The organization my company uses hosts an annual event in which they use Whova for their event platform. It is used as a networking and agenda tracking application for the event.
Pros
The mobile aspect is perfect as far as being user friendly.
All alerts and reminders are precise.
The interface for the agenda and attendees are seamless.
Cons
I feel like a filter option under attendees would be beneficial if you're looking for the different companies that attended.
Likelihood to Recommend
It presents well when having it function as your event's planner and networking platform.
We use Whova to coordinate events, upload photos and video from the events, distribute event itinerary and event location maps. The product allows for event to be easily organized and allows you to track the individuals you came in contact with. The scan qr feature allows you to generate leads as well.
Pros
Event mapping
event scheduling
Media storage
Cons
better arrangement of icons
improve display of photos
Likelihood to Recommend
It is well suited to organize attendees at events. It makes it easy to separate specific individuals into groups. It is a great tool for lead generations. It allows you track the amount of traffic at your booth or table. It works great on iphones.It is a great tool for sharing photos and videos.
We used Whova at the recent MARCON and SMRP conference 2 years ago. Both times it was great to set our agenda and to connect with others attending. The Contests are fun, and engaging. Being able to set up social events after the conference hours is also great to help network with fellow attendees.
Pros
Agenda
Contact exchange between users
Contests
Cons
As a speaker retrieving the polling data was a bit tough sometimes.
As a user/attendee sorting the posts would be nice if we could filter out topics that are not interesting to us
Time lag between the message in the app and the email sent would be eliminated if a notification was sent when someone messaged you
Likelihood to Recommend
Conferences are 100% a great place to use them. Almost any public event I would think is good
VU
Verified User
Manager in Manufacturing (Consumer Goods company, 501-1000 employees)
We used it for the Wounds UK-2023 conference and exhibition organised by the Wounds UK media organisation. They chose the Whova App, and I found it useful to scan clinical delegates, engage with them and then to download the leads. Also to book the scientific sessions that I wanted to attend.
Pros
Scanning delegates at the event - With the possibility to collect additional info via notes
Engaging with clinicians
Booking delegates
Book scientific sessions
Keep a track of number of leads collected
Download the leads
Cons
Ensure that accurate details are collected for customers/delegates at the event
Make work email address mandatory
Autocorrect was initially not functional - this could be incorporated
Setting up to collect Leads can be assigned directly to one person - It was done at the event
The Whova app was essential in coordinating a large in-person meeting event over multiple venues. The app facilitated multi-lingual instructions and communications which came in incredibly helpful. The capacity to create unique groups and conversations allowed our cohort to facilitate meaningful and spontaneous connections. The agenda function was excellent for both internal and external stakeholders. They were able to easily find the venue times and locations. All in all, this app added a huge value to our corporate event.
Pros
Spontaneous group meetups
Seamless agenda udpates
Multilingual instructions
Cons
I thought it was a little weird how I had to click into each date for the agenda. For example, a great format for me is when you just scroll from day to day bottom to top.
I'm not sure how much we paid, but I would watch your price point. I think this is really valuable and I can imagine smaller businesses getting huge value out of it, but they have to be able to afford/justify the cost.
Likelihood to Recommend
If you need to contact a large group of people in a small amount of time, I highly recommend having this app. Not only does it serve as a agenda, it allows for small groups to make contact, real-time updates, and a great blogosphere for everyone to connect on different items.
VU
Verified User
Administrative Assistant in Corporate (Chemicals company, 1001-5000 employees)
Whova was used to connect with a conference taking place in Boulder Colorado, USA in the time of tight COVID-19 restrictions. It allowed us to participate in that scientific event and present our results despite the time and location difference. It was used by the Material Science institution of our organisation (NTNU) whom where a dozen of employees and students has participated via Whova. The app was working great with the virtual environment created by conference organizers.
Pros
Allows apploading and playing out videos from conferences at any time
It has been combined with zoom smoothly with no technical issues
It accounts for potential interaction between users
Cons
None noticed
Likelihood to Recommend
Conferences work great with Whova. It is not quite the same as participating live, but it is definitely a usefull and powerfull tool in times like a global pandemic.
Whova was used for two big conferences I attended online and for which I could not have attended otherwise. Even if I could attend face to face, I would have been only able to go to a few sessions and probably would not have met anyone. That is why I don't attend these large meetings. But on Whova, I could attend sessions as they were given, and others even if the time had passed, and I could still ask questions and come back later. I was also able to set up conversations and meetings and came away from the conference having met several new persons, with whom we are now collaborating. I was also able to attend several meetings and contribute to several conversations. Pleasingly, the site was active way after the meeting. The only way I can see to improve is to somehow be able to download the information afterward, especially the list of participants. I have been to several meetings, especially during the pandemic, where several different platforms were used but I like this one the best. I found I was very active on Whova, and in spite of this being my first time using Whova, I ended up on top of the Leaderboard on both occasions!
Pros
Gave points for activity on the site even after the conference ended
Allow for interaction between participants in large meetings
Allow for access to sessions even when passed
Allows for sites to upload papers, pictures etc
Cons
Literature and pictures uploaded but no easy way to download the collection.
No easy way to access information after the period after the conference ended.
No easy way to access the list of participants and contact information - could be pdf'd.
There was a little connectivity issues but not much.
Some of the meetings were scheduled while we slept.
The cost of using Whova for small meetings.
Likelihood to Recommend
Whova is especially suited for big meetings. I would suggest hybrid meetings so if you cannot attend face-to-face, you could still benefit from the conference. Small meetings might find it difficult to pay for the service but I think they would still find it useful. Even companies could get Whova to work for them if there was some way to download the compilations, or if they were linked to online storage sites similar to Dropbox.
I'm currently using Whova at the CardioVascular Implant Durability (CVID) conference in Pacific Grove, CA. It's impossible to make connections with all participants and companies at a conference. Whova allows me and my team to make specific connections with those we specifically want to meet. We can open up with ice breakers, schedule meetups and keep a record of all the connections we make. It also allows us to preview our company and what we do.
Pros
Icebreakers.
Keeping track of all the connections we make.
Introduce our team and what they do.
Promote our booth for greater exposure.
Communicate with other participants for things such as: lost & found, share rides and touch base with the conference staff.
Likelihood to Recommend
Whova is well suited for conferences because it allows participants to interact with one another. Our flight was delayed and we missed our transportation to the conference. Whova allowed me to touch base with other participants for a ride to the conference grounds.
I attended the Medtech Virtual Showcase event by the UCSD Institute of Global Entrepreneurs. The Whova app helped me understand who was attending, allowed me to share my professional credentials, enabled me to attend a general ZOOM session for all attendees, and then break out into rooms where I could chat with founders and other interested parties about their entrepreneurial technologies. It was really cool and a terrific way to network in our new world. I really liked it! I also run a non-profit that gets rare cancer patients to care, and am seriously considering using the app to manage a patient conference.
Pros
Could easily see attendees and credentials.
Could easily understand how to join the breakouts.
Enjoyed the group presentation to begin.
Cons
Perhaps integrate with LinkedIn? I was running 3 screens, and it worked great: main web portal, breakout room, and LinkedIn where I sent invites and notes in real time.
The login emails, the difference between the app, and getting the web portal open was tricky and delayed my entry into the meeting. I had to search too many emails to find the right passwords, etc. Figure out how to make this a push of a button once I register for the event in advance.
Likelihood to Recommend
Well suited for San Diego startup networking events.
