If you're still handing out printed agendas and hoping for the best… we need to talk.
Today’s conferences are fuelled by data, driven by community, and defined by experience. And the humble event app? It’s quietly become your best weapon for boosting engagement, tracking impact, and keeping people coming back year after year.
But not all apps are created equal.
Let’s unpack exactly how a great event app (like Presso, just saying) drives real attendee engagement—and how you can use it to build long-term retention with zero fluff and maximum ROI.
- Live Polls Turn Passive Attendees into Active Participants Ever hosted a session where half the room is checking emails? Yeah, we’ve all been there.
Live polls change the game.
Instead of talking at attendees, you’re inviting them into the conversation. That subtle shift—from passive observer to active contributor—skyrockets attention and recall.
🔍 Why It Works:
Real-time participation = real-time value.
People are 42% more likely to retain information they interact with.
Speakers get instant audience insight and can pivot accordingly.
💡 Real-World Example:
At a recent fintech event using Presso, a speaker opened with a live poll asking:
“Which banking trend scares you the most?”
The audience lit up. Responses flooded in within seconds, which the speaker used to steer the session toward the topics attendees cared most about. Result? 3x more session feedback than average.
💥 Pro Tip:
Don’t bury your polls at the end. Kick off sessions with one. Use them mid-talk to break up content. And always show results live—nothing boosts excitement like seeing your vote count in real time.
- Live Q&A Gives Everyone a Voice—Not Just the Front Row Let’s be honest: mic time at events usually goes to the confident, the loud, or the pushy. But what about the rest of the room?
Live Q&A levels the playing field.
No waiting for a roaming mic. No awkward interruptions. Just tap, ask, and get your question heard.
📊 The Data Says:
Events using live Q&A see 60% more questions submitted vs. traditional formats.
Anonymous mode = 3x more audience participation (shy folks, we see you).
💬 Event Win:
At a sustainability summit powered by Presso, attendees submitted over 180 questions during a single keynote—compared to just 11 during a traditional Q&A the year before.
The organiser said:
“We finally heard from people who never speak up. It completely shifted the energy.”
💥 Pro Tip:
Enable anonymous mode and let people upvote each other’s questions. That way, the best ideas rise to the top—fast.
- Push Notifications Drive Timely Engagement (Without Being Annoying) Think push notifications are just spam? Think again.
When used right, they’re like a backstage pass to the whole event—nudging attendees with timely tips, updates, and can’t-miss moments.
🔔 Strategic Use Cases:
“Session change in Room B—now starts at 2:30 PM.”
“Lunch is ready! Local veggie wraps available at Stand 3.”
“Poll now open: Help shape tomorrow’s closing session.”
📈 Why It Works:
72% of users opt-in to push notifications from event apps.
Timely nudges = 45% higher engagement with app content.
💡 Smart Move:
Use location-based alerts (if your app supports it) to trigger messages only when they matter. No one needs a lunch reminder at 4 p.m.
💥 Pro Tip:
Use a friendly, informal tone. Think: “🔥 Session just started: Main Stage is hopping!” not “Your scheduled event has begun.”
- Built-In Networking Tools Create Micro-Connections That Last Networking is awkward. Always has been. But what if your app made it... effortless?
Smart networking features—like attendee profiles, interest-based matching, and 1:1 chat—turn casual interest into actual conversations.
🤝 Numbers Don’t Lie:
Apps with networking features see a 68% boost in session attendance (people show up for people).
Events that enable attendee messaging increase post-event follow-ups by 4x.
💬 Event Win:
At a 500-person HR conference using Presso, over 1,400 messages were sent between attendees—many connecting on shared topics like DEI, remote work, and burnout prevention.
💥 Pro Tip:
Pre-populate profiles with basic info from registration, so people don’t have to start from scratch. And prompt users to “Say hi!” with a one-tap intro button.
- Post-Event Replays & Follow-Ups Lock In Long-Term Value Your event doesn’t end when the lights go down. In fact, that’s when retention begins.
With a browser-based app, you can keep content alive—without another login or download.
🔁 What This Looks Like:
Session replays accessible via the same event link.
Highlight reels sent the next morning via push or email.
Poll results + Q&A transcripts saved in-app.
📊 Long-Term Wins:
78% of attendees revisit event content within a week—if it’s easy to access.
Events offering replays see a 24% boost in NPS.
💥 Pro Tip:
Send a “Top 5 Moments” digest post-event, highlighting key stats, speaker takeaways, and what’s next. It makes the experience feel cohesive—and worth repeating.
🎯 The Bottom Line: A Smart Event App Is Your Secret Weapon
Event apps aren’t just digital agendas anymore. When used well, they:
Create two-way conversations.
Help attendees feel seen and heard.
Drive real-time connection and long-term retention.
The best part? You don’t need a bloated native app or force anyone to download anything.
Presso runs straight from the browser—just tap a link, and boom—you’re in.
🚀 Ready to Engage Your Audience Like Never Before?
If you're tired of clunky apps, low adoption, and awkward networking...
👉 Book a free demo of Presso now and see why event pros are switching to the no-download, high-impact platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need to get my attendees to download anything?
A: Nope. Presso runs in the browser—no downloads, no app store, no friction.
Q: Can I use Presso for networking?
A: Absolutely. Profiles, 1:1 chat, interest tagging, and smart search are all built in.
Q: What happens after the event ends?
A: Your event link stays live with replays, polls, Q&A transcripts, and more.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Flat rate of £1 per attendee. That’s it. No hidden fees, no surprises. See pricing
Q: Is it sustainable?
A: Yes—every event on Presso funds real climate action. See our pledge