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More and more companies are using LineUpr apps for their executive meetings and conferences. One of the first people to use LineUpr for this type of event is Tobias Köhler from the Südwestdeutsche Medienholding (SWMH). As Head of Strategy & Innovation, he is also an expert on digitalization.
Today he will explain how he uses LineUpr for the Executive Conference, saving both paper and communication. Again, definitely worth reading. ?
LineUpr: Hello Tobias. Thank you for taking the time to do this interview. Please introduce yourself and the SWMH.
Tobias: Certainly. Since 2015, I have been heading the Strategy & Innovation department at the Südwestdeutsche Medienholding, SWMH for short. It forms the roof of about 20 daily newspapers (including the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”, “Stuttgarter Zeitung”, “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”), more than 150 specialist information titles (including “Werben & Verkaufen”) and other media companies. There I am responsible for organizational development, innovation management, start-up scouting – and I enjoy being able to pursue my passion in the profession, to try out all sorts of technical gadgets. Previously, I held various management positions at the Stuttgarter Zeitung, most recently as department head of digital channels.
LineUpr: You used LineUpr for the Executive Meeting. Tell us something more about this event.
Tobias: The Executive Meeting is an annual event where the top 100 SWMH managers meet and discuss developments in the group. This year we were in Kleinwalsertal for three days, featuring keynote speeches from prominent US speakers, strategy workshops and best practice presentations.
LineUpr: Do you also use printed products to distribute information locally? If so, which and why?
Tobias: We were able to reduce the number of printed products through the app greatly. The participants used to receive conference folders from us, but now we use only the app to share information. On-site, we have limited ourselves to single printed flyers, greeting cards and signs for the rooms.
LineUpr: You’ve used LineUpr for the first time. How did you learn about LineUpr and what was the decisive argument for you to use an event app?
Tobias: We learned about LineUpr at the “Digital Media Camp” – this is a Barcamp with 250 participants that the Media Lab Bayern hosted in the high-rise building of the Süddeutsche Zeitung. There we were partners – and I liked the app because it looked good and was easy to use.
We chose LineUpr because we prefer a web app.
LineUpr: Have you already used event apps? If so, what are your experiences and why did you select LineUpr for this event?
Tobias: We have several companies within the company that organizes commercial events – mostly native apps are used there. But we chose LineUpr because we prefer a web app and because we find the backend intuitive and immediately ready for use.
LineUpr: How did you use the app before, during and after the Management Meeting?
Tobias: The participants received a reminder about the event by mail about three weeks before the start of the event. In the mail, the app was pointed out and the link was shared. We published the program, the participants, the locations and other information, e. g. for directions, in the app. During the event, we used live surveys and were able to present, for example, questions from the group and the atmosphere during the panel discussion. Afterward, the participants received a link to the event photos via the app.
LineUpr: How did your participants react to the app?
Tobias: Afterwards, the participants always receive a survey asking how they liked the event. There we also ask about the app. The feedback was extremely positive.
The feedback was extremely positive.
LineUpr: Which tips would you like to give other organizers when using LineUpr?
Tobias: With a large number of participants, the import function for inserting the participants is very convenient. It’s also great to be able to include live surveys in discussions or presentations.
LineUpr: Thank you for the interesting interview Thomas. In 2017, you were one of the first people to use LineUpr for a management event. These events are now part of our solid mix. It was therefore very enriching to learn more from you about using an event app in this event environment.
More useful information about SWMH can be found on their homepage or on their profiles on Twitter and Facebook.
We look forward to the next events with you. ?
