What is a QR Code?

The ‘quick response’ or QR code is a square black and white symbol that, when scanned with a smartphone or laser, will bring the user to a webpage or app. They’re the barcode’s hip cousin: while barcodes are simply read horizontally, QR codes are read both horizontally and vertically. This means they can hold more data.

QR codes were created for inventory management in the manufacturing world, but publicly they’re most commonly used to drive people to websites. Think of them as the ambassador from the physical world to your device.

Why Use QR Codes at Your Event?

Clean: In a world where hand sanitizer is now one of the most popular SWAG additions, QR codes allow event experiences to be touch-free. You don’t need to crowd around to scan a QR code either. The rule of thumb? Ideal distance is 10x the width of the QR code. For example, a 2ft wide QR code on a screen will be easily scanned from 20ft away.

Convenient: Simply scanning a QR code is easier than fumbling through papers, digging for a business card, or trying to frantically scribble down a URL. Android and iPhones now come with scanning functionality built into their cameras, which means accessing a QR code is as simple as taking a picture.

Using QR Codes for Event Registration

Using QR codes in conjunction with touchless on-site badge printing drastically simplifies the often chaotic check-in process. Here’s how it works:

• After completing their online registration, attendees are given a unique QR code they can access right in their email inbox. They’ll also get some simple instructions on how to check in upon arrival.
• On the day of the event, signage will direct attendees to touchless kiosks.
• Once they scan their QR code at the kiosk, a custom name badge will be printed.
• Attendees will be notified where to grab their personalized badge, and they’re on their way!

Other Uses for QR Codes at Events

It’s not the fad we once thought it was. You can confidently consider using the QR code in the lead-up to your event, during, as well as after. There are a plethora of ways to leverage the convenience of QR codes.

Out-Of-Home Advertising

Does your audience live or work in a specific geographic area? Use QR codes on physical advertising (kiosks, posters, buses, trains, etc.) to provide quick access to a registration website.

Sponsorships

Build QR codes into your sponsorship package! Include QR codes to lead your audience from their welcome packet to your sponsors’ landing page on merchandise or takeaways.

Networking

Skip the stack of business cards: let your attendees quickly exchange contact info by scanning QR codes on badges with their phones. In fact, check out our lead retrieval solution for an easy way to implement this functionality!

Touchless Tradeshows

Encourage tradeshow participants to use QR codes for decreased germs and increased sustainability. Instead of handing out brochures or catalogs, how about sending attendees the content digitally via a QR code?

Food Service

Help in-person conference dining stay germ-free by having attendees access a menu and order via a QR code.

The post How to Use QR Codes for Event Registration appeared first on A2Z Events.

There are endless options when it comes to building the perfect event badge: Paper, plastic, or synthetic? Color or monochrome? Rounded or square? Glossy or matte? Double-sided or single-sided? Small, medium, or large sizes? Single or double slot? Let’s break it all down.

Understanding Badge Technology

• Barcodes allow tracking of attendees through a mobile app or scanning device– and some scanning devices will only detect barcodes (over QR codes). As you scan badges to track session attendance, barcodes will register a unique attendee ID. The downside? Attendees and exhibitors may not be able to scan barcodes themselves with their phones.
• QR Codes are similar to barcodes, but they link back to an attendee-specific URL that can include information like name, title, location, contact info, and social media handles. They are very useful for lead retrieval, and most phones now have the capability to scan QR codes. This makes the QR code great for networking amongst attendees and exhibitors. Pro tip: remember to keep your QR codes about 1” square for optimal readability.
• NFC (near-field communication) tags allow data to be exchanged by holding a badge close to another device (like a “tap to pay” credit card). The microchips in these badges hold 30 times more information than QR code badges, enabling your event to go cashless. Attendees will need to pre-load their account with money, credit, or tokens prior to the event, and then can simply tap to pay for food, SWAG, or event access.

Designing Your Badge

A good event badge might go home with an attendee and hang on a desk for the next year. Design these powerful momentos taking into consideration the following elements:

• Material: Your most economical option, a paper badge, will work well when it doesn’t need to withstand days of use. Pop it in a plastic sleeve with a custom lanyard as a finishing touch. You can also tap into technology with a printed barcode, QR code, or NFC sticker. Plastic and vinyl badges are more expensive but will be more durable for multi-day events. Additionally, plastic and vinyl can have technology embedded directly into the badges, creating a more seamless option.
• Size & Shape: The most commonly used badge sizes are 4×3 and 4×6 inches. Remember, in most cases the most important aspect of an attendee badge is the attendee’s name so allow for space and readability.
• Color: Tap into your branding and commit to colors that will help bring your event brand to life. You can also color-code badges to differentiate between attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, and presenters. But remember, on-site printing of large fields of color will slow up the print process. Consider pre-printing static content (like event logos or large blocks of color) before your event. Flexible content, like names or titles, can be printed on-site.
• Accessories: Don’t forget the lanyard! As you design your badge, be sure to account for lanyard slots – these play a role with the printers, as the sensor uses the slot to tell itself when the next badge is coming up.
• Sponsorships: Adding a sponsor logo to a badge could be a coveted placement but remember not to let your sponsor logo overshadow your event branding.

The post Designing the Perfect Attendee Badge appeared first on A2Z Events.