It’s no secret that event technology has evolved exponentially in the past few years to meet the growing and ever changing demands of event professionals and attendees alike. New features, functionality, and interface designs are often enticing, but come with a unique set of challenges to any event producer looking to master the technology behind their webinar, virtual and hybrid event components. So how can one maximize the benefits of event technology?

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The answer is simple: find a good partner to help. 

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Many event professionals report that one of the biggest challenges when searching for a new event technology vendor is how they will access support throughout the event process. In fact, 20% of event organizers admit to avoiding virtual event elements altogether due to uncertainty and unfamiliarity with event technology. That said, the growing demand for hybrid events means virtual components are imminent in the ever-changing events industry and must be confronted head on.

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The best partner will not only guide you through the event technology, but will also listen to your needs and consult on the recommended best next steps.

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The good news? For events of all shapes and sizes, this consultative process can be the biggest driver of ROI and can unlock new possibilities within your event structure you may have never considered on your own. 

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So how does one go about finding an event technology partner that works for them? It starts with the following 5 pillars for success:

 

• Experience: The virtual and hybrid event technology space is saturated with new platforms popping up each day. Look for a partner who has been in the events space for 10+ years and works with an array of trusted companies. A longstanding status in the events space paired with popular logos on their website indicates high customer satisfaction and instills automatic trust. ‍
• Expertise: Perhaps the most invaluable element from an event planning perspective is understanding which tools and/or functionality you should use to get the most out of each event module. Whether it’s recommendations on your Q&A strategy, or suggestions for better event networking, your partner should have a strong sense of what will work best for your event needs given their experience and expertise in the space.‍
• Team: Oftentimes, a single individual won’t cut it for event execution. Your event partner needs team structure to help you execute your event. Roles and responsibilities managed through a RACI chart or Run of Show help identify accountability and instill peace of mind. Depending on the size and complexity of your event, a trusted parter will recommend the appropriate staff needed to execute a flawless event.‍
• Compassion: We’ve all been there. Your event is two minutes to kickoff and something goes wrong. Working with a partner willing to go the extra mile for you is critical. Whether it’s helping you develop an iron-clad contingency plan or offering extra training hours to  instill confidence in your team can offer peace of mind at your event's most critical moments.‍
• Proprietary Technology: While integrations are important, it’s imperative to work with a partner whose event technology is built and managed on a single platform. Plus, years of experience in the field and constant feature enhancements  and updates make for more reliable and trustworthy software. 

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Once you’ve established a potential partnership opportunity, be sure to ask the following questions during your product demo:  

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• What’s your experience and tenure? 

• How long have you been in business/the industry?

• Do you work with organizations like ours? Size/industry?

• Any case studies, examples, or references we can refer to?

• What’s your recommended timeline for our event? How will we work together? 

• What will the team look like? What will the  communication process look like?

• What are some anticipated challenges? How can we get ahead or avoid them?

• What are some success drivers? How can we best measure success?

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A prospective partner's responses to the above questions should be data-driven and precise. Remember, it's the sales person's job to sell you on the partnership, so key attention to detail is important during your vetting process. A positive sign to look for is a prospective partner's willingness to share references and examples, since current customers don't have the same motivation as your salesperson. Another good sign is high ranks on customer review sites, which not only share honest feedback from real customers, but also allow you to compare and contrast with other potential partners.

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The bottom line is simple. The technology you use in your webinars, virtual or hybrid events is the most important piece of the puzzle to get right. Finding a partner with the right experience and technology to meet your needs will not only help you execute a flawless event, but will empower you to take your events to the next level.

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If you’d like to work with a trusted technology partner on your next event, BigMarker has the tools and expertise needed to take your experience to the next level. To learn more or schedule a demo, visit https://www.bigmarker.com/. 

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