Badge
The credential worn by attendees identifying them and indicating their access level or role.
Definition
Event badges (or credentials) identify attendees and indicate their role, access level, and sometimes name/organization. Beyond identification, badges facilitate networking, control access to specific areas or sessions, and may include NFC/RFID technology for tracking and lead capture.
Badge design considers readability (name size visible at conversation distance), access indicators (color coding by attendee type), networking enablers (pronouns, interests, social handles), and practical durability for multi-day wear.
Why It Matters
Badges serve security, networking, and experience functions simultaneously. Easy-to-read names facilitate connections; access indicators prevent awkward denials; tracking technology enables session attendance data and efficient lead capture.
Badge experience starts at check-in—efficient badge distribution prevents frustrating lines that taint first impressions.
Examples in Practice
A conference uses ribbon attachments indicating interests, helping attendees identify potential connections at a glance.
A trade show's RFID badges enable touchless lead capture at booths, eliminating business card collection and manual data entry.
A festival's color-coded badges quickly indicate general admission, VIP, artist, and staff access without elaborate credential checks.