We needed an immediate solution, and meeting software quickly became the go-to answer. But it was never really intended to power events, especially complex events. With this release, we're ripping off the bandaid solution and giving you the ideal solution you really need: Socio's RTMP Player.

Don't worry, you won't be losing out on the chat functionality that meeting software provided — we added session chat too. 🙌

RTMP Player

Our end-to-end event management platform now supports Real-Time Messaging Protocol (RTMP), allowing you to host virtually any streaming option within the Socio event management platform.

Why is this awesome? 🤔 Let me count the ways...

1. You can ditch the meeting software altogether. With Socio’s RTMP player, you can utilize an agency or audio-visual company for higher-quality, professionally produced video. 
2. RTMP opens the door for additional sponsorship opportunities, since you can weave in sponsor commercials, branded banners, and other promotional materials.
3. RTMP is also more stable than many streaming options. That means you can stream confidently — in HD — to a small group, or tens of thousands of attendees.
4. RTMP is a future-proof solution for hybrid events. It’s the only way to realistically sync multiple speakers and locations, which will be key in producing an engaging experience for in-person and virtual audiences.
5. With our new chat functionality,👇 event organizers can use RTMP to broadcast with their preferred streaming option, yet still pair it with a live session chat for a streamlined attendee experience.

For more info on the new RTMP Player, check this out.

Session Chat

With the new Socio chat, each session has a dedicated chat feed. If your event has 15 sessions, you can have 15 unique chat streams. The chat feature lives in the same screen as each live stream, so attendees can participate in the chat without navigating to another window. 

Event organizers can use RTMP to broadcast their preferred streaming option, yet still pair it with Socio Chat for a streamlined attendee experience. Post-event, organizers can download the chat logs to follow up with attendees, or for lead generation. Attendees who watch the event on-demand will be able to see the original chat logs for a more engaging experience.

⭐️ Keep in mind, you must update your app to the latest version in order to use the new session chat.

For more info on the new session chat, check this out.

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

We've released what may be our most-requested feature yet. You can now require users to log in to your Web App in order to view your events and communities, creating a unified experience across the Web App and mobile app. This is perfect for organizers that want their Web App to have more security for their events and communities, to target the content to certain groups of users, and to allow users to interact with features that require a user profile!

Previously, the Web App was a read-only version of your event or community content, and didn't allow users to post on the Wall, play the Game, and rate and review items. Now, all of this is possible!

You can even add a link to your Web App on your promo page, making it even easier for attendees to use the device that they choose. 👇

Want to learn more? Check out our About the Web App and Manage Your Web App articles, or reach out to us for a demo!

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

Update Your App

Previously, when you wanted to update your app details (such as the app images, title, splash screens, etc.), you could message our support team and provide them the details to get it submitted to the Apple and Google Play stores. Now, you can review your app details and update it yourself! For more info, check this out.

⭐️ Keep in mind, it's a good idea to check your Apple Developer account for agreement updates. If your app is no longer showing as "Connected", this may be the cause.

Splash Screen Changes

Our Splash Screen requirements have changed to align with recent updates to app store requirements. Now, we require the following Splash Screens:

• iPhone X Splash Screen: 1125px wide by 2436px tall
• Android Splash Screen: 1080px wide by 1920px tall

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

Socio Communities open the door for year-round engagement with your audience. Enjoy the same great features as Socio Event Apps, the same easy-to-use Socio Platform, plus unique abilities supporting year-round usage by members across the globe. 

Our Communities allow members to connect, share, and engage with other members, sponsors, and community leaders anywhere in the world. Build a Community to support a variety of business goals, from growing your member base, adding value to your membership, increasing brand loyalty, and providing sponsorship ROI.

Want to learn more? Check out our Introduction to Communities and Best Practices for Building Online Communities articles, or reach out to us for a demo!

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

App Home Redesign

One of the first areas that app users see has a fresh new look! Users can easily view more information on communities (shh, spoiler alert!), upcoming events, and past events, and see that there are more events for them to swipe and view. We also made the search even smarter. 🧠 We've also renamed the Events tab to Home. 

Hide Events

By popular request, events (and communities! 😉) can now be hidden from search. To find and join a hidden event, users must tap the Have an Access Code button and enter the correct code.

⚠️ Caution, your app must be version 9.0.0 or higher in order to use this setting. For instructions on how to update your app to the latest version, check this out.

Filter Favorites

Users can filter on their favorite items in a list, quickly allowing them to see only what they're interested in.

Plus, more exciting updates...

• Communities! We've made it easier than ever to engage with your audience all year round. 🤩 
• Event codes will automatically be in all caps from now on, both on the organizer side and in the app. Because who likes remembering if the first letter should be capitalized?  

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

We've set the standard as the only event platform you'll need to pivot to virtual events and back again. We make it simple to engage attendees in person, and on couches around the world. Now, we're bringing it to the next level with virtual event features that will knock your attendees' socks off. 🧦

Event Types

Right off the bat, pick the event type that's most applicable to your event: In Person, Hybrid, or Virtual. Your choice will enable or disable certain event features and functionality, ensuring that your attendee experience is ideal for your event type.

For more info on picking the ideal event type, check this out. 

Live Stream Feature and Session

The Live Stream feature and session option is included with Hybrid and Virtual event types.

Socio’s seamlessly integrates with leading live streaming platforms, and attendees can now join the live stream directly from their virtual agenda, or click a button that instantly launches the live stream on mobile devices or a desktop computer for more optimal viewing. The multi-device capabilities lets organizers engage with users wherever they are, and lets users toggle between their preferred devices for video consumption and networking.

For more info on the Live Stream feature, check this out. For info on the Live Stream session option, take a look at this.

Web App Live Streams & Recordings

We've upgraded our web app to allow users to view Live Streams and Recordings while engaging with app features and external links — all in a single window, without leaving the web app. 

This opens up a ton of possibilities! We've made it easy to poll your virtual audience in the middle of a session to gather audience feedback and further discussion. Or, have them complete an Event Game challenge. All without leaving your Live Stream or Recording!

“A virtual event that doesn’t promote networking is just a webinar,” said Corey McCarthy, Socio Chief Marketing Officer. (And hey, webinars are great, but if you’re going for more of a conference feel, networking is key.) 

For more info on the Web App, check this out. 

Mobile Live Streams & Recordings

We know that having attendees connecting on multiple platforms is especially important for virtual events, and the best virtual experience is a mix of mobile and desktop. Think of it like this: Your desktop is your TV, and your mobile event app is the remote control.

Now, we're providing a simple, easy-to-use and beautiful user experience for watching Live Streams and Recordings on your mobile device. Attendees can even send a link from their mobile device to their email, to quickly switch to a computer for the best viewing experience.
   

Video Walkthrough

For a full walkthrough of our updated virtual platform, check out the video below. 👇

   
Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

Attendee Calls to Action

Buckle up, this is a big one you've all been asking for! We've added an optional new section, Attendee Calls to Action, for items in the Sponsors, Speakers, Exhibitors, and Custom List features. In this section, you can add options for attendees to Request Follow Up or Schedule Meeting.

The Request Follow Up option lets users indicate their interest in this item. The Point of Contact Email receives an email whenever a user indicates their interest, and a full list at the end of the event.

The Schedule Meeting option lets users quickly navigate to any link that the event organizer has entered in the Schedule Meeting URL field. This could be a Calendly link, a Hubspot meeting link, or any other link. But wait — you can change the labels, so this could be a link to anything! A sponsor's website, a speaker's webinar, an exhibitor's demo video...the options are endless. 🙌

For more info on the new Attendee Calls to Action section, check this out. 

Disable Double Booking

By default, users can add multiple sessions occurring at the same time to their personal agenda. Some of you didn't love that, so we added an Agenda setting allowing you to prevent users from "double booking" sessions.  When a user tries to add a session to their agenda at a time that's already booked, they'll receive an alert similar to the one below.

For more info on this setting, check this out. 

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

Session Reminders

We've added a checkbox for you, as the event organizer, to let app users set reminders for sessions they add to their personal agendas. Users have been asking about this for a while, and we're glad to help them get to their sessions on time!

For more info on session reminders, check out our Feature Guide: Agenda article.

Announcement Improvements

Announcements can now include Internal Links to content within the app! Plus, Announcements can now be sent to all users with a specific session on their personal agenda. This is particularly useful when you have to reschedule or cancel a session.

For more info on including Internal Links in Announcements, and sending announcement to specific session participants, check out our Feature Guide: Announcements article.

Hide Agenda Participants

We know privacy and security is important to you, and for some events, attendee privacy is even more critical. Previously, anyone with a session on their personal agenda showed up in the Participants list for that session. Now, the Participants list can be hidden from event app users, allowing for increased privacy and security for events that require it. 👏 

For more info on hiding agenda participants, check out our Feature Guide: Agenda article.

Hide Inactive Attendees

Inactive attendees are attendees that you have added to the Users & Groups page, but have not yet joined the app. Before now, inactive attendees have been viewable to app users in the Attendees list, with the option to Contact the user and prompt them to join the app. Now, you have the show only active users from the Attendees feature, ensuring that users are only reaching out to users who are in the app. 👍

For more info on hiding inactive attendees from the Attendees feature, check out our Feature Guide: Attendees article.

Plus, more exciting updates...

• Now, when there's an update for any feature, an Update Indicator (red dot) appears on the feature until the app user reviews the update or refreshes. Before, we only did this for the Agenda, Wall, and Announcements feature. It's easier than ever for app users to make sure they're always in the know on the latest updates!
• The Socio team is thrilled to present two new Event App features - Single Item and Single Document! For more info, check this out.

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

The Socio team is thrilled to present two new Event App features - Single Item and Single Document!

Single Item

The Single Item feature provides you with a simple and clean way to present information to event app users. Use this feature to highlight your event WiFi instructions, event contact info, a welcome letter, or any other content that deserves a standalone feature.

This is similar to the Custom List feature, but instead has only one item that opens in a simple, one-click view.

The Single Item feature lets you easily share critical information with attendees, putting it front and center in your event app! This helps save you time you'd have spent answering attendee questions, and helps your event go as smoothly as possible. We've got your back. 👍 

Single Document

The Single Document feature is a quick way to present a document or image to event app users, directly from the home page of your event app. Use this feature to showcase the seating chart, dinner menu, or any other information best presented in hard-copy form.

This is similar to the Documents feature, but with only one document that launches immediately on-click.

The Single Item feature and Single Document feature let you easily share critical information with attendees, putting it front and center in your event app! This helps save you time you'd have spent answering attendee questions, and helps your event go as smoothly as possible. We've got your back. 👍 

It's simple! Add the Single Item and Single Document feature to your event in the Socio Platform now. 

For a personalized discussion on how the Single Item and Single Document feature can be used in your event, feel free to chat with us, or schedule a call with one of our event tech experts today.

But wait — there were several other exciting product updates included in this release, including session reminders, announcements improvements, the ability to hide agenda participants, the ability to hide inactive attendees, and more! For more info, check this out.

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events

SSO (Single Sign-On) + Other Sign Up and Log In Options

We've added the ability for Branded Event App customers to tailor the accounts that users can use to sign up and log in to their app! You can now choose between the following Sign Up and Log In Options for your app users:

• Email and Social (Default)
• Email Only
• Social Only
• Single Sign-On (SSO)

⭐️ Keep in mind, SSO is an additional cost add-on feature. The Sign Up and Log In Options are available only for Branded Event App customers.

Check out our Sign Up and Log In Options article for more info.

Separation of Title and Company

We've separated the Title/Company into two fields - Title and Company! This change has been made across the Socio Platform and the Event Apps. Event App users will love the ability to sort the Attendee feature by job titles and companies, to find attendees they want to connect with. You'll love the simple reporting, and the ability to more easily import these fields into your CRM. 

Plus, some more exciting updates...

• We reordered the Lead screen in Lead Retrieval, moving the Notes and Ratings sections to the top. Now, you can see the most relevant info faster!
• We removed deprecated social platforms from the list (like Vine), and added new and exciting ones! For more info on social accounts, check this out. 
• You used to be stuck with the way the app ordered your Tracks and Categories. Now, you can reorder Tracks and Categories to your heart's content. ❤️ 
• The My Apps page got a makeover! It's easier than ever to create a beautiful app, see exactly what your app will look like, and submit your app to us to create.
• We added the External ID and Internal ID fields to our forward data. Now, when you're passing data to a URL, you'll be able to reference users by these fields easily.

Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events