CONNECT

CONNECT Solution

With CONNECT’s previous event registration system, there were constant complaints from attendees about the registration process, so much so that the majority of attendees ended up registering over the phone with staff entering their information manually, Bula explains. Now 95% of registrations are done through Stova's registration module, which allows CONNECT staff to use their energy and talents on the actual event production and execution.

CONNECT also utilizes the seamless integration between Stova and Salesforce. With the previous system, unique guest and email lists were created for each campaign or event. After the event or campaign was complete, the information would be updated manually back into Salesforce, if time allowed. “The integration between Stova and Salesforce has been lifesaving for us,” Bula says. “Now we know instantly who received which emails and what program they registered for, which makes our membership and business development team very happy.”

Stova's mobile check-in option has also been a hit, says Elizabeth Hobson, CONNECT’s Senior Director of Programs & Events. At a 750-person event, CONNECT had minimal event staff to facilitate onsite check-in and guest registration. Because they had sent out the mobile check-in link to staff prior to the event, the rest of the team were able to easily jump in to register and check-in guests.

Hobson: “Both our staff and attendees were amazed and thrilled with how easy mobile check-in made their arrival to the event.”

CONNECT Event

CONNECT used the Stova platform at its 2016 Entrepreneur Hall of Fame gala. As CONNECT’s highest honor, the event recognizes individuals who have achieved distinction over the years for founding, leading, or advancing a San Diego life sciences or technology based business organization.

With over 300 people attending the 2016 event, CONNECT needed to maximize registrations and minimize staff resources for each registration and email sent, says Hobson. They were able to successfully accomplish this through the use of Stova's registration and marketing modules. Staff used Stova's cloning feature to customize and reuse templates for emails, surveys and other marketing materials. It also easily allowed for CONNECT’s branding to integrate with the Hall of Fame branding in an easy and ascetically pleasing way.

“We constantly use registration and marketing side-by-side to build our audience and notify our members about upcoming events and programs such as Hall of Fame,” Hobson explains. “The flexibility to create lots of different ticket pricepoints and available options makes our jobs easier.”

After the Hall of Fame guests had arrived, CONNECT’s onsite registration staff was able to confirm attendees and no-shows quickly, which made the postevent wrap-up efficient and easy. Instead of going through name badges and dinner seating cards to see who attended, post-event communication emails and reports were sent with just a few clicks.

“Guest check-in and arrival is the first opportunity to make a good impression on your guests,” Hobson says. “Through the onsite registration, public check-in and mobile check-in capabilities of Stova, our small staff is able to start the evening off right by making guest arrivals smooth and easy.”

CONNECT is using Stova's analytics and reporting capabilities to capture useful ROI data, such as online registrations, timing of registrations, sponsorships, and email marketing; all of which, Hobson says, is invaluable to improve future events.