The BIG Tech Review
For a long time , the events industry has been calling out for a review of available event technology platforms . This is no easy thing . For starters , not all platforms offer the same solution . For every one that offers an end-to-end full event management experience , there is another that simply adds an enhancing element , and much more in between .
Then , of course , there is reticence from some event technology providers to get fully involved with reviews in the first place . Sure , you could ask someone who has used them , but one must be careful not to mistake familiarity with an objective review .
The 11 event technology providers who have been reviewed in this issue of Conference News represent a strong variety of what has become a hyper competitive marketplace .
The reviews of these products have been carried out independently by experienced event managers , mostly made up of the CN30 under Thirty .
It is important to note that the event technology providers have not seen advance copies of these reviews .
Each independent reviewer followed a templated form which was completed after a product demonstration conducted by the provider . The Snapshot and Value Perception sections printed are an average based on all reviews of the same product .
Costs of each product vary wildly , with many offering bespoke pricing structures . We have included what figures we can , but for a more accurate quotation you will need to contact the technology providers yourselves .
The review panel
Amelia Brown , EVCOM , marketing and communications executive
Amy Hewick , Hewick Events , managing director
Hannah Caldwell , The Creative Engagement Group , project manager
Jack Lee , Clive Agency , senior account manager
Katie Williamson , Ashfield Meetings & Events , project manager
Sunny Sethi , Health Careers Live / Explosive Group , director
Piers Kelly , GovNet , senior commercial marketing executive
Mehram Sumray-Roots , YADA Event Technology , product director and co-founder
Will Dalzell , Venues and Events International , senior event manager
David Cobbald , The Professional Publishers Association , events and membership coordinator
Amélie Degueldre , Easyfairs UK & Global , events and membership coordinator
Sophie Baker-Davis , CloserStill Media , marketing and content director
Amy Hicks , Brands at Work , event manager
Charlotte Ellicott , CloserStill Media , group marketing manager
Kat Saha-Sen , Stagestruck , senior producer
Rachel Kilmartin , CloserStill Media , marketing manager
Alex Wright , BCD Meetings & Events , on-site technology engineer
Loren Wilson , Aspect Ltd , events manager
Kimberley Barnes , Clarion Events , events manager
Gabriella Coppola , The Juice Plus + ® , global event manager
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