Event Planning Software
Smart, cost-effective event marketing
Event planning software is getting better all the time because of new technology.
If you're involved in event marketing / event promotion, you've probably already looked at a variety of event planning tools. Well, I've got the inside track on a new website that will be available to the general public in January 2011. It will let you do your event planning online and eliminate many printing costs normally associated with events. Plus, it's loaded with very cool features.
It's called eEvent. Here today to tell us about this web site is Emily Breder, the Relationships Manager for eEvent.
Hello, Emily. Tell me about eEvent. What's the vision for this application?
There are a lot of event management platforms out there and subject-specific forums and directories that maintain a calendar of events. But nowhere do you see a place where you can find events and search for them by keyword, plan your own, promote them and connect with people in real life, building relationships in the virtual and analog world - all by a mobile phone. There's no other event planning software like it.
The unique algorithm written for eEvent also recommends events based on your preferences and your friends, as well as other factors, so you never know what you're going to find out about your town. This is a mouthful, though, and after a lot of research we decided that 'serendipity' was the perfect word to describe it.
From Wikipedia: Serendipity is a propensity for making fortunate discoveries while looking for something unrelated.
What will people be able to do with the eEvent event planning software?
It helps you plan your local events and activities, for one, but it also helps you see what lines of promotion are working, what your connections prefer to do in business and in leisure, and what you could do better for your next event. Even simple social gatherings, like a private dinner party, are simpler to manage.
This allows the host to focus on making the event itself memorable and enjoyable for everyone- especially themselves - and be freed up from a lot of red tape.
The platform has a lot of other features, but they won't be released unless there is customer interest, or as they are developed. We are a lean startup, so we don't waste time or effort on things that don't translate directly into customer satisfaction.
What need in the market is this application addressing?
Hosts of events, business or social (or both!), tend to spend a lot of time hopping from tool to tool, program to program, tied to a desktop and arranging details when they could be out doing what all event planners like to do - connecting with people and making their lives memorable. eEvent frees them up to do that, not just with the management tools, but with mobile capability and crowdsourcing.
How is it different from available event planning software?
Mobility and versatility. The upcoming trend in mobile technology and with QR codes is making people more conscious of what our advanced communication technology can do for their events. Almost no other event planning software is implementing all of those technologies.
eEvent taps into the cutting edge and makes it available to anyone, from anywhere, with mobile access. This is definitely a first! Plus, the QR codes are reusable in a number of formats, making it possible for registered members of eEvent to use the same code over and over, eliminating printing and distribution costs completely.
How can a small business owner benefit from eEvent.com?
You can see, when you take all these factors into consideration, that costs are cut to nothing but the processing fee for paid events. Our rates are very competitive, too, and the site is totally free to use for free events.
Small business owners and non-profits have an easier time connecting to their loyal customers/patrons and getting new business with mobile technology.
I noticed eEvent.com pulls in events from Meetup.com. What other sites does it connect with?
Plenty, including EventBrite and StubHub to begin with. Our search algorithms will be refined prior to public release to improve the user's experience while searching events relevant to them, and we're always adding new event directories to make the search engine more comprehensive.
We believe that our system will help those other sites reach more customers, increasing opportunities for them as well. It truly is serendipitous!
Are you this enthusiastic about everything?
(laughs) About this, I am! Seriously, I love my job and the people I work with. Even if the product wasn't so cool, the people I work with would make it all worthwhile.
Fair enough. So, how does eEvent.com integrate with Facebook and Twitter?
Users could use Facebook connect to sign-in to eEvent, instantly helping them build a profile and promote their events with a single click to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social medial tools.
What future plans (if any) do you have for integration with these sites?
I am sorry. We are not at the liberty to disclose this at this time. However, please follow us @e_event to be the first to know for any upcoming public releases.
What other social networking does eEvent.com do?
Unlike most other event planning software, eEvent enable guests to network to one another before, during and after the event using their mobiles phone and/or via web. More profile integration is possible, but will require customer interest to implement.
Do customers have to have an account with eEvent.com to purchase tickets to an event?
Nope. You can RSVP and purchase a ticket with just your name and email, which is only available to the event planner.
Are there benefits for me to encourage my customers to create an eEvent.com account?
The QR code is loaded with their chosen profile information, so event guests can use the QR code scanners on their smartphones at the event to instantly upload each others' contact info into their phones.
After events, members can see the guest list and connect with people they met at the event. Those people's preferences are then added to their algorithm, so that events that the people they connect with like to attend come up higher in the recommendations for them.
That's very cool. I see some potential issues with that.
Like what? Ask away!
Well, if I add a new mother to my network, am I going to start getting invited to "Mommy and me" events?
The recommendations engine, which is in alpha testing right now, will just make those events come closer to the top of your results in the event search engine for you. The 'Mommy and Me' events would only come up a lot if she was your only friend on the system, and even then your own preferences would trump those events. There will be ways to filter and refine your results, too, so that it truly does represent your tastes.
OK, so eEvent is much more than just event planning software. It's event planning software, social networking, and a a powerful search engine all rolled into one! Now I'm excited, too!
What payment methods can be used by those purchasing tickets to an event?
All major credit cards including visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover as well as Paypal.
How does the event organizer get paid?
Users get paid directly if they use Paypal account to receive payments or eEvent will send them a check, if they choose to use eEvent's merchant payment processing.
How do you handle refunds to customers?
It's up to the event planners, as we only process the payments. In any case, we welcome feedback.
Do you plan to add a waitlist feature, so that if someone decides not to go to an event the next person in line can buy the ticket?
If our customers strongly demand this, then we will definitely implement it. eEvent is customer-oriented. We love to hear from our customers and deliver product and services in accordance to their requests, especially since this helps us stay lean and keep costs low.
If you're looking for powerful event planning software to grow your business, eEvent should be on your short list. I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak at the beta (it was invite only), and it looks like it will be very fun.
Unlike standard event planning software, eEvent has a powerful social networking capability built in, which lets your customers promote your event. This is very smart thinking.
eEvent will be available to the general public January 2011.
Back from Event Planning Software to Small Business Advice
Back from Event Planning Software to Small Business Marketing
