Cards-x Event Badge Guide
Event Badges have been, and continue to be, a key part of any corporate or sporting event, conference or trade show for many years. With the growth in digital passes why should event organisers keep the event badge as the foundation of their accreditation solution and what makes a great event badge?
What is an Event Badge?
An event badge is a physical, personalised identification tool designed to visually display attendees key information, such as; name, job title, role at the event and access levels. It is also possible for an event badge to be encoded allowing the attendee to grant access into controlled zones and be used as part of a cashless payment system.
Often an event badge is worn around the neck via a lanyard or fastened onto the front of the attendee by a pin or clip.
Why should I use an Event Badge?
An event badge can offer more than just a visual representation of delegate information. An event name badge or conference badge can be used to enhance the customers’ experience, improve security and collect attendee data, to name but a few.
The key benefits of an event badge include:
Access and Security
Event Badges act as a ‘ticket’ to an event and enable key data such as access to be clearly displayed. This can include the status of the attendee (speaker, staff etc). Furthermore, many event name badges now include RFID and contactless chips, enabling digital control when managing zones and gates.
Brand Visibility
Conference Badges and Event Name Badges are a great branding tool. Customised with event logos, colours etc, they are a great way to create a consistent brand throughout an event.
Data Collection
Collecting delegate data at an event isn’t a new thing! However, by using encoded event badges organisers can manage delegate preferences and allow exhibitors and attendees to easily share data digitally.
Event Management
By clearly identifying between speakers, attendees and VIPs, event organisers can easily manage the flow of visitors and ensure the right delegates are in the right place with minimal disruption and hold up.
Memorabilia
In some cases an event can be something that delegates wish to be reminded of and a well-designed event name badge can be great keep-sake.
What needs to be considered when creating an event name badge?
Event name badges are more than just identifiers. They are the one thing every delegate/attendee will have an experience with and determine if they have a positive experience at an event! A poorly designed, issued and ineffective event badge could impact their overall experience.
Below are a few ideas on what should be considered when creating an event badge.
1. Type of Event Badge Material
Long gone are the days where PVC was an only choice. Today there are more sustainable materials such as PET-G, wood etc. This would help reduce an events carbon footprint and promote a more socially responsible event.
2. Event Name Badge Size
How much data needs to be displayed? Name, picture, QR code, company, event logo? This will determine what size ID card is required. The most common event badge size is a 140 x 88mm or 124 x 88mm, however extended (98 to 140 x 54mm) and CR80 are still seen at many events.
3. Expectations of your Event Badge
As discussed earlier an event badge can be used for more than just a visual representation. It can be encoded and allow a number of access, contactless and cashless features.
4. Technology
Contactless and RFID technology is becoming a common feature in many event badges. UHF (ultra-high frequency) chips have a longer read range when compared to MIFARE and HF (High Frequency), and when used in conjunction with the right system it is possible to provide a live feed of attendee in certain areas of an event. Offering detail delegate information.
5. Design
The brand and theme is vital when designing an event badge. The perfect event badge requires a lot of thought, especially when it comes to amplifying a badges potential? For example an increasing number of events are using QR codes to enhance an attendees engagement, streamline check-in and ease access to event tools. Similarly, where events have multiple zones closed to some delegates, many event badges now display different colours to represent different zones, making it easy for security to easily identify.
Finally, how important is the badge material, colour vibrancy, fine detail and image quality, as well as badge consistency? A lot of these factors will determine how much can be printed on-site, the size of the card and the type of event card printer to be used. For example a retransfer (over the edge print finish) or direct-to-card (edge-to-edge finish) event card printer.
6. Point of Issuance
On-site event badge printing is becoming increasingly popular due to the flexibility to make real-time adjustments, enhance attendee engagement, streamline check-in and incorporate security features which prevents unauthorised entry and enhanced event security.
7. Event and Accreditation ID Card Printer
There are a number of Event card printers suitable for printing Extra Large Format (88mm x 124 - 140mm), CR100 (67mm x 99mm) and Extended (124 - 140mm x 54mm) event badges. Furthermore, the look, feel, print finish and point of card issuance will determine the type of printer… for example, retransfer, direct-to-card and inkjet. In addition to the additional options required for encoding. An event accreditation expert can help to demystify this phase and ensure you get the right accreditation card printer for your event.
8. Displaying Event Badge
How is the event badge going to be displayed? A personalised lanyard is the most common option at many large events. Principally due to the card size and ease to see the information displayed. However, badges and clips can be used.
With so many factors to consider it can all seem very dauting. Often working with an accreditation expert can save time and money as well as simplify your event accreditation solution. To learn more about how working with an event accreditation specialist adds value take a look at our product guide.
Need more advice?
Contact us – cards-x is a developer and manufacturer of online accreditation solutions, access control systems and card printers for oversized card formats. Whether it's convenient accreditation for pan-European golf & tennis tournaments or intelligent access systems for motorsport events: we offer a wide range of customized solutions and service-oriented services for accreditation and access control. From simple solutions to customized and complex systems, we provide customers with everything from a single source.
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