Respect to all the other mobile event app providers out there. Building mobile event technologies is not for the faint hearted. You’re dealing with high volumes of users in short bursts with multiple device types – and the thing just has to work perfectly each time.
Event organisers are under huge pressure during ‘show time’ and technology and systems need to be super easy to use for the organisers and attendees.
When you are in the business of making new technology for events, no matter how much testing you do, there is always a certain amount of trialing at a live event for the first time.
These moments can often be a bit of a rollercoaster. Huge highs when you get it right and the opposite when things don’t go to plan. Fortunately the latter hasn’t happened to CrowdComms too often. Mainly because we understand it’s really important to work closely with our clients to make sure the event app and the relationship is as robust as possible.
In my years of working in this industry, some of my best customer relationships are with clients who have worked with us to smooth over bumps in the road.
Great clients understand that, when pushing the boundaries, some things don’t always go to plan. Events and event apps are a journey – the provider, the client and the attendee are all on the same path and we all want the same thing: an amazing and impactful event.
It may seem pretty straightforward, and no doubt that is why there are so many event app start-ups in the market. Some have bowed out and some have stayed the distance and evolved their products.
Much respect to those who have had a go and decided to move on, and also to those who have stuck around. It’s only been seven short years that this whole industry has been in existence.
There are some very well backed players in the market now. There are small businesses and then companies in the middle.
The big guys who have raised a lot of money I imagine are under pressure to show results or sell their businesses (to pay back investment) or to list on the stock exchange – like Cvent did a few years ago. As far as I know they are the only event technology company to list on an exchange. Well done Cvent, they are an inspiration to all event technology companies.
Smaller businesses are either trying to raise money or battle through with fewer resources. Everyone though is trying to get their niche and own their space.
On balance the event tech industry is a wonderful beast. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
Pete Hair – CrowdComms, Co-Founder
