The events industry has transformed with hybrid and virtual capabilities becoming standard. This guide covers everything you need to build a successful event management application.

Market Overview

Key Statistics:

Global event management software market: $12.5 billion (2024)
Expected growth: 11.8% CAGR through 2030
80% of events now have digital components
Virtual event platforms grew 1000% since 2020

Top Players:

Eventbrite (ticketing & registration)
Cvent (enterprise events)
Hopin (virtual events)
Splash (corporate events)
Whova (event apps)

Types of Event Apps

1. Ticketing Platforms

Event discovery
Ticket sales
Seat selection
Entry management

Examples: Eventbrite, Ticketmaster, StubHub

2. Event Planning Apps

Event creation
Vendor management
Budget tracking
Timeline planning

Examples: Cvent, Planning Pod, Honeybook

3. Virtual Event Platforms

Live streaming
Virtual networking
Digital booths
Audience engagement

Examples: Hopin, Zoom Events, vFairs

4. Conference/Trade Show Apps

Agenda management
Attendee networking
Exhibitor directory
Session scheduling

Examples: Whova, Swapcard, Bizzabo

5. Social Events Apps

Wedding planning
Party planning
Guest management
RSVP tracking

Examples: The Knot, Zola, Evite

Essential Features

Core Features (MVP)

Event Discovery
├── Browse events by category
├── Location-based search
├── Date filtering
├── Featured events
├── Recommendations
└── Event details page

Ticketing
├── Ticket types (GA, VIP, etc.)
├── Pricing tiers
├── Seat selection (if applicable)
├── Shopping cart
├── Secure checkout
├── E-tickets (QR codes)
├── Ticket transfer
└── Refunds

Attendee Features
├── Registration/RSVP
├── Digital tickets
├── Event reminders
├── Add to calendar
├── Directions/maps
├── Event updates
└── Contact organizer

Organizer Dashboard
├── Create events
├── Ticket management
├── Attendee list
├── Check-in management
├── Sales reports
├── Email attendees
└── Event analytics

Advanced Features

Virtual Events
├── Live streaming
├── On-demand content
├── Virtual stages
├── Breakout rooms
├── Chat & Q&A
├── Polls & surveys
├── Virtual networking
├── Digital sponsor booths
└── Recording & replays

Networking
├── Attendee profiles
├── AI matchmaking
├── Meeting scheduler
├── Business card exchange
├── In-app messaging
├── Video meetings
└── Discussion forums

Engagement
├── Live polling
├── Q&A sessions
├── Gamification
├── Leaderboards
├── Photo sharing
├── Social wall
├── Push notifications
└── Interactive maps

Event Operations
├── Check-in/badge printing
├── Session capacity management
├── Wait lists
├── Access control
├── Volunteer management
├── Vendor coordination
└── Emergency alerts

Analytics
├── Registration analytics
├── Attendance tracking
├── Session popularity
├── Engagement metrics
├── Revenue reports
├── Survey results
└── ROI calculation

Technical Architecture

System Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    Client Apps                           │
│    (Web App / iOS App / Android App / Organizer App)    │
└─────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────┘
                          │
┌─────────────────────────▼───────────────────────────────┐
│                    API Gateway                           │
│         (Kong / AWS API Gateway)                         │
└─────────────────────────┬───────────────────────────────┘
                          │
    ┌─────────────────────┼─────────────────────────────┐
    │                     │                             │
┌───▼───┐           ┌────▼────┐                  ┌─────▼─────┐
│Event  │           │Ticketing│                  │Streaming  │
│Service│           │ Service │                  │ Service   │
└───┬───┘           └────┬────┘                  └─────┬─────┘
    │                    │                             │
┌───▼───┐           ┌────▼────┐                  ┌─────▼─────┐
│MongoDB│           │PostgreSQL│                 │  Mux/AWS  │
│       │           │+ Redis  │                  │MediaLive  │
└───────┘           └─────────┘                  └───────────┘

Supporting Services:
├── Payment Service (Stripe)
├── Notification Service (FCM/APNS/Email)
├── Chat Service (Socket.io/SendBird)
├── Video Service (Agora/Twilio)
├── Analytics Service (Mixpanel)
└── Search Service (Elasticsearch)

Tech Stack

Mobile Apps:

Framework: React Native / Flutter
State: Redux / BLoC
Video: Agora / Twilio
Chat: Socket.io / SendBird
Maps: Google Maps / Mapbox
QR: react-native-qrcode-scanner
Calendar: react-native-calendar-events
Push: Firebase Cloud Messaging

Backend:

Runtime: Node.js / Go
Framework: NestJS / Gin
Database: PostgreSQL + MongoDB
Cache: Redis
Queue: Bull / RabbitMQ
Real-time: Socket.io / Pusher
Video: Mux / AWS IVS
Search: Elasticsearch

Virtual Events:

Streaming: Mux / AWS IVS / Vimeo OTT
Video Calls: Agora / Twilio / Daily.co
Chat: PubNub / SendBird / custom Socket.io
Recordings: AWS S3 + CloudFront

Database Schema

Events Table

CREATE TABLE events (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
  organizer_id UUID REFERENCES users(id),

  -- Basic info
  title VARCHAR(200) NOT NULL,
  slug VARCHAR(200) UNIQUE,
  description TEXT,
  short_description VARCHAR(500),

  -- Type
  event_type VARCHAR(30), -- in_person, virtual, hybrid
  category VARCHAR(50),
  tags TEXT[],

  -- Date & Time
  start_date TIMESTAMP NOT NULL,
  end_date TIMESTAMP NOT NULL,
  timezone VARCHAR(50),

  -- Location (for in-person)
  venue_name VARCHAR(200),
  address JSONB,
  latitude DECIMAL(10, 8),
  longitude DECIMAL(11, 8),

  -- Virtual (for online)
  streaming_url VARCHAR(500),
  meeting_link VARCHAR(500),

  -- Capacity
  capacity INT,
  is_sold_out BOOLEAN DEFAULT false,
  waitlist_enabled BOOLEAN DEFAULT false,

  -- Media
  cover_image VARCHAR(500),
  logo VARCHAR(500),
  gallery JSONB,

  -- Settings
  is_public BOOLEAN DEFAULT true,
  requires_approval BOOLEAN DEFAULT false,
  allow_waitlist BOOLEAN DEFAULT true,

  -- Status
  status VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT 'draft',
  -- draft, published, cancelled, completed

  -- SEO
  meta_title VARCHAR(200),
  meta_description VARCHAR(500),

  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
  updated_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
  published_at TIMESTAMP
);

CREATE INDEX idx_events_organizer ON events(organizer_id);
CREATE INDEX idx_events_dates ON events(start_date, end_date);
CREATE INDEX idx_events_status ON events(status);
CREATE INDEX idx_events_location ON events USING GIST (
  ll_to_earth(latitude, longitude)
);

Tickets Table

CREATE TABLE ticket_types (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
  event_id UUID REFERENCES events(id),

  -- Basic info
  name VARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,
  description TEXT,

  -- Pricing
  price DECIMAL(10, 2),
  currency VARCHAR(3) DEFAULT 'USD',

  -- Inventory
  quantity INT,
  sold INT DEFAULT 0,
  reserved INT DEFAULT 0,
  available INT GENERATED ALWAYS AS (quantity - sold - reserved) STORED,

  -- Limits
  min_per_order INT DEFAULT 1,
  max_per_order INT DEFAULT 10,

  -- Availability
  sales_start TIMESTAMP,
  sales_end TIMESTAMP,

  -- Visibility
  is_visible BOOLEAN DEFAULT true,
  is_hidden BOOLEAN DEFAULT false,

  -- Access
  access_areas TEXT[], -- VIP, backstage, etc.

  sort_order INT DEFAULT 0,
  status VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT 'active',

  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

CREATE INDEX idx_tickets_event ON ticket_types(event_id);

Orders Table

CREATE TABLE orders (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
  order_number VARCHAR(20) UNIQUE,

  -- Buyer
  user_id UUID REFERENCES users(id),
  email VARCHAR(255) NOT NULL,

  -- Event
  event_id UUID REFERENCES events(id),

  -- Pricing
  subtotal DECIMAL(10, 2),
  fees DECIMAL(10, 2),
  tax DECIMAL(10, 2),
  discount DECIMAL(10, 2) DEFAULT 0,
  total DECIMAL(10, 2),
  currency VARCHAR(3),

  -- Payment
  payment_status VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT 'pending',
  payment_method VARCHAR(50),
  payment_intent_id VARCHAR(255),

  -- Status
  status VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT 'pending',
  -- pending, completed, cancelled, refunded

  -- Promo
  promo_code_id UUID REFERENCES promo_codes(id),

  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW(),
  completed_at TIMESTAMP
);

CREATE TABLE order_items (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),
  order_id UUID REFERENCES orders(id),
  ticket_type_id UUID REFERENCES ticket_types(id),

  quantity INT NOT NULL,
  unit_price DECIMAL(10, 2),
  total_price DECIMAL(10, 2),

  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

Attendees Table

CREATE TABLE attendees (
  id UUID PRIMARY KEY DEFAULT gen_random_uuid(),

  -- References
  event_id UUID REFERENCES events(id),
  order_id UUID REFERENCES orders(id),
  ticket_type_id UUID REFERENCES ticket_types(id),
  user_id UUID REFERENCES users(id),

  -- Ticket info
  ticket_number VARCHAR(20) UNIQUE,
  qr_code VARCHAR(500),

  -- Attendee info
  first_name VARCHAR(100),
  last_name VARCHAR(100),
  email VARCHAR(255),
  phone VARCHAR(50),

  -- Custom fields
  custom_fields JSONB,

  -- Check-in
  checked_in BOOLEAN DEFAULT false,
  checked_in_at TIMESTAMP,
  checked_in_by UUID REFERENCES users(id),

  -- Status
  status VARCHAR(20) DEFAULT 'active',
  -- active, cancelled, transferred

  created_at TIMESTAMP DEFAULT NOW()
);

CREATE INDEX idx_attendees_event ON attendees(event_id);
CREATE INDEX idx_attendees_ticket ON attendees(ticket_number);
CREATE INDEX idx_attendees_email ON attendees(email);

Virtual Event Implementation

Live Streaming Setup

// Using Mux for live streaming
const Mux = require('@mux/mux-node');

class LiveStreamService {
  constructor() {
    this.mux = new Mux(
      process.env.MUX_TOKEN_ID,
      process.env.MUX_TOKEN_SECRET
    );
  }

  async createLiveStream(eventId) {
    // Create live stream
    const liveStream = await this.mux.Video.LiveStreams.create({
      playback_policy: 'signed',
      new_asset_settings: {
        playback_policy: 'signed'
      },
      reduced_latency: true,
      test: false
    });

    // Save to database
    await db.events.update(eventId, {
      stream_key: liveStream.stream_key,
      playback_id: liveStream.playback_ids[0].id,
      stream_status: 'idle'
    });

    return {
      streamKey: liveStream.stream_key,
      rtmpUrl: 'rtmps://global-live.mux.com:443/app',
      playbackUrl: `https://stream.mux.com/${liveStream.playback_ids[0].id}.m3u8`
    };
  }

  async getSignedPlaybackUrl(playbackId, userId) {
    const token = await this.mux.Video.Signing.sign(playbackId, {
      type: 'video',
      expiration: '1d'
    });

    return `https://stream.mux.com/${playbackId}.m3u8?token=${token}`;
  }
}

Real-Time Features

// Socket.io for real-time event features
class EventSocketServer {
  constructor(io) {
    this.io = io;
    this.setupNamespaces();
  }

  setupNamespaces() {
    // Event room namespace
    this.eventNs = this.io.of('/event');

    this.eventNs.on('connection', (socket) => {
      socket.on('join_event', async (data) => {
        const { eventId, attendeeId } = data;

        // Verify attendee
        const attendee = await this.verifyAttendee(attendeeId, eventId);
        if (!attendee) {
          socket.emit('error', { message: 'Invalid attendee' });
          return;
        }

        socket.join(`event:${eventId}`);
        socket.attendeeId = attendeeId;

        // Update online count
        const count = await this.getOnlineCount(eventId);
        this.eventNs.to(`event:${eventId}`).emit('attendee_count', count);
      });

      // Chat messages
      socket.on('chat_message', async (data) => {
        const { eventId, message } = data;

        const chatMessage = await db.chatMessages.create({
          event_id: eventId,
          attendee_id: socket.attendeeId,
          message,
          timestamp: new Date()
        });

        this.eventNs.to(`event:${eventId}`).emit('new_message', {
          ...chatMessage,
          sender: await this.getAttendeeInfo(socket.attendeeId)
        });
      });

      // Q&A
      socket.on('submit_question', async (data) => {
        const { eventId, sessionId, question } = data;

        const qa = await db.questions.create({
          event_id: eventId,
          session_id: sessionId,
          attendee_id: socket.attendeeId,
          question,
          votes: 0
        });

        this.eventNs.to(`event:${eventId}`).emit('new_question', qa);
      });

      // Polling
      socket.on('poll_vote', async (data) => {
        const { pollId, optionId } = data;

        await db.pollVotes.create({
          poll_id: pollId,
          option_id: optionId,
          attendee_id: socket.attendeeId
        });

        const results = await this.getPollResults(pollId);
        this.eventNs.to(`event:${data.eventId}`).emit('poll_results', results);
      });
    });
  }
}

Check-In System

class CheckInService {
  async checkIn(ticketNumber, staffUserId) {
    // Find attendee by ticket number or QR code
    const attendee = await db.attendees.findOne({
      ticket_number: ticketNumber,
      status: 'active'
    });

    if (!attendee) {
      return { success: false, error: 'Invalid ticket' };
    }

    if (attendee.checked_in) {
      return {
        success: false,
        error: 'Already checked in',
        checkedInAt: attendee.checked_in_at
      };
    }

    // Verify event timing
    const event = await db.events.findById(attendee.event_id);
    const now = new Date();
    const eventStart = new Date(event.start_date);
    const checkInWindow = new Date(eventStart.getTime() - 2 * 60 * 60 * 1000); // 2 hours before

    if (now < checkInWindow) {
      return { success: false, error: 'Check-in not yet available' };
    }

    // Perform check-in
    await db.attendees.update(attendee.id, {
      checked_in: true,
      checked_in_at: now,
      checked_in_by: staffUserId
    });

    // Log check-in
    await db.checkInLogs.create({
      attendee_id: attendee.id,
      event_id: attendee.event_id,
      staff_id: staffUserId,
      timestamp: now
    });

    return {
      success: true,
      attendee: {
        name: `${attendee.first_name} ${attendee.last_name}`,
        ticketType: await this.getTicketTypeName(attendee.ticket_type_id),
        accessAreas: attendee.access_areas
      }
    };
  }

  async generateQRCode(attendeeId) {
    const attendee = await db.attendees.findById(attendeeId);

    // Generate unique check-in code
    const checkInCode = crypto.createHash('sha256')
      .update(`${attendeeId}-${attendee.ticket_number}-${Date.now()}`)
      .digest('hex')
      .substring(0, 16);

    // Generate QR code
    const qrCodeUrl = await QRCode.toDataURL(checkInCode, {
      width: 300,
      margin: 2,
      color: { dark: '#000000', light: '#ffffff' }
    });

    await db.attendees.update(attendeeId, {
      qr_code: checkInCode
    });

    return qrCodeUrl;
  }
}

Monetization Strategies

Ticketing Fees

Fee Structure:
├── Platform fee: 2-5% + $0.99 per ticket
├── Payment processing: 2.9% + $0.30
├── Free events: $0 (or flat fee for advanced features)

Example (for $50 ticket):
├── Ticket price: $50.00
├── Platform fee (3.5%): $1.75
├── Service fee: $0.99
├── Processing (2.9% + $0.30): $1.75
├── Total to buyer: $54.49
├── Net to organizer: $47.26

Subscription Plans (Organizers)

Feature	Free	Pro ($29/mo)	Business ($99/mo)
Events/month	3	Unlimited	Unlimited
Attendees/event	100	1,000	10,000
Ticket types	2	10	Unlimited
Platform fee	5%	3%	1.5%
Custom branding	No	Yes	Yes
Virtual events	No	Basic	Full
Analytics	Basic	Advanced	Advanced
Support	Email	Priority	Dedicated

Virtual Event Add-Ons

Per-event pricing:
├── Live streaming: $99-499/event
├── Virtual networking: $199/event
├── Sponsor booths: $50/booth
├── Breakout rooms: $5/room/hour
├── Recording & replay: $99/event
├── Custom domain: $49/event

Development Cost Breakdown

MVP Event App

Design: $10,000 - $18,000
├── Event discovery UI
├── Ticketing flow
├── Organizer dashboard
├── Check-in interface
└── Brand identity

Development: $50,000 - $85,000
├── Event creation & management
├── Ticketing system
├── Payment integration
├── Attendee app
├── Check-in system
├── Email notifications
├── Admin panel
└── iOS + Android

Backend: $20,000 - $35,000
├── API development
├── Payment processing
├── Email system
├── QR code generation
├── Analytics
└── Cloud infrastructure

TOTAL MVP: $80,000 - $138,000
Timeline: 4-6 months

Full Platform (with Virtual)

TOTAL: $200,000 - $400,000
Timeline: 10-16 months

Includes:
├── All MVP features
├── Live streaming
├── Virtual networking
├── Sponsor management
├── Advanced analytics
├── Multi-language
├── White-label option
├── API for integrations
├── Mobile check-in app
└── Hybrid event support

Launch Checklist

Pre-Launch

For Virtual Events

Operations

Customer support ready
Organizer onboarding process
Help documentation
Emergency procedures

Conclusion

Building an event app requires handling ticketing, real-time features, and potentially live streaming. Start with core ticketing features, prove the model, then add virtual capabilities.

Ready to build your event platform? Contact Hevcode for expert event app development. We have experience with ticketing systems, live streaming, and virtual event platforms.

Event Management App Development Guide 2026: Features, Cost & Tech Stack