Planning a meeting in Las Vegas or attending a convention in Las Vegas and having to organize satellite events?
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Benefits of Badges
Most modern conventions, tradeshows and large-scale meetings require attendees to wear personalized badges while at the event. The inherent benefits of this are not only for the organizers of the event themselves, but for the attendees as well. On the most basic level, ID badges serve as nametags and also identify that person as being a legitimate participant in the event, but nowadays badges can be and are used for so much more.
— Event Organizers
For event organizers, badges can serve as an attendance keeper of sorts. Those who do not pick up their badges registered for the event but did not attend. If desired, the event’s staff later can follow up with the absentees to learn why or take a number of other approaches. Plus, personalized nametags add to the inherent security of an event, so everyone knows who is supposed to be there, especially at large-scale functions.
Badges that are produced with the branding of the host organization, tradeshow or convention also instantly become a cost-effective advertising tool since everyone will be wearing and seeing that brand throughout the event. Plus, depending on the quality of the badge, many guests may even take it home as a kind of souvenir.
Furthermore, professional, custom-made badges promote a sense of competence for the host organization. Because of the professional look of a well-made product, potential clients, investors or whoever is in attendance will feel assured that the company is able to deliver.
— Event Attendees
For event attendees, personalized name badges also have many positive benefits. They often instantly establish a bond among attendees since they quickly know that others are there with a similar purpose. Plus, being able to call someone by name and being called by your name instills a sense of confidence in both parties and enables transactions to become more personal.
In addition, colors or designs on a badge visually can designate categorical information about a person, such as whether he or she is a vendor or exhibitor, a client with a particular company, a member of the press and more, which is helpful for jumpstarting conversations and facilitating networking.
To go even one step further, ID badges can be embedded with a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code that contains all the essential contact and company information about the attendee wearing it. Not only can this support stricter security measures unobtrusively, these codes can help tradeshow exhibitors instantly collect contacts for their business and networking purposes with a quick infrared scan.
Professionally produced badges may not be appropriate for every single event, but the inherent benefits make them a detail that should not be overlooked without consideration.
Raffle Results
Another effective and beneficial activity that can be included at an event is a raffle or auction. While obviously fun for attendees, this participatory entertainment can serve far greater purposes for the event itself and for all of the companies involved.
On the most basic level, it’s fun for people to win prizes, and raffles create an atmosphere of energy and anticipation. The chance to get involved for a nominal fee and win amazing prizes is hard for most people to pass up, and for those who do win, the sense of victory and good fortune can leave a lasting, positive impression that often can come back to the event’s host and their business in positive ways. Plus, if a raffle or auction is orchestrated so “you must be here to win,” these kinds of activities ensure that most guests will stay for the entire event, especially if the prize announcements are made a focal part of the evening.
However, raffles are not just for attendees. The businesses asked for prize donations benefit by getting their name, services and products in front of potential clients or contacts. On the flipside, the event’s host also benefits by establishing positive relationships with the donors, especially if the prizewinner becomes a contact for them that results in more business.
Moreover, raffle proceeds can be used in a number of ways, including offsetting the budget of the event itself, but a much more popular practice is donating the money raised to a local charity. Not only is this an inherently benevolent action (and the tax write-off doesn’t hurt either), charity donations also become positive public relations for the event host, enhancing how both industry professionals and the local community perceive them. Event organizers even can go a step further by inviting a representative from the designated charity to the event, which can compel attendees to participate more and show the charity how the funds are being raised and allocated with complete transparency.
Clearly, raffles can be so much more than just a fun and entertaining diversion, and in the long run, they can deliver a tremendous return on investment.
The impact of seating setups
In addition to lighting, décor and food, the seating setup and flow of a meeting or event space go a long way toward dictating the feel and purpose of the function. Not one setup is truly better or worse than any others; they just serve different purposes and have different effects. Learn about how various setups can impact your event and whether you want to choose one of the classic, standard seating arrangements or another more out-of-the-box idea.
Most modern conventions, tradeshows and large-scale meetings require attendees to wear personalized badges while at the event. The inherent benefits of this are not only for the organizers of the event themselves, but for the attendees as well. On the most basic level, ID badges serve as nametags and also identify that person as being a legitimate participant in the event, but nowadays badges can be and are used for so much more.
— Event Organizers
For event organizers, badges can serve as an attendance keeper of sorts. Those who do not pick up their badges registered for the event but did not attend. If desired, the event’s staff later can follow up with the absentees to learn why or take a number of other approaches. Plus, personalized nametags add to the inherent security of an event, so everyone knows who is supposed to be there, especially at large-scale functions.
Badges that are produced with the branding of the host organization, tradeshow or convention also instantly become a cost-effective advertising tool since everyone will be wearing and seeing that brand throughout the event. Plus, depending on the quality of the badge, many guests may even take it home as a kind of souvenir.
Furthermore, professional, custom-made badges promote a sense of competence for the host organization. Because of the professional look of a well-made product, potential clients, investors or whoever is in attendance will feel assured that the company is able to deliver.
— Event Attendees
For event attendees, personalized name badges also have many positive benefits. They often instantly establish a bond among attendees since they quickly know that others are there with a similar purpose. Plus, being able to call someone by name and being called by your name instills a sense of confidence in both parties and enables transactions to become more personal.
In addition, colors or designs on a badge visually can designate categorical information about a person, such as whether he or she is a vendor or exhibitor, a client with a particular company, a member of the press and more, which is helpful for jumpstarting conversations and facilitating networking.
To go even one step further, ID badges can be embedded with a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code that contains all the essential contact and company information about the attendee wearing it. Not only can this support stricter security measures unobtrusively, these codes can help tradeshow exhibitors instantly collect contacts for their business and networking purposes with a quick infrared scan.
Professionally produced badges may not be appropriate for every single event, but the inherent benefits make them a detail that should not be overlooked without consideration.
Raffle Results
Another effective and beneficial activity that can be included at an event is a raffle or auction. While obviously fun for attendees, this participatory entertainment can serve far greater purposes for the event itself and for all of the companies involved.
On the most basic level, it’s fun for people to win prizes, and raffles create an atmosphere of energy and anticipation. The chance to get involved for a nominal fee and win amazing prizes is hard for most people to pass up, and for those who do win, the sense of victory and good fortune can leave a lasting, positive impression that often can come back to the event’s host and their business in positive ways. Plus, if a raffle or auction is orchestrated so “you must be here to win,” these kinds of activities ensure that most guests will stay for the entire event, especially if the prize announcements are made a focal part of the evening.
However, raffles are not just for attendees. The businesses asked for prize donations benefit by getting their name, services and products in front of potential clients or contacts. On the flipside, the event’s host also benefits by establishing positive relationships with the donors, especially if the prizewinner becomes a contact for them that results in more business.
Moreover, raffle proceeds can be used in a number of ways, including offsetting the budget of the event itself, but a much more popular practice is donating the money raised to a local charity. Not only is this an inherently benevolent action (and the tax write-off doesn’t hurt either), charity donations also become positive public relations for the event host, enhancing how both industry professionals and the local community perceive them. Event organizers even can go a step further by inviting a representative from the designated charity to the event, which can compel attendees to participate more and show the charity how the funds are being raised and allocated with complete transparency.
Clearly, raffles can be so much more than just a fun and entertaining diversion, and in the long run, they can deliver a tremendous return on investment.
The impact of seating setups
In addition to lighting, décor and food, the seating setup and flow of a meeting or event space go a long way toward dictating the feel and purpose of the function. Not one setup is truly better or worse than any others; they just serve different purposes and have different effects. Learn about how various setups can impact your event and whether you want to choose one of the classic, standard seating arrangements or another more out-of-the-box idea.
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If accepted, your submission will be edited for length and clarity. There is no monetary payment if your item is used; instead, you can publicize yourself through a five-line biography with your contact information that will appear at the end of the article.
Send submissions to
editorial@MeetingPlannerResources.org. We will contact you if your submission is chosen.