Mobile technology continues to evolve across the globe and the mobile is no more a mere device, it has become an integral part of our daily life. As expected, mobility has simplified the day to day activities of the individuals and it is becoming even more intuitive. Recollecting some facts, in early 90’s, people used to attend an event or a conference in far geographical locations. They had to carry stack of papers, a map to help them in identifying the location, and of course a heavy suitcase. But with the advent of the mobile technology, mobility has set the trend, which helps you to approach an event without facing much hassle. All you need is a smartphone; with the event app installed in it. A quality event application makes it easier, for attendees, to start experiencing the event, whenever they want. Let’s take a look at what are the major components of an event based application and how to ensure quality of the same. Mobile Event apps are considered to be a powerful and one of the most convenient ways to enhance the attendee experience, reduce paper consumption and obtain meticulous information about the behavior of the attendees. A mobile event app is known to, majorly; enhance the networks and collaborations of the event planners, in order to accomplish their intended objectives. The apps, also, help in sustaining and nurturing the connections even after the event. This paper primarily explains the key features to consider for building a mobile event app, importance of the features considered and on how to ensure quality for the features in the implemented app.

1. Managing Conferences &
Events using Mobile Apps
A RapidValue Solutions Whitepaper

2. Contents
02A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015
Executive Summary................................................................................................................
Which Platforms: Native or Web Based?..................................................................................
Important Features to Consider...............................................................................................
Content Management System.................................................................................................
Conclusion - Events are becoming easier to attend and track....................................................
About Rapidvalue..................................................................................................................
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3. Executive Summary
Which Platforms: Native or Web Based?
Important Features to Consider
Mobile technology continues to evolve across the globe and the mobile is no more a mere device, it has
become an integral part of our daily life. As expected, mobility has simplified the day to day activities of
the individuals and it is becoming even more intuitive. Recollecting some facts, in early 90’s, people used
to attend an event or a conference in far geographical locations. They had to carry stack of papers, a map
to help them in identifying the location, and of course a heavy suitcase.
But with the advent of the mobile technology, mobility has set the trend, which helps you to approach an
event without facing much hassle. All you need is a smartphone; with the event app installed in it.
A quality event application makes it easier, for attendees, to start experiencing the event, whenever they
want. Let’s take a look at what are the major components of an event based application and how to
ensure quality of the same.
Mobile Event apps are considered to be a powerful and one of the most convenient ways to enhance the
attendee experience, reduce paper consumption and obtain meticulous information about the behavior of
the attendees. A mobile event app is known to, majorly; enhance the networks and collaborations of the
event planners, in order to accomplish their intended objectives. The apps, also, help in sustaining and
nurturing the connections even after the event.
This paper primarily explains the key features to consider for building a mobile event app, importance of
the features considered and on how to ensure quality for the features in the implemented app.
Event apps are basically built in, both, native and mobile web platforms. Native applications cover more
functionality as compared to mobile web platforms. Android and iPhone are the most preferred platforms
by the event app builders, when it comes to developing a native app for events and conferences.
Blackberry and Windows platform have lesser share in producing event apps.
Developing features for an application will depend on the event and the audience, but there are some
fundamental components that most event apps should have.
The attendees’ page is a very crucial aspect, since every attendee communicates with other attendees for
networking and interaction. Maintaining a proper order of a scrollable list of attendees and scalability to
provide any resolution display picture for all the attendees, make the application a unique one. The end
users will always accept the application if it possesses a message button, which provides effective
communication with a specific attendee.
Attendees’ Personalized Details
03A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015

4. Generate a list of scheduled sessions and events, with detailed overview, that can build excitement and
encourage participation. Schedule page provides information on where the location is and what is the
scheduled time to report at the venue. The application can customize the component by including
personalized events and, thus, the attendee can save the events in his local memory. The synchronization
with the calendar app will help the attendee to get notified at the right time.
Schedule
Interactive Maps play a significant role in guiding the attendees to find their way to different locations.
GPS enabled system will navigate the end-user and assist them to reach their destination, even if the
events are taking place in multiple geographic locations. The facility to pinpoint a particular location, by
linking it with the exhibitors, can fetch you the accurate information about the exhibitors at their location
on the map.
Interactive Map
A lot of paperwork can be avoided by assembling the exhibitors’ and the speakers’ data in the
application. Users can obtain information about the various exhibitors, present at the event, and even
get clarifications regarding their queries, from any speaker, who interacts, communicates and discusses
a particular topic.
The engineering team should give special attention to the document and note components, since these
are features that will be widely used by every attendee. Ability to download most of the document
formats and providing access to the permitted websites, will increase the overall rating of the application.
Exhibitors and Speakers
Documents and Notes
Attendees Schedule Document
Maps Survey Notes
Exhibitors Speakers Sponsors
Event Attendees
Attendee A
Attendee A
Attendee A
Map
04A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015

5. Multi-Event Containers
Messaging
Localization
Messaging functionality enables attendees of the event to contact other attendees, who are using the
application. Attendees should be able to, quickly, filter the message from the inbox/sent pages. Dynamic
message counter notifies you about the unread messages, available in the inbox. The application should
be competent enough to integrate components like Quick-meeting and the user should be able to invite
other attendees, to arrange a meeting session with the members in the attendee list.
A single event application cannot be, always, helpful for an attendee, who is ready to participate in
multiple conferences. Multi Event Containers or Master Apps improve the usability by accommodating
multiple events in the container. End-users can download and know about the authorized events, which
helps them to avoid multiple installations of the event in the device.
Support for different languages is a key factor to attract customers, since the attendees participating in
the events, come from different geographical locations, and speak different languages. Extreme care
should be taken while developing and testing the supporting languages and then integrating them
in the app.
Gamification
The intention behind including the gamification component is to turn passive spectators into active
contributors, with a game designed to motivate the attendees to learn, connect and get active at the
event. It not only creates fun, but also helps to track the most active attendees, participating in an event.
Social Networks
Encourage attendees to get into social networking and share their event experiences on social media. An
event specific hash tag and tweet tags can be included, while configuring widget for twitter. Attendees
can post the event activities on social media sites like Facebook, Linkedin.
Attendees
List out the names of all the
attendees, who are available
for the event
Connect with other attendees by
Email, Messaging or via Phone
Proper sorting should be done,
order should be maintained
Smooth scrolling of the page
Ability to return to same
position from Attendee details
page, to where it was before
Schedule
List out scheduled sessions and
events, with detailed overviews
Personalize session by adding to
local memory
Synchronize with calendar and
help to keep you updated about
the details of the event
Time formats should synchro-
nize with device, date and time
Proper toast message should
get displayed when the App
goes offline
User interface should be rich
so as to provide ease in
identifying the sessions
Feature Description How End-User Benefits How Quality Can Be Ensured
05A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015

6. Venues & Maps
Provide access to all the venues,
associated with the event
Interactive Maps allow
attendees to get the details
about the linked Exhibitors,
Sessions etc
Helps to find the destination
with the help of Google Map or
an Alternative Map
Provision to call the authorities
Avoid any chance of application
crash, while accessing the
maps
Avoid graphical distortions
Exhibitors &
Speakers
Exhibitor details provide various
exhibitor profiles and their
location
Speakers’ details are used to
connect with the event
speakers who are going to take
sessions on a particular topic
Helps to find out available
exhibitors
Provision to call the authorities
Provision to send e-mails and
Linkage to an interactive map
Interact with speakers and read
their profiles
Ensure to identify right location
of the exhibitor, linked with the
Map
Ensure that the web
URLs ’s are accessible within the
application
Ensure that the call functionality
is smooth
Documents &
Notes
Documents page list out all the
articles within the application,
which are sub categorized and
alphabetically sorted
Notes can be created on
different items, which are
saved locally in the device
Download all formats of
the documents
Documents can be shared
via Email
Notes help to scribble down the
things happening in the events
Ensure that the documents can
be read in the offline mode
Ensure not to save any notes
without any content
Ensure to sync the notes with
respective sessions
Messaging
Enables attendees of the event
to contact other attendees,
who are using the application
Helps to connect with the
attendees via Email messaging
and In- App messaging
Provision to invite attendees to
an internal meeting session
Ensure Auto Refresh capability
Offline reading capability
Proper alert/toast messages
while sending or discarding
of messages
Multi-Event
Containers
Enable the attendee to down-
load multiple events from a
master app
Helps to download multiple
events with a Master App
Authorized attendee is able to
download and hence provide
the security to the attendee
database
Ability to download events by
Event ID’s, Event Name or by
QR scan
Ensure that the downloaded
event provide a brief
description of the same
Localization
Provides multiple language
support so that you can switch
on to the desired language
Support for multiple languages
End-users can easily understand
the entire content of the app,
including button names and
label names
Ensure all the UI contents are
converted to the opted
language
Gamification
Developed and designed for
ensuring active participation
among the attendees
Creates interaction and fun
among the attendees
Helps to identify the active
attendees by monitoring the
leader board
Ensure that the game points
are credited correctly for every
game activity
Ensure that proper toast
messages are displayed
Social Networks
Helps to promote the event and
happenings in the event
Platform to share thoughts and
information across the globe
Supports Facebook, Twitter,
Linkedin
Avoid any kind of application
crashes
Ensure that user navigates to
the proper social networking
sites which are listed in the page
06A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015

7. Content Management System
An event app, alone, cannot bring an incredible conference experience. A Content Management System
(CMS), which acts as an engine to supply necessary components to create the application, is required to
make the job easier. The main objective of a CMS is to learn about the attendees and obtain information
regarding the event. The information, thus, collected from the Surveys, Polls and Sessions, provides
valuable feedback, which can strengthen the entire system, thereby, making necessary improvements in
the forthcoming tasks.
With the help of Analytics, integrated in the System, the event organizer can track all the activity in the
app. A significant advantage of a CMS and an event mobile app over traditional printed materials is that
we can provide information regarding any change or notifications, on the go.
Conclusion - Events are becoming easier to attend
and track
In the near future, there will be a lot of expectations from the professionals, in terms of demand for more
special features from the mobile apps. People would focus and emphasize on improving various elements
of the event. Features like engagement in the event, live audience response, surveys, and polling are
important. Integration of the mobile applications into the event strategy is something to which people are
attaching great importance. The apps will help in generating data, retaining attendees, assist in lead
retrieval for the exhibitors, and also, provide event performance analysis.
A Mobile Event application not only makes your tasks organized, but also makes events more exciting and
interesting for the attendees, speakers and sponsors. A mobile event app allows you to engage the
attendees in a better way than the printed leaflets, brochures, and planners do.
You can make changes instantaneously, send notifications and make announcements, promote your
sponsors and get timely feedback, using the application. In the near future, event applications will be
effective enough to anticipate the interest of the attendees, with the help of iBeacons and useful content.
Mobile technology will continue to evolve with time and provide you a better event experience.
ATTENDEE
DIGITAL SESSION
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CONTACT
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07A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015

8. RapidValueEnablingMobilityMobility Information Series – Jan 2013
About RapidValue
RapidValue is a leading provider of mobility solutions to enterprises worldwide. Armed with a team of 175+
experts in mobility consulting and application development, along with experience delivering over 300 mobility
projects, we offer a range of mobility services across industry verticals. RapidValue delivers its services to the
world’s top brands and Fortune 1000 companies, and has offices in the United States and India.
If you’d like more information on this topic, please do write to the author, Baburaj V.D.,
Software Test Engineer at baburajvd@rapidvaluesolutions.com and our mobility testing expert, Vidya V.G.,
Testing Manager at vidya.vg@rapidvaluesolutions.com
www.rapidvaluesolutions.com www.rapidvaluesolutions.com/blog
+1 877.690.4844 contactus@rapidvaluesolutions.com
A Whitepaper by RapidValue Solutions - January 2015