Stephen Nold

Top Technologies for 2008: RFID
March 7, 2008

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an identification method and data capture, relying on storing and remotely retrieving information using devices called RFID tags.  RFID technology allows much easier attendee tracking, information exchange, and lead retrieval capabilities than traditional barcode scanners or magnetic card readers.  It reduces staffing requirements, allows for more fluid attendee registration lines, and provides consistent data reporting for post-event analytics and statistics.

Meetings and conventions have implemented RFID technology into attendee badges, allowing the ability to track people at conferences. This provides data that can display what rooms people have entered and exited during the day. This data is available to show organizers to help them improve the content and design of the conference. 

RFID is also being used as another form of lead retrieval for exhibitors at trade shows.  While a less intrusive form of data capture, these solutions have been challenged by security and privacy concerns.  Passive RFID tags have no internal power supply and are the most common form of lead retreival at shows and events.  Accuracy is a problem with the longer range solution.  Short range data capture does not provide any significant advantages over the traditional scanner solutions and are usually more expensive.

As this technology continues to mature, the meetings industry will benefit from reduced technology costs and more accurate results.  This technology will continue to impact the way data is obtained and managed on the show floors and conference halls.

Posted by Stephen Nold on March 7, 2008 | Comments (0)