As promised in my last blog, it is now time to describe, not only the details of our actual experience implementing QR codes on attendee name badges, but also why we chose the solution we did.

After researching available options and comparing prices, we selected a company (Blacknet Group) that would generate QR codes and provide access to web based lead retrieval software at a very reasonable rate. Attendees and exhibitors could scan each other’s badges with their own smart phones by downloading a free scanning app and enjoy the fact that these contacts were being stored on the cloud somewhere instead of taking up room in their wallet.

Recent rulings by the FCC against Marriott and Smart City for attempting to block Wi-Fi hotspots have sparked interesting debates in our industry and have raised a lot of questions. The intent behind the FCC rulings is to protect the rights of individuals to use their own hotspots for Wi-Fi instead of being forced to pay to use the venue’s Wi-Fi network, usually at a much higher cost. But the ramifications of these rules (which have actually been in place for a long time but are just now being enforced) are both good and bad from the point of view of an Event Planner.

Recent rulings by the FCC against Marriott and Smart City for attempting to block Wi-Fi hotspots have sparked debates in our industry and raised many questions.

Understanding the FCC Wi-Fi Ruling.

The intent behind the FCC rulings is to protect the rights of individuals to use their own hotspots for Wi-Fi instead of being forced to pay to use a venue’s Wi-Fi network, usually at a much higher cost. The ramifications of these rules (which have actually been in place for a long time but are just now being enforced) are both good and bad from the point of view of an Event Planner.