According to the new Ypartnership/Harrison Group 2010 Portrait of American Travelers survey, 3 out of 10 cell phones in use in the United States are now smart phones with Internet connectivity. Of those travelers with smart phones, 19% have downloaded a travel-related application. Based on these estimates, that could be as many as 16,000,000 people using their smart phones to help them with travel!
What could this trend mean for your ministry? To help answer this question, here are some of the results from the survey, as they relate to travel and the growing use of smart phones:
- 47% have navigated a destination using the built-in GPS functionality.
- 46% have searched for the latest information on flight schedules and delays.
- 29% have compared airfares or hotel rates
- 28% have shared information or photos about their travel experiences via smart phone.
- 18% have booked air travel or lodging.
- 15% have viewed a virtual visitor guide to gain information on things to do and see while visiting a destination.
- 11% have downloaded and redeemed mobile coupons.
From this data it’s pretty clear that smart phones are going to play an ever increasing role in how we purchase and experience travel in the future. So, how does this impact those of us involved in hosting and planning meetings and events?
In the comments section of the above article, a meeting planner made the following statement: “We agree with this study. We are also seeing a similiar trend on the meetings and events side, as more and more meetings are mobilizing the events to increase attendee experience, reducing printing costs and driving sponsorship opportunities. Mobile Event Apps are expected to be the norm at every meeting, event and tradeshow of the future.”
The larger meetings and conferences are already beginning to build this ability to instantly connect with their attendees into their events. Whether it’s hashtags on Twitter, opt-in marketing messages as attendees walk through the exhibit area, or interactive Q&A with speakers, this new technology is changing meeting expectations and experiences.
Ready or not, the smart phone revolution is coming. In fact, many would say it’s already here. How do you see it impacting your ministry or event? What are you doing to embrace the possibilities?
1 comment tagged as Blackberry, Droid, iPhone, online travel, Peter Yesawich, smart phones, Ypartnership | Budget and Pricing,Cost Saving Ideas,Meeting Set-Up,Post-Event Follow-up,Pre-Event Planning
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