From Manchester to New York -- our six key takeaways from industry-leading events

EngageRM executives attended TheStadiumBusiness Summit and TheTicketingBusiness Forum in Manchester, followed by the ALSD Conference and Tradeshow in New York — here's what the team took away.

Six themes from the road

First-party data is only becoming more important as third-party cookies fade, with attendees at both events agreeing organisations need a better handle on every customer touchpoint. Staffing shortages are pushing operators toward efficiencies that, done right, also unlock better engagement. A wave of venue investment — the 2020s are set to be the biggest decade on record for major venue projects — will put visitor experience front and centre. Understanding fans well enough to reach them on their preferred channel matters more than ever, with one attendee reporting a 40% email open rate versus 98% for SMS. Being a genuine force for good resonates broadly, illustrated by the Portland Timbers selling 18,000 tickets and raising over $600,000 for UNICEF Ukraine using EngageRM's automated sales tools. And, above all, true partnership — being seen as more than just a vendor — is what event attendees said actually builds lasting relationships.