Episode 223

223 - Finding & Deciding on Event Tech - with Merijn van Buuren

How do you find and decide on the best tech tools and platforms for your upcoming trade show or event? Listen in!

While helping physical event professionals embrace virtual events during the pandemic, Merijn van Buuren realized that evaluating different platforms was taking way too much time and that there must be a better way to do this to help even more event professionals. Merijn developed Event Mender, a tool to take out all the guesswork for event organizers.

We discuss:

  • Why do organizers need (to keep adding) new tools?
  • What does the current process look like, and why is this a problem?
  • What can event professionals do differently?
  • How does Event Mender fits in this picture?

Merijn's Top Tips:

  • Don't start looking for something you think you need without a purpuse
  • Before you get into demo's, set your boundaries and objectives (like your budget, number of events, features you need, etc)
  • If the information you need to make a decision is not there on a website, don't schedule a demo of 1 hour to find out - just ask in an email to save yourself a lot of time (or find a place that already has this information)
  • Ask for previous experiences/use-cases of similar demands

Merijn's Big Takeaways:

1. Don't start researching without a goal and clear overview of your demands

2. Make an informed decision that matches your event goals, don't decide on a tool just because your friend or competition is using it

Special Offer!

Listeners can go to eventmender.com and click on the link* to create a free profile on Event Mender and by doing so they'll be eligible for a 5% cashback on any new platform they find to be the best match for them. They'll also have the possibility to schedule a free hour consulting call with me to define their exact needs before starting their search.

Connect with Merijn:

Mentioned in this episode:

Add Greater Value to Exhibitors & Sponsors with EVA Event Tech Hub

Visit www.evareg.com/TSU to get started on adding greater value to your Exhibitors and Sponsors at your next Trade Show or Event!

Subscribe to the new Trade Show University YouTube channel!

Check out the new Trade Show University YouTube channel where we feature a growing number of training videos to help businesses get More Leads, More Sales and More Profits through the power of Trade Shows! Many videos are exclusive to YouTube and not found on the podcast. Visit, Subscribe and Binge! https://www.youtube.com/@tradeshowuniversity

About the Podcast

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Trade Show University for Virtual & Live Events
Value-packed resource for Trade Show exhibitors & producers, and those who run Virtual Events & Webinars. With our passion for shows, we'll help you Get your PhD in ROI.

About your host

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Jim Cermak

Jim Cermak - Trade Show Trainer, Podcast Host & Founder of Trade Show University - has over 30 years of marketing, coaching and training experience. Plus he has planned, exhibited and attended hundreds of trade shows. He knows how to get businesses More Leads, More Sales and Better ROI at their shows, conferences and events. Go grab a spot on his calendar to see what he can do for you: https://calendly.com/tradeshowu