Buyer's guide
Every list ranks networking apps by features and star ratings. Organizers do not get paid in features. Rank them on outcomes instead: declared intent, routed meetings, and proof your sponsors accept.
Ask these of every vendor on your shortlist, including us. The answers separate a directory from a networking outcome.
01
What share of attendees state real intent?
Not profile completion. Stated goals, in the attendee's words. Profiles say "interested in AI"; intent says "buying an API gateway this quarter".
02
Can it tell buyers from sellers?
At FOST Munich, 9 of 58 engaged attendees said plainly they came to sell. A directory treats them identically to buyers. Matching that ignores this floods your buyers with pitches.
03
Does it route people, or expose a directory?
Self-serve browsing puts the work back on attendees, and most never do it. Active routing brings the right introduction to the person, with the reason attached.
04
Can you prove sponsor value afterward?
The renewal conversation needs evidence: which qualified attendees engaged which sponsors, and why. This is the report that carries it.
05
Does participation require an install, an account, or a new habit?
Every install and login costs you attendees. WhatsApp is already on their phone, which is why a conversation there outperforms an app they will delete on Monday.
| Outcome | Typical event app | Sena |
|---|---|---|
| Agenda, maps, registration | Strong. This is what apps are built for. | Not Sena's job. Keep your platform. |
| Attendee adoption | Install rates routinely disappoint organizers | 92% of delivered WhatsApp templates answered at CPME31 |
| Declared intent | Half-filled profiles | 69% completed full discovery in conversation (CPME31) |
| Meetings that happen | Self-scheduling, mostly ignored | 96% of 247 routed matchings completed (FOST New York) |
| Sponsor evidence | Impressions and booth traffic | Per-sponsor report: who engaged, why, next step |
Engagement numbers depend on organizer promotion at registration. We will tell you exactly what activation takes; ask.
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Or request a demo and bring the five questions.