twoppy

DERRICK STOMP, TWOPPY

Q: What meetings industry need does your service fill?
With twoppy we want to empower people at conferences to stay informed, get connected and have fun. So, in order for conference organisers to achieve this we deliver a full self-service online platform to create a conference app for attendees. It is intuitive, requires no technical knowledge and comes at a very affordable price tag. It can be done with extremely high levels of invoices and stressful app development projects, and it’s also very environmentally friendly – think about all the paper wastage that becomes obsolete by using a conference app.

Q: What are your goals for the end of 2014?
My goals for the end of 2014 have already been achieved. By the end of 2015, however, we want conference apps to go totally mainstream. There’s little to no excuse not to implement an app at your next event. Organisers should have at least considered using an app, and if they don’t come up with solid reasons and a worthy alternative they’ll most certainly have a problem with their attendees, who are expecting more and more interaction during the event.
We want to help organisers to save time and money on the use of conference apps, reduce printing costs and thus contribute to CSR and environmental sustainability.
My own personal goal for 2015 is to complete a half marathon.

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Q: What do you see the future use of event applications as being?
Event applications will go mainstream and will blend more naturally into the communications mix. Apps for wearable devices are the next thing to explore and that will enhance the trend to replace traditional paper information. Also, there will be a further blending of on- and offline, with the likes of NFC, iBeacons and Augmented Reality.

Q: In your opinion, why is it critical today and for the future to “Think like a start-up”?
“Change is the only constant in life”, a wise man once said. Today’s changes happen at the speed of light. A start-up’s biggest challenge is to carve a market out of that ever-changing marketplace. Not only by making profitable products, but with a clear vision of what you want to establish in the long term. In that way you’re able to judge your actions against the changing world and adapt accordingly. What is crucial in the “think like a start-up” philosophy is to always stay in touch with your customer’s needs.

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Q: What mistakes have you made along the way and what would you change if you could go back?
The biggest mistake I made was underestimating the speed of the technology adoption process. In general, markets are very, very traditional and inclined to stick to the status quo. The events industry has proven to be no different. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t go back to change anything, because mistakes are a huge opportunity and a source of inspiration to improve. However, if I could give some advice to anyone who starts a new business or a new product: no matter how simple or logical your product may seem to you, don’t underestimate the thorough thinking process you’ve already gone through. That puts you miles and miles ahead of your customers. Involve users in the development process early and let them help you to validate your assumptions.

Q: What will be your biggest challenges over the next three years?
Keeping up with the insane pace of technological developments combined with the task of keeping the platform simple and useful.

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A long-time meetings industry addict, Gorazd is the Founder and owner of marketing and event agency Toleranca Marketing. He has many years of experience in planning, preparing and carrying out large international meetings and exhibitions. As the founder of the "Power to the Meetings" methodology, he still firmly believes in the power of live events and human to human communication. He is also the author of numerous articles and editor-in-chief of the meetings industry magazine Kongres Magazine.