About Technology First: Technology First is a trade association for technology professionals and companies in the Southwest Ohio region. With 1,500 members representing 165 organizations, its mission is to connect, strengthen, and champion the regional tech community. The association achieves this through networking events, educational conferences, and initiatives engaging students in technology careers.
We Spoke To: Melissa Cutcher, Executive Director of Technology First. Cutcher has been with the organization since February 2020.
Primary Use: 3-4 In-Person Events Per Year + Year-Round for Member Communication
The Challenge: Previous App Provider Stopped Supporting Them
With a tech-savvy membership base, Technology First has always considered it vital to offer a mobile app. “As a tech organization, our community expects this kind of tool,” Cutcher explained.
They knew the inherent value of an app, but were specifically motivated by:
- The Need to Boost Engagement: Without an app, there was no centralized platform for ongoing member interaction, during or after the event.
- Event Management Efficiency: Delivering conference materials manually can be a herculean task. Without an app, it’s time-consuming and difficult, weighing on each member of the team.
The Solution: A MobileUp App
Technology First revisited their options after losing their first app provider. MobileUp was at the top of their list after a resoundingly positive experience with the sales team. This ultimately played a role in their decision to sign with MobileUp.
Key factors included:
- Ease of Use: The app offered a simple, intuitive platform that members and administrators could quickly get comfortable with.
- Year-Round Communication: Beyond the event, members could use the app year-round to communicate with one another, and the association could use it for reliable content distribution.
- Community Features: MobileUp provides the ability to create member groups, which foster conversation and networking. This was a significant driver for adoption.
- Responsive Team: Cutcher praised MobileUp’s sales and support teams for their responsiveness and ability to promptly address any needs or concerns.
The Impact of Having a MobileUp App
“The app has raised the bar for us at our events,” Cutcher said.
Key Benefits Include:
Receptive Team: If and when Cutcher has had ideas for new features/functionality, the MobileUp team is eager to hear her suggestions and consider them in future app updates.
Stronger Event Experience: Members have access to the complete event schedule, speaker information, sponsors, materials and other important event resources. This, along with the intuitive interface, produced a stronger conference experience while eliminating print costs.
Real Member Connection & Networking: The app allows members to connect during events and throughout the year. For example, an Emerging Tech Leaders cohort used the in-app messaging functionality to communicate during and after the conference.
Streamlined Data Integration: MobileUp’s integration with Wild Apricot proved tremendously valuable. It ensures membership data is constantly updated without manual imports, saving Cutcher and her team time and effort.
NCPSMA’s Message to Others Considering a MobileUp App:
“If you’re focused on member engagement and making a meaningful impact in your community, having an app is a smart investment,” she said. “It’s an expense that truly makes sense—I honestly can’t think of a reason not to have one. The value it brings is tremendous. For us, it’s elevated the experience we offer our members and raised the bar on what we provide.”
By choosing MobileUp, Technology First has positioned themselves as leaders in leveraging technology to better serve their community year-round.
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