‘Before the app was introduced, we could only inform members by email. With the app, we wanted to create a consistent and permanent channel for the SPOBIS Club that would enable us to disseminate information more quickly and in a more targeted manner, while at the same time intensifying interaction with members.’ With this motivation, SPOBIS GmbH decided to introduce Polario as a community app solution for the SPOBIS Club.
SPOBIS is one of the leading platforms for the European sports business. Every year, SPOBIS organises Europe’s largest sports business event, bringing together top decision-makers, sponsors, service providers and other industry players. The SPOBIS Club is an exclusive B2B community that offers its members access to valuable networking opportunities, knowledge exchange and events in the sports business.
The goal: a modern, digital platform that makes communication more efficient and strengthens dialogue within the sports business community. In this interview, Sascha thor Straten Wolf, Member of the Executive Board at SPOBIS, explains how they overcame the challenges of the previous, time-consuming email communication and at the same time significantly improved interaction between members.
Polario: Hi Sascha, we’re delighted to be talking about the SPOBIS Club app today! Thank you for taking the time to introduce the Polario Community App! What was the main reason why the SPOBIS Club introduced a community app?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The main reason for introducing the SPOBIS Club app was to offer our B2B members centralised, digital access to all club services, to increase the visibility and networking of the club and to switch the communication channel to our members from email to app. With the app, we can offer our members a modern and efficient platform that meets today’s digital requirements.’
Polario: What specific goals is the SPOBIS Club pursuing with the Polario community app and what challenges should the app overcome?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘SPOBIS aims to create an exclusive platform for networking and knowledge sharing where members have access to relevant content anytime and anywhere. One of the biggest challenges before the app was launched was email-based communication. We could only inform our members by email, which often led to an overflow of inboxes. With the app, we want to make communication more efficient, strengthen member loyalty and encourage greater participation in events.’
Polario: Hi Sascha, we’re delighted to be talking about the SPOBIS Club app today! Thank you for taking the time to introduce Polario’s Community App! What was the main reason why the SPOBIS Club introduced a community app?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The main reason for introducing the SPOBIS Club app was to offer our B2B members centralised, digital access to all club services, to increase the visibility and networking of the club and to switch the communication channel to our members from email to app. With the app, we can offer our members a modern and efficient platform that meets today’s digital requirements.’
Polario: What specific goals is the SPOBIS Club pursuing with the Polario community app and what challenges should the app overcome?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘SPOBIS aims to create an exclusive platform for networking and knowledge sharing where members have access to relevant content anytime and anywhere. One of the biggest challenges before the app was launched was email-based communication. We could only inform our members by email, which often led to an overflow of inboxes. With the app, we want to make communication more efficient, strengthen member loyalty and encourage greater participation in events.’
Polario: Which target group is the SPOBIS Club app mainly aimed at and how is activity in the community promoted?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The app is primarily aimed at decision-makers and experts from the sports business: clubs, sponsors, agencies, service providers, associations, media and consultants. To promote activity, we offer exclusive content, regular events and enable direct dialogue between members.’
Polario: What are the main functions of the Polario Community App in the SPOBIS Club context?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The Polario Community App offers us numerous functions that help members to network and share knowledge. These include an event calendar with registration function, participant lists, club news, the presentation of SPOBIS content such as specialist articles and studies, as well as direct contact options for contact persons. These functions facilitate communication and the exchange of information between members and promote networking.’
Polario: How has the Polario Community App been received by members? Are there certain features that have been particularly well received?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The Club App has been very well received by our members. The event calendar and the networking functions, such as the participant lists, have been particularly well received. Our members appreciate the fact that they can now find relevant information in one place and network directly with other professionals. The app also makes everyday life easier, as important updates and news are sent to users’ smartphones in real time via push notifications.’
Polario: Have there been any measurable successes since the launch of the SPOBIS Club app?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘Yes, since introducing the app, we have seen a significant increase in participation in our events. The registration rate for events has risen by 30% and interactions between members have also increased by 25%. We have also noticed that the time spent in the app shows that users are returning regularly and utilising the content on offer. These figures confirm the success of the app.’
Polario: What positive changes have you seen since the SPOBIS Club app was introduced?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘In addition to the increase in event participation, we have noticed that the community has become more active overall. Members have told us that the app makes their day-to-day work easier, as they can now find relevant information in one place. According to surveys, member satisfaction has also increased significantly.’
Polario: What is the SPOBIS Club’s long-term vision for the app?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘In the long term, we want to establish the SPOBIS Club app as a central platform for the sports business network. It should promote dialogue, share knowledge and create new business opportunities. Our vision is to create a global network that transcends national borders and further strengthens the SPOBIS Club as a leading platform in the sports business. Through continuous development, the app will set trends and promote innovation in the industry.’
Polario: Are there any plans for future updates or extensions to the app?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘Yes, we are continuously adapting the app to the needs of our community. Future updates will include features such as personalised content, expanded networking opportunities and live streaming functions for events and webinars. We also plan to link the app with other platforms and tools to offer users a seamless experience.’
Polario: What advice would you give to other companies that want to introduce similar digital solutions?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘We would advise other companies to focus on the needs of their target group and choose a user-friendly platform. It is important to regularly gather feedback in order to optimise the solution. An intuitive user interface and an agile development model are crucial in order to be able to react flexibly to changes. Training and support for the internal team facilitate implementation and ongoing operation. Finally, communication about the introduction of the app should be well planned in order to convince users of the benefits.’
Polario: How do you measure the success of the SPOBIS Club app?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘We measure the success of the app using KPIs such as user numbers, engagement rates and participation in events. A feedback system helps us to make continuous improvements. We also use analytical tools to understand user behaviour in the app and identify trends. This data enables us to take targeted measures to increase user loyalty.’
Polario: How did you find the onboarding process and the collaboration with plazz AG?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The onboarding process went smoothly and the cooperation with plazz AG was extremely professional. Specialised training and support materials helped us a lot with the implementation. The clear communication and transparent project planning contributed significantly to the success. If we had any questions or problems, we could always rely on fast and helpful support.’
Polario: What was particularly valuable about working with plazz AG during the implementation?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘The fast support and flexibility for individual customisations were particularly valuable. The close collaboration was instrumental in moving the project forward. The regular coordination meetings ensured that everyone involved was always up to date. Even in critical phases, we were able to rely on the expertise and commitment of the team.’
Polario: How would you rate this project in comparison to other IT projects?
Sascha thor Straten Wolf: ‘Compared to other IT projects, this one was less challenging thanks to the excellent cooperation. Challenges were successfully overcome together. The long-standing partnership has contributed to both sides having a deep understanding of each other’s working methods and expectations. The high level of professionalism and experience of plazz AG helped to minimise risks.’
Thank you, Sascha, for the exciting insights into the digital transformation of the SPOBIS Club and ultimately of SPOBIS. It is impressive to see how the Polario Community App as the SPOBIS Club App has not only improved communication, but also intensified networking among members. We look forward to continuing to accompany SPOBIS on its journey and are excited about future developments. Their commitment to the community and the continuous development of the platform are truly inspiring.
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Inhaltsverzeichnis ‘Before the app was introduced, we could only inform members by email. With the app, we wanted to create a consistent and permanent channel for the SPOBIS Club that would enable us to disseminate information more quickly and in a more targeted manner, while at the same time intensifying interaction with members.’ With this
