Epic Events Podcast with
Vanessa Lovatt

The Future of Event Tech: What Works, What’s Next?

  • Vanessa Lovatt

    Vanessa Lovatt stepped into event tech before it was a thing. She had already pulled off over 60 digital events before the pandemic turned them into the new normal. Today, she has around two decades of experience in the events world. She steers strategy at the Financial Times and helps run big events like FT Live. She also founded Event Tech World, a buzzing community where event pros swap ideas on the best tech and discuss what’s missing in the market.

About the Episode

In this episode, Muhammad Younas joins Vanessa Lovatt to explore the remarkable progress in event tech and the challenges event organizers face today. The conversation takes an interesting turn because Vanessa has worked on both sides of the industry, as an event planner and an event tech provider.

She shares her insights about why tech adaption in events remains complex. They discuss how misaligned expectations, integration hurdles, and data management struggles can impact event success.

Beyond that, she talks about how event planners can maximize their event ROI by creating registration forms with precision so that they convert, not wasting money on swag, and beyond.

Key Takeaways

  • Approach tech adoption with clarity. No platform is truly one-size-fits-all.
  • Clearly define your event goals and workflow needs before selecting a solution to avoid unnecessary complexity.
  • Understand the reality of integrations – Some platforms require manual configurations or additional tools to work together effectively. When evaluating tech, ask how integrations function in real-world scenarios, not just on paper.
  • Data should be useful, not overwhelming – Instead of focusing on how much data you can collect, think about how you will use it to improve attendee experiences, engagement, and ROI.
  • Keep registration forms intentional – A long form isn’t always better.
  • Match the registration experience to your audience type. If you’re hosting a simple event like a webinar, then collect minimal information. If you’re hosting a summit with thought leaders, then create detailed ones so that you can personalize the experience.
  • Early bird pricing works for cost-conscious audiences but doesn’t impact last-minute buyers.
  • Post-event insights on registrations, engagement, and networking patterns help refine future strategies.