When it comes to augmented reality, conferences are going all in on the tech. But successfully implementing AR means thoroughly understanding of the intricacies of the technology, a job that often requires too much time from a planner’s already busy schedule.

So, when it comes to getting started, Event Marketer suggests these do’s and don’ts:

Do work with a technology partner. “Brands have expertise in plenty of spheres—their key markets, their products, their customer bases—but developing ways to use cutting-edge technology isn’t usually one of them,” Kait Shea says in the post. “That’s what makes working with a technology partner so valuable.”

Don’t use AR just to say you did. “Creating an AR experience just for the sake of being on-trend, like most technology, won’t get you far,” she says. “Consumers can see right through gimmicks these days, and if there’s no real strategy behind your use of the tech, it’s not going to resonate.”

Do start simple. “Learning how to successfully engage customers or partners using AR won’t happen overnight,” Shea says. “To that end, starting simple is the best way to both ease into the technology and retain participants’ attention.”

AMS vs. CRM Showdown

Association Management Software (AMS) vs. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) System – Does your association need a CRM, or improved AMS, or both working together?
The answer is, of course, that it depends on your goals and on the needs of your members.https://t.co/wr6CFrMtNh

— HighRoad Solutions (@HighRoadSol) March 15, 2019

Association technology is usually installed with two goals in mind: to attract new members and to further engage and retain current ones. The question is—what kind of technology meets these goals best, association management software or a customer relationship management system?

“Smart associations use a mix of both platforms,” says Sami Scarpitti on the HighRoad Solution blog. “An AMS and CRM can help you meet your goals in very different ways. Put the two systems together, and you have a tech platform that will really boost your member engagement and new members.”

Other Links of Note

Certification is a great opportunity for members—but it can drain staff resources. The MemberSuite blog outlines how to save your team time on tedious certification tasks.

Ever try a video conference with 50 participants? Skype now supports that—and some of its competitors even support groups larger than that.

Are technological advances killing the smartphone? Inc. investigates.

(OstapenkoOlena/iStock/Getty Images Plus)