ShowSDRGuide
Which conference apps let exhibitors message attendees?
Most B2B conferences run one of six apps, and they differ in one thing that matters for outreach: whether you can message an attendee directly or must first send a connection request they accept. Whova allows direct messages from any profile. iStack (Affiliate World, Affiliate Summit) requires a request, accepted about 10% of the time in our data. Brella, Swapcard, Cvent and Grip run matchmaking and meeting requests of their own; ShowSDR has mapped which shows use them but has not yet run campaigns on them.
| App | First contact | Directory | Meeting booking | Shows using it (verified from the show's own pages) | ShowSDR status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whova | Direct message from any profile | Full attendee list, opens weeks pre show, grows daily | In app scheduler, on site slots during show days | Contact.io, PILMMA Super Summit | Supported |
| iStack (Affiliate World / Affiliate Summit) | Connection request with a 100 character note; chat opens on acceptance | Full list with self tagged verticals and side (advertiser, affiliate, network); app stays open about two months after the show | Through chat once connected | Affiliate World Americas, Affiliate Summit West and East | Supported |
| Brella | Meeting request via matchmaking | Attendee list with interests | Native meeting slots | LeadsCon | Planned |
| Swapcard | Connection request and messages | Attendee list, AI matchmaking | Native meeting slots | HLTH, ViVE | Planned |
| Cvent | Varies by event configuration | Attendee list when the organiser enables it | Appointments module | Mass Torts Made Perfect | Ask |
| Grip | Matchmaking connection request | Attendee list with recommendations | Native meeting slots | ITC Vegas | Ask |
Why does direct message versus request matter?
It moves the first gate. On Whova the first gate is the reply (26% pre show in our data). On iStack the first gate is acceptance (10% for requests sent after the show), and only then does a reply become possible. Plan volumes accordingly: the same 15 agreed meetings need a much larger target list on a request based app.
How do you find out which app a show uses?
The show's own "download the app" page, the agenda footer ("Powered by Whova"), or the app store listing for a white label app (Swapcard and Brella publish one app per large show). Vendor hints and third party lists are often wrong; verify before you plan.
Which apps stay open after the show?
iStack kept the Affiliate World Americas 2026 directory and chat open until 9 November, two months after the show. Whova's web version is available around the event dates and the mobile threads persist. Post show is a real, if short, window: warm leads convert to online calls for about two weeks.
Questions
Can you message attendees directly in Whova?
Yes, from any attendee profile, without a connection request.
Can you message attendees directly in the Affiliate World app?
No. iStack requires a connection request with a short note; a chat opens only after the attendee accepts. About 10% of post show requests were accepted in our 2026 data.
Which conference apps does ShowSDR support?
Whova and iStack today; Brella and Swapcard are planned; for Cvent, Grip or a custom app, ask and we will say honestly whether we can run it.
How do I check which app my conference uses?
Look for the event's own app download page or the app store listing. ShowSDR verifies the platform for every show before proposing a campaign.
Source: ShowSDR campaign ledgers, Contact.io 2026 (Whova, Denver, August 23 to 25) and Affiliate World Americas 2026 (iStack, Cancún, September 7 to 8), reconciled against the apps' own thread history after each campaign. Full tables and method: Conference outreach benchmarks 2026. Last reviewed 20 September 2026.