Event & MICE Industries will Go Hybrid (For a While)

Franco Bondi, Founder & CEO of Eventboost tells us how the event management platform offers in-person, hybrid and virtual events.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Franco Bondi: I’m pretty good, thanks, although I picked up the C19 together with all my family a few months ago. Luckily enough, we experienced it in a very light way; therefore, we turned negative after 7/10 days.    

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded Eventboost.

Franco Bondi: I’m a serial entrepreneur and start-upper! I founded the first digital agency 25+ years ago when the internet was just at the very beginning. Then I’ve proactively contributed to kick-off several other start-ups and new ventures: corporate services, Internet of Things, Relationship Marketing, SaaS and much more. The majority of them becomes big enough and are still on the market, a few of them not anymore a/o has been incorporated by other companies. I’m also the Co-Director of the Startup Grind Bologna Chapter.  

How does Eventboost innovate?

Franco Bondi: Innovation is our obsession; we can’t stay on the market and remain competitive without robust innovation processes. New features, new technologies, integrations and fresh ideas come out every month from our Innovation Team – a cross-functional bunch of Eventboost Managers – to shape tomorrow’s world of event. Moreover, with the pandemic, we’re now very keen on Virtual & Hybrid events which will represent the future of the event industry in the months/years to come. 

How does the coronavirus pandemic affect your business finances? Did you benefit from any government grants, and did that help keep your business afloat?

Franco Bondi: The first wave last year has been really tough due to the sudden cancellation of every event. We received some recovery funds from the Government, which helps us re-shape Eventboost toward Virtual & Hybrid events. After a few months, we had been able to adapt the business to the “new normal”, and we’re now gaining market positions.      

Did you have to make difficult choices regarding human resources, and what are the lessons learned?

Franco Bondi: We’re particularly proud to say that we didn’t reduce our workforce at all! And the team had strongly appreciated the message and is now paying back our sensitivity and trust.

How did your customer relationship management evolve? Do you use any specific tools to be efficient? 

Franco Bondi: We are heavy users of CRM from the very beginning. Every activity, inbound or outbound, is tracked on our system, and we dedicate a lot of time to keep it updated. Our CRM is also a precious tool to gain feedback from clients and early adopters, helping us constantly increase UX and functionality. Maybe that’s why we are one of the event management companies with more positive feedbacks on Capterra and G2 (Crowd).

Your final thoughts?

Franco Bondi: “There is no favourable wind for the sailor who does not know where to go” (Seneca)

Your website?

https://www.eventboost.com/en-EU/