‘Every marketer knows about RFID Tags. But unfortunately there isn’t enough material available online for them learn about their applications. This has created gap.’ laments Hariom Seth, Founder of Gurgaon based technology firm, TaggLabs.



In order to bridge this very gap, Everything Experiential has collaborated with Hari and Arpit Chaudhury, Head, Business Development, Nick IT Solutions to uncover the many cool possibilities of using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and NFC (Near Field Communication) in events and experiences. Take a look!



Automatic posts and check-ins







‘This is perhaps the most common use of RFID and NFC tags,’ says Arpit. ‘A tag is embedded within the attendee’s band or nametag. When the attendee passes a sensor installed at the venue, the technology ensures that a pre-configured post or a check-in is posted onto his/her social media pages automatically.’



Social Photobooths







‘Another common feature these days is setting up photobooths that use NFC and RFID technology to post the photos you take at a photobooth onto your Facebook or Twitter.’ Explains Arpit.



Anti-Hassle NFC Applications







‘Now things get interesting,’ Arpit tells us. ‘Using a mobile application, event marketers can use NFC to do variety of things like send e-invites, make attendees exchange visiting e-cards, check dynamic itineraries and pay for their food and beverages using no currency. It simplifies tedious things by connecting offline with online.’



Personalized welcome screen for each attendee

 



‘Imagine this. Mr. Kumar is attending your event. You already have his basic information and photograph from when he registered. Using an RFID tag, Mr. Kumar can walk into the main area and see his name and photograph on the giant screen with a welcome message. The best part is such an idea is personalized and doesn’t have the usual social angle involved!,’ exclaims Hari.



Milestone Tracking during Marathons 







Nike Outrun at Umang from Tagglabs on Vimeo.



 



‘When we worked with Nike for the Nike Outrun, we attached an RFID chip on every runner’s bib. Then we configured sensor carpets at milestone intervals on the marathon course. Each time a runner passed these carpets, his/her timing was automatically posted onto their social pages. Along with this, we used optical recognition cameras that identified the runners’ bib numbers to the corresponding online profiles. So every time a photographer clicked a runner’s photo, our cameras used to detect the bib number and automatically post their pictures to their timelines. The best part is, all this happened while the marathon was still on!’



So what next for people who wish to use technology in their events? ‘Just remember this,’ says Hari, ‘If you can imagine something, it can be built. The possibilities are endless.’