Using QR Codes

Showgizmo QR codeQR Codes – the barcode for the future.

ShowGizmo automatically generates QR codes that can be scanned by iPhones and numeric codes that can be tapped into Blackberry phones so that users can ‘collect’ and store event information including VCards, exhibitor profiles and contact details, brochures, information about incentives and prizes and similar.

So what is a QR code?

The Quick Response Code was invented in 1994 by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave as a simple two-dimensional code that was used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing.  Nowadays, people use them for all sorts of purposes and many marketers see them as approaching Nirvana.

How do people use them?

QR codes can be scanned from printed or digital media.  As marketers understand their power, the number and ways they are being used have mushroomed.  Quite apart from anything else, people like them—they’re visually appealing.  Here are some of the many ways we’ve seen them being used.

  • On lanyards so contact details can be exchanged.
  • On business cards for the event.
  • In brochures and product documents.
  • On your website.
  • In your email signature.
  • Storing product details.
  • Embedded in your stand or booth graphics.
  • On T-Shirts and or team uniforms.
  • Invitations to visit your stand or booth.
  • Pre-event marketing.
  • On final slide in a speaker presentation.
  • Free Downloads.

Think about ways to incentivize people to use them – i.e. on your t-shirt ‘win a prize if you scan me’.  The more people scan, the less paper you need to give out, and the more interactive your attendees will be, so make sure your event team are primed to really pump it up.

Where do I get my ShowGizmo QR and BB codes?

Log in to the show you’re registered for.

Exhibitors find the QR Codes for their company and for each of their staff by going to their profile pages.  Visitors go straight to their profile pages.  Often the fastest way to do this is use the search feature to find them.  Then click on the name and the profile information will appear.  Towards the bottom of the list is the QR code.

Any documents that are uploaded to your company profile also have QR and BB codes which you find in the same way.

You have a choice of a PNG (image) file which you might like to copy onto a corporate template, or a PDF which you can save or print.

Remember as well to print off the ‘BB Code’ this is a numeric code that appears just above the QR code information on the profile pages.  Our blackberry app requires users to type in a short code to capture the same information that iPhone users can scan the QR codes for.

The ShowGizmo QR codes are unique to your event and the event App (ShowGizmo) so if you already use QR codes you will still need to use the system generated codes so that visitors can collect your details within the ShowGizmo system.

For more information, check out leading blogger, TradeShowGuy’s QR Code Tradeshow Marketing Guide

or listen to one of our leading Gizmologists in this podcast interview with Tim Patterson on 21 Jan 2011.

‘It’s all about driving more qualified leads,’ says Marie-Claire Andrews.  ‘To really get the most “bang for you buck”, you need to get creative with these babies.’

“Great interview if you want to get a lot of good ideas on how to use QR codes at tradeshows,” says Tim (aka Tradeshow Guy). He should know!

How do I use them?

Download one of the apps and use the ‘Collect’ option which brings up the ShowGizmo scanner which automatically snaps the QR code and sends the information to your Favourites folder on the phone and in your MyShowGizmo folder online.  You can also forward them to your inbox or to colleagues or share them via a range of social media.

QR codes allow you to exchange contact details and collect brochures and information without having to lug around a heavy bag full of paper.  You should also look out for any special offers that are only available via exhibitors QR codes!