In today’s technology-driven world, event attendees increasingly rely on mobile apps to access information, navigate schedules, and network with fellow participants. The atEvent mobile app, available for download on the iOS App Store, aims to be a lead capture app. This review dives into the app’s functionalities, explores its strengths and weaknesses, and analyzes its suitability for various event types.

Core Functionalities

The atEvent mobile app serves as a lead capture app, providing exhibitors with key functionalities:

Pros:

• Capture: Scan business cards and badges, check in pre-registered attendees, or add manually.
• Qualify: Add custom qualifiers and follow up actions based on event conversations.
• Follow Up: Send captured lead data to your Marketing Automation and CRM systems for fast, personalized follow up.
• Measure: Gain insight into lead quality, target account interactions, and event performance.
• Integrations: atEvent has a nice list of integrations including Salesforce and Hubspot.

Cons:

• Potential Learning Curve: While the app is generally user-friendly, some attendees might require a brief familiarization period to navigate all functionalities.
• Doesn’t Work for Digital Business Cards: More an more event attendees are using digital business cards like Popl, HiHello, Dot Card, and Blinq. This app doesn’t appear to work with these platforms which further splits your lead collection process.
• No LinkedIn: LinkedIn is the most popular social network for professionals. It would be nice to have some built-in functionality.
• No Batch Scanning: Trade show booths get busy in waves on breaks. It would be nice to have a batch mode option to scan multiple cards at once.
• No Appointment Booking: With all of the noise in email, it is more important than ever to book meetings when you are face-to-face with a prospective customer. This feature is missing from this app.

Who should consider it:

The atEvent mobile app is best suited for:

• Conferences and Trade Show Hosts, Coordinators, and Managers: Attendees can then leverage the app to access complex schedules, exhibitor information, and networking tools, maximizing their event experience.

However, for attendees at events managed on different platforms or those seeking a more general-purpose event app experience, alternative solutions might be more suitable. Also, for exhibitors who want more specialized lead capture/lead retrieval functionality should seek alternatives as well.

Alternative Lead Capture Apps for Trade Shows

The 3 best alternatives to atEvent built specifically for universal lead capture at any event are as follows:

• Handshook: Shines at scanning all types of inputs you’d find both at trade shows and any business events: event badges, business cards, and even digital business cards like HiHello, Blinq, and Dot card. Plus can find missing contact information on badges and connect with prospects on LinkedIn right from the app.
• Romify.io – AI powered mobile app is compatible with both business cards and event badges which makes it super useful at a trade show. It links with your CRM but lacks some advanced features like the one above.
• iCapture PowerScan: Other than Handshook, this app seems to be the next best thing available for lead capture and business card scanning but is more intended for scanning business cards and connecting with Salesforce. However, it doesn’t appear to be as compatible as Handshook or Romify.
• Caplead: A great introductory lead capture app with reasonable pricing but limits connections and is only compatible with business cards (no event badges).

Overall Impression

The atEvent mobile app offers a valuable companion experience for exhibitors at events managed through the atEvent platform. Its focus on personalized schedules, networking tools, and downloadable materials enhances convenience and attendee engagement. However, its reliance on the event organizer and limited standalone functionality are important considerations.