conferences - The Learning Center

Get the Most Out of Attending Conferences

No matter what you hope to achieve by attending conferences, these eight steps will help you get there.

Part of maintaining a successful business is attending conferences. They give you opportunities to build connections, learn from experts in your field and promote your brand. How much you benefit from these opportunities depends on your approach. If you prepare well, spend your time wisely and apply what you learn, you will take your company to new heights. To ensure you get the most out of your conference experiences, follow these eight steps.

Three people talking while attending conferences.

1. Know Why You Are Attending Conferences

Having a goal is fundamental to maximizing your conference experience. If you know what you want to achieve, then you will know how to prioritize your time. So, unless your boss gives you a specific reason for going to a conference, come up with one. It could be to find new clients, learn about the latest technology or form a business partnership. If you have trouble coming up with a goal, think about where your company is right now and ask yourself what would make it better. Once you have the answer to that, then setting a goal for the conference will be much easier.

2. Find Out Who You Want to Meet

Now that you have a goal, create a list of people you need to talk to at the conference. By making this list ahead of time, you increase your chances of achieving your objective. Start by researching more about the speakers and presenters. Once you figure out which ones will best help you reach your goal, make plans to talk to them sometime during the conference.

Don’t just stop with the speakers. Use social media hashtags and other technology to find out who else will be at the event.

Most conferences these days have an app that allows you to connect with fellow attendees. Download the app before the conference and take a look at who else is attending. If you find someone interesting in the app, take the time to do a bit of research on them so that when you do happen to meet up in person at the event you can breeze through the icebreaker and get right down to a meaningful discussion.

3. Plan Your Conference Agenda

Business woman writing in a notebook before attending conferences.

Use the conference itinerary to plan which sessions you will attend. Any time you spend figuring out which session to go to and how to get there is time you could have spent working toward your goal. So, plan ahead of time and map out how you will get from one session to the next. Also, find out where the closest restrooms will be so you are not wandering the halls or showing up late to a session. Becoming familiar with the venue also allows you to help your fellow attendees, which is a great way to form new relationships that could benefit your business.

4. Prepare to Collect and Distribute Contact Information

Before you show up to the conference, make sure you have a way to collect people’s contact information. If you are lucky, you will have tons of business cards by the end of the event. Make sure you keep all that contact information safe so you can use it later. Bring a folder to store business cards in or put the information onto a spreadsheet. As long as you have a system in place, you will be able to follow up with the people you met at the conference.

Make it easy for people to follow up with you by having tons of business cards on hand. The cards need to be easy to read so that people have no trouble contacting you. Also, make sure to include your social media handles as well as your phone number and email address. For some people, connecting through social media is more comfortable than a direct email or phone call. So, give people different ways to contact you so that they are more likely to follow up after the conference.

5. Wear Your Name Tag when Attending Conferences

Two custom engraved name tags to wear while attending conferences.

Even though most conferences give you a name badge to wear during the event, bring the name tag you use for work. Wearing a name tag that matches your brand helps people associate you with your products or services. And, it increases brand recognition. If your company does not use name tags, talk to your boss about having one custom made. Wear it so other people can easily read it. As you wear a name tag that has your business name, logo and job title, you will see it spark people’s interest in your company, which could lead to future growth.

6. Pay Attention During Presentations and Workshops

After several hours of listening to people speak, your mind can start to feel groggy. So, do things to help you remain alert. Stay hydrated and have snacks for whenever you start to feel your energy drop. Sit close to the front so you can easily see and hear the speaker. For note-taking, don’t just write down what the speaker says. Think about how it could help your business improve and jot down your ideas. These are just some strategies to help you stay focused on the presentations. As long as you make an effort to pay attention, you will get a lot more out of the conference than if you didn’t.

7. Follow Up After the Conference

Don’t let the connections you made go to waste. Follow up with your contacts, but gently. You don’t want to come off as overbearing or desperate for a business connection.
Whether you swapped emails, social media or business cards, use what you have to start up a professional yet friendly conversation. Make it your goal to form a connection that will last. Listen to what they have to say, and don’t be aggressive in how you approach them.

8. Take What You Learned and Make Plans

You have gathered a wealth of information. Now it is time to put it to good use. First, go over your notes, especially the ideas that came to your mind during the conference. Out of everything you wrote down, what will help your business move onto the next stage of development? You may want to apply everything you learned at the conference, but what you do first will depend on where your company is at now. So, discuss what you learned with your team members and your boss before you move forward. Once you decide the best way to proceed, begin making plans. As you apply what you learned from the conference, and follow up with the people you learned from, you will receive a higher return on your investment.

Now that you know the steps to getting the most out of attending conferences, apply them to every event you attend. As you come to these events prepared to learn, make connections and promote your brand, you will see your business bloom.

How Lanyards Benefit Your Business

While traditionally these identification tools work well with name tags and name badges, lanyards are good for so much more.

But, what are lanyards?

Imprinted, cord and ribbon custom lanyards sold by Coller Industries Incorporated

From offices and conferences to schools and hospitals, lanyards are everywhere. Not only do these tools help to keep a name tag close and easy to use, but they are great for a broad range of activities. From the workplace to schools and concerts to trade shows, lanyards are a perfect networking and branding tool. Attach keys, name badges, meeting agendas and more to a brightly colored lanyard at your next event.

Make your brand stand out with custom lanyards. A lanyard is often required for identification, but many people don’t realize their full effectiveness. The best thing about a lanyard is that they can have social and practical uses in everyday occasions and special events. From identification to advertising, use lanyards in multiple ways.

Use custom lanyards to add a sense of identity to work functions, conferences, trade shows and other events. When people are flowing through an event venue, it becomes necessary to keep track of them using credentials. Lanyards can add value to the event when customized with the convention name, sponsors or logo on them.

Conversations About A Lanyard

custom lanyards are made from different imprinted materials

A lanyard is a piece of cord or ribbon that is formed into a loop and typically worn around the neck or belt exclusively to hold something, such as a name tag or name badge. They can also come as a chain or be retractable.

What are the different types of lanyards?

Lanyards come in a variety of fabric types and styles. Each fabric type has a unique look, and most of the fabrics can be imprinted with text and logos so they can be personalized. Each lanyard also has different fastener choices to use with name badges.

As lanyards are an easy way to display other identification tools, a variety of people use them every day. College students, teachers, employees in retail stores, some office workers and even government officials all wear them for security and to quickly show identification.

Where are they used, and when would I ever use one?

They are everywhere! Schools, offices, businesses, stores and so many more places use them frequently if not every day. Another common use is during conferences and conventions. Most of the time you would use one when either working at one of these places or helping to promote an event. Custom lanyards printed with text and logos are a great way of getting brands out into the public.

Why would I ever need a lanyard?

Because most lanyards are customized using text and logos, they are incredibly versatile. The text can be a phrase, a date or the name of an event or business. You will typically need to wear a lanyard if you need to have ID or credentials available to show to others or for security proof that you can be in a building or other typically private place.

Promotions, Business Use and Convention Swag

Promotional lanyards usually have a simple design which could include a business name, logo and website. They grab the attention of the people around the wearer and introduce them to their colleagues. When multiple organizations attend an event, a lanyard is also a quick way for people to recognize members from each organization or function.

Custom badge holders and promotional lanyards are great ways to introduce a company to prospective clients and event attendees. Products with logos for events make the event unforgettable. During such an event, lanyards can help to hold a stash of business cards to give away or store new business contact’s cards while also identifying the wearer. People don’t have to carry briefcases, bags or overstuff their pockets.

Trade shows and conventions are a great marketing terrain for customized lanyards and trade show organizers. They provide deluxe and classy organization and identification during any event. They can also double advertising power anywhere. Between networking and socializing, these can promote an idea to everyone in attendance during the event.

If a company requires security cards or photo IDs, lanyards are a great and useful way to keep these items handy. So, as you come to a security checkpoint or somewhere else you might need to show ID, you won’t have to search for your ID card. Lanyards are a low-cost option for identifying who belongs and who doesn’t. When providing employees with custom lanyards with either a company logo or slogan, they are easily identifiable and provide better security.

Everyone uses lanyards!

custom imprinted lanyards are used everywhere including schools, office buildings, sporting events and more.

They are everywhere: schools, office buildings, sporting events and more. So many places use lanyards daily. Another common use is during conferences, conventions and other events.

While frequently used for displaying name tags, these promotional products have many different uses. Most people have found lanyards to be useful in everyday life. Use them to keep track of your keys, or use them to keep pens and other personal items close at hand.

The ABCs of Lanyards

Lanyards provide simplistic and efficient advertising. As they are usually worn around the neck, they remain easily accessible. As such, they are a perfect advertising opportunity. Lanyards make ideal giveaways at trade shows and conventions because they are quality-made and can include your business name and logo. Promotional lanyards will help customers remember your company and establish a positive brand image.

Know Your Audience

Always consider three things when dealing with lanyards: who is wearing it, who will see it and where it will be worn. Providing one during a convention or conference makes sure that there is a good possibility that it goes outside of the event. Lanyards given as part of a uniform are continually around someone’s neck to provide identification. And, remember that when you give someone a lanyard, the message included on it goes where ever the recipient does.

Never underestimate the power of a lanyard. They work with any dress code. Professionals can wear lanyards with their suit, dress shirt or blouse without compromising their appearance. They also allow people to carry their identification or credentials within reach for easy accessibility. And, when everyone wears the same lanyard in a business, it creates a sense of unity among the employees.

Networking is also an important aspect that lanyards are great at helping with. They quickly identify someone not only with a name badge, but with a company name and logo printed in plain sight. Providing employees with a custom lanyard with a business logo or slogan not only allows the employee to keep their name badge handy, but most of those who wear lanyards as part of their uniforms do not remove them after leaving work. This provides your company with extra, and free, walking advertising.

Keeping Consistent Branding

Lanyards are a commercial strategy to increase brand recognition. They will help customers and event attendees remember your company and establish a positive brand image. And, in addition to improving your brand image in your customer’s eyes, the use of promotional products, like custom lanyards, at trade shows opens up endless possibilities for a business to attract new consumers.

The Power of A Branded Lanyard

two branded lanyards from Coller Industries Incorporated

From advertising to practicality, branded lanyards benefit any business.

Custom lanyards have never gone out of style. And they continue to grow in popularity, especially when it comes to how they are branded. From sports team colors to business logos, each lanyard reminds the wearer of where they got it.

And, they are more than just a reminder to the wearer, they also let the beholder know more about your brand. Custom lanyards have the potential to reach far beyond what a name tag or badge does. Lanyards have far more useful applications than a name tag. While name tags are perfect for identifying employees and visitors, lanyards add security, branding and functionality to identification.

Lanyards are incredibly versatile due to their custom nature. Add text, logos, graphics and so much more to promote any brand. The text can be a phrase, a date or the name of an event or business. Wearing a lanyard makes ID or credentials more accessible to show to others or for security proof that you can be in a building or any other typically private place.

Keep your employees branded at all times. Add your logo and company color to a lanyard, and you won’t be able to give them out fast enough. Or, use a slogan or motto on branded lanyards to promote your business. These tools add recognition and identify not only the wearer but the company as well. Often, lanyards are a requirement for access to a building or meeting and can be used this way as advertising.

Maintain Open Communication

From security needs to simple identification for employees, lanyards are a key tool for any business. There are so many ways to use them for your company. They can be used for easy registration or entry management for an event. Using these to carry some form of ID helps everyone at your company feel safe. And, the list goes on.

Every retail worker should wear a lanyard with the company’s name or logo on it so customers know who to ask for help. This avoids the embarrassment of mistaking a fellow shopper for an employee and allows customers to enjoy their experience. It is especially important for cashiers and clerks to wear lanyards so customers know they are giving their money to an official employee. And then of course they are a commercial strategy to increase brand recognition.

Event lanyards clearly define who your staff are and where they belong. Using multiple colors or imprints also helps clarify different people at a business or during an event. Visitors can wear one color and employees another. Or, customize the printing to match your company needs. They also make it easy for employees to show their IDs or credentials to security personnel. By simply taking the time to customize them to differentiate groups, it shows that your brand is professional and you care enough to show it.

So, keep your audience’s attention, strengthen your brand and maintain open communication in your office and at your next event with custom lanyards that match your company goals.

The Learning Center: A Better Way to Blog

The Learning Center is full of articles about learning how to host the best event ever, networking with colleagues and so much more.

Engraved, plastic sign describing
Coller Industries Incorporated's event planning and informational blog The Learning Center

Whether you’re planning the best conference anyone will ever attend or hosting a simple dinner party, The Learning Center is here to make sure you are using these tools in the best possible ways. Search content by categories like meetings and conferences, or hop from one subject to another at your leisure. Each informative article is there to help you succeed. As you delve into these different aspects of building your corporate identity, you will see positive changes in your business outcomes, company culture and marketing strategies.

From Meeting Planning to Event Hosting, This is the Place to Find Ideas

Spice up your creativity and find innovative ways to use personal identification. From ribbons at a meeting to name plates for directions at a conference, don’t limit yourself when using these fantastic tools. Improve everyone’s impression with name tags and award plaques. Come find out how to use these personalized tools to help your event be everything it should be. So, if you like personal identification as much as we do, take a look around, we guarantee you will find something useful.

It is so much more than personal identification!

Coller Industries Incorporated's event planning and informational blog The Learning Center

No matter what industry you work in or the size of your company, The Learning Center (by Coller Industries Incorporated) was created for you. We have articles on a wide variety of topics from planning the perfect event to networking to build strong relationships. Most importantly, by putting thought and purpose into everything you do, and using the ideas in this blog, it will teach you how to achieve your company goals. It will also show you how to utilize the tools that you already have to improve your business practice.

Coller Industries Incorporated broadens the blogosphere with a new long-form content platform and renames two product and idea based blogs.

Coller Industries Incorporated's personal identification blog Influencing Identity

Influencing Identity is here to help you figure out how to use name tags and identification products. From name tags for your business to badge holders for your next conference, we have it all. Find out how to use all your identification products at work, while networking and at any event you are planning. Use our how-to articles to get your ideas flowing for working with all of your personal identification.

Coller Industries Incorporated's personalized ribbons blog Ribbon Impressions

Ribbon Impressions provides information about everything from ribbon roll ideas for your wedding to badge ribbons for a conference. And don’t forget about rosette ribbons for your award needs, such as fair or festival prizes. Find all your ribbon needs in one place and learn how to best use them at events and for your corporate gifting. Discover inspiration for using personalized ribbons and find useful how-to articles.

Event Planning Made Perfect

Event planning is a marketing tool organizations of all sizes use to communicate with current and potential clients and employees. It is the process of planning a festival, ceremony, competition, party, concert or convention. For many industries, nothing beats a hands-on experience created by personal interactions. Whether your event is big or small, the overall attendee experience needs to be good enough for them to want to come back next time.

Event planning is a marketing tool organizations of all sizes use; badge holders, lanyards and ribbons help.

Many large companies, organizations and individuals are now hiring event planners to handle the planning and socializing of their events. These events can range from a wedding to a small office meeting and anywhere between. If not properly planned, any event could have hitches and bumps along the way.

Generally speaking, there are two markets for event planning services: corporate and social.

Corporations host trade shows, conventions, company picnics, meetings and holiday parties for employees, members or stockholders. Social events may include weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, parties and reunions.

The Ever Important Event Planner

Finding a purpose or specialty is one of the first steps in succeeding as an event planner. There are many types of planners (weddings, large events, parties, etc.), so finding a niche may be the easiest task.

There are many reasons to hire an event planner when planning an event or a party. Event planners coordinate all the necessary details of these events. And face it, event planning takes, well, planning. So, why not hire a professional? An experienced event planner should be able to realize anyone’s vision of an event successfully.

A good event planner must have a passion for detail to succeed.

They also need drive and perseverance to stay in this competitive environment. Event planners play many roles during an event. In addition to being designers, they need to be leaders, problem solvers, innovators and strategists. It is also important to appreciate different cultures, religions and traditions.

Those seeking this line of work are encouraged to obtain a degree or certificate before starting this vocation. Most experienced planners agree that jumping in head first is a bad idea as there is no foundation to stand on. Many encourage shadowing or volunteering with an experienced planner to develop the necessary rapport and tools.

Event planning is a highly competitive profession, and anyone considering this line of work needs to show up with a loaded tool belt. Equip this belt with the ability and skill to determine a great and inviting theme and find vendors and suppliers to make any event go smoothly.

Finding Your Tool Belt

Event planning is about managing events intended to achieve unique and individual objectives. Many event planners just starting in the industry spend most of their time marketing themselves and finding clients. During this time, they should also get to know local vendors.

Vendors useful for any event planner are people or places such as florists, caterers, photographers and different venues. A good vendor can always play multiple parts in any event. This list will grow as successful events are accomplished and can be used to maintain that necessary tool belt.

Effective communication is an essential key to successfully researching, designing, planning, and coordinating any special event. Event planning can be overwhelming if the correct tools are not readily available. Knowing all available resources pays off and will help when delegating responsibilities in advance.

Any time people gather together for a purpose, whether it is a conference, a formal dinner or a grand opening, someone needs to manage all the event details to guarantee its success. These details should also include any vendors such as caterers, photographers or speakers, depending on the particular specialty.

Hosting an event takes time, talent and perseverance.

To be a successful event planner requires a focus on these talents. It also requires getting to know the correct tools and how to use them. Merely having an eye for detail helps, but doesn’t complete the task of having the proper tools.

Utilizing the proper tools allows creativity to flow more naturally and create the perfect atmosphere for any event. Let the juices flow and soar above the rest by having these tools readily available for any need. Take steps to make your event a success, and they will come back time and time again.

All themes for significant events can develop from great ideas, but making them come together, work well and have great attendance can be a grueling and daunting task. When an event is well organized, it guarantees a good impression. This first impression is sure to leave a lasting impact. It can also help to set the current trends in event planning.

Expanding Your Event Planning Tools

An important vendor is for custom credentials, name badges and lanyards. As many events require some sort of admission or identification, it is worth investing in these items. A good event planner knows that name tags and other supplies help guests understand where they need to be and who is in attendance.

Identifying Each Visitor

badge holders are only one tool you need for your perfect event planning tool belt

Many corporate events require that attendees wear name tags to be easily identified. These name tags can include names, titles and companies. When everyone is identified clearly at events, it can help ease introductions to others so that attendees can move on to more important activities during the event.

While most name tags are worn at corporate events, they are also used at social events. Remember, identification is critical. Use a name tag for a table number or a descriptive sign for food items. Make sure your attendees know and understand your purpose, who they are, and why they are attending your event, not the one down the hall.

Associating Each Visitor Appropriately:

adding ribbons to your event planning tool belt is essential in making any name badge stand out

Identify sponsors, presenters or speakers with different colored ribbons. Add a promotion or an advertisement to make someone stand out. Or, use these ribbons to differentiate guests and organizations from staff or volunteers. Customize each ribbon to express any desired effect. Choose from an abundance of stock titles or create a new one.

Every event can use some flair. Show style and preparation through packaging and presentation. Use ribbon rolls to illustrate the product’s benefit. Tell people more about the event at first glance with a highly personalized ribbon. Use it to wrap business or calling cards for a unique touch. Create a wall of ribbons that hold the name tags for the event.

Promoting Those in Attendance at Any Event:

Use custom lanyards to add a sense of identity to work functions, conferences, trade shows and other events. When people are flowing through an event venue, keeping track of them using credentials becomes necessary. Lanyards can add value to the event when customized with the convention name, sponsors or logo. Event planners often order the same design on different colored lanyards for different attendees or officials.

lanyards are a great event planning tool

BADGE HOLDERS

CUSTOM LANYARDS

BADGE RIBBONS

LEARN EVEN MORE ON OUR MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS PAGE.

Badge Holders in the Professional World

When used appropriately, plastic badge holders enhance branding, security and other business relations.

What are Badge Holders?

use badge holders in any professional setting

A badge holder is a rectangular, plastic identification product with an opening to insert a card or paper. People often use badge holders for trade shows, conventions, meetings and conferences. Badge holders come in different sizes and have a horizontal or vertical orientation. A fastener is usually attached to the plastic holder, such as a pin, clip or magnet. Badge holders also have punched slots for attaching a lanyard or metal chain. Customers can write on the paper or print any text or graphics using a printer.

Why Use Badge Holders?

The purpose of a badge holder is for someone to wear some form of identification so that it is visible and accessible. People also use badge holders to carry essential items like security cards, so they are easy to find.

Employees are less likely to lose their security cards or credentials when they keep them in a badge holder. The holders make it so that companies do not have to pay to replace any lost items. A badge holder also holds the card or ID in view so that security personnel and coworkers can quickly identify the person wearing it.

Some people prefer badge holders because they can wear them with a lanyard. The wearer does not have to poke holes in their clothing with a pin and damage their shirt or blouse. And the plastic material keeps the cards from breaking or getting scratched.

How Badge Holders Help Businesses

1) Save Money and Keep To A Budget

Badge holders are a less expensive alternative when custom name tags are not within a company’s budget. Name tags are also inconvenient when companies have high turn-over rates. With badge holders, all a company has to do is replace the former employee’s identification with the new ones. Conferences and conventions use badge holders for the same reason since different people may attend each year.

2) Keep Security Levels High

Increase security with photos, names and titles printed on the badge inserts.

It is crucial to know who is entering a building or facility to maintain a high level of security. If employees wear their photo identification in a badge holder, security personnel can see who has authorized access to the building and who does not, which can decrease theft, impersonation and unauthorized visits. Employees can also use badge holders to carry proximity cards to tap in and out when they enter or leave the building. By giving people this access, it allows security to keep track of who is in the building.

3) Interpersonal Relationships

Identification items like badge holders help foster work relationships. People are more trusting and open with others when they know each other’s names. When employees wear something with their name on it, it improves work relationships. Additionally, this helps customers feel comfortable around employees. New employees get to know their colleagues and adapt to their work environment faster. So, when employees use badge holders like name tags, it enhances the company internal and external relations.

4) Promote A Company Brand

Adding a company logo to badge holder inserts increases brand recognition. People associate the logo with the company when employees wear their badge holders at conventions and trade shows. Employees should wear their badges in the office, during their lunch break and when they travel to and from work. Companies can also require employees to show their work ID to access benefits like restaurant discounts and gym memberships. Using an ID in this way becomes free advertising for the company and makes the logo more memorable to the public. Even within the office, having employees wear the logo creates a sense of teamwork and loyalty to the company.

Guidelines for Badge Holder Usage

For badge holders to benefit businesses, the text on the badge inserts must be readable and straightforward. Print only the person’s name and their job title and department. In retail establishments, the only requirement is the first name. When two employees have the same first name, have them include their last name or initial as well.

use the correct size font on a printed insert for the best visibility

The text on the insert should be at least a 24 point font or larger. Make sure the ink and the font style are legible. Print the same information on both sides of the card if the badge holder is attached to a lanyard. Lanyards tend to twist and turn so that the badge holder is facing the other way. If the information is on one side of the insert, it will not be visible when the lanyard turns the badge around, which defeats the purpose of the badge holder.

Logos & Titles

The layout of the name and logo needs to look tidy and professional. A business logo should not be so large that it makes the insert look crowded. On the other hand, the logo should not be too small and hide in one corner. At trade shows, if there is enough room on the insert, it may include the company’s Twitter handle and other social media or a QR barcode that leads to the company’s website. Social media and barcodes should all be neatly laid out on the insert.

Treat titles the same as logos. If included on inserts, they must never crowd the person’s name or be in a small, unreadable font. Job titles distinguish head of staff from other employees. Titles also help customers and employees know who to talk to about specific issues. Putting titles on badges let customers or conference attendees know who is in charge of management, security or registration.

Badge Holders: Size & Orientation

Photo IDs and security cards should fit inside the badge holders. So, make sure you are ordering the correct size. Each badge should also be the proper orientation. If the IDs have a horizontal direction, then the company will need a horizontal badge holder. It is the same for vertical IDs. If you are using paper inserts, be sure to use badge holders that will present your information appropriately. Standard text should be about 24 point font, and all text must be large enough to read from a slight distance, usually about 10 feet away.

Using Fasteners

Available fasteners for badges include magnets and swivel bull dog clips.

The best choice of fastener depends on how people wish to attach the badge holder to their person. Professional badge holders come with many different fastener options. Some like it on their clothes while others want it hanging from a lanyard. Fasteners, like pins and magnets, are often used for formal settings while lanyards are used more during conferences and conventions. Magnets and pins attach badge holders to people’s shirts, blouses, suit jackets or some other articles of clothing. The slots on the top of a badge holder are made to wear with a lanyard or a clip. And, clips can be attached to almost anything, whether it is a shirt, jacket or any other piece of clothing.

Finding the Right Badge Holder Material

Finding the right kind of material for your badge holder depends on how excessively you intend to use them. You can order badge holders made of different types of plastic. For example, holders with 8 to 10 mil vinyl are durable and suitable for repeated use. Vinyl is a plastic consisting of polyvinyl chloride. Badges with less than eight mil vinyl are semi-rigid and ideal for light use. And, holders made of acetate, a material made by cutting and polishing sheets of plastic, are flexible and lightweight. So, they are thin and recommended for single use.

Making the Color Work For You

Inserts are available in seven colors. Ordering different colored badge holder inserts so that badges can be color coded. And, color coding allows companies can divide employees into several groups. Color coding can visibly show who has permission to access specific areas of a facility.

Different colors can also designate who works in which department. At schools, these colors can differentiate between students, faculty and staff. For trade shows or conventions, color coding can separate attendees from volunteers and vendors. Whatever the color of the insert, the text should be easy to read. So, do not use light printing on a light colored insert.

Professions That Should Have Badge Holders

Specific job fields should use badge holders for identification to earn people’s trust and improve credibility. If people are going to trust someone with their well being, they want to know they are experts in their field. People also want proof that a journalist who is asking to interview them works for a news organization. Those who work these types of jobs are more likely to receive the public’s trust when they show their credentials or identification.

Medical IDs

Using a photo ID badge as An Emergency Contact Card for medical professions

People receiving medical care want to know they are in the right hands. For that reason, doctors, nurses and emergency medical technicians should include their name, photo and job title on their work ID. With this information visible, people know they are legitimate.

People with a chronic medical condition can make their emergency medical ID with a badge holder and paper insert. Medical IDs should include information about a person’s medical condition, allergies, prescribed drugs, emergency contacts and blood type. Often people with a mental state have trouble remembering which medication they take and how much. If a person becomes unconscious due to a health condition, a medical ID can give people the correct medication and dosage that person needs. The wrong medication or dosage can have fatal consequences, which is why medical IDs are essential.

Anyone with a chronic medical condition should have a medical ID card. These cards are also perfect for participants in clinical trials and people with special needs. EMTs are trained to look for medical ID cards and use the information provided to save a person’s life.

Make sure to order a high-quality badge holder and insert card for your medical ID. The text printed on the medical ID must be readable and well organized. Use good quality ink that does not fade quickly. A badge and lanyard are much more readable than a bracelet and more accessible. Also, be sure to have the information printed on both sides of the insert.

The insert card must include all necessary information. If there is not enough room on one side, print the rest of the details on the other. It is better to use both sides of the card and have the text in a larger font than to have everything on one side.

School Badge Holders

Badge holders can help schools that wish to increase their level of security. Administration can require students, faculty and staff to wear badges while on school property. School badges indicate that the people wearing them are allowed on campus. And, this makes it easier for faculty and security to spot anyone who might be trespassing.

For badges to efficiently work in schools, everyone should wear them the whole time they are on school property. Each student, teacher and staff member should return their badge to administration when they no longer work at or attend the school. Administration can also require authorized visitors to obtain a visitor pass and wear it while they are on school property. Once done visiting the school, visitors should return the pass right before they leave.

Badge holders with lanyards are one of the best options for school use. Students can slip them on and off without damaging the badge. Schools can customize the lanyard and badge inserts to include the school’s name and logo. This customization helps security personnel distinguish between a legitimate school badge and a fake one.

School badges can also help administration keep track of which students borrow books from the school library or borrow equipment for educational purposes. They can also indicate which students have paid for a meal plan.