It turns out that HTML5 is not yet a mature enough set of web standards to fully deliver on its promises. Missing APIs, weaker UI compared to native apps and difficulty routing ads onto HTML5 sites can add up to make it feel like an inferior product.

One of the major hurdles for HTML 5 is connectivity. A mobile device will need a strong, steady connection to use an HTML 5 “app,” and these are often not available at trade shows and conventions. Native apps have the ability to store data locally in ways that minimize network usage.

Darren also points out that major social media developers such as Facebook and LinkedIn have recently abandoned HTML5 in favor or native apps. If they’re not trusting HTML 5 with their brand, why should event organizers?

Darren has much more to say, and you can read the entire piece on his blog.

Core-apps would like to congratulate our following partners for making the EXCITE Awards finalist list:

•  1105 Media – FETC
•  Penton- NCBA
•  IDG- E3
•  Tri-Star – Pri-Med East
• Dmg Events – Global Petroleum Show

And a new addition to our family:

•  BlogHer

Expo Elite:

Raymond Bianchi
Dan Cole
David DuBois
Kenji Harotunian
Kevin Johnstone
Jason McGraw
Philip McKay
Megan Tanel
Dana Teague
Sandy Voss
George Jage
Don Welsh

Congratulations on becoming finalists for these awards!

At Core-apps we recognize that privacy is important. This Privacy Policy applies to all of the products, services and websites offered by Core-apps LLC, collectively, Core-apps’s “services.” In addition, where more detailed information is needed to explain our privacy practices, we post supplementary privacy notices to describe how particular services process personal information.

By using our Web Sites and mobile apps, you signify your assent to this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy, please do not use the Web Sites or mobile apps.

Information We Collect

In general, you can visit our Websites or use our mobile apps without telling us who you are or revealing any personal information about yourself. However, you should be aware that sections of our Websites (including restricted portions of our Websites) that allow for the submission of personal information (referred to for convenience as “Registration Pages”) contain a function for collecting various pieces of your personal information including your [name, address, email address, phone number, facsimile number, social security or other identification number, credit card or account information, and information about your interests in and use of various products, programs, and services].

We only collect your personal information if you voluntarily submit the information to us for such purposes as registering for EventLink Self Service, registering for the use of certain restricted portions of this Websites or other restricted websites operated by Core-apps, certain mobile app features, completion of surveys, product purchases, or requests for information, products, or services. For your information, through certain technologies employed by our Websites and mobile apps we also collect non-personally identifiable information about you.
We may also collect and group demographic and preferences information, responses to surveys and other personal information that we collect from you into an aggregate, non-personally identifiable form for disclosure to our existing or potential business partners, affiliates, sponsors or other third parties. However, please be assured that this aggregate data will in no way personally identify you or any other visitors to our Websites or users of our apps.

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please feel free to contact us through our website or write to us at:

Forbes ran a piece about UNLVino, Nevada’s original wine festival, and Core-apps was there. From the article:

Another new component of the festival is the 2013 UNLVino Mobile App. Guests can download the application to learn about the beverages served, create a schedule of tastings they’d like to attend, engage in social media and more. A testament to UNLVino’s longstanding relationship with university alumni, the mobile app was donated and created by Core-Apps LLC under the direction of Heather Willden, a UNLV alum, who received her Master’s Degree and instructed event planning classes at the Hotel College.

Core-apps is proud to have Heather on our team, and UNLVino proves that mobile apps can be used for a wide variety of events. 

In its 40th year, UNLVino realized it was time to use mobile technology to its fullest, and that’s why Core-apps was brought in. Attendees were kept up to date in real-time on schedule changes, upcoming events, and the interactive maps showed them where to go to sample the latest offerings from world-class vintners.

For more information on UNLVino, visit them at unlvino.com.

For the original article from Forbes, click here. 

In short, we do collect personal information as it is needed to use the app properly. We also collect non-identifiable aggregate data for statistical purposes. Some apps have different requirements based on the needs of the event organizers, but it is never our goal to collect your personal information without your knowledge.

The full text of our privacy policy is available at this link, and is also found in all of our newest apps.

Our partners at The NAFEM Show are using FollowMe to its best advantage. Through signage and promotion, they’re ensuring that the largest possible number of their attendees are using the app. But what if some attendees don’t have smartphones? The NAFEM Show has a solution for that too—the app station.

A clearly-labeled sign tells people that this is their one-stop shop for finding out what they need to know. If they have a smartphone (as the vast majority of attendees do), they can scan the QR code and install the app on the spot. If they don’t have one with them, the iPad has the app running and they can use it to browse the interactive map, look up Exhibitor information, or even find a place for lunch.

At Core-apps we work with our partners to meet whatever needs their particular show might have, and The NAFEM Show’s willingness to innovate demonstrates yet another way that FollowMe and EventLink from Core-apps can give your attendees the best possible experience.

Stay Connected with Convenient Features 

IAEE

 DALLAS, 14 January 2013 – Continuing on the success of its Expo! Expo! mobile app produced by mobile app partner Core-apps, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events™ (IAEE) is excited to release its new association-specific mobile app, IAEE Direct. The free app is the premier mobile resource for exhibitions and events professionals to stay connected to IAEE and find key resources quickly and easily from a smartphone device.

“Once again, we are excited to be working with IAEE by producing their mobile association app!” states Jay Tokosch, CEO of Core-apps, LLC. “This association app is the next step in mobile communication for all the IAEE members 365 days a year.”The IAEE Direct app allows users to quickly find products and services, keep up with industry news and events, and stay in touch with the association from the convenience of their mobile devices. Features include:

• Mobile access to the latest IAEE Industry News
• Direct access to IAEE’s website
• Stay informed about upcoming IAEE events
• Contact IAEE’s headquarters directly
• Store association member information

“The IAEE Mobile App is essential for exhibitions and events professionals because we are always on the go,” notes IAEE President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA. “This app keeps users in the loop regardless of whether they are in the office or on show site; the convenience factor is invaluable.”

Scan the following QR code to download IAEE Direct:

or visit this link on your device: direct.core-apps.com/iaee

About IAEE
Trusted since 1928, IAEE provides quality and value to its members through leadership, service, education and strong relationships. IAEE is the largest association of the exhibitions and events industry in the world, with a membership of show organizers, exhibitors and exhibition suppliers. Organizers of more than 20,000 exhibitions and buyer-seller events around the world are members of IAEE. Through the 2006 consolidation with the Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR), IAEE delivers valuable industry research reports. IAEE also supports the IAEE Public Events Council, The International Center for Exhibitor and Event Marketing, and the Exhibition and Event Industry Audit Commission, which are IAEE councils that provide trusted resources to members. IAEE recognizes its strategic partners: American Airlines, ASP, Inc., Bearcom, Mexico Tourism Board, New Orleans Morial Convention Center, New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau, Orange County Convention Center and Visit Orlando, Vertical Nerve, Inc. and VoiceLogic. Visit www.iaee.com for more information.

 

I recently had the privilege of speaking at IAEE’s Annual Conference in Orlando for two sessions. Both sessions focused on event technology. The first was hosted by Danica Tormohlen of TSE. I represented the mobile side of event technology in the discussion, and the talk spanned across many areas. My second session was with Colin Bunn of OnPeak; and in it we discussed mobile technology specifically.

In these sessions (and afterward), I was asked about incorporating indoor location services into mobile applications to help users maneuver around the show floor. This is a hot topic that keeps coming up as one of the most anticipated “Next Technology” areas for mobile apps. Imagine an app smart enough to show you where you are on the show’s floor; and the sponsorship opportunities that could be included to offer users a real interactive experience! We (at Core-apps) have done a great deal of investigation into this interactive mapping, and I thought it would be appropriate to write a blog that catches everyone up on where we are with this technology today.

When we first released our app in 2009 we offered location-based services – initially for Apple mobile products only. Later, in 2011 we added Android The technology used the existing WiFi at the venue but incurred no extra charges ( a Core-apps secret). On the expo floor map inside our app we showed a blue dot that covered about 40 feet of space showing the user where they were on the show floor. At the time, that was our WOW factor!!! Unfortunately, because the WiFi system was imprecise, we were never able to reduce the size of the “You Are Here” area, which, of course, covered multiple 10X10 booths!! In 2011, Apple decided to eliminate the use of the technology in their Operating System (5.0) as Google had announced future plans for indoor location-based services on Android (and Google Maps on Apple products). With Apple eliminating the use of the technology, our feature became obsolete; since only one phone platform could be offered. We investigated several new technologies -

Bluetooth – Great technology for many products. But, this technology has limited range (you know if you have a Bluetooth headset or use other Bluetooth products with your mobile device). You would need a Bluetooth hub about every 20 ft to capture the Bluetooth signal and map the user’s location. For a trade show floor, you would have to have many Bluetooth hubs in order to make this work – a management nightmare; and costly to set up.

Sound Waves – What an idea – measure sound waves through your phone to determine your location!! The limited range is about 40ft for producing sound waves using hubs/beacons. The phones would have to have the mics turned on to capture the sound wave that is emitted (which is outside the range of the human ear) and thereby determine your location. This technology is deployed today by Shopkick for Target in their mobile app. Beacons are set up in the Target stores, and when you run the app from within the store, it uses the sound waves to determine your location and offer you ads, etc.

This works fairly well for Target, as the stores are static: They don’t change a lot. The store’s layout stays constant once the technology is employed. While this has been used in a few small events that had a controlled environment, it has never been deployed with success in a trade show expo space. Trade show floors are dynamic all the way up to the expo; and sometimes even change during the expo. Sound waves also have multiple issues – from height of booths to density of material that blocks the sound waves. Also, exhibitors booths can have other technology that interferes with the signal and emits sound waves that cause inaccuracies; lessening the quality of the user experience. This is also a very costly technology to deploy due to the many hubs/beacons to meet the range requirements; and some booths, by necessity, would have to contain beacons to keep to the range requirements.

WiFi – This technology still provides the best range and cost-effectiveness, but sadly can only be deployed on one phone platform – Android This technology provides a very large range, allowing few hubs to cover a large space. And, if you use the existing venue WiFi, deployment time is minimal. Wifarer is a company that has successfully deployed this in malls and a sporting venue with Android They can determine a user’s location to within 3 ft!!! The feature offers pop up ads and a great range of stats and metrics on users’ locations – RFID-like stats, but with a smaller sampling!!! We (Core-apps) have embarked on an exclusive partnership with Wifarer, allowing us to offer this emerging technology in our apps.

So, what is the best technology for location-based services? At this time, there is no single answer. Bluetooth and sound waves have too small of a range, and will be too costly. Sound wave also has accuracy problems. WiFi can only be deployed on one phone platform; and that does not seem to be worth the cost. We hope that future talks with Apple will allow us to integrate Wifarer into iOS. Until then, we’ll keep our ear to the ground and look for new advancements.

The folks from the MediCast TV recently reviewed the things they need for the EMS World Expo. Their most important asset: The EMS World Expo 2012 Mobile App powered by Core-apps.

Podcaster Jamie Davis said:

I would say it’s a must have… it will change the way you approach the show.

The video review helps illustrate just how customizable an event app powered by Core-apps can be. EMS World knows their audience, and their app reflects that. The customizable schedule, interactive maps and live social-media streams are of particular interest this year.

You can watch the full review on YouTube here.