Deciding which technology is right for your show requires a careful analysis of your needs. Few buyers will want to complete a three-page business profile just to get a badge at your event. Credit card badges of the sort originally developed by Brede Registration Systems in Minneapolis, are no doubt the most familiar badges in the industry. Used in conjunction with large-print paper badges, the credit card is tucked into a pocket of the plastic badge holder. Basic attendee information such as name, address and phone number is embossed onto the card.
Space is usually available on the forms for the exhibitors to write additional information.
Credit card badges have been available for many years, and the system is very familiar to most exhibitors. The system is very basic, and practically foolproof. For exhibitors, the simplicity of the credit card badges can be the biggest disadvantage. To get their leads, exhibitors turn in the wand, and the registration vendor translates the stored information into useable data. Exhibitors can get cheshire labels, paper leads, computer disks or any combination thereof.