Name badge nightmares? Welcome to the field of event planning!
“The badge” – seemingly an insignificant event detail – often raises a red flag during the race to the finish line. When every minute is precious in the days before a business event, you might even wonder if you should follow through with this tedious part of event prep. I have contemplated this option many times. But having considered pros and cons, I believe the benefits for the guests outweigh any sacrifices on the event prep team’s side:
I am witnessing over and over again that people find comfort in hearing their own name, and ‘warm up’ faster to those who use it. Especially at business events, a first positive association can certainly help get a conversation and a potential business relationship off to a good start.
Why do I need name badges at my event?
Let’s face it: Most of us are terrible with names. The name badge serves as a reminder, and helps avoid any potential missteps. Having essential identifying information ‘at hand’ at the right time can open the door for opportunities, and provide a platform for your guests to shine and impress.
A name badge is also a convenient conversation starter. I will admit, they might not be the most creative openers, but a first step into unknown waters can lead to meaningful developments and networking.
Networking is one of the major reasons people attend business events. Color-coded name badges can guide your guests, and spark interaction with industry affiliates, potential sponsors and such. Incorporating background information on the badge makes it an invaluable tool in the quest of expanding a business network.
And last but not least, social media has also been gaining momentum in business circles. I personally believe a QR code for a vCard is more at home on a business card than a name badge. But that might come from me not enjoying people pointing their cell phones at my chest, and my dislike for lanyard badges dangling at my waist. Nevertheless, I believe in adding twitter handles, and LinkedIn information to badges – with mobile devices at hand, they make connecting a quick and easy reality!
Follow these 6 tips to avoid name badge snafus.
1. Get info straight from the horse’s mouth – Request the information for the name badge during RSVP procedures. This will keep you from having to double-check the contact’s current details, and save you time.
2. Use quality badges – The type of badge reflects on your event. There are many options: clips, lanyard, magnet … just browse the Web! Be sure to use badges that will not damage fabrics. Nobody wants to leave an event with holes, wrinkles and adhesive stains on their outfit!
The Velocity Labels SuperBadge is a durable, tear-resistant badge. Check it out here: www.pages.velocitylabels.com
3. Brand your event – Don’t be shy to include the event or company logo. Boosting your brand recognition is priceless!
4. Ban the makeshift badge – Have a system for producing additional badges in place (today’s small printers are divine!); Just as there are always no-shows, there are also always guests who didn’t make it through the formal registration process. Don’t have those guests roam the room with a ‘scarlet letter’ on their chests.
5. Support networking – Use color codes, e.g. different background, paper, or graphics, to distinguish between attendants of different professional backgrounds, interests, etc; This helps people find each other, and serves as a conversation starter.
6. Have a late-registration plan — Inevitably some attendees will register last minute, after your name tags have been printed. Make sure to have a plan in action for when this happens such as having extra badges to write in guest info, or a printer on premise to print out new event name badges out.
Original Article By: Social Tables
