6.24.2009

Get More out of your Conference with Swift Mobile

There’s not been a lot written about convergence in the meetings industry. Most of us stay connected though our mobile devices (iPhones, Blackberries, and the like), but we’ve not been able to use our trusty handheld device to connect with others during a conference. Until now.

Enter Swift Mobile for your smartphone: a veritable paintbox of features combining conference content, social networking, and mobile geolocation in the palm of your hand. The Swift application – which works best on the iPhone but is also supported on the mobile web and accessible by any wireless handheld device – allows users to create a personal profile to share information about themselves and connect with other convention goers with similar interests.

Swift allows conference delegates to navigate through educational content on their phone, essentially providing the conference program in the palm of their hand. The application also combines conference-related Twitter posts (“tweets”) into a single, relevant stream that can be customized for each user. Real-time feedback lets attendees keep tabs on other sessions, even those that they aren’t able to attend. In this way, Swift expands the conference experience beyond the limits of physical space and time.

On the revenue side, Swift offers branding opportunities for sponsors on the splash screen as well as long-range potential publications phase-out. Exhibitors and sponsors also have access to fee-based tools including polling, video publishing, and user messaging.

The Swift Mobile application is still in beta testing, but the implications for long-term use in the convention industry are encouraging. Keep up the good work!

No comments: