Bringing Innovation to a Flagship Event in Just Three Months
In November 2018, the team behind the Dubai Retail Summit approached us with an exciting challenge: they needed a custom event app for their inaugural flagship event, set to take place in February 2019.
With only three months to deliver, we knew this wasn’t just about building an app—it was about enhancing the entire attendee experience, from networking to engagement, in one of the world’s most dynamic retail hubs.
We presented our solution, and after careful consideration, we were selected as the official event app provider. What followed was an intense but rewarding journey that would not only support the success of the Dubai Retail Summit but also lay the foundation for what later became the Presso Event App—a dedicated solution for professional event organisers.
The Challenge: A Tight Deadline & High Expectations
The Dubai Retail Summit was set to bring together global retail leaders, innovative brands, and industry pioneers. With a packed agenda of keynote sessions, networking receptions, and panel discussions, the organisers needed an app that could:
✅ Enable seamless attendee networking
✅ Provide live event updates and schedules
✅ Facilitate interactive Q&A sessions
✅ Offer a smooth check-in process
And, of course, it all had to be built, tested, and deployed in just 12 weeks.
The Solution: Building the Ultimate Event App
We got to work immediately, designing a mobile-first solution tailored to the needs of retail professionals and event organisers. Key features included:
- Seamless networking: Attendees could connect, chat, and schedule meetings in real time.
- Live Q&A & engagement: Users could submit questions directly through the app, making panels and keynotes more interactive.
- Effortless check-in: A streamlined process ensured minimal wait times.
- Personalised schedules: Attendees could customise their agenda for a smoother experience.
But we didn’t stop at just delivering the app—we also flew our team to Dubai to provide on-site support, ensuring everything ran flawlessly.
The Impact: A Game-Changer for Attendee Engagement
The results spoke for themselves. Here’s a snapshot of how the app transformed the event:
📱 App Adoption & Engagement
- 505 total signups with peak registrations on February 13th (179 new users in a single day).
- Hundreds of attendees actively using the app throughout the event.
- Balanced platform usage: Both Apple and Android users were well-represented.
🔗 Networking That Mattered
- 974 total connections made via the app.
- Networking peaked on February 13th with 674 connections in a single day!
❓ Interactive Q&A Success
- 71 questions submitted through the app across various sessions.
- The most engaging session? Walk the Walk and Get Authentic with 17 audience questions.
✅ Streamlined Check-Ins
- 121 check-ins on February 13th alone using the app’s fast-track system.
- Attendees could skip long registration queues and focus on what mattered—networking and learning.
💡 Real-Time Feedback
- 39 attendee feedback submissions over the event, providing valuable insights for future editions.
Beyond the Event: The Birth of the Presso Event App
The success of the Dubai Retail Summit 2019 proved that event organisers needed a dedicated, powerful, and intuitive event app. This project didn’t just support a single event—it inspired the creation of the Presso Event App, now used by professional event organisers worldwide.
From tight deadlines to real-time networking, this case study highlights how technology, when executed well, can elevate an event from good to unforgettable.
Want to transform your next event?
Let’s talk about how the Presso Event App can help you create seamless experiences, boost engagement, and deliver real results.
Final Takeaway
📌 When technology is built with the attendee experience in mind, it doesn’t just support an event—it enhances it in ways organisers never imagined. The Dubai Retail Summit was proof of that.