If you’re running events using spreadsheets, email threads, and a patchwork of disconnected tools, you’re not alone.

Many event teams know they should be using event technology but they’re not always sure what event platforms actually do, which features matter, or how software can replace manual processes across planning, execution, and post-event analysis.

The truth is: modern event technology platforms can support nearly every part of an event, including registration, abstract submissions, mobile apps, onsite check-in, exhibitor management, networking, analytics, and beyond.

This guide breaks down:

• What “event technology” really means
  
• Which parts of an event can be powered by software
  
• A comprehensive checklist of event technology features
  
• How to evaluate an all-in-one platform like PheedLoop, Cvent, or Whova
  
• A downloadable checklist to help you choose the right solution
  

Whether you’re planning conferences, trade shows, corporate meetings, or academic events, this article will help you understand how technology can transform your workflows, attendee experience, and boost ROI for everyone involved.

What Is Event Technology?

Event technology refers to software platforms designed to help event organizers plan, manage, and execute events more efficiently.

Instead of relying on spreadsheets, manual processes, and disconnected tools, an event technology platform centralizes operations into one system.

Typical event tech platforms support:

• Registration and ticketing
  
• Agenda and speaker management
  
• Mobile event apps
  
• Exhibitor and sponsor portals
  
• Attendee engagement tools
  
• Onsite check-in and badge printing
  
• Analytics and reporting
  
• Virtual and hybrid event delivery
  

The goal is simple: automate manual work, reduce risk, improve the attendee experience and ROI, and give organizers better visibility into performance.

Why Event Teams Are Moving Away from Spreadsheets

Manual workflows often create major challenges:

• Duplicate data entry across tools
  
• Version control issues
  
• Communication breakdowns
  
• Limited reporting and analytics
  
• High risk of human error
  
• Poor attendee experience
  
• Difficulty scaling events
  

Event technology platforms help eliminate these problems by creating a single source of truth across your entire event lifecycle that automates key tasks and upgrades your attendees’ event experience.

What Parts of an Event Can Technology Support?

Here’s the big picture: nearly every operational area of an event can be enhanced with technology.

Let’s walk through the main phases.

1. Event Strategy & Planning

Technology helps teams organize and execute early planning processes, timelines, and stakeholder collaboration.

Supported workflows include:

• Event websites and landing pages
  
• Budget tracking and planning
  
• Task management
  
• Timeline tracking
  
• Team permissions and roles
  
• Venue and resource planning
  
• Goal tracking and reporting setup
  

Instead of scattered documents, everything lives in one structured environment.

2. Call for Speakers & Abstract Management

For conferences and academic events, this is often one of the most time-consuming manual processes.

Event technology platforms can automate:

• Call for papers/speakers
  
• Submission portals
  
• Reviewer workflows
  
• Scoring and evaluation
  
• Acceptance notifications
  
• Speaker onboarding
  
• Session creation automation

This alone can save hundreds of admin hours.

3. Registration & Ticketing

One of the most critical components of any event.

Modern event technology platforms support:

• Custom registration forms
  
• Ticket tiers and pricing rules
  
• Discounts and promo codes
  
• Group registrations
  
• Payment processing
  
• Tax handling
  
• Approval workflows
  
• Confirmation emails
  
• Waitlists and capacity limits
  

This eliminates manual tracking and reduces registration errors.

4. Agenda & Session Management

Technology helps organize complex schedules and deliver real-time updates.

Features typically include:

• Session scheduling tools
  
• Speaker profiles
  
• Track and category management
  
• Room assignments
  
• Capacity limits
  
• Live schedule updates
  
• Session personalization
  
• Conflict detection

These tools also power mobile apps and websites automatically.

5. Attendee Experience & Mobile Apps

Mobile event apps have become one of the most important engagement tools.

Common features:

• Personalized schedules
  
• Session browsing
  
• Venue maps
  
• Exhibitor directories
  
• Push notifications
  
• Networking tools
  
• Messaging
  
• Live polling and Q&A
  
• Gamification and challenges
  
• Surveys and feedback
  
• Session attendance and CE credit tracking
  

Apps turn static event programs into interactive experiences.

6. Exhibitor & Sponsor Management

Trade shows and conferences often rely heavily on sponsors and exhibitors.

Event platforms help with:

• Sponsor & Exhibitor portals and onboarding
  
• Exhibitor booth selection
  
• Exhibitor lead retrieval
  
• Deliverables tracking and reminders
  
• Sponsored content placements
  
• Exhibitor listings in apps/websites
  
• Analytics for sponsors

This reduces coordination emails, manual work, and improves exhibitor and sponsor experience and ROI.

7. Marketing & Communications

Event technology platforms often include built-in promotional tools.

Supported activities:

• Email campaigns
  
• Automated reminders
  
• Audience segmentation
  
• Registration conversion tracking
  
• Promo codes and referral programs
  
• Social sharing integrations
  
• Website analytics
  
• Marketing dashboards
  

This helps organizers measure marketing performance directly inside their event system.

8. Onsite Event Operations

Technology dramatically improves onsite logistics.

Key features include:

• Mobile QR code or self-serve kiosk check-in
  
• Badge printing
  
• Session scanning
  
• Access control
  
• Real-time session attendance and CE credit tracking
  
• Incident tracking
  
• Staff apps
  
• Live announcements
  

These tools reduce lines, minimize chaos, and provide polished, professional event experiences that improve attendee satisfaction.

9. Virtual & Hybrid Event Delivery

Many modern platforms support digital and virtual components.

Features include:

• Live streaming
  
• Virtual session rooms
  
• On-demand content
  
• Chat and networking
  
• Virtual exhibitor booths
  
• Hybrid attendance tracking
  
• Remote engagement tools
  

Virtual and hybrid capabilities allow events to expand beyond physical venues.

10. Post-Event Analytics & Reporting

After the event ends, data becomes incredibly valuable.

Platforms typically provide:

• Attendance reports
  
• Session engagement analytics
  
• Registration revenue breakdowns
  
• Lead retrieval exports
  
• Sponsor ROI metrics
  
• Survey results
  
• Engagement scoring
  
• CRM integrations
  

This helps teams improve future events and demonstrate ROI to stakeholders.

How to Evaluate an All-in-One Event Technology Platform

When exploring event technology platforms like PheedLoop, look for:

• Depth of features across the entire event lifecycle
  
• Flexibility and customization
  
• Ease of use for non-technical teams
  
• Strong onsite tools
  
• Reliable mobile apps
  
• Integrated analytics
  
• Transparent pricing
  
• Strong customer support
  

Most importantly, prioritize platforms that eliminate the need for multiple disconnected tools.

Download: Event Technology Features Checklist

Want an easy way to compare platforms?

Download our complete Event Technology Features Checklist by filling out your email on the right hand side — a comprehensive list of capabilities to look for when evaluating your next event software solution.

Final Thoughts

Event technology is no longer just a “nice to have.” It’s a core operational system that helps even the leanest of teams:

• Reduce manual work
  
• Deliver better attendee experiences
  
• Improve attendee, sponsor and exhibitor ROI
  
• Make data-driven decisions
  
• Scale events more efficiently

Whether you’re planning your next major conference or running a multi-event portfolio, understanding what event technology platforms can do is the first step toward transforming how your team works.

Ready to explore how event management technology can support your next event? Get in touch here to learn more about PheedLoop’s all-in-one Event Management Platform.