Event technology can be a bit of a jungle. With so many different options available, it can be tough to know which provider is right for you. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! In this blog post, we’ll share 10 tips for choosing the right event technology partner. So whether you’re looking for music playback, AV equipment for hire or registration software, read on for enlightenment. Happy hunting!

Table of Contents

Training and support

One of the key things to look for when choosing an event technology partner is whether they offer good training and support. After all, you want to be sure that you and your team are confident using the software or equipment before your event begins.

It’s also important that the provider is available to help if any issues arise during the event. If they can’t come to the rescue, you run the risk of missing out on valuable revenue.

Certifications and accreditations

Accreditations are another useful thing to look for when choosing an event technology partner. You want to make sure that any provider you choose is trustworthy!

Look for a provider who holds at least one industry certification or accreditation – the bigger the better! Keep in mind that most certifications and accreditations are awarded by independent companies, so they’re designed to be truly impartial.

The best way to do this is to check for certifications and accreditations from respected organisations such as the Event Industry Association (EIA) and the International Live Events Association (ILEA).

Experience

Event technology providers come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to make sure that the one you choose has plenty of experience in your specific industry. You really don’t want them to be learning on the job during your event!

It’s also a good idea to ask for references from previous clients. This will give you a good idea of what to expect from the provider and whether they’re likely to meet your needs. That way, you can relax and enjoy your event stress-free!

Ease of use

Another important thing to consider is how easy the technology is to use. If it’s overly complicated or difficult to navigate, you’ll spend more time than you’d like wrestling with it instead of focusing on your event.

If you’re not confident using complex software, for example, then you’re going to find it difficult to get the most out of your investment.

Look for a technology partner whose tech is user-friendly and straightforward. If you’re struggling to figure it out, ask them for a demonstration or take advantage of their training and support services.

Flexibility

When choosing an event technology partner, it’s important to consider how flexible they are. After all, your needs might not always be the same.

For example, you might need a provider that can offer both music playback and AV equipment hire, or a registration system that can be embedded on your intranet. You might even want a partner who can provide an online payment gateway too.

In short, look for a provider with flexible technology that can adapt to meet your changing needs over time.

Responsiveness

Another important thing to look for when choosing an event technology partner is responsiveness. After all, waiting around 24 hours or more for a response isn’t much use if you need help straight away!

Take the time to find out how quickly they respond to enquiries before choosing an event technology partner. And be sure to ask questions during the sales process too- you want to be confident that your needs will be met.

Customer service

While responsiveness is important, it’s also worth considering a provider’s customer service too.

After all, it can be frustrating if you have an issue to report and have to jump through hoops before getting the help you need. Instead, look for a technology partner who values customer support as much as they do their products and services. That way, you’ll always receive the help you need when things go wrong.

Also, check out what kind of training their customer service team has. Do they offer webinars, seminars or online tutorials? Would you be able to learn more about the software or equipment on your own before an issue arises?

Just like good event technology should be, their customer service should be easy-to-use too.

Data protection

You’ll likely have a lot of sensitive data stored on your event tech – from personal information such as names and addresses to financial details like credit card numbers. So it’s vital that this information remains and secure at all times.

Look for a technology partner who takes your security seriously. You should be able to find out exactly how they keep your data safe over the course of the event by asking questions during the sales process.

Also, look for a provider with fleet tracking software and remote access features so you can take control from afar if something goes wrong.

Affordability

You might be surprised but affordability isn’t actually core to choosing the right event technology partner. While price is always important, don’t let it cloud your judgment and ensure you think about the bigger picture rather than just what someone’s offering you today.

The last thing you want to do is choose an affordable option that doesn’t offer good training and support services because ultimately this will create more issues than if you’d spent a little bit more money on something reputable with good tech support.

So while affordability is important, don’t let it dominate your decision-making process!

Future-proofing

Most importantly, always keep an eye on future developments for your event technology partner. You want to make sure that they’re able to offer cutting-edge equipment and software – after all, you don’t want them lagging behind!

Before choosing an event technology partner, check out their product roadmap. See what new services or capabilities are in development so you can rest assured that they’ll stay ahead of the curve over time.

If it’s not there already, ask about any plans for integration with other leading products too. And if no major upgrades are planned within the next 12 months, it might be time to move on.

You know when you are in a relationship with someone who really loves to talk about themselves? They love talking about their accomplishments, they want credit for everything, and they never let anyone else take the spotlight. Well, choosing the right event technology partner is like that! It’s important that your event tech company not only understands what makes them stand out from other companies but also how to integrate those features into an all-encompassing strategy as well as how it can be used as a tool of marketing.