Trade shows, art fairs and farmers markets: How to use tokens to attract and engage attendees
Summer farmers markets, art fairs, and trade shows are popular events that unite vendors and attendees with shared interests. For vendors, setting up attractive displays, providing tempting products to buy, and providing friendly customer service are the standard ways to attract attendees.
Market and event organizers, too, would like all vendors to be as successful as possible.
And attendees want to enjoy the sights and offerings the vendors provide without giving up their data/contact information or feeling the pressure from aggressive sales.
Vying for the attention of each attendee can be challenging.
One effective strategy to enhance the attendee experience is using tokens. These tokens, obtained by scanning QR codes at each vendor booth, can create a fun and interactive environment and provide numerous benefits for attendees and event organizers.
Let's explore how to use tokens to attract and engage attendees, track progress, encourage follow-ups, provide cross-promotion opportunities, and even serve as collectibles.
Tokens can act as incentives, sparking interest and increasing engagement.
Event organizers can pique attendees' curiosity and encourage them to visit booths they might have yet to consider otherwise to claim a token.
Each vendor creates a simple task or activity for the attendee. Once the attendee completes a task, they scan a unique QR code to claim the vendor's customized token.
The tokens are stored within an app or transferred to the attendee's self-custody wallet.
Organize the layout of the event
Attendees would receive a map outlining the vendors, their products, and the activity needed to complete to earn a token. The map allows the attendee to find what they are looking for and what new products to discover.
Engage, educate, and entertain with activities
Creating an interactive activity to claim a token engages the attendee and allows a deeper understanding of the vendor's business.
Some ideas include:
Answering questions related to the business or product
Take a selfie with the product or owner to use in future social media and promotional material
Play a simple game to "win" a token
Sample products and vote on your favorite by claiming that the specific product's token
Event organizer tracks the progress
Event organizers can track attendees' progress throughout the event by implementing a token system. This tracking provides valuable analytics, allowing organizers to understand which activities or vendors attract the most attention. These insights help refine future events and improve attendee engagement and satisfaction.
Award a grand prize for the most tokens collected
Event organizers can introduce a competition element to boost enthusiasm and encourage active participation.
Attendees can collect as many tokens as possible during the event, with the chance to win a grand prize for the most collected.
In addition to the regular tokens, organizers can hide bonus tokens throughout the venue, creating an element of surprise and stimulating conversations among attendees.
Encourage follow-ups after the event
The benefits of tokens extend beyond the event itself.
By creating an additional token to be collected at the vendor's place of business after the event, organizers can encourage attendees to visit vendors and continue their engagement.
Vendors can offer discounts or giveaways to incentivize these follow-ups, fostering long-term relationships with potential customers.
Geofence the area around the business location to prevent claiming out of the area. Option to place a pre-requisite: you must have the token from the event to claim the new token at the location.
Cross-promotion opportunities
Tokens provide an excellent opportunity for cross-promotion.
Event organizers can collaborate with artists to design custom tokens that showcase their work. This promotes the artist's brand and attracts their fans to the event, and allows businesses to market their products or services to holders of specific tokens that align with their offerings.
This symbiotic relationship can create a win-win situation for both artists and businesses.
Collectibles
Tokens serve as collectibles that commemorate the event.
Attendees can collect tokens from various events and create a unique collection.
As tokens gain popularity, they may become sought-after items, potentially being sold or traded. This aspect adds an exciting dimension to the event experience, fostering community and long-term engagement among attendees.
Summary
By implementing a token system, event organizers can attract and engage attendees through interactive activities, track attendee progress, encourage follow-ups, create cross-promotion opportunities, and offer collectibles.
These strategies make the event more enjoyable and provide valuable data for organizers to improve future events. By embracing the potential of tokens, event organizers can create vibrant and memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression on attendees.
Interested in applying tokens and this new type of scavenger hunt in your upcoming event?
Reach out and schedule a call to find out more and explore the creative options available to you.
