It's surprising how seamlessly cloud technology has woven into every industry and business domain. Retail moved online with cloud-based inventory systems. Finance shifted to digital banking and cloud accounting. Healthcare now securely stores patient data in the cloud. Even education is driven by cloud-based learning management systems. However, in the event industry, cloud event management software is still catching up.
And that's a problem.
Be honest—how are you managing your events right now? Are you still juggling spreadsheets for guest lists, sending endless email threads to track RSVPs, and manually recording payments? And when the event wraps up, are you spending hours consolidating data from different tools just to get a basic report?
You're not alone. Plenty of associations are stuck in this outdated cycle. And it's not just about inefficiency—it's about losing real-time insights, struggling with disconnected tools, and missing opportunities for seamless member engagement.
As a global leader in AI association management, Glue Up has identified these pain points and developed a solution for modern associations. We don't just move your events to the cloud—we transform how you plan, manage, and analyze them.
Here's how Glue Up makes event management smarter:
Stop Juggling Multiple Tools: Manage registrations, payments, and attendee engagement all in one place. No more switching between platforms.
Know What's Happening, As It Happens: Track real-time event data, from attendee check-ins to engagement metrics, so you can make informed decisions on the spot.
Automate the Boring Stuff: Send out automatic reminders, process payments instantly, and manage follow-ups without manual effort.
Engage Your Members Like Never Before: Set up interactive event rooms, encourage networking, and keep the conversation going through the Glue Up mobile app.
Manage from Anywhere: Access your event dashboard on any device, whether at the venue or working remotely.
Save Time on Repeat Events: Create customizable blueprints to replicate successful events without starting from scratch each time.
Join 1,000+ associations using Glue Up to boost member engagement and retention through smarter event management. Book a demo today and see how Glue Up can transform your events.
Cloud Is the New Standard: Adapt or Risk Obsolescence
Modern associations aren't more than event planners. You're community builders, membership advocates, and engagement strategists. As a membership director, your job has transcended from simply hosting gatherings to creating experiences that connect members, foster collaboration, and build long-term relationships.
But how did we get here?
The Digital Evolution of Events
Think back to the early 2000s. Video calling was just starting to become mainstream. Platforms like Skype, Yahoo Messenger, and MSN Messenger showed that connecting remotely was possible. For the first time, you could hold one-on-one meetings with people without being in the same room. It felt revolutionary—yet, these platforms weren't designed for structured, multi-attendee events. They were casual, often glitchy, and lacked essential features like registration, data tracking, and member engagement.
Still, they sparked an idea: Maybe, just maybe, hosting events online could work.
Early Experiments with Virtual Events
As digital communication matured, more platforms started adding video capabilities. One standout was FaceTime in 2010. Apple made waves in 2018 by announcing that users could now host video calls with up to 32 people simultaneously. It was one of those classic Apple moments—showcasing something sleek, impressive, and maybe just a little ahead of its time.
Most people wondered, "Why on earth would I need to FaceTime 32 people?" However, some saw potential, especially chambers and corporations looking to connect teams or members without the hassle of booking a physical space. It wasn't quite there yet, but it sparked something. Maybe, just maybe, virtual meetings could be more than just one-on-one catch-ups.
The idea was there—connecting more people, more often, without needing everyone in the same room, but making it work for large-scale, structured events? That was still out of reach.
The Rise of Event-Specific Platforms
By the mid-2010s, associations demanded more than basic video calls—they needed tools that handled registration, payments, tracking, and engagement in one place. That's when full-service event management platforms like Cvent entered the scene, offering robust features for in-person events like online sign-ups, payment processing, and attendee tracking.
These solutions professionalized event execution but remained rooted in physical formats. The concept of fully integrated hybrid event experiences was still taking shape.
The Turning Point: The COVID-19 Disruption
Then, everything changed. COVID-19 hit, and associations that had always relied on face-to-face interactions scrambled. Virtual meetings were no longer optional—they were essential. Platforms like Zoom and Microsoft Teams became lifelines, helping associations stay connected when physical gatherings weren't possible.
But it wasn't perfect. These platforms were primarily built for meetings, not large-scale events. Associations quickly realized hosting an annual conference wasn't the same as holding a staff check-in due to:
Limited Registration Capabilities: Sending out a link wasn't the same as managing attendance or tracking sign-ups.
Fragmented Data: Engagement metrics were minimal, making it hard to know who showed up or stayed engaged throughout the session.
Basic Interactivity: Simple video calls couldn't replicate the dynamic, multi-session experience that members expected from professional events.
The Shift to Cloud Event Management
Even as in-person events started to come back following the pandemic, one thing was obvious—virtual wasn't going away. If anything, member expectations had shifted. They now expected options, flexibility, and a connected experience, whether sitting in a conference ballroom or logging in from across the country.
That's why relying on traditional event software or video meeting tools is no longer enough. Associations today need cloud event management software built for their reality—a tool that can support any event format (virtual, hybrid, in-person), handle the behind-the-scenes complexity, and still deliver a smooth, engaging experience for members.
It's simple: you need control, connectivity, and clarity—without the hassle of managing multiple disconnected systems. Here's why the shift to cloud event management software is happening—and why it's here to stay:
1. Centralized Data: No More Chasing Information
Managing member engagement isn't just about running great events—it's about keeping everything connected. Cloud event management software brings all your data into one platform:
No More Scattered Spreadsheets or Mismatched Data: Everything from ticket sales to post-event analytics lives in one place, giving you a complete view of your event's performance.
Real-Time Access for Everyone: Your whole team can see updates as they happen, whether it's registration numbers, check-ins, or engagement metrics.
Data-Driven Decisions on the Go: When everything's centralized, you can spot trends, make adjustments, and maximize impact—all from one dashboard.
2. Accessibility: Staying Connected Anytime, Anywhere
You're not always at your desk. Sometimes you're on the move—at the venue, meeting partners, or managing logistics. Cloud event management software keeps you connected:
Mobile-First Approach: Manage your event from any device, whether you're on-site or checking in remotely.
Instant Updates: Your event dashboard is always in sync, so there's no risk of outdated data or missed changes.
Member Interactions on Demand: Need to check an attendee list or send a last-minute update? Do it right from your phone.
3. Security and Backup: Protecting Member Data
You handle sensitive information—member details, payment data, and attendance records. Keeping it secure isn't optional; it's essential:
Automatic Backups: Your data is stored securely and backed up regularly, reducing the risk of loss.
Data Encryption: Protects your members' personal information from unauthorized access.
Compliance-Ready: Meets data protection regulations, so you can confidently manage member information without fear of breaches.
4. Collaboration Made Easy: Bringing Your Team Together
Event planning isn't a solo job. You need your marketing, finance, and membership teams working together:
Shared Access Without Collisions: Your team members can update event details simultaneously without overwriting each other's work.
Role-Based Permissions: Limit access to sensitive data while allowing collaboration where needed.
Instant Communication: Integrate chat or note-taking within the platform to keep everyone aligned.
5. Automation and Efficiency: Spend Less Time on Repetitive Tasks
Manual processes are error-prone and time-consuming. Automate them:
Scheduled Notifications: Automatically remind members about upcoming events, deadlines, or changes.
One-Click Reporting: Get post-event analytics instantly without piecing together data from multiple sources.
Automated Check-Ins: Use QR codes and mobile apps to streamline attendee management and reduce bottlenecks.
Associations that embrace cloud event management software don't just keep up—they stay ahead. Your members expect seamless, tech-driven experiences. Why not give them what they deserve? However, not all solutions are the same, so it's important to do your homework when choosing the right one for your association.
Glue Up's Cloud Event Management Software - The Modern Association's Choice
Glue Up isn't generic event software retrofitted for associations. We built it for your challenges, workflows, and members in mind. Every feature—from flexible ticketing and automated finance reports to in-app networking and Zoom integration—helps you run smarter events that deepen member engagement.
Here's what you can achieve with our cloud event management software:
Create a Complete Event Experience —Not Just Manage Logistics
Glue Up makes event setup fast and flexible. Whether you're hosting a single-day seminar or a multi-day conference, it gives you the tools to organize every detail without hassle:
Set Up Events Effortlessly with Templates (Save Time and Keep It Consistent)
Instead of building each event from scratch, use Glue Up's customizable templates. Whether a single-day workshop or a multi-day conference, start with a blueprint that already includes your preferred settings—branding, registration form fields, ticketing options—and save it for future use.
Offer Flexible Ticketing and Registration Options (Cater to Every Member's Preference)
Need to accommodate early bird registrations, member discounts, or VIP access? Set it all up in one place. Create ticket types, link them to specific sessions (like workshops or breakout tracks), and automate confirmation emails right after purchase. If you're hosting a hybrid event, set up in-person and virtual tickets. Let members choose how they want to attend and automate follow-up messages to ensure they have the correct login details or venue info.
Automate Communications (Never Miss a Follow-Up or Reminder)
Set up automatic email and SMS notifications for every stage of the event. From registration confirmations to "Event Starts Tomorrow" reminders, Glue Up keeps members in the loop without you having to send updates manually. For example, your conference starts next week, but registrations are low. Glue Up can send a targeted email to previous attendees, highlighting what's new this year and including a direct registration link. You don't have to lift a finger.
Simplify the Check-In Process (Get Members in the Door—Fast)
Use QR code-based check-ins to eliminate bottlenecks at the entrance. Attendees scan their phones, and their status is instantly updated in the system. For instance, attendees can show their digital membership card on the Glue Up app at a large annual gala. One scan, and they're in—no paper tickets, no manual entry.
Centralize Event Data (Stop Chasing Numbers Across Different Apps)
Every interaction—registrations, payments, session attendance, feedback—is captured and stored in one place. Access all your data through a single dashboard without multiple platforms. After your event, see a real-time summary of how many people attended each session, who engaged with the polls, and which ticket types sold the most. All your insights are ready for your next board meeting.
Track And Analyze Engagement (Know What Works—And What Doesn't)
Glue Up's dashboard doesn't just show who attended—it reveals how members interacted. Did they respond to live polls? Did they stay logged in for the whole session? Did they download the presentation afterward? For instance, you notice members at your quarterly town hall stayed more engaged during a Q&A midway through. Next time, you plan for more interactive segments, based on actual data, not just guesses.
Automate Post-Event Follow-Ups (Keep the Connection Alive)
Set triggers to automatically send thank-you emails, share event materials, or invite feedback. Your team doesn't have to follow up manually—it just happens. For example, you can send a thank-you email with a survey link and a downloadable summary of the keynote session. You collect valuable feedback and keep members engaged with valuable content.
Managing the entire event experience is more than just logistics—it's about making members feel connected. Glue Up makes it easy by centralizing everything, automating repetitive tasks, and giving you real-time insights to improve future events.
Host Any Type of Event—Without Reinventing the Wheel
Modern members expect options. Sometimes they want the energy of an in-person experience; other times, they prefer the convenience of logging in from home. But here's the problem: most event management tools weren't built to flex this way. You create two versions of the same event, or worse, deliver a fragmented experience that feels disjointed to online attendees.
Here's how Glue Up makes multi-format events simple:
Plan Once, Execute Everywhere (No Need to Duplicate Effort)
With Glue Up, you set up your event just once. The same platform handles your venue logistics, livestream integration, and remote engagement tools. Whether members attend physically or virtually, they get a unified experience. Planning an annual conference? Create your agenda, set up in-person and virtual ticket options, and use the same registration page for all attendees—no need to build separate systems for each format.
Seamless Integration with Virtual Platforms (Bring Everyone Together)
Glue Up's built-in webinar tools and direct Zoom integration mean you can host online sessions without switching apps. Manage registrations, send reminders, and launch the webinar—all from one dashboard. Suppose you have 50 members attending a leadership panel in person and 100 joining remotely. Glue Up lets you broadcast the session live, while attendees from both formats can interact through live Q&As and polls.
Hybrid Event Rooms (Make Remote Members Feel Just as Connected)
Activate an event room where virtual and in-person attendees can interact, view profiles, and network. It's like being in the same space, even miles apart. Members can also use the Glue Up app to chat, exchange digital business cards, and set up one-on-one meetings, whether at the venue or attending virtually.
Centralized Control for Multi-Session Events (Keep Everything Organized)
Managing a multi-track conference? No problem. Glue Up lets you schedule multiple sessions, set capacity limits, and allocate rooms or virtual links without chaos. Suppose you're hosting a three-day symposium with 20 breakout sessions. You can track which sessions are in-person, which are streamed, and who's attending each. Need to swap speakers at the last minute? Update it once, and the change reflects across all formats.
Interactive Features for Virtual Attendees (Keep Everyone Involved)
Hybrid events shouldn't feel like two separate experiences. With Glue Up, virtual attendees can participate in live polls, submit questions to speakers, and join breakout rooms for smaller discussions. For instance, during a keynote speech, members in the room and those attending remotely can respond to live polls, making it a shared experience.
Real-Time Troubleshooting (No Tech Headaches)
With both virtual and hybrid formats, tech issues are bound to happen. Glue Up's integrated support tools let your team respond quickly to connectivity problems, chat issues, or streaming glitches. If a member reports audio difficulties, our support chat lets you address the issue in real time, minimizing disruption.
Your members shouldn't feel like they're getting a second-rate experience just because they chose to attend virtually. Glue Up ensures that every attendee feels equally valued and engaged, whether in person or online. By planning once and executing across formats, you save time, reduce errors, and deliver a consistent experience. No more creating duplicate events or leaving virtual attendees feeling disconnected.
Why compromise on event quality when you can deliver seamless, multi-format experiences?
Book a demo today to see how Glue Up can transform your hybrid events into truly inclusive experiences.
See All Your Data in One Place—And Actually Use It
If your registration numbers are on one platform, payment records are buried in another, and engagement metrics are tucked away in your webinar tool, how do you even begin to analyze what worked? It's like trying to put together a puzzle with half the pieces missing.
When your data is fragmented, you're guessing instead of knowing. That makes it harder to plan future events, justify budgets, or even understand what members value. Glue Up changes the game by centralizing all your event-related data—registrations, payments, attendance, engagement—into a single, easy-to-navigate dashboard. You're not just seeing the numbers; you're getting the story behind them.
Here's how Glue Up makes it effortless:
Unified Dashboards (No More Switching Between Apps)
View registrations, check-ins, ticket sales, engagement metrics, and feedback in one place. You don't have to log into different systems to gather basic attendance data. After an annual conference, pull up the dashboard to see the total attendance, revenue breakdown, and session engagement—all at a glance. No spreadsheets. No manual data entry.
Real-Time Reporting (Get Insights as the Event Happens)
Access live data during your event to see which sessions draw the most participants, how long they stay, and what interactions are happening. Make adjustments on the fly instead of waiting until it's too late. For instance, if you notice one breakout session is at capacity while another has plenty of room. Glue Up lets you send a quick notification suggesting attendees explore the less crowded option. You keep the event flowing smoothly without disruption.
Customized Reports (Present Data That Actually Means Something)
Generate tailored reports based on your specific KPIs. Whether you're tracking ticket revenue, engagement rates, or satisfaction scores, Glue Up turns raw data into actionable insights. Say you host a regional meetup. After the event, you can generate a report that breaks down registration trends by member type, showing whether the event drew more long-term members or recruits. Use that data to fine-tune your next invite list.
Financial Clarity (Know Precisely Where Your Budget Stands)
Track revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships, and donations in real time. Monitor expenses as they come in and automatically generate profit and loss statements after the event. For example, Glue Up's financial dashboard shows live donation updates and ticket revenue during an annual fundraiser. You immediately see if you're hitting your fundraising goals without waiting for post-event reconciliation.
Attendee Engagement Tracking (Know Who's Actively Participating)
Don't just count heads—see how members are engaging. Track poll responses, chat activity, session attendance, and feedback forms to understand member involvement. Suppose you notice that younger members are far more engaged during interactive panels than traditional presentations. Next time, you'll incorporate more interactive formats to keep them involved.
When your event data is centralized, you're not just more organized—you're more strategic. You can see what worked, what didn't, and why, without spending hours digging through disjointed spreadsheets. That means better decisions, more impactful events, and clearer insights into what your members really want.
Engage Members Before, During, And After Events
Whether it's a virtual workshop, an in-person seminar, or a hybrid conference, your members don't just want to attend—they want to participate, share ideas, and feel part of a community. If you only engage them during the keynote and call it a day, you're missing opportunities to build lasting relationships.
But keeping members engaged throughout the event lifecycle isn't easy. You need to spark interest before the event, keep them involved while it's happening, and ensure they stay connected afterward. Trying to do all that manually, or using scattered tools, usually means missed connections and lost momentum.
Glue Up changes that by keeping members engaged from start to finish, without extra effort from your team. Here's how:
Create Pre-Event Excitement (Get Members Involved Before They Even Log In)
Use event pages, personalized invitations, and teaser content to generate interest ahead of time. Let members see who else is attending, check out speaker bios, and join pre-event discussions immediately. You can send an interactive email introducing the keynote speaker a week before your annual conference. They can click through to view the agenda, join a discussion group, or post questions they'd like answered during the event.
Facilitate Networking (Help Members Build Connections Effortlessly)
Activate in-app networking features, like discussion walls, digital business cards, and one-on-one chat options. Members can explore attendee profiles and arrange to meet virtually or in person. If you're hosting a hybrid industry summit, remote attendees can use the Glue Up app to connect with on-site participants, exchange digital business cards and schedule follow-up chats.
Extend the Experience Beyond the Event (Don't Let the Momentum Fade)
Automate post-event follow-ups with thank-you messages, session recordings, and feedback forms. Make it easy for members to revisit key takeaways or catch up on what they missed. For instance, a day after your professional development workshop, you can send a thank-you email with links to session recordings and a feedback survey. Members can continue discussing insights in the event community space.
An event isn't just a moment in time—it's an opportunity to build long-term connections. When members feel included and valued, they're more likely to stay engaged, renew memberships, and participate in future events. Glue Up makes member engagement intuitive and ongoing.
Lead Events with Purpose. Lead with Glue Up
It's 2025. Your members expect more than well-organized events—they want experiences that feel dynamic, intentional, and connected. They want the freedom to choose how they participate—whether in person, online, or both. And they expect you to make it seamless, engaging, and valuable.
But here's the reality: If you're still relying on basic tools or outdated systems, you're not just behind—you're at risk of losing relevance. Associations that stick to fragmented processes and manual tasks can't meet evolving member expectations. Your competitors aren't just other associations—they're professional communities, digital platforms, and networks that offer frictionless, immersive experiences.
The question isn't whether to modernize—it's how to do it right.
As a leader, you need a solution that manages logistics and transforms how you engage, connect, and build value for your members. Glue Up is that solution. It's for associations that refuse to settle for mediocrity. It's for those who see every event as an opportunity to strengthen relationships, boost engagement, and drive long-term success.
You have the vision—now it's time to have the right tools.
Take the next step. Join over 1,000 associations that have shifted to smarter, more strategic event management.
Book a demo today and see how Glue Up can elevate your events from routine to remarkable.
