CIC's Guidebook App

After providing back-up support to the Council of Independent Colleges’ (CIC) conference team, I noticed that our print materials were being underutilized and that more attendees were carrying mobile devices. Given assorted budget and workflow constraints, we decided to use the Guidebook platform, and I spearheaded the development CIC’s first event app.

App usage has grown steadily since the implementation of our first app in 2012, and we now annually create apps for CIC’s four largest conferences. User feedback includes, “I love the app. Though I used the book at a ‘prelude,’ I used the app almost exclusively during the conference…It worked very well.” and “Thanks for taking a technology-forward approach!”

Each app is branded to match the conference marketing materials.

Each app is branded to match the conference marketing materials.

The app provides users with easy access to session information and facilitates sharing content via social media.

The app provides users with easy access to session information and facilitates sharing content via social media.

Sponsors appreciate having more opportunities to increase their brand visibility through a more robust sponsors section as well as optional banner ads.

Sponsors appreciate having more opportunities to increase their brand visibility through a more robust sponsors section as well as optional banner ads.

Customizing sign templates provided by Guidebook, prominently featuring app download instructions in CIC’s conference marketing materials, and opting for a two-prong launch schedule have increased app usage.

Customizing sign templates provided by Guidebook, prominently featuring app download instructions in CIC’s conference marketing materials, and opting for a two-prong launch schedule have increased app usage.