The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method of online event management by using various computer implemented modules such as Registration Module, Event Module, Attendance Tracking Module and Lead Retrieval Module, all communicatively connected for seamless tracking and lead retrieval of conference attendees. More particularly, the present invention is related to a computer or machine implemented method and related system and method for carrying out an automated or machine-assisted event based lead retrieval and attendance tracking process for various events and conferences based on organization and business needs.
Conferences and events require an efficient management of registration of attendees with a simplified device agnostic process to obtain ancillary qualifying data. This data further allows access to registration specific content and benefits.
Previously, the process of managing conference attendees especially with lead retrieval and attendance tracking was performed through physical transfer of business cards and note taking. However, with the advancement of computing technology such management of event looks highly inefficient and cumbersome.
Accordingly, there has been identified a need for an improved system and method for automated or machine-assisted online event management by using various computer implemented modules such as Registration Module, Event Module, Attendance Tracking Module and Lead Retrieval Module, all communicatively connected for seamless tracking and lead retrieval of conference attendees.
Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for enabling event based attendance tracking and lead retrieval for conference attendees. These systems may be implemented using a variety of hardware and may interact with conference and event organizers, their vendors and other applicable and/or necessary parties to improve their processes, capture available information and revenue and otherwise overcome the limitations, shortcomings and disadvantages of known systems and methods. Software operates as a set of instructions running in executable memory of a processor residing on a computing device. It is to be recognized by one of skill in the art that the terms “software,” “app,” “module,” “routine,” or “sub-routine” may be used interchangeably in this specification to describe a software or component parts thereof. In some embodiments of the present invention, each described module or routine/sub-routine is a component part of a larger set of software instructions while in other embodiments each described module or routine/sub-routine act as independent software applications. It is also to be recognized by one of skill in the art that the term “database” as used may describe a single specific database, or a sub-section of a larger database.
In a first embodiment the system comprises a local computer or a backend cloud server and networked devices configured with a graphical user interface (GUI) and plurality of communicatively coupled software modules configured to register users and collect and store pertinent registration data, event data, attendance data, and lead data. Networked devices may include but are not limited to cell phones, handheld devices, different portable tablets, or portable computers, or additional computers.
In one aspect of system, the system includes a Registration Module (RM) that is available on or accessible through the computer or networked device. The RM is a data collection module configured to collect information regarding the event, including, but not limited to, attendee profile, exhibitor profile, and session details regarding the particular event or exhibition appropriately and store that information in an accessible RM database.
In an additional aspect of the system, the system includes an Event Module (EM) that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The EM is a data collection module configured to collect information regarding the event and store the information in an accessible EM database.
In yet another aspect of the system, the system includes a Session Tracking Module (STM) that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The STM is a data collection module configured to collect information regarding a particular session or presentation of the event and store the information in an accessible STM database.
In yet another embodiment of the system, the system includes an Attendance Tracking Module (ATM) that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The ATM is a data collection module configured to collect information attendance of a session or presentation of the event and store the information in an accessible ATM database.
In another embodiment of the system, the system includes a Lead Retrieval Module (LRM) that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The LRM is a data collection module configured to allow attendees and exhibitors to collect each other's respective data or allow exhibitors access to attendee data to target specific leads.
The following disclosure as a whole may be best understood by reference to the provided detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, drawing descriptions, abstract, background, field of the disclosure, and associated headings. Identical reference numerals, when found on different figures, identify the same elements or functionally equivalent elements. The elements listed in the abstract are not referenced but nevertheless refer by association to the elements of the detailed description and associated disclosure.
For the purposes of promoting and understanding the principles disclosed herein, reference is now made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language is used to describe the same. It is nevertheless understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is hereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated devices and such further applications of the principles disclosed and illustrated herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure relates.
To fully enable the software and its functionality described herein, the present disclosure begins with a summary of how computers may be used, either alone or in a networked configuration.
In an embodiment, the system may be implemented using software that is either local or operating from a remote server such as a web server or cloud server over the Internet. Further, with the rapid growth of Internet technology and portable wireless technology, other computing devices, such as, but not limited to, cell phones, handheld devices, different portable tablets, or portable computers, may be used in place of or in addition to the one or more computers.
Each of the one or more computers 104, 105 and 106, comprises a central processing unit (CPU), an input/output (I/O) unit, a display device communicatively coupled to the I/O unit, a storage device, and a memory. Each of the one or more computers 104, 105 and 106, or mobile devices 110, 111, 112 and 113 may further comprise one or more standard input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, speech processing means, or a touchscreen.
The memory includes a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that is used to convey information to and receive information from a user of the one or more computers 104, 105 and 106, or mobile devices 110, 111, 112 and 113 via the display device and I/O unit as described herein. The GUI includes any user interface capable of being displayed on a display device including, but not limited to, a web page, a display panel in an executable program, or any other interface capable of being displayed on the one or more computers 104, 105 and 106, or mobile devices' 110, 111, 112 and 113 respective display devices.
As will be recognized by one of skill in the art, each of the cell phones 110, hand-held devices 111, different portable tablets 112, or computers 113 may be configured similarly to the one or more computers 104, 105 and 106, or mobile devices 110, 111, 112 and 113, taking into account the various design considerations of these respective devices.
The GUI may be transmitted to the one or more computers 104, 105 and 106, or mobile devices 110, 111, 112 and 113 or other devices via the network 103. In one embodiment in accordance with the present invention, the GUI is displayed using commercially available hypertext markup language (“HTML”) viewing software such as, but not limited to, MICROSOFT INTERNET EXPLORER, GOOGLE CHROME, APPLE SAFARI, OR MOZILLA FIREFOX, or any other commercially available HTML viewing software.
The GUI may reside on a remote server or within the local hardware of the device. The remote server 102 may comprise one or more separate servers or may be a web server. The remote server 102 may comprise a CPU, memory, and separate storage device and be communicatively coupled to the network 103. The remote server 102 may contain an information storage device that may be a rational database, such as MICROSOFT' s SQL or any other database.
In a first embodiment the system 200, as illustrated in
As illustrated in
In operation, the RM 202 is accessed through the system GUI as shown in
In additional embodiments of the RM 202, the RM 202 is configured as an API to be integrated on an end user's website and allow access to the data collection module accordingly. In other embodiments, the RM 202 is configured to integrate data from third party API's to integrate user data such as a customer's GOOGLE tracking code (or similar identifying code including but not limited to FACEBOOK ID, LINKEDIN). These embodiments allow real-time updates without any code changes to the Registration form based on new information.
In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the system includes an Event Module (EM) 302 that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The EM 302 is a data collection module configured to collect event data regarding the event and store the information in an accessible EM database. In operation, an event organizer may access and execute the EM 302 during or before an event and be prompted through the GUI to enter event identifying data including, but not limited to, presentation schedules, presenter and exhibitor information, venue information and environment. In some embodiments, the Lead Retrieval Module 602 and Attendance Tracking Module 502 are part of or are additional sub-routines of the EM 302. In these embodiments, all these modules work cohesively as one unit to share data between them. In additional aspects of the EM 302, the EM 302 may be configured to display EM data through the GUI on a computer or networked device to registered users as shown in
In an embodiment of the present invention, the system 200 includes a Session Tracking Module (STM) 402 that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The STM 402 is a data collection module configured to collect session tracking data regarding a particular session or presentation of the event and store the information in an accessible STM database. As shown in
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the system 200 includes an Attendee Tracking Module (ATM) 502 that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The ATM 502 is a data collection module configured to collect attendance data regarding attendance of a session or presentation of the event and store the information in an accessible ATM database 702. The ATM 502 may include additional modules or subroutines such as the Attendee Verification Module (AVM-ATM) 504, Attendee Check In Module (ACIM) 506 and Attendee Check Out Module (ACOM) 508. In some embodiments, the ATM 502 is connected via a network to a local device, such as a barcode/QR code scanner, camera, or other input device, to execute the AVM 504. The AVM 504 uses the local device to identify a pre-configured hash or anonymous data within a QR code, RFID, or similar unique identifying device to look up the individual within the RM database. Upon finding a positive match, the ACIM 506 proceeds with changing the status of the user within the ATM database or linked RM database to reflect attendance. In some embodiments the ACIM 506 additionally provides a time stamp to the database as well. Upon leaving the event, in some embodiments, the ATM 502 is connected via a network to a local device, such as a barcode/QR code scanner, camera, or other input device, to execute the AVM 504 and initiate the ACOM 508. Upon finding a positive match, the ACOM 508 proceeds with changing the status of the user within the ATM database or linked RM database to reflect that the user has left the event. In some embodiments the ACOM 508 additionally provides a time stamp to the database as well.
In additional iterations, the ATM 502 may include an additional subroutine configured to communicate with the RM database to determine if the attendee is seeking credit for attendance from a regulatory agency for continued education. In these embodiments, if the ATM 502 determines that credit is required, the module may be preconfigured to electronically notify the regulatory agency of attendance, the event type, and the duration of the event.
In another aspect of the system 200, the system 200 includes a Lead Retrieval Module (LRM) 602 that is available on or accessible through a computer or networked device. The LRM is a data collection module configured to allow attendees and exhibitors to collect each other's respective data or allow exhibitors access to attendee data to target specific leads and store the data in an LRM database 802. The LRM 602 may include additional modules or subroutines such as the Attendee Verification Module (AVM-LRM) 604, the Profile Associator Module (PAM) 606, the Attendee Qualifier Module (AQM) 608, and the Remote Export Module (REM) 612. Similar to the ATM 502, the LRM 602 is connected via a network to a local device, such as a barcode/QR code scanner, camera, or other input device, (110, 111, 112 and 113) to execute the AVM 604. The AVM 604 uses the local device to identify a pre-configured hash or anonymous data within a QR code, RFID, or similar unique identifying device to look up the individual within the RM database. Upon finding a positive match, the PAM 606 is initiated and grants access to the profile data of the subject being recorded and the subject gets stored as a “lead” for the individual scanning in the LRM database 802. In some embodiments the LRM 602 initiates the AQM 608 which is configured to collect lead data including but not limited to lead notes, photographs and recordings of the exhibitor attendee interaction through the GUI store the lead data in the LRM database 802. In some embodiments, the LRM 602 may prompt a user through the GUI to query identifying data, including but not limited to industry, company, geographic location, about potential leads, the user inputs the data, and the LRM 602 executes a search routine through the RM database and returns results that relevant to the query. The user may then add the returned results to as potential leads who may be interested in their particular services. In order to extract useful lead data, the REM 612 is configured to be executed through the GUI and export the lead data out of the system into standard word processing and database formats. In some embodiments, the REM 612 is additionally configured to send the external reports to a local device, email address, messaging service, or cloud server. GUI representations of the LRM 402 are shown in
In an embodiment, the system allows an attendee to register through the website or manually by the organizer of the event. An attendee once added to the database is assigned a Quick-Response (QR) code. That attendee data may then be made available for sync to a local device, after which an attendee may be identified and checked into and out of a session for purposes of Attendance Tracking. Additionally, that attendee may be identified and their data transferred to an exhibitor.
In an embodiment, an organizer of an event onsite can print a badge with the assigned QR code on it and after which exhibitors or organizers may scan that badge for either a lead retrieval function or scanning into and out of sessions.
The systems and methods of the present invention may be embodied in various forms, including, for example, a data processor, such as the computer that also includes a database. Moreover, the above-noted features and other aspects and principles of the instant disclosure may be implemented in various environments. Such environments and related applications may be specially constructed for performing the various processes and operations of the instant disclosure, or they may include a general-purpose computer or computing platform selectively activated or reconfigured by code to provide the necessary functionality.
Whereas particular aspects of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention.
Network and communication between the various modules may include, alone or in any suitable combination, a telephony-based network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a dedicated intranet, the Internet or World Wide Web, a wireless network, a bus, or a backplane. Further, any suitable combination of wired and/or wireless components and systems may be incorporated into the network. Moreover, the network may be embodied as bi-directional links or as unidirectional links.
The processes disclosed herein are not inherently related to any particular computer or other apparatus, and may be implemented by a suitable combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. For example, various general-purpose machines may be used with programs written in accordance with the instant teachings, or it may be more convenient to construct a specialized apparatus or system to perform the required methods and techniques.
Apparatus, systems and methods consistent with the instant disclosure also include computer-readable media (or memory) that include program instructions or code for performing various processing device-implemented operations based on the methods and processes described herein. The media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the instant disclosure, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of program instructions include, for example, machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing a high-level code that can be executed by the computer using an interpreter.
While particular preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is exemplary and explanatory only and is not restrictive of the instant disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that changes and additions may be made without departing from the instant teachings. For example, the teachings of the instant disclosure may be directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed features and/or combinations and sub-combinations of several further features described herein. It is therefore contemplated that any and all modifications, variations or equivalents of the above-described teachings fall within the scope of the basic underlying principles disclosed above and claimed herein.
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/560,494, filed Sep. 19, 2017 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/579,701, filed Oct. 31, 2017 all of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62560494 | Sep 2017 | US | |
62579701 | Oct 2017 | US |