2023 Updates

January: New Stream & Video Player with Captions, Recurring Meetings, Exhibitor Portal and Agenda Autoplay

As we embark on the new year, we are delighted to announce a host of exciting new features and updates! 

Our Stream & Video Player and accompanying captioning feature will allow for greater attendee accessibility. We're also introducing an Agenda Autoplay prompt that helps guide your delegates from one session to another with ease. 

Exhibitors also have something extra special coming their way - the Exhibitor Portal, which allows them more control when it comes time to set up shop. And last but far from least – Meeting Booking has gained several incredible additions! 

Let's get into the details!

 

Brand New Stream & Video Player

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The major update this month is a brand new Stream & Video Player. Your delegates can get timeline hover previews on this new player and keyboard control navigations when watching on-demand videos. The video player is also fully responsive and adaptive, ensuring that it will look great anywhere on the web, regardless of the device or connection.

Our new player will give you access to a wide range of data, providing valuable insight into your attendees' experiences. 

Accessibility is at the heart of the CrowdComms technology suite. In this new player, we have added the captions feature, enabling hard-of-hearing viewers to enjoy your event equally. Captions can be enabled or disabled on the Dashboard by the event organiser and on the Event Platform by your delegates.  This feature is currently only available in English.

 

Agenda Autoplay

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We are very excited to introduce our new Stream Autoplay feature. When enabled from the toggle in the Dashboard, your delegates will automatically be transported to their next favourited session once their current stream has finished. 

 

Exhibitor Portal

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If you run events with hundreds of sponsors and exhibitors and find yourself spending days updating company info, logos and branding, we have a solution for you!

In the coming weeks, we will be releasing the Exhibitor Portal, which will allow you to pass on the responsibility of updating company booths to the exhibitors themselves. As the Dashboard admin, you simply need to add the company names along with the main representatives, and anyone with the link will be able to update their company booths.

We will also throw in guided instructions to assist them with how to use the Portal, so you can focus your time on running an excellent event!

 

Recurring Meetings

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Meeting Booking has had an exciting feature update!

If you are using our platform as a long-term solution, this feature is for you! Your delegates can now arrange recurring meetings, with either a daily, weekly or monthly occurrence, via the Meeting Booking feature. 

Get Ready for a Brand New CMS Dashboard (Available in Beta)

This release has been highly anticipated, and we are thrilled to be able to share it with you.

We have been using our new CMS Dashboard for the past few months, and it's now ready to be released in Beta. 

The new CMS will revolutionise how event content is managed, with faster and more simplified steps to add your content, leaving you to focus on running a great event.  

Read on for the highlights and important access information.

 

Mobile Friendly and PWA Enabled

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This time last year, we introduced the Installable Application, also known as Progressive Web Apps (PWA), to the platform, and it was very well received!

So when we were developing the new CMS, we ensured that it had the same PWA technology. With PWA, you can download the Dashboard directly to your device, desktop or mobile. 

Our new CMS is mobile-friendly, meaning that you can create and edit the content of your event while you're on the go.

 

Image Library Overhaul & Gallery Template

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Another significant development is the Image Library and Image Gallery template. The new library allows you to upload multiple images at once. You can also downscale and crop images before uploading, and once uploaded, you can view them in full screen. Images can now be embedded in various places in the Dashboard, for example, in the Page Builder templates. 

Our Page Builder has an exciting new Image Gallery template, allowing you to beautifully curate and showcase your photos. 

 

Design Overhaul

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When we were developing the new CMS Dashboard, the primary focus was to upgrade to newer technology, which would simplify the user experience and modernise the design. 

Each individual element of the CMS has been given extra love by the design team. From the complete redesign of our Activity Feed to improvements to the more minor details such as our icon picker, people selector and date picker, we have refined every aspect to give it a fresh look. 

We can't wait for you to try it out, and we would love to hear your thoughts!

 

Other Exciting Features

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Other notable improvements are the library where event locations are managed. You can now create and manage your event locations in one place. Like the other library functions, you can use them in various areas within the Dashboard, such as when creating Sessions or  Company Booths. 

We have also introduced the Global Module Search function. If you have a long list of modules in your App (believe us, there are some Apps with over 150 modules!), you can now simply find the module you're looking for by searching for the module name.

Finally, we have the HTML preview. For the techies out there, this feature is dedicated to you! You can now preview your custom HTML page within the Dashboard without having to have separate windows to view your design. 

 

Accessing the New CMS Dashboard

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If you're eager to start trying out the new Dashboard, it's as simple as flicking a switch (literally)! In the current CMS, you will see a toggle on the top right corner of the page inviting you to 'Activate the new dashboard'. Simply switch the toggle, and you're in! 

Please remember that we are still in the Beta stage, and you can return to the legacy Dashboard if you need to. 

We have lots more features to share with you, but we don't want to turn this email into an encyclopedia! For a comprehensive list of all the upgrades, please visit this page.

February: Agenda Session and Personal Agenda Page Re-design and Additions to the Delegate Calendar

This month is all about design. Since we released the shiny new dashboard a few weeks ago, we thought we'd also freshen up the look and feel of some of the platform features.

We now have a new Agenda Session page, and the Personal Agenda pages have also had a refresh.

We have also added a convenient feature that will enable your delegates to add their scheduled meetings and favourited sessions to their chosen calendar, so they will never have to miss anything. 

Let's take you through the details!

Agenda Session Re-design

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The Agenda Session page is the heart of the platform. It is the most crucial feature, and without it, the platform won't be able to fulfil its purpose. Due to its importance, we have decided it deserves a design lift. The design change will include the following:

Personal Agenda Re-design

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The Personal Agenda page has also been given a facelift. Not only to the design but the functionality has also been extended to include delegates' upcoming meetings and the event organiser's managed agendas. 

The next time your attendees download their event schedule, they will be able to add all of their meetings, favourited sessions & organiser's managed sessions to their device's calendar and never have to miss anything even when they're not on the app.

The best way to experience the changes is to see the new page in action, so please play around with it once it is released! 

.ics Attachments with Email Notifications 

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We're closing with a massive benefit for your attendees! .ics file attachments will be included in all meeting and favourited session email notifications, meaning your delegates can easily add in-app them into their chosen calendar. This way, even when away from the app, they will never miss any meetings or sessions. 

April: All-new Abstracts Module, Self-Service Livestream Production Studio, Agenda Session Waiting Lists & Event Communications Hub

Spring is in the air again and we've been busy cultivating a mixture of everything for you this April, from a brand-new module to a new section on the Dashboard CMS.

The new module that we'll be releasing is the Abstract Module. Alongside this, we'll also be updating the Q&A feature with the new 'Response' field.

The other exciting feature launching in April is Self-Service Production, enabling you to run your live-stream from within the CrowdComms eco-system.

Let's take you through the details and introduce you to the rest of the other features!

Abstract Module

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It has been a while since we developed a new 'Module', so we are especially excited to introduce our brand new way to engage your delegates when presenting posters, images and PDFs. This feature will allow you to exhibit Abstracts in your Event App alongside our trademark engagement features such as group chat, Q&A and feedback surveys. 
 
The Abstract Module allows you to organise your submissions into a list, making it easy to find and view the most relevant content. Each submission can be viewed on a detailed page, allowing for a comprehensive review of the document. And with the ability to zoom into images and multi-page PDFs, users can get a closer look at the important details.

Q&A Inline Presenter Responses & Simplified 'Ask a Question'

Alongside the release of the Abstract module, we are also updating the Q&A feature by adding an author or moderator response field. The Q&A response field is a valuable addition to the platform, providing users with a new level of longer-term interactivity and engagement. With this feature, users can ask specific questions related to the content and receive targeted responses that address their enquiries. We also simplified the 'Ask a Question' process down to one click!

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CrowdComms Livestream Production Studio

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Another feature we are excited to announce is the CrowdComms Livestream Production Studio which will revolutionise how you produce live-stream events. Our new Production Studio lets you quickly produce and manage your live-stream event directly within our platform.
 
And that's not all. With our 'Go Backstage' feature, you can introduce your delegates and bring them up on stage, enabling you to collaborate with them in real-time, ensuring that your live-stream event runs smoothly from start to finish.

Finally, to make it fun, you can utilise the animated transitions feature and add custom session branding to your production.

Intelligent Waiting List

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We'd also like to introduce you to the Intelligent Waiting List feature that is going to transform your delegate's event experience! Now, delegates don't have to worry about missing their favourite sessions because they are full. With our waiting list feature, they can sign up for a full session, and we will automatically assign tickets that become available based on a queuing system. Clever, right?
 
No more waiting around hoping for a no-show or checking back constantly to see if a spot has opened up. Delegates can relax and enjoy the rest of the event, knowing they're on the waiting list for the session they want to attend.

New Dashboard Section: Communications

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This final update is small but mighty. Firstly, we have reshuffled the new Dashboard and introduced a new tab: the 'Comms' section - giving email set up and alerts a new, easy to find home. Within this tab, we have also added a setting for you to decide whether your delegates are opted in or out of email communications and notification sounds by default.

If you select 'Notifications OFF by default', your users won't receive email notifications on system and user generated alerts, such as Meeting Booking requests, Session Starting alerts, Activity feed likes and tags and more. 

Delegates can always choose to change their default setting by enabling email notifications from within their App, so the everyone has control of their own experience.  

This new Communications section in the Dashboard will expand and improve over time, and our aim is that it will be a hub for all organiser-to-delegate live and scheduled messaging. 

June: Introducing the Latest Feature Releases, Including Time Zone Options, Session Chat Images and Browser Notifications

Our latest platform update is packed with powerful features to elevate collaboration and engagement at your events. Seamless and inclusive time zone options effortlessly display session and meeting times in either the event time or the user's device time, while our improved desktop notifications allow for real-time updates, ensuring no one misses out.
 
We've also got many more new features to unpack in this month's bundle, so without further ado, let's get into the details!

Time Zone Options

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To kick off this month's round-up, let's start with the new and exciting Time Zone Options feature.
 
Imagine that you're running your event in London, with delegates attending from all around the globe. You want your Event App to show sessions in the event's time zone rather than the local time of each attendee. By keeping a consistent time zone, delegates can arrange meetings without confusion. This feature allows for a clear understanding of when the meeting is scheduled to occur, regardless of the physical location of the attendee’s device when the meeting was initially arranged.
 
Upon release, this feature will be active by default. A new switch will appear on the event platform, enabling delegates to switch between the Event App's time zone or the time zone of their device.

Polling Results on the Platform App

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With the increasing popularity of the Polling Feature and the introduction of Advanced Voting, the next logical step was to develop the ability to display the results to the platform users on the App.
 
This feature will provide near-instantaneous feedback on voting, enabling users to see the collective response or opinion of the group within seconds. This can be an excellent catalyst for discussion and decision-making. By sharing immediate results, voters can identify areas of consensus and divergence, sparking and encouraging dialogue, debate and collaboration.

Session Chat Images

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We are also thrilled to announce an enhancement to our Engagement Panel: the ability to upload images into the Session Chat. With this new feature, your delegates can effortlessly share visual content, making conversations more engaging and interactive. Whether attendees share an image of themselves participating in the event or collaborating on a creative session, our image upload functionality empowers your delegates to bring their ideas to life.

Response Field Added to Q&A Module

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With the successful launch of our Abstract Module and its interactive Q&A feature, we realised its potential to revolutionise the way Q&A is conducted. That's why we decided to make it accessible on its own via a module! Now, if you're organising a physical event and seeking a seamless Q&A experience with responsive capabilities, our new Q&A Module is here to exceed your expectations.

By simply adding the Module and linking it to the relevant Q&A, you can leave the rest to us. With just a toggle switch, you gain instant access to this feature. Additionally, you have the flexibility to customise who can respond to questions by adding designated responders to the allowed list, ensuring complete control over the conversation.

Profile Pop-Up Card

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With the release of our enhanced profile pop-up card, we have made a small but impactful improvement to streamline the delegate experience. Now, attendees can access useful shortcuts directly within the pop-up card, making it easier than ever to send chat messages, schedule meetings or initiate video calls with other delegates.
 
Whether your attendees are enjoying a livestream or actively engaging with others on the Activity Feed, they can access these shortcuts with just one click. By selecting the delegate's name on the card, they will instantly see relevant icons that lead them to the corresponding action page while still having the person's name, company and job title visible for context.

Zoom Integration Update

We have also updated our Zoom integration, which is optimised with their latest SDK version. This update brings an easier integration experience (with only two fields, instead of four). To benefit from this upgrade, it's essential to re-authenticate your Zoom integrations using the new SDK workflow. Don't worry - you will retain all of your previously imported Zoom meetings and webinars by updating the integration with the new credentials instead of unlinking it, keeping your workflow intact.



October: Streamline your Event Planning With Our New Seamless Registration Suite - Effortless Event Management Starts Now!

As summer fades away and Autumn heralds one of the year’s busiest seasons for events, we’re thrilled to introduce a game-changing feature that will transform your event planning experience: the Registration Suite - in Beta. This innovative addition to our ecosystem combines the power of event registration, a dynamic landing page builder, and seamless communication tools all integrated into brand new sections of our award-winning dashboard. Now, you can effortlessly create and manage registration forms for your events while maintaining a direct line of communication with your attendees.

Complete Customisation
Whether you need comprehensive no-code tools or have teams capable of custom CSS we’re confident we can get closer to your brand than any other platform. Using the same industry-leading design and UX of our event app CMS we know you’ll pick this up in no-time.

Say goodbye to the hassle of managing multiple tools and integrations.
Our Registration Suite offers a complete ecosystem where you can effortlessly create and manage registrations, your event app, and delegate communication, all in one place.

With our Registration Suite, there’s no need to rely on third-party integrations for registration or communication.
We’ve integrated everything you need seamlessly into our award-winning platform, saving you time and reducing complexity.

Your data security is our top priority.
The Registration Suite Beta is built with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 compliance, ensuring your sensitive information is safeguarded against threats and breaches. Processing PI data in one single place instead of moving sensitive information between systems.

We’re here to help you every step of the way.
When you sign up for the Registration Suite, you’ll have access to comprehensive training and dedicated support to ensure you can set up and run your events with confidence. Choose to self-build using our intuitive tools or use one of our expert in-house teams to join forces with your organisation and build seamless brand experiences in a matter of days that will rival any bespoke build that would take months.

Let’s dive in and discover how this feature will simplify your event coordination efforts and elevate your overall experience.

Registration Form Builder

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This dynamic tool empowers event organisers like you to craft exceptional registration forms effortlessly. With a wide array of question types at your fingertips, you have the freedom to create tailored, engaging forms that cater to your unique event needs. But that's not all, our intuitive drag-and-drop functionality allows you to re-order sections and fields with ease, giving you complete control over your form's layout. Want to add your brand's signature touch? Our form branding options are designed to make your event registration page shine.
 
Customisation gets even better with the ability to present questions to your registrants in different layouts, ensuring a continuous and user-friendly experience. You can choose from three different options, a single-page form, a section per page and a question per page. Giving you complete control of your customer experience and flexible enough to fit with any brand strategy.

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Customise the in-app messages that will be instantly displayed to registrants upon completion of the registration form. You can optionally add links here to direct them to the event app. Plus, we've made compliance hassle-free by enabling you to customise your privacy policy and terms and conditions specific to your event. Finally, rest easy with our live preview feature directly on your CMS to check every change in real-time.
 
With our Registration Form Builder, you have the power to create registration experiences that not only meet but exceed your expectations.

Registration Landing Page Builder

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This next Suite feature takes a familiar platform component and elevates it to new heights, we introduce to you the Registration Landing Page Builder. Designed with your event's success in mind, this feature offers great flexibility. You now have the choice of whether to add a home page in conjunction with your registration form on your registration site which you can promote independently of your event app.
 
For those who choose to utilise it, the home page becomes your event's front door, inviting users with open arms. Don't have the time to design a captivating page? No worries! We've got you covered with a beautifully curated template that you can instantly deploy. This new iteration of our page builder represents the next generation of user-friendly, powerful design tools.
 
You can create your event's narrative by selecting from a wide range of section types. Customise sections to your heart's content, from adding a countdown to an interactive map, and speakers’ widgets to sponsors’ links, you have all the tools you need to make your page uniquely yours. Dive into the nitty-gritty details and craft an interactive journey by linking different sections of your page or even external sites.

As always, white labelling for our clients is always at the top of our priorities. On top of branding your home page and registration form with your event imagery and colours, you can also use custom domains for your registration site.

Adding a custom domain is as easy as 1, 2, 3! Just plug the records we provide you from the Settings page into the records of your DNS provider, and your registration will be available at your custom domain URL under the "registration" subdomain.
 
With our Landing Page Builder, you're not just registering attendees, you're engaging and inspiring them from the very start. We promise this feature can elevate your event's first impression to new heights!

Registration Email Template Builder

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They say that 'Three's a charm,' and we couldn't agree more. With excitement, we present our third feature: the Email Template Builder, enhancing our comprehensive Registration Suite. This versatile tool empowers you to effortlessly craft and send targeted emails to invite users to register, issue reminders to those who haven't registered, and send confirmation emails to those who have.
 
With our Email Template Builder, your options are endless. Choose to personalise your emails from scratch, utilising our user-friendly email editor to create bespoke messages. Alternatively, use the pre-existing template to expedite the process. Have specific information to share, like details on event travel and accommodation? You can easily design custom templates that resonate with your registrants.
 
Adding and editing content is a breeze with our dynamic, drag-and-drop editor. Create captivating, professional emails in minutes, saving you time and energy. Plus, rest assured that your emails will look great on different browsers and email clients, thanks to our responsive design.
 
Stay tuned for the big reveal and discover how our Email Template Builder can elevate your event communication, making it more engaging and efficient than ever.

What are you waiting for...
We're excited to invite you to be among the first to experience the Registration Suite in Beta version. As a Beta user, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the future of this powerful tool. Your feedback will be invaluable in helping us fine-tune and enhance the suite to meet your specific needs.

Your next event is just around the corner. Contact your account manager now to explore how the Registration Suite can make it a resounding success.