Guest Engagement MVP App Development

Project Brief
Hospitality Industry – Mobile Guest & Booking Engagement App (MVP)
Project Overview
The Client is seeking an experienced developer or development team to design and implement a cost-effective MVP mobile application focused on:
• Event guest engagement
• RSVP and guest communication
• Venue promotion
• Booking lead generation
• Integration with our existing enquiry and quotation process
This is NOT intended to be a large custom-built booking platform in Phase 1.
The objective is to create a polished, scalable and practical MVP using existing tools, APIs and integrations wherever possible to reduce development time and cost.
We are specifically looking for developers who:
• understand automation,
• understand hospitality/events,
• are strong in integrations,
• and can intelligently leverage existing platforms instead of rebuilding systems unnecessarily.
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Primary Objective
The MVP should function as a:
“Event Guest & Venue Engagement App”
IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT
The solution should prioritise:
• Low-code / no-code tools
• Existing APIs
• Existing SaaS platforms
• Fast implementation
• Scalability
• Elegant UX/UI
We are NOT looking for:
• Over-engineered architecture
• Expensive custom backend development
• Rebuilding functionality that already exists in mature platforms
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ESTIMATED MVP DEVELOPMENT TARGET
Target:
Approximately 80–100 development hours
Developers must clearly explain:
• what can realistically be achieved,
• what platforms they would use,
• and how they would minimise development time and future maintenance costs.
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REQUIRED MVP FEATURES
1. Venue Showcase & Lead Generation
The app should:
• Display Special Event venues attractively
• Showcase images and information
• Encourage quotation requests
• Connect enquiries into our CRM and automated follow-up process
Requirements:
• Mobile-first design
• Elegant hospitality/event style UI
• Fast loading
• Easy navigation
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2. Guest RSVP & Event Information
Guests should be able to:
• RSVP to events
• Receive push notifications/reminders
• View venue location/maps
• Receive parking instructions
• View event schedule/timing
• View menus
• View seating allocation (simple version)
The intention is to create genuine value for event guests so they keep and reuse the app.
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3. QR Invitation / Guest Validation
Low-cost implementation preferred.
No complex custom scanner infrastructure required initially.
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4. Simplified Bar Tab Allocation
Process:
• Guest presents QR code
• Staff can verify balance
• Manual deduction acceptable initially
Important:
• Full POS integration is NOT required initially.
• Simplicity and practicality are preferred.
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5. Booking Enquiry Trigger
The app should allow:
• Guests or users to request quotations
• Enquiries to enter our automated CRM workflow
• Automated WhatsApp/email responses to trigger
We are currently developing the automated response process separately.
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6. Referral & Future Booking Incentive
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PREFERRED TECHNOLOGY APPROACH
Developers are encouraged to use existing proven platforms wherever possible.
Examples may include:
• FlutterFlow
• Glide
• Softr
• Bubble
• React Native templates
• Zoho CRM
• Zapier
• n8n
• Jotform
• RSVPify
• Firebase
• Airtable
• Google Sheets
• PayFast
• Yoco
• Twilio
• WhatsApp Business API
Alternative recommendations are welcome if justified.
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WHAT WE EXPECT FROM DEVELOPERS
Please provide:
1. Your Recommended Architecture
Explain:
• frontend,
• backend,
• automation,
• integrations,
• database,
• notifications,
• QR handling,
• RSVP handling,
• payments,
• CRM approach.
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2. Recommended Tech Stack
We want developers who know how to:
• reduce unnecessary coding,
• leverage integrations,
• and accelerate delivery.
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3. Realistic Development Timeline
Please provide:
• estimated hours,
• milestones,
• dependencies,
• and what can realistically be achieved in MVP Phase 1.
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4. Estimated Cost
Provide:
• MVP estimate,
• ongoing maintenance considerations,
• platform subscription considerations.
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5. Relevant Experience
Please include examples of:
• hospitality apps,
• event systems,
• automation projects,
• RSVP systems,
• QR systems,
• CRM integrations,
• WhatsApp integrations,
• payment integrations.
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FUTURE PHASES (NOT PART OF MVP)
Potential future expansion:
• Full booking engine
• AI concierge/chatbot
• POS integration
• Advanced bar management
• Loyalty/rewards system
• Native iOS and Android apps
• Advanced analytics
• Supplier management
• Seating-plan engine
• Advanced guest engagement automation
These should NOT be included in the MVP quotation unless separately proposed as optional future phases.
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IDEAL DEVELOPER PROFILE
We are specifically seeking developers who:
• think commercially,
• understand hospitality/event workflows,
• understand automation,
• understand customer engagement,
• understand scalability,
• and know when NOT to custom-build.
Preference will be given to developers who:
• propose practical solutions,
• minimise unnecessary complexity,
• reduce long-term maintenance,
• and demonstrate strong systems-thinking.
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PROJECT GOAL
The goal is to launch an elegant and commercially practical MVP that:
Improves guest experience
Encourages future bookings
Creates lead generation opportunities
Supports referrals
Integrates into automated CRM workflows
Builds a scalable future platform
while remaining achievable within a sensible startup budget and timeline.