QR Codes at Trade Shows

I’m starting to see a few QR codes show up on our live interactive floor plan for our Midwest Grape and Wine Conference and tradeshow.  What exactly is a QR code and should I be more actively promoting QR codes at my event? Echo Dawn Wright, Midwest Grape & Wine Conference & Trade Show

Great question!  First of all a QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response Code) is the trademark for a two dimensional bar code, that when scanned by a smart phone creates a pathway to information or site you want the user to go to, for example your exhibitor’s web site or in the case of attendees, their contact information.   In the fast paced world of tradeshows, connecting attendee information with exhibitor promotion is everything.  Boothboss continues to create the technology that bridges the information gap between exhibitors and attendees.   It’s what your exhibitors ultimately want, which means better retention of booth space and hopefully more revenue and sales with new exhibitors.

After creating their own private QR code, all exhibitors need to do is properly duplicate the code on business cards, signage at the show, live interactive floor plans and in promotional materials.  This allows smart phone users the ability to simply click on the code and be directed to the exhibitors web site, tradeshow promotion, or to their personal contact information; they can link products and services, or even create a customer survey form to gather more specific information from attendees.  All at the convenience of the attendee, and not during a hurried rush to get through the trade show. 

With boothboss our attendee software badging technology creates QR codes for attendees as well and prints those codes directly on the attendee badge.  This allows the exhibitor the ability to click on the code and gather information on the attendee, their name, company name, e-mail address, phone number and even what type of consumer attendee they are, whether a wholesale buyer or private consumer. 

Whether to use QR coding for your event or not, is something that deserves quite a bit of thought.  Technology is only going to become more interactive, embrace it now, promote it with your exhibitors and attendees and I believe you will be looked upon as an event manager in touch with technology and ultimately concerned about a better event experience for both the exhibitor and attendee.