Listed below are the six tips Kalahari Meetings has established for associations to help increase their member attendance for events. At the bottom of each tip’s section, check out even more ways you can help increase attendance with The Event App for Associations Effect.<\/p>\n
Before the Conference<\/h2>\n
Acting before the conference is vital. Your conference details should be shared as frequently as possible with an outlined purpose for attendees. Your members will attend your events only if you provide them the right incentives to do so.<\/p>\n
Crowdsource Content<\/h3>\n
Defined, Crowdsourcing is the process of obtaining needed services, ideas, or content by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, typically an online community, rather than from traditional employees or suppliers. This concept can be applied to event content in the sense of crowdsourcing presentation content from your members.<\/p>\n
As stated in the blog post, \u201cThe more the attendee feels they can shape the conference agenda, the more likely they will attend the conference.\u201d Members know what they expect from a conference, so why not let them be the presenters? Host a speaker competition and select the most popular candidates to present at the big event. Associations also have the option to ask for member feedback regarding desired presenters and topics of discussion. This approach will still give them a say and the feeling that they\u2019re contributing to the success of the event without having to rely on their public speaking skills.<\/p>\n
The Event App for Associations Effect:<\/strong> Prior to the event, share event updates and secrets via app alerts to build excitement. Suggest attendees share the news with others – sharing is easy from a smartphone. Allow your attendees to vote on the most popular presenter in the app prior to the event. Announce the winner via the app and via social channels directly from the event management mobile app.<\/p>\n Although your attendees will be spending most of their time at the conference, there are still periods where he or she will have to rely on either the venue or nearby locations for food, fun, etc. Hosting your conference at an intriguing venue or location can help increase attendance.<\/p>\n If you have chosen your venue, research places attendees can visit in the local area. Or as suggested by Event Manager Blog<\/a>, provide unique techy ways to engage your attendees, like personal edible treats or digital caricaturists. By offering a wide variety of activities, you\u2019re bound to grab more attention of your members. For our closing thought, \u201cWhatever you do, try to stand out from other association meetings.\u201d<\/p>\n The Event App for Associations Effect: <\/strong>Use the event management mobile app to host a scavenger hunt or photo contest with enticing prizes for members, like discounted membership fees, to get members eager to attendee. Include exhibitors in the fun by making their booth a competition requirement. Select unique event\/ association app features that will help work toward your conference objectives.<\/p>\n It\u2019s incredibly important to spread awareness about your conference well before it starts. Your association can post conference information through a number of channels, including print publications, associated websites, and social media. Highlight top moments from last year\u2019s conference by sharing previous photos and videos.<\/p>\n Take it a step further and include your exhibitors and speakers in the buzz. Ask them to share conference details and their offerings for the conference to grab attention. The more communications you have going before the conference, the more likely your members will take notice and find something that appeals to them. \u201cWhatever it is, try different mediums and messaging to include and pique interest about your conference.\u201d<\/p>\n The Event App for Associations Effect: <\/strong>Post all pre-conference communications to the event app. Encourage registered attendee networking through an in-app chatroom- ask what they\u2019re looking forward to most, who they plan to attend with, etc. Have speakers upload any session materials to through the event management mobile app for attendees to get prepared.<\/p>\n Now that the conference has begun, you may think you\u2019ve done all that you can do to get attendees attention. However, what you do during (and even after) the conference can define your attendee\u2019s experience and help determine future attendance.<\/p>\n This takes the one-of-a-kind experience event further. When traveling to a new destination for a conference, attendees have a desire to experience the local area. Associations can try to incorporate the area\u2019s culture into the conference experience by inviting local businesses to exhibit at the conference, offering local food at the venue, and scheduling break sessions at local parks or establishments. You could also ask local companies to send coupons or similar incentives to your members who plan to attend.<\/p>\n The Event App for Associations Effect:<\/strong> Use push notifications from the event management mobile app to offer local vendor discount coupons. Feature your local vendors in the app for additional exposure to entice them to get involved. Provide local area suggestions (or even a map) for attendees to easily see nearby places to visit.<\/p>\n Consider shaking things up in regards to room layouts. Finding yourself in the same meeting room setup can make attendees feel bored and uncreative. Remove the tables and create welcoming environments with couches and chairs facing each other to encourage engagement. If tables are needed for certain sessions, use these settings for the break rooms.<\/p>\n![\"Icepop](\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Icepop-Generator-3.jpg\")
Offer a One-of-a-Kind Experience<\/h3>\nCreate Pre-Conference Buzz<\/h3>\n
At the Conference<\/h2>\n
Bring the Locals into Play<\/h3>\n
![\"Bean](\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/beanbags.jpg\")
Play with the Room Setup<\/h3>\n
![\"ConferenceBeat](\"https:\/\/appnet-dev.com\/resultsathand\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/ConferenceBeat-on-iPhone-1.png\")
Conclusions<\/h2>\n