Twitter can be a great conversation starter before, during and even after your event. It’s also easy to integrate into your event app, giving attendees an easy way to tweet about session content and spreading the word about your event in the Twittersphere. On the other hand, it can be a major distraction! Plus there’s the inability to moderate comments and control what is broadcast and when.
If the sheer thought of Twitter brings you out in a cold sweat, don’t worry you’re not alone. The vast majority of event planners we work with on internal or private events ask us to switch all of social media integrations through the event app straight off.
Cue Group Discussions
Excitingly private events can now enjoy a Twitter style function that is fully integrated into their event app that is exclusively available to authorised users of the app. It’s called Group Discussions, and it’s a feature you can include in your event app today
Think of it as a private Twitter module with the ability to curate discussions on key topics into different channels. Add event app security for private events and your attendees will dive in, comfortable in the knowledge that the debates, viewpoints and insights are contained within your event. There are, as always, lots of different ways to implement this type of feature.
Here are some ideas based on what we’ve seen so far:
Crowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing topics helps to engage your attendees and encourage them to participate. Simply use the event apps Q&A module with the vote-up feature to find out the topics your attendees would like to see as discussion channels.
Questions
Instead of using a statement as the discussion topic, use an open-ended (but specific) question. This often inspires more people to respond. For example, instead of the discussion thread being ‘Customer Satisfaction’ it could be, “how can we improve our customer satisfaction rates in 2017?”
Leaders
Once your topics are set it’s a good idea to have some key stakeholders ready to lead the way and add comments as soon as the discussions are launched. This adds an interesting dimension to the discussion and allows stakeholders to have their say.
Social
Don’t think your topics have to be business related. A channel dedicated to social meet-ups or suggestions on things to do near the venue could help attendees foster many new connections and make the most of their free time during the event.
Attendee Networking Booster
Whatever the topic, the Group Discussion channels are often the springboard for attendees to engage in private, one to one discussions within the event app – something many events strive to facilitate.
In conclusion, if you want to invite your whole event to participate in private discussions around key topics and you want to boost attendee networking at your event, set up some Group Discussions in your event app today.
Dee Brannick – CrowdComms, Co-Founder
Working in Event Tech since 2003, Dee has made thousands of events shine by incorporating market leading technology into a diverse range of events. From boardroom meetings to multi-location conferences, Dee is passionate about finding the right solution for her clients. In 2011 she co-founded CrowdComms to maximise the explosion in smart phone usage at events and now works out of the UK office in sunny Dorset.
