Are event planners using smartphone and tablets during the site visit process? And does it make planners more productive?
The early word on these questions is still hazy, but we're starting to get some data in recent surveys on the topic. Today we hear of a fresh survey from Social Tables, a Washington, DC.-startup that sells software for planners and properties.
Pen-and-paper is still the preferred way for event planners to collect information during a site visit, with 61% of those surveyed preferring their notepads. Some event planners may use site visits to get a sense for the overall look and feel of a space, which may partly explains their non-digital style.
Yet the study also found that planners who reported using technology during a site visit also indicated that each year they go on more site visits -- 15%, on average -- than their counterparts do. So there may be a business case for adopting digital into one's workflow.
The survey was done in mid-December of 350 planners and 350 properties in the US and Canada.
Social Tables will reveal the full results of the survey at Fuse DC, a conference for meeting planners and properties, which will be held in downtown Washington, DC, on February 17.
EARLIER:
Survey: One out of four hoteliers still use pen and paper to manage properties in the US
Social Tables stakes out $8 million to bolster hospitality product
NB: Event image from La Moda Events via Flickr/Creative Commons