Every week, we delve into the realm of artificial intelligence, posing one burning question to three prominent AI programs about the dynamic event industry and having our in-house experts at TPNI evaluate their responses.
We’ve asked three prominent AI programs—ChatGPT by Open AI, Bard from Google, and Bing’s Co-Pilot—our question for this week:
What Makes Good Onsite Badging at an Event?
First, here’s what ChatGPT had to say:
Creating effective onsite badging for an event is crucial for a smooth and memorable attendee experience. Good onsite badging should serve several purposes:
- Identification: The primary purpose of event badges is to identify attendees and distinguish them from non-attendees. Badges should prominently display the attendee’s name, possibly with a large, easy-to-read font. Include the company or organization they represent, if applicable.
- Access Control: Some events have different levels of access or restricted areas. Ensure that the badge clearly indicates the attendee’s access level or permissions through color-coding, stickers, or other visual cues.
- Contact Information: Include contact information such as a phone number or email address on the badge in case attendees need assistance or have questions during the event.
- QR Codes or Barcodes: Integrating QR codes or barcodes on badges can speed up check-in and provide easy access to digital event materials or information. Attendees can scan these codes with their smartphones to access relevant information.
- Schedule or Agenda: If space permits, include a simplified event schedule or agenda on the badge. This can be helpful for attendees to quickly reference the event’s timing and locations.
- Sponsor and Logo Placement: Display event sponsor logos or event branding prominently but not to the detriment of attendee information. Make sure sponsors receive appropriate recognition without cluttering the badge.
- Size and Format: Badges should be a convenient size to wear comfortably and not too large to be unwieldy. A standard credit card size or a lanyard-sized badge often works well.
- Lanyards or Badge Holders: Provide attendees with durable badge holders or lanyards for convenience. A well-designed badge holder can protect the badge from wear and tear.
- Customization: Consider offering attendees the option to personalize their badges with additional information such as social media handles or a brief bio.
- Language and Accessibility: If your event has international attendees, ensure that badges can accommodate different languages or characters. Also, consider accessibility features for attendees with disabilities, such as Braille or large print.
- Security Features: Incorporate security features like holograms, watermarks, or other anti-counterfeit measures to prevent unauthorized access.
- Environmentally Friendly: In today’s eco-conscious world, consider using sustainable materials for badges, such as recycled paper or biodegradable plastics.
- Replacement Policy: Have a clear policy for badge replacements in case attendees lose or damage their badges. This can help maintain security and provide a better experience for attendees.
- Check-In Process: Integrate the badge creation and distribution process into your event check-in procedures to ensure a seamless experience for attendees.
- Feedback Mechanism: Consider including a feedback mechanism on the badge or a URL for attendees to provide comments or suggestions about the event.
Remember that the design and content of onsite badges should align with the overall theme and branding of your event. Always test the readability and functionality of the badges to ensure a positive attendee experience. Gathering feedback from attendees after the event can help you refine your badging process for future events.
Now, here’s what our experts thought about its response:
ChatGPT’s list highlights many important things to consider when planning your badging system and onsite technology. However, the one vital item missing is the actual onsite process. While almost every system these days has taken to self-service registration, the technology to support such registration varies greatly. Understanding your audience and then matching technology to that audience is critical to having a smooth and seamless experience. Furthermore, it’s important to not underestimate the technology literacy of your audience. So often we hear, “I am not sure my attendees can do that,” when suggesting new technology, only to witness the attendees effortlessly executing more advanced technology. In today’s digital age, most people are tech-savvy and in many ways looking—and expecting —to experience high-tech solutions for even the simplest of tasks, like getting a badge.