Verifying that an event technology vendor is a safe hire is vital. After all, choosing the right event technology vendor could make the difference between the success and failure of your experiential event marketing efforts. These days, virtually anyone can slap up a website and claim to be a leading provider of event technology or event marketing services. Not all event marketing vendors are created equal, so it pays off to do a little research and refine your options before you sign on the dotted line. Here are some questions that will help you separate the wheat from the chaff during the event vendor selection process.
To ensure that experiential event marketing vendors are reputable and capable of delivering great customer service and a worthwhile ROI, ask them how much experience they have. Evaluate factors such as how long they have been in business, the types of event activations they host, the products/services they offer, the number of employees they have, and their annual revenue.
3. What is your company’s star rating?
User reviews aren’t just for B2Cs anymore. B2B vendors can also obtain star ratings nowadays, and the trend of B2B reviews is growing and being adopted by well-known firms. User reviews are often transparent, no holds barred accounts of what it’s like to work with a particular vendor. The idea is not to run for the hills if you discover that an event technology vendor has negative reviews, however. It should be a cause for concern if all of a vendor’s reviews are negative, but getting a negative review here and there is normal. What sets the good event vendors apart from the not-so-good ones is how they choose to deal with negative feedback.
Always ask event technology vendors for experiential marketing case studies and testimonials from clients they’ve worked with on previous event and brand activations, and be wary of vendors who are reluctant to provide them. Better yet, get the names of a few existing clients who would be willing to discuss their experiences with you. Case studies should demonstrate a vendor’s products/services in action, show that the vendor has relevant experience, and prove that the vendor is capable of achieving worthwhile results. In addition, review the social media accounts of event vendors. Is there positive buzz surrounding their brand on Facebook or Twitter? Have they been recommended by credible brands on LinkedIn?
In the last few years, a number of new event technologies have arisen, bringing significant changes to the experiential event marketing industry. Many of these technologies supposedly drive event attendance, boost ROI, and increase engagement, but there are so many options out there that it can be difficult to cut through the clutter and find qualified event vendors. Interview event technology vendors and ask the above questions before taking new experiential event technology for a test drive. By approaching the vendor selection process with care, you can rest assured that you’re making a sound hiring decision for your next sponsor activation.