Let’s be honest: the app store era of events is over.
We’ve spent years trying to get attendees to download native event apps. We begged, we emailed, we stuck QR codes on every wall. But at the end of the day, what did we get?
63% adoption… on a good day.
That means a third of your audience missed the schedule, the push notifications, the sponsor banners, the polls. They missed the experience.
So we decided to stop playing that game.
And start a new one.
🎉 Introducing PEA*: The Progressive Event App
- Patent probably not pending, but come on—it should be.
PEA stands for Progressive Event App. It’s our not-so-humble rebrand of the traditional Progressive Web App (PWA)… made specifically for live, in-person events.
Why? Because “Progressive Web App” sounds like something your IT team argues about at 2AM.
But PEA? Now that’s something you can get behind.
And while we’re at it, it also stands for the Presso Event App—our flagship, no-download, no-nonsense event platform.
(Yes, it’s a backronym. No, we’re not sorry.)
🛑 Death to Downloads: Why Native Apps Just Don’t Work
Let’s get real: no one wants to download your app.
Not for a two-day conference.
Not for a one-off networking session.
Not even for a week-long annual summit—especially if they’re using a corporate phone that blocks installs altogether.
Native apps come with baggage:
- ❌ App store gatekeeping (hello, 3-day update delays)
- ❌ 30% “Apple tax” (why are we paying to talk to our own attendees?)
- ❌ Onboarding friction (search → download → install → login → maybe use)
With a PEA?
It’s just a link. Or a QR code. Or a tap.
Instant access. Zero friction. Near-100% adoption.
⚡ All the Features You Need—None of the Bullsh*t
PEA isn’t a stripped-down web version.
It’s a full-powered, app-like experience in your browser.
- ✅ Add-to-home-screen with app-like UI
- ✅ Push notifications (yes, even on iOS now)
- ✅ Offline access for schedules, maps, etc.
- ✅ Works on phones, tablets, laptops—whatever your attendees are using
And best of all? You control the experience. No waiting on app store approvals. No forced updates. If you make a change, it’s live for everyone—right now.
🎯 Near-100% Adoption = Maximum Engagement
We didn’t just invent a cute acronym. We tested it. Across real events.
And here’s what we found:
With our old native app, adoption was around 63%.
With our PEA? Near-100%.
Why? Because we removed every barrier. There’s no “do I need to download something?” moment. Attendees just… use it.
That means:
- More session views
- More sponsor clicks
- More poll responses
- More happy people not feeling left out
It’s not rocket science. It’s just good UX.
🎥 But What About Virtual Events?
Ah yes, the Zoom era. The “virtual conference” trend. The moment in time when we all pretended that watching 45 panels from our kitchen counted as attending an event.
Let’s be clear: we’re not anti-technology.
We’re just pro actual events.
We don’t believe in “hybrid” as a permanent replacement.
We don’t believe your keynote should be interrupted by someone fumbling to join on video.
We don’t believe that streaming a conference like it’s Netflix does your content justice.
Record it? Absolutely.
But sell it after. Package it. Make it premium. Don’t let the digital tail wag the in-person dog.
And don’t dilute your experience trying to be all things to all screens.
🚀 PEA Is More Than a Platform. It’s a Statement.
By using a Progressive Event App, you’re not just upgrading your tech.
You’re declaring that your event is:
- Accessible to everyone, instantly
- Modern, not stuck in App Store purgatory
- Optimised for adoption, speed, and flexibility
- Focused on real attendee engagement—not just checking boxes
You’re saying: “We care more about people using our app than downloading it.”
And honestly, that’s the only metric that matters.
🌱 The PEA Manifesto (Yes, We're Going There)
If you're still with us, here's what we believe:
- Friction kills engagement.
- Downloads are dead weight.
- Every attendee should get the full experience—no exceptions.
- If it can be a website, it probably should be.
- We don’t need the App Store’s permission to run a great event.
- Good tech should feel invisible.
- And great event platforms should work instantly, on any device, anywhere.
That’s PEA. That’s the future.
✌️ One Last Thing…
Once you go PEA, you don’t go back.
If you're still building for the app store, ask yourself:
Is it worth losing a third of your audience just to say you have an app?
Or would you rather give every single attendee a smooth, modern, engaging experience—without making them jump through hoops?
We know where we stand.
And we’re betting the future of event tech is green. 🌱
Long live the PEA.
Want to see it in action?
👉 Book a demo of the Presso Event App (aka the original PEA) and get yourself a nice starting bonus