Must-have apps for busy event professionals

There’s a huge array of event apps for use within the live event environment—but what apps do event professionals carry on their smartphones and laptops?

Setting aside key staples such as Linkedin, Pinterest, and Instagram—the following have proven super handy.

When inspiration strikes or you just have to remember something, Evernote, loaded across all devices, is the way to go. And when we make our endless to-do lists, todoist is simple but sensational.

Good management tools are essential and in addition to event specific software, broader project options include Slack, Trello, Podio, Basecamp. But these apps require a fair amount of upfront time to get the best out of them. An alternative that has proven easy and visually appealing is dapulse.

RSVP management is another area that has many competitive offerings. We like the invitation workhorse Zkipster, however good experiences have been had with SocialTables.

Many also recommend RSVPify with its robust invitation and guest management focus. AllSeated provides similar guest/invite features but also provides an easy tool for floorplan and seating plan creation—handy if your project doesn’t have an autocad wielding technical director attached.

If you need ticketing support, the granddaddy of event apps, Eventbrite, is still a good option although we also like local Hong Kong and Singapore hero, Ticketflap, for events of scale.

The following is a condensed list of the apps we love, and have proven their worth time and time again:

Super Planner A sensational suite of easy-to-use event specific tools

Airtime Video chat group for up to six people

Maps.Me One of the best comprehensive map apps ever as it works totally offline

AppintheAir With lots of travel, this app is super handy. Not only does it capture all my flight details through email integration, but also populates my calendar and, upon arrival at the airport, advises on gate changes and login details for free Wi-Fi. Yes!

Microsoft Translator I have collected a whole host of translation apps over time and Microsoft has really struck gold here. So much so that I’ve deleted my remaining collection and have sworn fealty to this app

Splitwise A handy little app that splits bills among different people. Ideal for that working lunch or expenses incurred by someone grabbing lunch for the team. The app ensures everyone pays their share… and it’s free!

Scannable Part of the Evernote family, this app is sensational for scanning receipts and documents on the run. It’ll capture and automatically resize images and save either to your camera or to your Evernote account. Handy.

Headspace The amount of times I hear mindfulness and wellness these days… It almost does my head in. Having said that, there is no question that a quick ten-minute meditation during a tough install or lengthy show run, helps clear the mind and refocus. First ten sessions are free (and can be repeated) and then it’s subscription based, but well worth the peace of mind

WebMD On occasion, we’ll come across someone who is having medication issues, this encyclopedia styled app is very handy

St John First Aid Sometimes there is an emergency that needs addressing—urgently. This is a fantastic, potentially lifesaving app that should be on all phones

Camera+ As we travel about we take lots of photographs. Although the cameras on the current smartphones are good enough for me to retire my Canon DSLR, this easy-to-use app is icing on the cake for the perfect shot

Diptic I’ve got all these photos and would like to consolidate some into an artful collage. Diptic does the job nicely

For those who often have political or commercial or just plain personal text conversations of a highly confidential nature—you may want to consider using either Signal or Confide for enhanced privacy. Both were made famous in the first few weeks of the Trump administration as a means to leak information to the media. Of the two, we tend to prefer Confide as it actually destroys the message as you read it. 

Based in Hong Kong, Darren is a business communication professional who has been actively engaged as an agency head, executive producer, show director, and experiential marketer in the creative design and delivery of live communication programmes and brand experiences for a broad range of clients.  

Contact Darren on LinkedIn