The Summit leadership team officially launched the ACU Summit app as the main guide for this years sessions. By only printing 2,000 brochures instead of 15,000, the Summit is not only saving money, but also saving time and promoting growth for the following Summit generations.
The app was first conceived eight years ago and was set in motion last fall by Dr. John Weaver, dean of library services. Developed by the students of Dr. Brad Crisp, dean of the College of Business and Administration, the application was custom-made for Summit and can eventually be used for other ACU events such as Wildcat Week, Homecoming and Sing Song.
Dr. David Wray, Summit director, said instead of using a shelved app such as Guidebook or Altimeter, students developed and programed a custom, user-friendly app where biographies of every speaker, the entire program and other features can be viewed through a mobile device. However, brochures will still be placed around campus and in registration bags for future reference.
“The question in the future is at some point can people become comfortable with and familiar enough with the app and no longer need the brochure,” said Wray.
Summit’s administration coordinator, Mandy Scudder, said on a scale of one to ten, the feedback the office is receiving on the transitions to more technological guidebook is an eight.
“Life is becoming more digital and more elaborate,” Scudders said. “There are people who want to feel the brochure in their hand and probably don’t have an email and for those, we chose to have a physical book.”
Weaver said IT students designed the app through Mirum Miami, a leading designer of mobile apps with Adobe publishing tools. Because of the latest partnership with Adobe and support from the Provost office, Weaver said app became “beautiful and [a] highly functional mobile app that should reduce cost and waste from printing paper programs.”
Weaver said the app is a step forward in the right direction: toward a more digital future.
“The event app is an exciting step forward for ACU Summit,” said Weaver, “in reaching and expanding its constituencies through mobile marketing and accessibility that is customized to Summit and its participants.”
The app can be downloaded on the Apple and Google Play store.
