As is the case throughout the global marketplace, social media sites and versatile mobile apps are playing an increasingly influential role in everyday business dealings.

Given that the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (M.I.C.E.) industry strives to bring people together in a productive social environment, it’s no wonder mobile apps and social media have become indispensable tools for meetings professionals.

As is the case throughout the global marketplace, social media sites and versatile mobile apps are playing an increasingly influential role in everyday business dealings.

For example, to increase online exposure and, in some cases, simplify the registration process, many event organizers and meeting planners make proficient use of Facebook. This internationally popular social media site provides an easily accessible central location for organizers to post schedules, testimonials, directions and other key information for attendees.

But perhaps the most dramatic innovations in meeting planning are in the form of mobile software applications for every imaginable travel- and event-related purpose. These rapidly evolving technologies are enhancing the meetings industry on both sides of the equation — benefitting both planners and attendees — by streamlining, upgrading and optimizing the overall M.I.C.E. experience.

When it comes to event planning, it seems there’s no end to the mobile apps possibilities as key players in the industry adopt game-changing apps to improve efficiency, productivity and profitability. The International Association of Exhibitions and Events recently partnered with Core-Apps after an extensive and competitive bidding process. Core-Apps produces business-grade mobile applications such as Follow Me, created specifically for the trade show and event industry. Follow Me greatly enhances the trade show experience for attendees with features that include interactive trade show floor maps with routing to booths, linking to colleagues’ schedules, downloading exhibitors’ brochures and access to social media. In addition, event organizers can use it to send updates and alerts to attendees, and exhibitors can reach their audience with interactive banner advertisements and redeemable coupons.

“In just three years, we have grown to more than 500 shows and events globally, from small corporate and association conferences to trade shows in excess of 150,000 attendees, with more than 2 million annual users of our app,” says Jay Tokosch, Core-Apps’ CEO.

“The addition of Core-Apps will fundamentally change the experience for visitors, organizers and exhibiting companies when it comes to efficiency and range of impact,” notes IAEE president Steven Hacker.

The American Society of Travel Agents launched its first mobile app to keep users continuously in the loop. The ASTA App enables members to access a variety of services and information — such as news, directories, events and industry alerts — while on the go.

“We asked our members what they wanted on their mobile devices, and we delivered it,” explains ASTA CEO Tony Gonchar. “With this app, every member can have access to their most important information, right at their fingertips.”

Another useful tool for meetings professionals comes from AAA. Its GPS-enabled TripTik mobile app for smartphones provides fingertip access to online hotel reservations — whether arrangements are made at the last minute or well in advance.

Traveling one step beyond apps, Certain, Inc., a leading provider of technology solutions for the global meetings and events industry, elevated its meetings solution to the cloud, with the introduction of Certain Mobile for smartphones and tablets. Because it’s a cloud-based Software as a Service, or SaaS, mobile solution, it requires no software download or installation yet keeps planners and attendees connected to key event data in real time.

“It’s easy and fast to set up and get your event mobilized, without having to coordinate with yet another vendor,” points out Rajesh Krishnan, product line manager at Certain.

The Certain Mobile platform gives planners access to registration data and event management tools while allowing attendees to review the meeting’s agenda, create a customized schedule, read meeting announcements and Twitter feeds, and rate sessions they’ve attended.

The latter option, called SessionPulse, also benefits meeting planners, who can collate attendee feedback to build an even better event the following year.

To Help M.I.C.E. professionals stay on top of the latest technological trends, the Professional Convention Management Association will offer social media-specific mini-sessions during this year’s Americas Meetings and Event Exhibition, the AIBTM (Americas Incentive Business Travel and Meetings) event June 19–21 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

Because the steady progression of technology can be somewhat overwhelming, PCMA will facilitate 15-minute presentations designed to appeal to busy meetings professionals who would like to expand their knowledge base in easy-to-digest portions.

“This is an opportunity for buyers on the show floor to take a break from their appointments and engage in some bite-sized education with clear take-aways,” suggests Sherrif Karamat, PCMA’s COO.

One of its most popular and well-attended forums to date is “Apps for the Meeting Professional.”

Karamat notes, “It was very successful at Convening Leaders 2012 and continues to be a topic people constantly want to discuss and learn more about.”

The apps session will discuss useful, time-saving software applications that run on a computer, smartphone, tablet/pad or other Internet-enabled electronic devices.

“The take-away from this session is a full list of apps to help planners manage their multitasking work demands,” Karamat says.

Similarly, AIBTM is focusing on the technological possibilities of the future with its brand-new specialty area called the Future Events Experience. Following a successful pilot with 15,000 attendees at The Global Meetings and Events Exhibition in Barcelona, the Future Events Experience will share insights on both current and new technologies transforming the future of event planning. AIBTM attendees will be treated to an up-close, hands-on, interactive demonstration of the latest and up-and-coming technological innovations.

“This experimental opportunity allows attendees to get inside innovative technology and take one-on-one guided tours in order to gain a better understanding of how to use the tools of the future of meeting planning,” explains Craig Moyes, portfolio director, IBTM Global Events Portfolio, for Reed Travel Exhibitions, which stages the event.

The Experience will also feature a series of informational forums aimed at augmenting the proficiency level of tech-savvy meeting planners. Among the highlights is the Ask the Experts Panel, during which a slate of authorities on technology will be available to discuss related topics and issues, answer attendees’ questions and help resolve technical difficulties.

AAA
AIBTM
ASTA
Certain, Inc.
Core-Apps
IAEE
PCMA