Events for businesses and nonprofits alike can come in many shapes and sizes, from simple promotional activities to annual global conferences. Planning these productions often takes months of preparation, and the results of a single conference can set the tone for sales and fundraising goals for years to come.
Because of this, it’s vital not to make any errors that dampen attendee enthusiasm, and one of the most important moments is when they’re checking in. If it’s a fast, effortless, welcoming process, that energy can set the table for a fabulous and rewarding event. However, if it’s nothing but long lines, painful waiting, and inefficient confusion, you’re going to get a lot of unwanted social media attention before things even get going—or worse, as they’re heading out the door.
Fortunately, there’s a lot of promising technology that can reduce overhead costs and staff pressures while also delivering a rapid and smooth check-in for attendees. Modern credential management systems that feature facial authentication technology are easy to onboard and integrate, and can more than offset the investment with big returns and valuable use cases throughout the event.
But what are these systems and how do they work? Here’s how this surprisingly efficient technology can transform check-in and credential management at your next event.
Credentialing Challenges
Traditional credentialing management strategies are typically slow and cumbersome because they rely on individual staff members confirming details at check-in. The influx of employees it takes to handle peak arrival times costs money and requires them to be pulled away from other beneficial activities. And if they’re still using registration platforms that require manual data entry, it may not put a dent in the problem.
These issues won’t stop once attendees are through the door, either. With fewer employees available to manage access points, scan badges, and check details for every speaker and special event, your attendees will just be hurrying up to wait at every turn.
How Facial Authentication Accelerates Check-In
Facial authentication completely changes the game when it comes to managing foot traffic, check-in, and access. When guests register online, they are given the option to upload a selfie to use as their credential throughout your event. This is a completely opt-in/opt-out service, and it takes no time at all to add a quick pic.
Then, when they arrive, they are greeted by a tablet with facial authentication software that quickly confirms their credentials in as little as a third of a second. The system automatically logs their arrival, prompts staff to print any badges that might be required, and can even be designed to deliver a cheerful welcome message. On top of that, the employees operating the facial authentication lanes can also focus on greeting guests instead of verifying information.
These systems are incredibly efficient and require far fewer staff members to coordinate. The best of the best are both extremely accurate and have near non-existent false positive rates, and it’s why they speed up check-in processes by as much as 300% over traditional platforms.
With facial authentication, attendees are in the door and exploring the second they smile for the camera, and it puts you in the best possible position to make sure their cheerful faces stay with them throughout the event.
An Attendee Investment That Pays You Back
Most tech investments at events do one of two things: save money or thrill your attendees. Facial Authentication systems are one of the few technologies that can do both, and it’s why they’re already showing up at the top productions in the sports, entertainment, and conference industries.
The most flexible options produced by leading developers utilize off-the-shelf consumer hardware that’s easy for staff to use and simple to deploy for a variety of uses, including:
Greater Freedom, Higher Accountability
Let’s face it, getting stopped everywhere and asked to show your badge is annoying at best. And you know what? It’s hard to blame someone for posting “Been here 20 minutes and they still don’t know who I am” after a fourth or fifth badge request.
The same selfie that delivered a hassle-free check-in follows attendees throughout the event, making accessing premium areas and special events a fast and more VIP-oriented experience. Plus, linking a face to a physical badge reduces sharing, eliminates lost credential headaches, and takes the pressure off of staff to micromanage every interaction.
Pre-Checked IDs
One of the more frustrating and time-consuming aspects of check-in at conferences is the necessity of staff members verifying IDs. Even with a great registration platform, attendees still have to get them out and data has to be entered manually. That means there’s simply a limit to how fast these lines can move.
Facial authentication software can incorporate age verification by allowing attendees the option to add an ID as part of the registration process. Then, when guests arrive, their ID will already be in the system if they have chosen to participate, making it much faster for staff to finalize check-in
Invaluable Analysis and Optimization
Just because you say “goodbye!” to the last happy attendee doesn’t mean you’re done. In fact, that’s when a lot of important work begins. By deploying facial authentication platforms alongside existing systems, staff and organizers have the opportunity to compare performance side by side. This can also help you identify potential integration points with current investments and well as where facial authentication can simply replace old hardware and software.
Speed Up the Check-in Process at Your Next Event with Facial Authentication
The first impression of an event should be a fast and fun tech-driven talking point that creates an exceptional attendee experience and reinforces the identity and values of your brand. Facial authentication is a cost-effective solution for managing attendee credentials that makes check-in and on-site navigation a breeze for everyone—especially the people who organize and fund it.
Learn more about how facial authentication can help address long waiting times during check-in, save you money, and elevate your next production to a defining moment for your organization.
