Convention Data Services’ Onsite Wireless Will Call Tool Streamlines Reg Process
June 2, 2013
Getting buyers onto the showfloor is without a doubt one of the more important elements of a trade show or expo, but getting them through the on-site registration and badging process quickly and smoothly can sometimes be an issue.
Convention Data Services’ Onsite Wireless Will Call tool may be able to loosen up that logjam by reducing attendee wait time in registration lines.
At the 2011 FABTECH show, maximum wait times at registration were hovering at about 25 minutes. In 2012, that number dropped to 10 minutes for attendees using the traditional system.
CDS reported that FABTECH attendees taking advantage of the Wireless Will Call system had a maximum wait time of less than one minute to scan their confirmation barcode and get their badge in hand.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve the onsite experience for our attendees and exhibitors,” said Betsy Bonnell, Registration Specialist, Society of Manufacturing Engineers (a sponsoring partner of FABTECH).
She added, “The longer an attendee or exhibitor is standing in line waiting for a badge the less time they have to accomplish their goals at the event, be it education, networking or purchasing. By using Wireless Will Call, we decreased the wait time for badge pick-up, moving people out of registration and onto the showfloor quickly.”
How does it work? Wireless Will Call is an app that runs on smartphones, tablets and handheld units. Staffers scan the attendee’s confirmation bar code with the Wireless Will Call device and information is sent straight to a designated badge printer.
If an attendee does not have their confirmation bar code handy, the on-site staff can locate the attendee information in the system via their name or email address. Attendees then pick up their badge and go directly to the show floor or conference sessions.
With the wireless devices registration can be done anywhere. CDS suggests bar codes can be scanned on the shuttle busses and hotel lobbies. This way when the attendee gets to the convention center they need only walk up and grab their badge.
Corporate exhibit managers know the pain of booth staffers arriving late for their first shift because they are often stuck in a long registration line. With Wireless Will Call, registration staff can check in all registered booth staff right on the showfloor
“By using Wireless Will Call, we were able to go onto the show floor during setup and work with the exhibitors to get their badges printed for them,” Bonnell said.
She added, “This allowed us the opportunity to provide a more personalized, higher level of customer service to our exhibitors.”
CDS also reported shorter wait times due to Wireless Will Call at the 2013 New York International Gift Fair. Fifty-five percent of the attendees at that show took advantage of the new technology and never waited in a line or even went to a computer. More than half the 14,616 badges were printed using Onsite Wireless Will Call.
According to the CDS FABTECH case study, the biggest difficulty was convincing attendees to leave their place in line.
The case study, “Using Mobile Tools to Efficiently Process Attendees and Reduce Lines in Registration” is available for download.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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