Toronto Net Tuesday

12th November 2013

Taking Events to the Next Level with Tech: How to Think

Like an Event Manager

Fanny Martin @artoffestivalsBen Raffi @benraffi

A. The Tech Shift

Event Pros Survey Results

Q: In the past 10 years or so, what is the one single piece of software, equipment or technological tool at large that has radically changed the way you work?

A: - Remote servers, cloud- Smart phones- Internet everywhere!

Q: How would you describe your attitude to technology?

A:

Q: What’s your latest top tech discovery? A: - Square (process payments with phone)

- RFID wristband (contactless info) - Log Me In (remote log in) - Yast (task timetracker) - Smartsheet (project management)

Q: When choosing a new tool to help with event or project management, what are the most THREE important criteria for you? A:

Q: In which instance(s) do you go low-tech and use pen and paper?

A: Brainstorming, draft schedules, site sketches, meeting or interview notes, to-do lists, thank you notes.

B. Tech or No Tech?

What’s in an event?

• Concept– Brand / USP

• Content– Programming

• Finance– Budgeting– Fundraising– Accounting

• Sales & Marketing– Communication– Ticketing

• Operations– Scheduling– Volunteers

• Evaluation

Do you need tech?

C. Selecting a new tech tool

Example: Volunteer Squared vs. Volgistics

1. Define features to compare2. Establish comparison scale 3. Pick priority criteria

• Special points: –Monthly vs. yearly pricing – Data transfer & set-up costs– Customer service

Live Demonstration: Ticketing Platforms

EventBrite vs. MeetUp vs. Uniiverse

0. Assess your needs

1. Features to compare2. Comparison scale3. Priority criteria

Questions? Comments?

• Fill the feedback card – ? = blog post suggestion– ! = feedback

• Email: fanny@artoffestivals

ben@uniiverse.com • Tweet: @artoffestivals

@benraffi