Here's What You'll Need from a Conference App in 2024 (+ 8 Choices) |

Aug 30, 2024

In the past year, a number of members of the Mighty Team went to Craft and Commerce ConvertKit's annual convention in Boise, Idaho. For us, the most memorable part was experiencing as the conference app!

The demand for apps at events is expanding, with more than 72% of conference organizers saying that an app was vital in the successful run at a recently held conference. The research conducted by G2 found that 65percent of event organizers are planning to use a conference app to facilitate check-ins, AI, QR codes, or even VR experiences.


In this post, we'll pull from both our research and experience to talk about the elements that make a good conference application. We'll cover:


 

  • What is the best conference software.        
  • How do you choose a mobile conference app.        
  • Ten of the best conferences apps available.        


((toc))


What exactly is a conference app?


The conference app provides the virtual experience of an event that is live, or hybrid. First versions of conference apps were basically mobile conference schedules. Since the development of technology conferences apps have been able to incorporate more features for members, such as ticketing, member management, and better interactive schedules.


However, a contemporary conference application extends beyond a simple timetable. Tech can enhance the experience of conference attendees. More engaging. More profitable.


A conference app can be a software program that


 

  • helps attendees meet and connect with life-changing people.        
  • allows attendees to develop new content, and then add it to the experience.        
  • Manages payment, registrations, and tickets.        
  • The conference is delivered via the own app with your logo.    


    What we learned by attending a conference with our app


Boise, Idaho was baking in the heat of summer. And as the conference got going, we were able to feel the excitement. The event featured amazing keynote speakers such as Ali Abdaal and Cody Sanchez as well as a talk about establishing a million-dollar community by our CEO Gina Bianchini.


Conference App - CK


Some of the magic came from a great line-up of speakers, an amazing venue, and-of course-300incredible creators that came together to create the event. It's true. This is the stuff each conference should have.


In the background it was more going on:


 

  • Chat in the conference app had been exploding by taking "strategic selfies" (speaker John Meese suggested that we use these")        
  • Attendees were organizing the event, adding posts and hosting their own amazing gatherings to discuss things such as white-water rafting, running and the hike to the canyon at sunrise (for people who can manage the early morning wake to get up).        
  • Creators were sharing what they'd been up to, or seeking help. The mobile conference application was bursting over with replies!        
  • Walking around Boise's town, you'll find people who have just met at one of the many great Boise restaurants (and sure enough, it probably contained potatoes in some way).        


    and the application helped this happen!


The app for conference wasn't only to schedule and manage tickets. It was an active virtual conference which took place in conjunction with the actual one. Sure the app was populated with all the essentials of a conference that were extremely useful!


However, it was those who attended that made the conference app come alive with stories, pictures asking for help and suggestions for all kinds of business-related ideas, from gluten-free dining options within Boise.


What made it work to such a degree. And here's what to look for in a conference app.


What to look for in a conference app


 

  • The schedule of conferences (obviously) however, you can also access RSVPs as well as session participation within the app.    
  • Excellent communication tools for messaging and the emailing of participants  as well as handling support or questions.      
  • Instruments to connect participants with others: like rich profiles, social links Chat and messaging. The real people magic in a conference app comes when attendees can find and meet each other-virtual connections that spill out into reality.    
  • The app has features that unleash the creativity of attendees. Allow attendees to develop content, post photos, build short- or long-form text, post videos, or pose questions. If the interaction happens within the app-without your doing anything-it will 10x the impact of your event. It keeps the momentum running until the next conference.    
  • Tickets, payment as well as the registration. If your application supports the backend of your event, be sure that you have the ability to take payments as well as track lists of members and connect members after.      
  • Simple building hosting, hosting, and maintaining It should not take your entire team to get an application for conferences off the ground and in good shape.      


The things we loved that worked about the app


Natalie Paramenter


When we consider the factors that made our mobile conference app successful, here's what we loved:


 

  • Attendees organically shared the notes they took during sessions via the discussion feeds that were specifically designed for them.        
  • Live icebreakers that got participants using the app to meet people IRL (ie. "Find people who are the same height as you and snap a photo of them ).    
  • Local Boiseans (is it true?) organizing meetups around some of their favorite local eateries as well as excursions. (The karaoke was a highlight. )      
  • The chat that runs before, during, and after the conference that keeps on giving. For example, Natalie Parmenter (the creator of Primary Focus), gave the above shoutout after fellow members helped in making her debut a hit!    
  • ConvertKit created recording studios and spaces for people to drop in and record media. (If you happen to be in Boise it's possible to schedule a time to drop in and make use of them free! )    


CK Studios


The most effective mobile conference application options


1. Mighty Pro


    Best conference engagement app


Mighty Pro builds conference apps that are hosted on G2's most rated community management platform. Mighty is a platform that hosts more than $1 million of communities than the rest, which includes incredible conferences.


Mighty Pro has been building applications with a brand name since. This includes 400+ branded apps designed for brands and creators such as Tony Robbins, TED, Mel Robbins, Marie Forleo, Jim Kwik, and Matthew Hussey.


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Conference Apps


What can you do do with Mighty Pro.


Interactive scheduling


Mighty lets you build an interactive schedule for attendees to interact with. You can build landing pages for individual sessions and members are able to RSVP and even chat or message in the session. Members can see who else is coming to the session and even connect.


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And of course, you can create direct livestreams of the session or post videos from the session to relevant Spaces.


CC Gif


Participation of Members Similar to Nothing Else


Mighty has been the #1 community management program on G2 for a long time, and that's not due to "features."


It's a good idea to attend a conference to meet people, right? and Mighty has built in the tools to make this possible! Each attendee will be prompted to make a bio, and they are able to utilize AI to design one if they're not able to.


This is where the program builds interactive member lists that can be sorted by interest, activity, or even geography. The ability to fly out profiles of members helps you focus on interesting people while the AI engine will even inform that you share something in common, and even start conversations.


MN - Graphics - 2024 - Profiile + similarities


Community at the end of the conference


MN - 2024 - Graphics - Space Templates


Mighty provides you with more information alternatives than the basics of a conference, however. It's a great platform for keeping the community alive beyond the conference.


Spaces is customizable with eight different features: activity feed, chat members, table of contents (for a course) and events. You can also create a page, a single occasion, or hashtag. Below are a few ways current Mighty Hosts use the features following a conference:


 

  •         Regional meet-ups organized by supermembers.            
  •         Re-cutting the conference materials into a course online or another learning experience.            
  •         All the time, you post content around things your members are interested in.            
  •         The announcement of themes, tickets, locations, etc. in preparation for the next event and creating buzz.          
  • Running a livestream or virtual conference in between live conference sessions.    


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Mighty really excels at keeping the engagement and conversation going beyond the event, if you're interested.


The conference is running


As far as running the conference, Mighty can handle payments in 135 different currencies. It can handle different levels and bundles, aswell as control over who can gain access to which areas of the application.


And Mighty comes with analytics you won't find anywhere else. This is the information you'll need to learn what worked and what didn't, to see where members spent the most time and effort, and to determine the revenue generated by conferences.


Mighty Insights Web


Branded conference apps


If you want your conference app in the App Store or Google Play Store under your company name, this is the way to go.


Here are some Highlights of Mighty Pro:


 

  • Branding support screen, splash screens, notifications branding, and best practice for app development        
  • Proactive upgrades and app submissions        
  • Includes integration with ConvertKit's Professional plan (up to 10,000 customers).        
  • Help with community strategists who work with you to make your conference a success in terms of attendance and revenues, and how to grow an event community that operates itself.        


Based on the most recent data of more than 400 companies that have 6-and-7-figure revenue We'll teach you not only how to meet your objectives, but also surpass them.


    Find out more information about Mighty Pro on this page.


Or, if you're not ready for an app for your conference that is branded You can start by downloading it for free.


SEO Image - Conference Name Generator


2. Accelerated Events


    Conference management brand name application


accelevents


Accelevents Conference app provides tools for registering and check-in for the event, logging into the schedule, as well as creating your own agenda. It has smart features, such as live streaming as well as an online exhibit booth, the app can be used to manage live and hybrid conference.


Accelevents offers member management tools like bios and profiles that help attendees connect and find their way to each other. Also, on the day of the event, it is possible to check-in or print badges. You can even organize challenges and polls in the application.


A drawback is the fact that Accelevents users have noted challenges dealing with the management of break rooms. This is great for running a conference. However, it's not as effective in linking attendees.


Accelevents has features


 

  • Apps with branding to manage your registrations for conferences, badge printing, and timetable.        
  • Some in-app networking and connection functions like livestreaming, QR scanners, virtual sponsors tables, and polls        


3. Swapcard


    Excellent conference management app


Swapcard -


Swapcard is an innovative idea to create a conference application with some great features built-in. As with Accelevents, Swapcard is good for managing conference agendas. Attendees are able to print badges, scan QR codes, and create a customized schedule with their RSVPs.


It's strong for sponsor content as well, creating spaces for sponsored content, chats, and meeting administration.


But Swapcard's best features are designed to facilitate networking. With attendee profiles and networking-friendly UX to search for and message potential contacts or leads (plus integrations with social media profiles), Swapcard is great for introductions.


Swapcard Features


 

  • Conference application (with branding options) to manage registrations and badges as well as access control        
  • A feed for discussion, event guide, personalized suggestions, session ratings and livestreaming        
  • Tools for network communication: AI matchmaking, profiles, and messaging        


4. Stova


Stova


Stova (formerly Aventri & Meetingplay) is an event scheduling and management system which is ideal for conferences. But, it's important to be aware that Stove doesn't offer brand-name applications (you can host your conference using the Stova application).


Stova was designed to host virtual events. It provides some fascinating features for a conference. The most popular features of Stova are conferences delivery, including breakout rooms, livestreaming, as well as chat. Additionally, it comes with the ability to schedule 1:1 meetings it is a useful tool.


Stova provides tools that will help you in planning and preparing for an event, such as the ability to send out emails and budgeting for conferences.


Stova features


 

  • A good virtual-first conference application that includes livestreaming, breakout rooms and networking rooms, as well as a virtual lobby        
  • Planning conferences along with marketing for events instruments: emails and budgeting      


5. Bevy


Bevy screenshot


Bevy began as an app to manage event organizers who wanted to host in-person and virtual events and it has recently pivoted towards community-based events. This makes it good for coordinating a conference, with registration, check-in, ticketing, and list management. You can host the virtual conference, too. It can do this with virtual meetups, chats, webinars, and recordings. Additionally, it comes with the ability to have discussions. Bevy has a drag and drop tool for building event landing pages and websites.


Bevy is a great online platform, but its community features are pretty basic. In essence, Bevy hosts forums that offer chat and message capabilities. But these are really quite simple. They're not designed for the relationships that an authentic community platform offers you.


Bevy features


 

  • Brings community + events in concert with event management, and production of virtual events        
  • Live interaction features such as chat and messaging, forums, webinars, and meetups        
  • Drag-and-drop conference page builder        


6. CVent


Cvent


CVent is another app for conference management developed to facilitate virtual events as well as the management of events. Like others on this list, it can create conferences websites, sell tickets, and host content. There are tools for organizing events integrated for live events (things like venue and hotel options) along with a webinar function to host virtual events. In fact, it's probably strongest for event planning.


However, CVent has no chat or community options, it's not made to link attendees to one the other.


CVent features


 

  • App for running an event, with promotional, planning, and "day-of" control features.        


7. ON24


ON 24


ON24 is a straightforward web-based conference platform that can work as a conference virtual app. The platform has polls and chat in addition to the webinar. They've also recently added additional features, such as breakout sessions as well as video chats.


With registration as well as a form builder as well as the ability to personalize conference rooms with different the colors, fonts and hero images This is a decent basic application for a virtual conference.


ON24 offers features


 

  • Webinar platform with engagement with built-in features        


8. VFairs


VFairs


VFairs is a virtual and live event software that concentrates on features to manage conferences. With registration form, badge printing QR check-in, venue maps, and agenda building It's an excellent participant-focused application to help attendees navigate an event.


VFairs has customized mobile apps for conferences as well as onsite help for live conferences. It can be integrated with your CRM as well, and VFairs offers valuable event analytics to understand what's working for your conference.


VFairs features


 

  • registration and ticket printing, badge printing as well as other tools for day-of-management.        
  • Platform for virtual event hosting that features networking, gamification and other presentation features.        


Conclusion


We're all aware of how powerful conferences can be aiding attendees to learn, develop and form connections that they'll keep for a lifetime. A conference is a great opportunity to increase your reputation too, increasing awareness while increasing your profits.


And a great conference application makes the above occur!


If you're looking to learn more about getting an individual conference with your own branding and community application, you can check for Mighty Pro .