Event Registration - The 6 Biggest Problems
Event Planners Have and How to Overcome them all

by Bill Flagg

Published on this site: September 18th, 2006 - See more articles from this month

Let's face it, setting up and operating the registration process for events and conferences is one of the least favorite things on most event planner's list of things to do. There is a lot of repetitive and mechanical stuff to do to make sure that everyone gets notified and signed up on time.

The Biggest Problems with Manual Systems: Mail, Fax, Phone, Email

1. Illegible handwriting on registration forms.
   
   
2. Mistakes in transferring information from registration forms to your database.
   
   
3. Having enough time to register people by phone, process credit card charges and still organize a successful event.
   
   The Biggest Problems with Intranet Systems (In-house)& Internet Systems (web-based)
   
   
4. Getting Your IT Department to get you what you need on time and make the changes you need when you need them.
   
   
5. Figuring out which of the 45 online systems on the market will actually do what we need done at the best price
   
   The Biggest Problems with all of the Above Systems
   
   
6. How to make the process easier for the registrant and how to get maximum attendance.

How can I Remedy these Problems?

The best way to overcome all 6 of these problems is to use an online registration system that is designed and built to address each problem independently. For Example, a good online registration system will enable you to quickly customize the registration forms, adding your logo and other identity info, so that your new registration website looks like a custom system and is the easiest possible for attendees to use in signing up.

What's the Real Benefit to Me?

A good online system can reduce the time you spend on the entire registration process by more than 80% and give your attendees the ease and flexibility they love by enabling them to register anytime of the day or night. No more mailed or faxed in forms to deal with. No more telephone calls from attendees to get registered, book their hotels or, order merchandise. It's all done online, faster for the attendees and zero time for you and your staff.

How Long Does it Take and How Much does it Cost?

Setting up an online registration system for your next event can take as little as an hour and, you'll have a registration site with your own logo and identity so your guests will recognize your site immediately. You'll be able to make changes to any of the forms, schedules or dates anytime you wish because you are in complete control of the system at all times and, you'll know exactly what your costs are because most web-based registration systems charge a fee per attendee (from $3.00 - $10.00), depending on your number of attendees each year.

Bill Flagg: If you would like to receive more great tips on how to increase your registrations and decrease your workload, visit http://www.RegOnline.com/eTips