maximizing experiences.

Why Invest in an Event Planning Software Application?

Imagine your company’s biggest annual conference is coming up and you’re running point on the event. Even with coordinators and assistants, you need to stay in the know about every detail to secure executive buy-in and keep everything running smoothly. While morning roundups help, technology offers a better way to keep in touch and stay on track.

With mobile and desktop access, the right application will give you access to real-time information throughout the planning process. After the event, use collected data to help with future business development plans. Software won’t do your job for you, but it can streamline grunt work so you can focus on more creative, strategic, and big-picture actions. 

Consider These Cutting-Edge Software Applications

Software applications have flooded the event organization industry. Many offer the same basic functionality, leaving event professionals wondering which one is best. Capabilities and user experience set the top performers apart. If you want a tool that will add value to the event planning process, invest in one that is easy to use, well supported, and capable of handling your event planning needs. Here are some of the top applications we highly recommend:

1. DoubleDutch Live Engagement Platform. A suite of applications designed to maximize the value in each event, planners can use them to organize an experience, engage attendees with relevant real-time marketing campaigns, and analyze the overall performance of the event. Direct message with individual attendees or share access to speaker information and event agendas at strategic points during the event. Integrate the product with other tools, including CRM systems and marketing automation applications, to maximize lead generation at every event.

2. Lanyon Events. Now part of Cvent, a well-known event management software company, Lanyon Events offers mobile and desktop applications organizers can use to manage every aspect of an event, including speaker logistics, finance management, exhibitor and sponsor administration, attendee management, onsite materials systems, and analytics management. This scalable, powerhouse of an application suite really does do it all. Plan, engage, and analyze from your laptop, computer, or tablet.

3. Slack. Sometimes event organizers just need a better way to stay in touch with team members. Monitor activities in the above applications and consider a professional messaging app such as Slack to keep the team connected. Instead of calling your coordinators throughout the day, message someone available on the app for a quick answer, and share key insights with the entire team before you forget.

The right combination of event planning tools can eliminate the last-minute scramble and common event mishaps, such as inaccurate attendance reporting, badge mistakes, and double-bookings. To make the most of what technology offers, consider investing only in tools that truly add value to the event organization process. An unused application is an unnecessary cost. Integrate them as much as possible into existing software solutions. Turning engagement into actionable insights should feel as easy as clicking on the right set of prompts. With these tools, you’ll never want to go back to relying on spreadsheets and email chains again.

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