Imagine having an app that doesn't just serve as a digital tool, but rather an immersive experience that keeps users engaged before, during, and even after an event.

We're talking about an app with features that not only streamline information but also foster connections, enhance engagement, and create lasting memories.

If you're ready to take your app from good to unforgettable, buckle up as we dive into the best features that can transform your app into a powerhouse of interaction, engagement, and fun.

Features for Event Promotion

1. Event Marketing Website

Getting people to your event means you need a website or landing page that you can promote. Your website should highlight key event details (like date, location, speakers and ticket options), plus give visitors the option to pre-register (this is really helpful for boosting attendance).

Get more insight into Guidebook’s event marketing websites and how to start building your own.

Features for Registration and Check-In

2. Registration Landing Page

To simplify registration, you should create a dedicated registration page that includes a clear call-to-action, a breakdown of all ticket types and secure payment processing. To further enhance conversion rates, create a branded registration page that includes your brand colors and logo.

By using your brand colors, it signals to potential attendees that they are in the right place and makes them feel more comfortable about providing their payment information.

3. Self-Check-in with QR Code

Nothing kills the vibe at an event faster than long check-in lines. With QR code self-check-in attendees can confirm their attendance at the entire event or at an individual session. Not only does this contactless check-in solution speed up entry, but it also minimizes bottlenecks and reduces staffing needs at the venue.

Features for Attendee Engagement and Interaction

4. Gamification

Humans love rewards, so why not tap into this by creating challenges — such as a QR code scavenger hunt — and rewarding participants? Also, use a leaderboard to track results and encourage healthy competition between attendees.

By incentivizing attendees through prizes — e.g. social recognition, exclusive content, cash reward, or something else — they’re more likely to stay motivated and engaged throughout the event.

5. Push Notifications

Push notifications are like the friendly tap on the shoulder that ensures users don't miss a beat. These little messages can make a big impact by driving users back to your app and encouraging them to explore.

Whether it's a crucial update, a time-sensitive offer, or a spotlight on a sponsor, push notifications are your direct line to keeping users engaged.

6. Surveys (Forms) and Live Polls

Gather feedback and spark live interactions with forms and live polls. Attendees can share their thoughts on sessions, event organization, and the app itself. Live polls encourage real-time engagement during sessions, shaping discussions and involving the audience like never before.

Features for Attendee Networking and Connection Features

One of the main reasons why people attend events is because it gives them the opportunity to meet like-minded people that they wouldn’t necessarily encounter in their daily life. So, it’s important that your event app provides attendees with features that facilitate networking and connection.

7. AI-Powered Networking

Finding the right connections at events can be overwhelming. With AI-powered networking, attendees can select their top interests and receive recommendations for other attendees who would be a good match for them. This takes the guesswork out of networking and facilitates meaningful conversations.

8. Connect and Chat

Make it easy for attendees to make new friends and start conversations. This comes in handy for attendees who may have run into each other at an exhibitor booth or share similar interests.

9. Event-Specific Social Feed

Encourage conversations and interactions around your event by offering a dynamic feed that highlights upcoming sessions, announcements, comments, and photos from attendees. This is a great way to drive engagement beyond individual session rooms.

At Guidebook we offer a feature called Interact that allows you to create this social feed. In addition, you can also showcase sponsored posts on the feed and use it as part of your app’s revenue-generating strategy. Learn more about the Interact feature here.

10. Meeting Scheduling

Attendees’ schedules are often jam-packed during an event. Make it easy for them to book 1:1 or group meetings via your event app so that they can connect, learn and grow together. For more on how Guidebook supports this feature, read this article.

11. Private Messaging

Whether it’s to say a quick “hello” or gauge interest in a 1:1 meeting, this feature adds a layer of ease and efficiency to your app, allowing attendees to kickstart conversations when it’s convenient for them. 

Learn more about Guidebook’s private messaging feature.

By the way, if you're planning an event, check out our most popular resource: The Ultimate Event Planning Checklist

Features for Content and Information Access

12. Interactive Maps

Interactive maps go beyond just showing locations – they provide a dynamic, immersive way to explore your event's layout. Users can quickly locate sessions, booths, or key points of interest, making navigation a breeze. Plus, if you’re building your app with Guidebook, then your maps will also work offline. This ensures that attendees can still find their way around even when there's no internet connection.

13. Multi-Track Schedules

FOMO (fear of missing out) is very real for many event attendees. Help them navigate complex schedules by organizing sessions into predefined tracks that they can filter or sort through. It allows attendees to quickly find all sessions related to a specific topic or all sessions happening in a particular room/building, for example.

Learn more about managing schedule tracks within Guidebook’s event management platform.

14. Preset Schedules

Each attendee has their own preferences and preset schedules acknowledge this fact by offering tailored session recommendations. Users can choose from pre-made schedules based on their interests or customize their own, ensuring they get the most out of your event.

Features for Event Sponsorship and Monetization

15. Sponsor Listings

Showcase sponsors with eye-catching, high visibility listings that pique attendees’ interest and encourage engament. Rather than digging through paper to find sponsor information, attendees can quickly view a sponsor’s profile and learn what they offer.

16. Banner Ads and Sponsored Posts

Whether it’s a post in the social feed or a banner ad that displays throughout the event app, strategic ad placements are an effective way for planners to generate revenue (and for attendees to discover sponsors).

17. Appointment Scheduling

Help sponsors get more from their investment by making it easy for attendees to schedule 1:1 time with them directly from the event app. The more direct interactions sponsors have with attendees, the more leads they generate and the greater their chances of seeing a positive ROI from the event (which means they’re more likely to return as a sponsor).

Reporting and Analytics Features

18. Post-Event Surveys

As a planner, you should never have to guess about what attendees want (that can be very costly in terms of time and money!). Therefore, your app should make it easy to send surveys and questionnaires to attendees, allowing you to gather accurate feedback to improve the event experience. 

19. Real-Time Usage and Engagement Metrics

Just because you’ve built an event app, that doesn’t mean attendees will actually use it. To make sure that you’re putting your energy where it matters, your app should provide real-time usage metrics so that you can monitor adoption rates and see the features that attendees are engaging with the most. This will help you improve the app experience for future events.

20. Attendance Verification Tracking

It’s not enough to know who signed up for an event or for a specific session. You also need to know who actually showed up. Your event app should provide attendance data so that you can properly evaluate the success - or lack of success - of a particular session (and the event as a whole).

Final Thoughts: Choosing The Right Event App Features

The best event apps are more than just reference tools for attendees to access schedules. They’re engagement and networking hubs.

No matter the type of event you’re hosting, the features we’ve covered will empower users to explore and create their own experience, while also making it easier for planners to manage the many moving pieces that come with hosting events. 

And remember that there are a lot more features that you can take advantage of in your event app (check out the full list of Guidebook’s event app features here).

When you’re ready to provide your attendees with a unique experience, simply book a demo with one of our dedicated product experts or get started here.