Latest Technology for Events

Technology is moving quickly and mobile phones are now being used for work as well as personal use, with the introduction of the I phone and Android phones and the portable I pad, organisers can create apps for events or contact delegates directly for promotion and discussion before and after events. 

If you decide to design an app for your event always consider your audience and attendees needs it is more about information and how they can promote discussion around your event not the cosmetic look of the application.

There can be lots of work involved in the first stages to ensure your app is correct for your event and can be updated if you are using it for a series of events or annual event adding new features and value to the attendees!

There are many reasons why the use of mobile phones and apps for events are of benefit to the event organiser, for example they can be used to increase attendance, awareness around an event and after the event has taken place, and also to increase the event income through sponsorship, advertising or exhibiting.

Other benefits of using the mobile media include they reduce your costs, as delegate can download details about the event on their phone to save on printing or posting costs and also reduce the carbon footprint for your events as there is no extra paper to recycle and you can also use the apps to send information to attendees and exhibitors regarding how to reduce waste at the event.

Another use of mobile technology is IPad Survey http://ipadsurvey.co.uk/ , a service you can use at your events to survey attendees for market research and event feedback from delegates, with a full report produced at the event with the survey results which you can also use in your summary session at your event.

Overall do not neglect other elements of your event, remember to focus on all aspects and in addition look into mobile apps and see how they can benefit your next event!

Based on an article from www.conference-news.co.uk for Swift Mobile

If you have used mobile apps for events or would like to write a blog for Mosaic Events please email sarah@mosaicevents.co.uk

Unusual Venues for Events

This week we are looking at some of the most unusual venues for conferences and events that you can use in the UK!

Instead of using a conference centre or hotel there are a number of alternative options available if you want something different for your next event. Firstly there are a number of sporting venues from football stadiums to cricket grounds that have event space for hire and one example in Sheffield: iceSheffield which has event space suitable for product launches, exhibitions, conferences and dinners and also smaller break out rooms available which are all named to fit the ice theme, this venue is a very different space with the option for ice based team building activities including skating, ice hockey and curling as an addition to your event!

Another different venue option for your events is the National Coal Mining Museum, Wakefield, the museum has space for conferences, dinners and smaller meetings and even offers the option for delegates to travel underground to experience the mines!

The CastleGate is currently being renovated in Newcastle, the building used to be an Edwardian power station used to power electricity to the trams across Newcastle and Gateshead. The space is now being renovated to create a 500 seat auditorium and five floors of meeting space and the venue will include some original features from its time as a power station.

Peckforton Castle is a very unique venue for your next meeting or conference, with a variety of meeting rooms avaialble and the option to also hire the space exclusively,  the castle can also offer medieval banquets and entertainment with overnight accommodation.

Another unusual venue we recently used for our client imove is the Electric Works venue in Sheffield which has its own helter skelter, if you really want something different to offer your delegates!

This week’s blog is based on an article from the Hospitality and Events North magazine, for further information about the magazine and all their articles visit: www.hospitalityandeventsnorth.com

 

If you have an unusual venue you would like to share or if you would like to write a blog for Mosaic Events please email sarah@mosaicevents.co.uk

Venue Site visits - what to think about

Mosaic Events undertake venue finding and often when it comes to booking site visits for our clients they ask us for tips on what to look for when making that all important decision of which venue to go with! Here are a few tips to help you when planning a successful event.

1) always request a map of directions from the venue - so you can test out how good these are for delegates finding their way on the day of your event.

2) always ask for the main conference room to be set up as you want to book this - this is not always possible but good to see the layout.

3) think about the access of the venue.. is there a train station or car park nearby and then on arrival is it easy to find the entrance?

4) when inside the venue what sort of reception do you get - is the receptionist warm and again is this area easy to navigate?

5) ask the person doing the show round where the registration point would be for your delegates - is this easy? and then where arrival tea and coffee will be again is this nearby?

6) when in the main room ensure there are no pillars  that would block delegate views, asking about noise within the room are the walls likely to let in external noise.  If the room has windows go and have a look to see if there is building works taking place nearby or ask if they are aware of any taking place in the near future.

7) for lunch ensure the space offered fits with your objectives - if you are having exhibitors it is advisable to have lunch in the same area as the stands so therefore how many exhibition stands will you accommodate in the space offered?  Otherwise ask to see the restaurant area and the lunch options available.

8) overall you need to look at the access of the venue for delegates that may have mobility requirements ensure this is suitable.

9) if you are visiting a hotel and you are needing bedrooms always request to see these and ask to see the smallest and the best the hotel has to offer then you have no nasty surprises!

10) finally always confirm with the person showing you around that they will be dealing with your booking up until the event - get their contact details including direct line! it can be so frustrating going through switchboards. 

We hope these tips help your next site visit and are interested to hear from you if you have any further thoughts as always we are looking for a guest blogger so if you are interested please contact sarah@mosaicevents.co.uk thanks very much happy hunting!

Sarah