Cool tech tools for event planners
There are many, many apps and tools out there to help event planners get the job done quickly and easily. Here are a few of our favorites.
Eventbrite
www.eventbrite.com
While there are countless event management apps out there, Eventbrite continues to be one of the big dogs, providing a simple solution to managing the entire event process.
Create events, send invitations and track RSVPs and ticket sales on your PC, phone or tablet. Promote your event through an its own online event listing, and on Facebook and other social media. Track attendees with on-site ticket scanning and check-in. Add-ons like card reader, printer and ticket stock turn your mobile device into a portable box office. Eventbrite touts a ticket buyer base of 50 million worldwide.
Eventbrite is free for free events, but the company does charge a percentage for paid events.
Trello
www.trello.com
Need to be more of a task master? Trello is a simple project management tool that allows the user to set up and manage tasks from start to finish.
Trello's dashboard is simple and user friendly, allowing you to create tasks, assign to members, monitor progress and communicate among your group. While not as robust as some other apps, Trello's simplicity and focus on getting the task done is its main appeal.
The basic service is free, a Business Class version with more functionality is $9.99.
Tap to Speak
www.taptospeak.com
Tap To Speak is a cool tool that uses Wi-Fi to allow audience members to interact with speakers and panelists by using their smartphones.
Instead of running a microphone to someone with a question, Tap to Speak can turn their phone into a mic. It also handle real-time texting, surveys and polls, or contests. Audience members can submit questions through their phones, and audience information can be collected and exported for analytics. The company touts audience engagement increases of 300 to 800 percent.
Tap to Speak offers a free trial for one event with up to 30 attendees, and charges on a sliding scale.
AllSeated
www.allseated.com
A wedding planner's dream tool, and an excellent resource for anyone who needs to set up something with assigned seating.
AllSeated can create a digital, scale floor plan of your venue, allowing you to set up a precise seating arrangement and organize seat assignments as well. You can also set up 3-D views of your work.
The app also handles guest list, RSVP, timelines and provides mobile check-in. Everything can be shared among your event team.
The service is free, and the company provides 24/7 support.
Caterease
www.caterease.com
Caterease is comprehensive software solution that ties event management and catering tools into one intuitive package. It's extra unique in that the software mimics Windows Office programs like Word and Excel, which gives it a familiar feel to someone just starting to use it.
The program can create custom proposals, manage customer inquiries and provide for online event ordering and menu planning. Numerous templates and web forms can be created to handle everything from capturing customer information to filling out contracts and sending emails.
This comprehensive program is offered in desktop and web hosted versions, and has mobile apps. Pricing varies by the amount of add-ons and business size, starting at $1,295.