
Wix
Eventsquid is cloud-based event management software for small, midsize and large businesses. It caters to corporations, sports leagues, educational institutes and other associations. Primary features include event registration, we...Read more
Arlo is a cloud-based training and event management platform designed to help users promote, sell and deliver courses and events. Arlo helps users automate manual processes by providing scheduling, automatic communication, custom ...Read more
Ungerboeck is a cloud-based event management software designed to help sporting venues, exhibition centers, theatres, trade show organizers, museums and universities manage the entire event lifecycle, from registering guests and b...Read more
AudienceView is a cloud-based ticketing solution that enables nonprofits, art centers, museums, events and theaters to sell tickets and raise funds. The solution enables users to manage ticket prices by individual seats or section...Read more
Designed for the performing arts, ThunderTix provides reserved seating and general admission event management. We make season subscriptions easy and combine fundraising, gift cards, merchandise, concessions, and a private CRM in o...Read more
TicketSpice is cloud-based ticketing and event management solution. Key features include ticket options, fee controller, price setting, event analytics, inventory tracking, accepting offline payments and branding control. Tic...Read more
Idloom.events is a cloud-based event management and online registration solution that helps users create an event management website, register volunteers for events and make reservations. It also offers payment processing, automat...Read more
The accesso ShoWare ticketing solution is a customizable, cloud-based ticketing platform that allows users to manage and sell tickets to events of all kinds. With functionality for both general admission and reserved seat ticketin...Read more
As an online webinar solution that powers millions of webinars each year, GoTo Webinar now comes as part of GoTo Connect, an all-in-one communications software built for SMBs. GoTo Webinar offers scheduling, engagement and publis...Read more
Attendo Plus is an attendance tracking solution, which helps businesses plan, create, promote and manage events. Exhibitors can connect with attendees via the networking functionality, export leads and use QR codes to collect visi...Read more
All businesses, big or small, must differentiate themselves from their competitors to succeed. While marketing is one important piece of the puzzle, planning and managing successful promotional events is another major part of it.
The process of promoting a product, service or idea by holding a planned public event (online or offline) involves a lot of planning and coordination.
That’s where event management software can help: An event management—or event planning—solution allows users to incorporate business logic into planning and organizing an event.
This guide can help potential buyers find the best solution for their needs. Here’s what we’ll cover:
What Is Event Management Software?
Common Functionality of Event Management Software
Key Considerations for Event Management Software
What Type of Buyer Are You?
Market Trends to Understand
An event management system helps businesses automate the process of planning, organizing, marketing and ultimately analyzing promotional events.
Among other things, this type of software facilitates:
It can also be used to administer real-time polls and surveys to keep the audience engaged and incorporate customer feedback to improve future events.
Most event planning software solutions offer some or all of the following capabilities:
Attendee management | Creates an enhanced attendee experience with functions such as customized registration, guest list management, assigned seating arrangements, polls and Q&As for increased engagement and assignment of qualified staff members to escort attendees. Certain solutions allow users to facilitate travel arrangements for attendees. |
Registration management | Enables users to accept or decline registrations for events, conferences or seminars through both online and offline channels. Certain solutions allow users to book rooms, venues or tables for attendees. |
Venue management | Allows users to identify potential venues and prepare a detailed floor plan or layout and allocate booths to exhibitors. Certain solutions allow users to manage event logistics, catering and resources. |
Ticketing | Facilitates the sale of event tickets or registration for conferences through online or offline channels. Also allows users to customize ticket prices and types and set quantity limits. |
Event analytics and reporting | Enables the generation of customizable reports, so users can measure event ROI based on metrics such as budget utilization, venue utilization, audience engagement and marketing success. |
Event marketing | Allows business owners to market events with tools and functionality that allow users to create a customizable event website, launch email, social media and push messaging marketing campaigns and create promo codes. |
On-site management | Enables users to manage event-related activities at the venue including on-the-spot attendee registrations, creating and printing name badges for attendees, checking in attendees via barcode scanner and integration with self-service kiosks for easy check-ins. |
Session management | Allows users to create and monitor content for event exhibitors, speakers and sponsors. Also allows users to create event agendas and gauge attendee interest for each session. |
Here are a few other factors to keep in mind as you evaluate event planning tools:
Make sure the software offers a mobile interface. Event coordinators are often on-the-go, evaluating venues and meeting with caterers and other professionals to get everything set up. Having a mobile interface available enables a seamless workflow, regardless of location.
Software should support necessary integrations. When choosing an event management solution, it's important to consider which other tools you'll need it to communicate with. You might consider vendors that offer native integrations with customer relationship management (CRM) products that offer features such as:
Choosing the right event management software depends on the size of the business. Consider the following buyer types:
Small and mid-sized businesses. These businesses typically operate as establishments with up to 100 employees and specialize in a certain area. Such companies might consider a best-of-breed system that specializes in their niche. For example, businesses that primarily hold online events should look for a solution that offers ticketing, online registration management, event marketing and event reporting. Business that hold on-site events should seek features for venue management, on-site visitor management functionality and guest list management, badge printing, barcode scanning and sessions management.
Large enterprises. Companies that specialize in large events often host on-site events that are connected to simultaneous online events working in sync with their offline counterparts. These businesses should look for features that synchronize both online and offline event registration. They may want to consider an event management solution with a modular suite that provides the ability to pick and choose modules according to their needs.
Big data analytics. Event organizers need to go beyond collecting attendee and registration information to provide a truly customized attendee experience. A wealth of data on customer preferences can be retrieved by tracking customers’ online activities, such as their social media posts and shopping preferences. Big data analytics allows businesses to aggregate and study this data, so they can serve up customized content to users.
Beacon technology in attendee management. Based on Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology, beacons will go a long way in personalizing the customer experience. Imagine an attendee walking to an event and receiving a customized welcome message the moment they enter the venue, followed by an app notification that automatically opens up a map to guide them toward the registration desk and around the event. Beacons can help keep attendees engaged and encourage them to connect with other attendees, which can lead to more event registrations in the future.