FAQs

• How do I choose an event app?

  Start by testing setup time, offline access, and admin controls in a sandbox account. Then compare pricing against your actual event volume, and confirm security certifications like SOC 2 or ISO 27001 before shortlisting a vendor for a 200+ attendee event.

• What should be on a conference app checklist?

  A useful checklist covers setup speed, offline functionality, exhibitor tools, pricing flexibility, contract SLAs, and enterprise security (SSO, SOC 2, data residency). Test each item yourself and in a live demo rather than relying on a vendor's sales pitch alone.

• What features should an event app have?

  At minimum: offline agenda access, instant push notifications, a social wall for photos and posts, exhibitor self-service uploads, and exportable engagement analytics. For a 200+ attendee corporate event, add SSO, SOC 2 or ISO 27001 documentation, and multi-language support to that list.

• What security questions should I ask an event app vendor for IT approval?

  Ask if the app supports SSO (SAML or OAuth), where servers are hosted, and whether SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 reports are available on request. IT teams typically require these answers before approving a vendor for enterprise use.

• How do I justify the cost of an event app to finance or leadership?

  Map event app cost per attendee against your next 3 events, not just one, to expose hidden scale costs. Compare that total against manual coordination costs (staff hours, printed materials, support calls) to build a clear cost argument.

• What's a red flag when evaluating an event app vendor?

  Inconsistent app store reviews compared to the sales pitch, vague answers about data retention after contract end, and no visible SLA for support response time are the clearest warning signs. A recent company restructuring (layoffs, M&A) is worth checking too.

• How many event app vendors should I shortlist before deciding?

  Three vendors is typically enough to compare meaningfully without dragging out the decision. Test each on the same criteria (setup time, security, pricing, support) so the comparison stays fair and defensible internally.

• Is a native app or web app better for a corporate event?

  Native apps generally offer better offline access and push notification reliability, which matters for multi-day conferences with spotty venue Wi-Fi. Web apps can work for smaller, single-day internal events where offline access isn't critical.

• How long does it take to set up an event app before a conference?

  A well-built platform should let you go from login to a live event with agenda and registration in under 15 minutes for a basic setup. Full customization, exhibitor onboarding, and integrations typically take longer, so ask the vendor to demonstrate setup time directly.

• What should an event app RFP include?

  An RFP should ask for sandbox/demo account access, pricing across different attendee volumes, SLA terms, data export policy, and security certifications (SSO, SOC 2, ISO 27001). Vendors that hesitate to provide these directly are worth deprioritizing.

• Does an event app improve ROI for internal or corporate events?

  Yes, when it replaces manual processes like printed agendas, spreadsheet-based registration, and post-event reporting requests. The clearest ROI signal is time saved by staff and organizers, not just attendee-facing features.

• What happens if the event app crashes during my event?

  Ask the vendor directly what their crash-recovery process looks like - not just uptime stats. A dependable platform should have offline fallback for core features like the agenda, plus a named support contact reachable during live event hours, not just a ticket queue.