A groundbreaking digital platform created a world-class experience!

Geztio developed and delivered the official app for the 2019 Biathlon World Championships with the aim of providing participants, visitors and event partners with a digital experience both on site and at home on the TV couch. With Geztio’s digital platform, offers, information and inspiration were collected directly on the mobile phone based on location, time and AI-driven analysis.

A set of three devices showing the World Cup Biathlon 2019 app

Background

IBU World Cup Biathlon Östersund

Geztio was commissioned to develop the official event app for the 2019 Biathlon World Championships. The main purpose of the solutions was to make the visitor experience of the 2019 Biathlon World Championships better, easier and more accessible.

The app was downloaded almost 10,000 times and ranked #2 in the Sports category on the App Store, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.0.

The app features included competition programs, social media integration, destination data, participant profiles, live results and TV broadcasts, and a quiz for the most dedicated biathlon fans. Geztio was also tasked with brokering tickets to the events through the app, with the aim of simplifying ticket management for visitors.

In the work on the 2019 Biathlon World Championships, Geztio’s research-based analytics platform Geztio BI was also used to evaluate the visitor experience in relation to the sponsors’ activities within the arena.

An animation of a mobile app showing the World Cup Biathlon 2019

iOS & Android app - VM Skidskytte 2019

  • All results, social media, news and info in one app for ALL target groups.
  • Fast communication with target groups through notifications in the app.
  • Tickets and parking could be purchased in the app
  • Accommodation, transportation, activities were communicated in the app.
  • Advertisements and sponsors were exposed through the app.
  • The app collected data and analyzed it in Geztio BI for Skitour.
  • Administration of the app and web was handled via Geztio’s CMS.
  • Youtube playlists could be viewed through the app.
  • SVT’s and NRK’s ​​broadcasts were integrated into the app.
  • Social media and social media wall could be viewed in the app.
  • Second screen experience of the event, 24/7.
  • Purchases of food and drinks were planned to be purchased directly in the app but were not implemented.

Social media

  • Facebook, Instagram, etc. feeds were displayed in the app.
  • Easy for app users to follow social media through one platform.

YouTube

  • YouTube playlists were displayed in both the app and the web.
Screenshot of the OpenBack web user interface

Notification system

Geztio’s notification system was implemented in the app and via its admin panel, notifications were created in advance to create added value for the visitor and partners. Geographically controlled notifications enabled different messages to different areas and target groups and gave the visitor the right information in the right place and at the right time. The offline functionality meant that notifications worked when the app was not connected. The system was also used to push survey questions via the notifications.

Web URL

  • Linked to any website and displayed it in the app.
  • Displayed partner content in the app.
  • Linked to partner web shops or information pages and gave target groups a better experience.

Ads

An advertising system for sponsors and advertisers was included in the app. Geographically targeted ads enabled location-based advertising and increased advertising and digital exposure for World Cup sponsors. The ads were sent to Geztio, which placed the ads according to instructions. Placement and share of voice (SoV) parameters for the ads were managed by Geztio via the company’s sponsorship and advertising system.

Ticket sales and distribution

The QR-coded ticket is delivered via email with login to the customer’s “My Pages” and as an SMS with a link to the ticket. Among other things, entrance tickets, sponsor tickets, parking tickets, etc. were handled through Geztio’s app system.

Point of Sales (POS)
Tickets sold in the entrances via the mobile POS system (Point of sales, cash register and transaction system) were printed as QR codes on the mobile receipt printer. The tickets were scanned via a robust Android phone with a laser scanner and by the system’s scanning app. Sales statistics were displayed in Geztio’s BI system except for POS sales which were displayed through the ticket system.

Screenshots of the Ski Tour 2020 web and mobile apps showing ticket sales

Geztio BI - Business Intelligence

Geztio BI collected data from the apps, the web, the online ticket shops and from the integrated system iTicket. The solution and Geztio’s research-based BI system made it possible for the World Cup organizer and the host city to have data on the World Cup’s target groups collected in one place and to use AI technology for analysis and to create new knowledge about the World Cup’s target groups before and directly during the World Cup days. With Geztio’s Business Intelligence system, the organizer was able to develop a better visitor and user experience and also adjust parts of the experience using data, directly during the event days.

Everyone in the organization had access to the same account through personal logins where, for example, the system’s dashboard allowed them to follow sales figures from iTicket that were continuously collected on the account and showed sales via the online shops and corporate sales. Web and app traffic data as well as guest night statistics for the host city of Östersund were also stored in Geztio BI and could be analyzed through the system, among several intelligent data systems that were integrated into the BI solution for the World Cup.

A collage of devices showing the Geztio Business Intelligence tool

Interested in taking the next step?

With Geztio’s digital platform, target groups receive your offers on their mobile phones and tailored to their needs based on location, time and AI-driven analysis of your target group’s data.