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Continuing education programs are one of the biggest value drivers for conferences, association events, healthcare meetings, and professional development programs. But for many organizers, delivering CE certificates after the event still involves hours of manual reporting, spreadsheet cleanup, and attendee verification. That process is changing. Validar recently announced a new integration with Accredible that helps event organizers automate digital certificate delivery based on verified attendee participation. Read the full announcement here: Validar Announces Integration with Accredible to Automate Digital Certificate Delivery for Continuing Education at Events [https://www.prweb.com/releases/validar-announces-integration-with-accredible-to-automate-digital-certificate-delivery-for-continuing-education-at-events-302773203.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] WHY CONTINUING EDUCATION TRACKING MATTERS For organizations running accredited sessions, verifying attendance accurately is critical. Whether attendees are earning CME, CEU, CLE, or other professional education credits, organizers need a reliable way to confirm participation before issuing certificates. Traditionally, this process can involve: * Manual attendance reconciliation * Spreadsheet exports and imports * Delayed certificate delivery * Administrative overhead after the event * Potential inaccuracies from self-reported participation As events scale, these workflows become increasingly difficult to manage. HOW THE VALIDAR + ACCREDIBLE INTEGRATION WORKS The integration connects Validar’s session attendance tracking technology directly with Accredible’s credentialing platform. Using technologies like: * Badge scanning * RFID tracking * BLE session attendance tracking Validar captures verified attendee participation in real time. That data can then automatically trigger credential and certificate delivery through Accredible. The workflow becomes simple: 1. Track attendee participation 2. Verify attendance automatically 3. Deliver digital certificates instantly This creates a faster, more accurate experience for both organizers and attendees. BENEFITS FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS Reduce Manual Administrative Work Automating certificate delivery removes hours of post-event processing and manual verification. During the 2026 ABVP Symposium, the integration reportedly saved organizers approximately 60 hours of post-event work. Improve Accuracy Because attendance data is captured directly from session participation, organizers can reduce errors and improve confidence in CE reporting. Deliver a Better Attendee Experience Attendees receive digital credentials faster and can immediately access, download, or share them online. Provide More Measurable Event Value By combining attendance tracking with credential delivery, organizers gain more visibility into engagement and educational participation across their events. SUPPORTING SMARTER EVENT EXPERIENCES At Validar, the goal has always been to help organizers better understand attendee behavior and deliver more measurable value from their events. Integrations like this extend that vision by connecting verified attendance data directly into the systems attendees and organizers rely on most. As continuing education programs continue evolving, automation and real-time event data will play an even bigger role in improving operational efficiency and attendee satisfaction. Learn more about the announcement here: Read the Full Press Release [https://www.prweb.com/releases/validar-announces-integration-with-accredible-to-automate-digital-certificate-delivery-for-continuing-education-at-events-302773203.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] READY TO LEARN MORE? If your organization is looking to streamline continuing education workflows, improve attendance verification, and automate certificate delivery, Validar can help. Request a Demo [https://validar.com/demo?utm_source=chatgpt.com]

WHY EXHIBITOR VALUE IS THE BIGGEST MISSED OPPORTUNITY AT EVENTS Event organizers put enormous effort into attracting sponsors and exhibitors—but too often, the value delivered to them doesn’t match the investment they make. Booth space alone is no longer enough. Exhibitors today expect: * Measurable ROI * High-quality, actionable data * Seamless integration into their sales and marketing workflows When those expectations aren’t met, it doesn’t just impact exhibitor satisfaction—it limits your ability to increase sponsorship revenue and long-term partnerships. The opportunity? Leverage your event tech investment in tracking exhibitor engagement, and content consumption to create more value and give you more to monetize. THE PROBLEM: ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL DOESN’T WORK ANYMORE Many events still rely on basic, app-based lead retrieval or generic badge scans to exchange contact information between attendees and exhibitors. That approach creates several issues: * Limited flexibility for different exhibitor needs * Inconsistent data quality * Poor post-event follow-up capabilities * Minimal differentiation between sponsorship tiers In reality, exhibitors vary widely: * Some want simple lead capture * Others need deep integration with Salesforce or marketing automation tools * High-investment sponsors expect advanced insights and control If your offering doesn’t scale with those needs, you’re leaving both value and revenue on the table. A BETTER APPROACH: FLEXIBLE LEAD RETRIEVAL THAT SCALES WITH INVESTMENT Validar’s vCapture Lead Retrieval Suite is designed around one core principle: Exhibitors should have the flexibility to choose the solution that works best for them. This flexibility unlocks both better exhibitor outcomes and clear monetization paths for event organizers. What That Looks Like in Practice: * Dedicated devices for fast, reliable lead capture * Custom qualifiers to score and prioritize leads in real time * Bring-your-own lead retrieval support for exhibitors with existing tech stacks * Direct Salesforce integration for immediate post-event action At one large-scale event, this approach supported: * 884 total licenses * 174 dedicated devices * Multiple Salesforce-integrated deployments * Custom qualifier configurations * Exhibitors using their own integrated solutions That level of flexibility is nearly impossible to achieve with a standard mobile app alone. RELIABILITY MATTERS MORE THAN YOU THINK One of the biggest frustrations exhibitors face is unreliable lead capture. Wi-Fi drops. Apps crash. Data gets lost. Validar’s approach ensures: * Lead capture works even in airplane mode * Data syncs automatically once connectivity returns * No missed opportunities due to technical issues This reliability isn’t just a feature it’s a trust builder with your exhibitors. TURNING DATA INTO REAL EXHIBITOR VALUE Capturing leads is just the beginning. The real value comes from delivering actionable datasets that help exhibitors understand performance and drive follow-up. Validar automatically provides three key datasets: 1. Booth Leads Fully scored and categorized based on custom qualifiers so sales teams know exactly who to prioritize. 2. Session Attendance Insight into which attendees engaged with sponsored or exhibitor-led sessions. 3. Session Evaluations & Meeting Requests Often the most valuable dataset capturing intent, sentiment, and direct follow-up opportunities. This transforms exhibitor participation from lead collection → pipeline generation. WHERE MONETIZATION COMES IN When you offer scalable, flexible solutions, you unlock tiered pricing opportunities. Instead of a flat exhibitor package, you can: * Charge based on number of licenses * Offer premium pricing for dedicated devices * Monetize advanced data and integrations * Align pricing with booth size and investment level Important distinction: Unlike mobile apps that grant broad access to all booth staff, licenses can be activated and deactivated as teams rotate through shifts—giving exhibitors more control and allowing you to price access more strategically. Example: * Larger booths = more staff → more licenses → higher revenue * Premium sponsors = deeper integrations → higher value packages This creates a direct correlation between exhibitor investment and event revenue. BEYOND LEAD RETRIEVAL: A COMPLETE EXHIBITOR VALUE ECOSYSTEM Lead retrieval is just one part of the equation. When combined with: * Session tracking * Dynamic evaluations * Meeting requests driven by content …you create a full picture of attendee engagement. This allows exhibitors to: * Understand what content resonated * Identify high-intent prospects * Follow up with precision And it allows you to position your event as: A measurable demand-generation engine—not just a marketing expense. THE BIGGER PICTURE: STRENGTHENING LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS When exhibitors see clear ROI, three things happen: 1. They renew 2. They upgrade their sponsorship 3. They advocate for your event internally That’s how you move from: * One-time transactions → Long-term revenue growth FINAL THOUGHTS Exhibitors aren’t just participants they’re key revenue drivers for your event. Delivering more value to them isn’t just good service it’s a strategic growth opportunity. By offering flexible, reliable, and data-rich solutions like Validar’s vCapture, you can: * Improve exhibitor satisfaction * Increase sponsorship revenue * Differentiate your event in a crowded market READY TO DELIVER MORE VALUE TO YOUR EXHIBITORS? If you’re looking to elevate your exhibitor experience and unlock new monetization opportunities, Validar can help. 👉 Request a demo: https://validar.com/demo [https://validar.com/demo]

We take great pride in our ability to measure content effectiveness and provide meaningful insights that drive better event outcomes. Many teams underestimate how much value they are leaving on the table when session evaluations rely solely on mobile app adoption. Validar’s EventHub® Attendee Tool is designed to address this gap and deliver measurable impact. Here’s why organizations choose EventHub® for session evaluations: 1. FEEDBACK FROM MULTIPLE CHANNELS, NOT JUST THE APP (MOBILE APP, PHONE, AND EMAIL) When relying on a mobile application, session evaluation response rates are directly tied to app adoption—which can vary significantly depending on the event. * Without strong promotion or incentives, adoption rates often reach only 20–30% of total attendance * With effective promotion (e.g., exclusive content, gamification, on-site messaging, or incentives like contests or rewards), 55–65% is considered a strong benchmark This means a significant portion of attendees may never provide feedback if the mobile app is the only channel available. Blach Hat feedback via email.png [https://validar.com/media/Blach Hat feedback via email.png] Organizations such as Black Hat and Game Developers Conference partner with Validar for this reason. EventHub enables feedback collection during sessions via mobile app or QR access, as well as follow-up outreach at the end of each day and post-event to ensure all attendees have the opportunity to respond. 2. YOU DO NOT NEED A MOBILE APPLICATION WITH EVENTHUB® Not all events are well suited for a mobile application. One-day events, non-fee-based programs, or smaller conferences with limited session tracks may not justify the cost or complexity. With EventHub®, attendees can simply scan a QR code, authenticate, and submit feedback in real time during each session. When paired with post-event email outreach, this creates a highly effective and accessible feedback strategy. Event Facing QR Code.png [https://validar.com/media/Event Facing QR Code.png] 3. VALIDAR SCORES SESSION CONTENT USING A LIKERT SCALE EventHub leverages a standardized Likert scale to evaluate session performance. While this approach is widely recognized, its true value lies in how it enables consistent benchmarking across your entire program. This allows event organizers to: * Compare sessions against one another * Identify top-performing and underperforming content * Evaluate speaker effectiveness * Make more informed programming decisions for future events Likert Scale.png [https://validar.com/media/Likert Scale.png] 4. ENABLE ATTENDEES TO REQUEST FOLLOW-UP WITH CONTENT OWNERS EventHub allows attendees to opt in to connect with subject matter experts through a simple yes-or-no question tied to each session. Responses indicating interest can be automatically captured and distributed as a distinct lead dataset. This is especially valuable for: * Exhibitors sponsoring sessions * Sales teams supporting demand generation programs * Event organizers looking to extend engagement beyond the session If you have a moment, the short demo at the 2:55 mark in this video [https://vimeo.com/1101639937/500544cb70?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci] highlights this capability in action. New Lead Dataset.png [https://validar.com/media/New Lead Dataset.png] 5. GAMIFICATION THROUGH THE MY SCORE ACTIVITY VIEW Validar’s EventScore platform enhances engagement by incentivizing attendee participation across sessions, exhibitors, and evaluations. Through the My Score tab, attendees can view their activity, track engagement points, and see how they rank on the event leaderboard. This visibility encourages continued interaction and has proven to significantly improve session evaluation response rates when properly promoted. Insert MyScore tab.png [https://validar.com/media/Insert MyScore tab.png] We would be happy to discuss how this approach could support your upcoming programs. Please select a time here [https://calendly.com/vkippes/30min?month=2026-03] if you would like to learn more

Most event teams already know events create demand. The real challenge is proving how demand was created and then using that truth to power better experiences, better exhibitor outcomes, and faster, more personalized follow-up. Event marketers are not getting the credit they deserve for the demand that they create when event tech is not deployed ideally. The ideal Event Tech deployment: not “more technology,” but a connected dataset that captures each attendee’s journey from arrival to engagement to next steps so Marketing Operations and Sales can act on it with confidence. Because when your event data is complete, you can answer five questions that define modern event ROI. THE 5 QUESTIONS EVERY EVENT TEAM SHOULD BE ABLE TO ANSWER If you can answer these on an individual attendee basis, you can stop guessing and start activating: * Of those that registered, who attended? * What content did that attendee consume? * What impact did that content have and did it generate renewed interest? * Did they sit through a one-on-one demo or key conversation? * What impact did that one-on-one demo have and did it generate renewed interest or next steps? Why do these questions matter so much? Because the value of an event isn’t just attendance. It’s the sequence of behaviors that follow attendance: sessions attended, feedback submitted, quality networking, meetings requested, booth conversations, and the intent signals that tell you who needs attention now. And when follow-up is the goal, time matters. Responding within minutes, or live during the event rather than waiting, dramatically improves your odds of closing a sale. Events are one of the few channels where you can capture high-confidence, high-context signals in person. The ideal deployment makes sure those signals don’t get lost. WHY “ONE DATASET” BEATS “MANY TOOLS” In most event stacks, the data ends up fragmented: * Registration tells you who planned to show up * Check-in tells you who actually showed up * Session tools tell you what topics are resonating and top of mind * Surveys tell you what people thought and provide an opportunity to reach out to content owners. * Lead capture tells you who had a conversation and the value of that conversation * Sales notes tell you more specifics about each meaningful conversation When these systems don’t connect, two problems appear: 1. Your reporting becomes silo’d. You can report attendance, but not intent. 2. Your follow-up becomes generic. Reps don’t know why someone is worth prioritizing. The ideal deployment solves this by building one evolving attendee record so every new interaction enriches the same journey. image (15).png [https://validar.com/media/image (15).png] THE VALIDAR PLATFORM: 5 PRODUCTS BUILT TO COMPLETE THE JOURNEY Validar’s platform is designed to capture an attendee’s entire journey so it can be treated by Marketing Operations and Sales during the event and after. Here are the five product offerings that work together to do it: * vCheckin Onsite Registration * Validar Session Attendance Tracking (active + passive) * EventHub® Attendee Tool (evaluations + meeting requests) * vCapture Lead Retrieval Product Suite * EventScore Engagement Tool Now let’s map the five questions to the tools that answer them. QUESTION → PRODUCT MAPPING 1) When did an attendee arrive? Product: vCheckin Onsite Registration Your attendee journey starts the moment someone shows up. vCheckin is built to deliver a fast, high-quality registration experience while producing the operational data event teams rely on: * Of those that registered, who actually attended (by attendee type)? * How many attendees registered onsite (walk-ons)? * How many registered attendees did not attend (no-shows)? This isn’t “nice-to-have” data. It’s how you measure real attendance, protect exhibitor value, and forecast staffing and onsite workflows accurately. And once arrival is tracked cleanly, the rest of the journey becomes measurable. 2) What content did that attendee consume? Products: vCheckin + Session Attendance Tracking (active + passive) You invest heavily in content keynotes, breakouts, activations, workshops, sponsored sessions because content is where education turns into demand. Session attendance tracking helps you measure that consumption in two common ways: * Active tracking (e.g., QR scans at doors, checkpoints, or session moments) * Passive tracking (technology-assisted detection such as RFID or BLE, depending on deployment needs) The key point for event teams isn’t the acronym it’s the outcome: You want reliable, session-level proof of what each attendee actually consumed. When you deploy vCheckin + session tracking, your live dataset starts answering: * When did they arrive? * What did they consume? * How consistently did they engage across tracks, days, or topics? That’s the foundation for segmentation. 3) What impact did that content have and did it generate renewed interest? Product: EventHub® Attendee Tool Attendance alone doesn’t tell you whether content landed. Impact does. EventHub® is built to capture that impact through session evaluations and attendee-facing feedback that is designed to benchmark your content, and allow the audience to continue the conversion with content owners. Why impact measurement is hard (and how to solve it) Many event organizers rely on mobile apps for evaluations, but response rates are tightly connected to app adoption. Industry benchmark guidance often cites a wide range: adoption may be 20–30% without strong promotion, while 55–65% can be a solid benchmark with good promotion and incentives. That’s exactly why the ideal deployment includes a strategy that doesn’t depend on a single channel. EventHub is built around four practical advantages 1) Promote feedback through two mediums (mobile + email) Relying only on an in-app flow limits your audience to adopters. Multi-channel outreach gives you broader coverage and better representativeness. Response rates vary substantially by channel, which is why mixing approaches is a common best practice in feedback programs. 2) You don’t need a full mobile app to collect meaningful evaluations Not every event warrants the cost, build, or overhead of a dedicated event app, especially one-day events, smaller programs, or events with limited tracks. With EventHub, you can enable in-the-moment feedback via a simple workflow: * Scan a QR code * Authenticate * Submit feedback live during each session EventHub can also be integrated into your favorite mobile application. We always recommend you augment your feedback marketing efforts with an end of day and post-event email. You’ll have a much better opportunity to increase session evaluation response rates following this method. 3) Benchmark sessions using Likert scoring Likert-type scales are a common, standardized way to quantify attitudes and satisfaction through a graded response key (e.g., strongly disagree → strongly agree). This lets event teams quickly identify: * Top sessions (repeat, expand, sponsor) * Bottom sessions (fix, retire, coach) * Track-level performance (what themes resonate) 4) Allow session attendees to request meetings with content owners This is where impact becomes action. EventHub can capture a simple “yes/no” meeting request then treat “yes” responses as a unique lead dataset tied to specific content. So instead of only knowing: * “They attended Session A” You also know: * “They attended Session A and opted in to continue the conversation.” That’s renewed interest, captured cleanly. 4) Did they sit through a one-on-one demo or key conversation? Product: vCapture Lead Retrieval Suite For demand-gen events, the exhibit floor (or sponsor activations) is where most of the highest-value one-on-one conversations happen. vCapture is built to help exhibitors and sales teams capture those interactions in a structured way so follow-up reflects reality, not guesswork. A robust lead capture workflow should do more than store contact info. It should allow teams to: * Rank or categorize leads based on criteria that matches their sales motion * Capture notes that add context (use case, timeline, objections) * Identify which leads are “skim-the-top” priorities vs. longer-tail nurture That’s how you avoid the classic post-event problem: “We have 800 leads… and no idea which 60 matter.” 5) What impact did that one-on-one have—and did it generate renewed interest or next steps? Products: vCapture + Custom Qualifiers + Lead Import for AppExchange Impact can show up in multiple ways: * A lead is marked high priority * A meeting is booked * A follow-up is explicitly requested * Engagement patterns suggest strong interest (multiple relevant sessions + booth interaction) This is where the ideal deployment becomes more than reporting—it becomes activation. By connecting: * Booth conversation outcomes (vCapture) * CRM and campaign is automatically updated with an opportunity * A notification is sent to sales live during the event …you create a record that tells Sales and MarOps what to do next and who to do it with first. WHAT THE FINAL OUTPUT LOOKS LIKE: THE ENTIRE JOURNEY AVAILABLE IN EVENT INSIGHT AND YOU MARKETING STACK In the ideal deployment, your event data shouldn’t live in isolation. Within Validar’s Event Insight platform, you get a drill-down view of each attendee’s full journey arrival, content consumption, feedback, meetings, and interactions organized as one narrative. image (16)-1.png [https://validar.com/media/image (16)-1.png] In an ideal deployment, this data should also reside within your broader ecosystem (CRM, marketing automation, AMS), so your marketing stack mirrors the truth of what happened onsite. Why does this matter? Because follow-up quality and speed drive outcomes. Lead response research commonly highlights that reaching out within minutes (rather than waiting) significantly improves qualification outcomes. Now imagine your reps receiving not just “a lead,” but context like: * Arrived Day 1 at 9:12am * Attended 2 sessions on Topic X * Rated Session Y highly * Requested a meeting with the SME * Had a booth conversation marked “Hot / 30-day timeline” That’s not a list. That’s a plan. THE IDEAL DEPLOYMENT: A PRACTICAL BLUEPRINT If you want a simple way to think about implementation, here’s the blueprint: 1. Use vCheckin as your attendance source of truth * * Clean attended vs registered, walk-ons, no-shows 1. Layer in Session Attendance Tracking * * Active (QR) and/or passive (RFID/BLE) approaches depending on event needs 1. Measure impact with EventHub® * * In-the-moment evaluations + post-event email reinforcement * Likert-based benchmarking for actionable content insights 1. Capture 1:1 outcomes with vCapture * * Integrate the entire journey into your marketing stack 1. Activate with Event Insight + Marketing Stack Integration * * One attendee record in Validar * The same record available inside your CRM/MA/AMS This is what “ideal deployment” really means: a single dataset that follows the attendee and powers action. FAQ 1) What’s the difference between session attendance and session impact? Attendance tells you who was in the room. Impact tells you whether the content resonated, and whether it created intent (feedback, meeting requests, follow-up signals). 2) Should I use QR scanning or passive tracking (RFID/BLE)? It depends on the event design and friction tolerance. QR is explicit and simple. Passive approaches can reduce friction, but require thoughtful infrastructure and goals. Passive RFID is commonly discussed as a tag/reader model where reads occur without attendee action. Passive is also more expensive. Make sure you have a plan in place to use the data before deploying. 3) Why do session evaluation response rates vary so much? Because channel matters (app adoption, email engagement, onsite prompts). That’s why multi-channel collection tends to outperform single-channel approaches. 4) What is a Likert scale and why use it for sessions? A Likert scale is a graded response method (e.g., strongly disagree → strongly agree) used to quantify attitudes and satisfaction, making sessions easy to benchmark. 5) How does this help exhibitors? It increases the value you deliver by proving attendance quality, spotlighting high-intent engagement, improving lead prioritization, and supporting smarter follow-up. 6) What’s the biggest mistake teams make with event data? Treating each tool as a separate report instead of building one attendee journey record that can be activated in the marketing stack. WRAP-UP: ONE JOURNEY. ONE DATASET. BETTER FOLLOW-UP. When you can see each attendee’s full journey arrival, content, feedback, meetings, and conversations you don’t just “run a successful event.” * You create a dataset that: * Improves attendee experience * Increases exhibitor value * Strengthens monetization opportunities * Makes sales follow-up dramatically more relevant That’s the ideal deployment. If you want to see what this looks like for your event stack, request a demo: https://validar.com/demo [https://validar.com/demo]

First impressions matter especially at events. The moment an attendee arrives, the check-in experience sets the tone for everything that follows. Long lines, unclear instructions, or last-minute scrambling can quickly undermine even the most thoughtfully planned event. That’s why more event organizers are turning to self-service check-in as a smarter, more reliable approach. At Validar, self-service isn’t about removing control, it's about designing check-in experiences that are intuitive, efficient, and ready the moment doors open. With vCheckin self-service check-in stations, everything needed for a seamless arrival is prepared in advance, allowing events to run smoothly from the very first interaction. WHY SELF-SERVICE CHECK-IN IS BECOMING THE STANDARD Today’s attendees expect speed and autonomy. They are accustomed to self-service in airports, hotels, and retail and events are no exception. For event organizers, self-service check-in stations provide: * Faster throughput during peak arrival times * Reduced dependency on large on-site staff teams * Consistent check-in experiences across venues and locations * A professional, organized first impression Self-service doesn’t replace staff, it supports them. By removing repetitive tasks like manual check-in and badge distribution, teams can focus on attendee support, hospitality, and problem-solving where it matters most. BUILT TO BE EASY: REDUCING TECHNOLOGY STRESS FOR EVENT TEAMS Introducing new technology on-site can be stressful especially when timelines are tight and expectations are high. Event organizers need solutions that feel dependable, familiar, and easy to deploy. vCheckin stations are powered by a PC-based solution that is purpose-built for live events. This architecture provides a stable, robust foundation while remaining simple for event teams to operate. Rather than relying on unfamiliar or restrictive systems, vCheckin leverages a PC-based environment that is intuitive and easy to manage. Before deployment, event teams are trained on the exact kit they’ll be using, ensuring confidence well before arriving on-site. By the time doors open, teams know what to expect and how the system works eliminating unnecessary uncertainty. Because the solution is PC-based and designed specifically for event use: * Setup is straightforward and repeatable * The system is highly reliable in high-volume environments * On-site staff do not need deep technical expertise * Kiosks are ready to run with minimal configuration By combining hands-on training with a robust, PC-based platform, Validar helps remove one of the most common sources of event-day stress: unfamiliar technology. The result is a self-service experience that feels controlled, predictable, and easy to execute. WHAT SETS VCHECKIN SELF-SERVICE KIOSKS APART Effective self-service check-in requires more than just hardware. It requires a system that is purpose-built for live events. vCheckin self-service kiosks are designed to be: Intuitive – Attendees can check themselves in with minimal instruction Reliable – Built for high-volume environments and peak arrival surges Flexible – Easily switch between self-service and staffed modes Scalable – Suitable for everything from small meetings to large conferences Each kiosk is pre-configured and event-ready, ensuring that organizers aren’t troubleshooting on-site or managing unnecessary complexity. DESIGNED FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS, BUILT FOR ATTENDEES For event organizers, predictability is key. Knowing that check-in will work consistently and efficiently allows teams to focus on the bigger picture. With vCheckin self-service stations, organizers gain: * Greater control over attendee flow * Reduced on-site stress and staffing pressure * A repeatable setup that works across multiple events * Confidence that the first touchpoint reflects the quality of the event itself For attendees, the experience is simple: arrive, check in, print a badge, and move on no lines, no confusion. A BETTER FIRST IMPRESSION STARTS AT CHECK-IN Check-in is more than a logistical step; it's the first physical interaction an attendee has with an event brand. A clean, self-service setup communicates readiness, professionalism, and respect for attendees’ time. When everything is already in place and working as expected, the arrival experience becomes seamless rather than stressful. That’s the goal of vCheckin: to ensure that when attendees arrive, the event is already prepared for them. FINAL THOUGHTS Self-service check-in isn’t about doing less, it's about doing things better. By leveraging vCheckin, event organizers can deliver faster arrivals, smoother operations, and stronger first impressions without sacrificing flexibility or control. When everything is ready out of the box, check-in becomes one less thing to worry about. Interested in learning more about self-service check-in for your events? Explore how vCheckin can support your next event experience.

As we step into a new year, it’s a natural moment to pause not just to look back, but to recognize the people who make what’s ahead possible. To our event producers: you are the driving force behind every experience, every connection, and every moment that matters. And as 2026 begins, we want to start it by acknowledging you. THE MOMENTUM YOU CREATE Event production doesn’t reset when the calendar flips. The planning, problem-solving, creativity, and resilience you bring to your work carry forward building momentum year over year. You’re constantly balancing timelines, technology, stakeholders, and attendee expectations, all while delivering experiences that feel effortless on the surface. That momentum is what fuels successful events. From early-morning load-ins to last-minute pivots, you make complex operations feel seamless and that impact extends far beyond event day. PARTNERS IN PROGRESS At Validar, we view our relationship with event producers as a true partnership. Every deployment, whether fully serviced or remotely supported, reflects the trust you place in us and the confidence you have in your own teams. Over time, we’ve seen more producers take full ownership of event technology deploying registration, badge printing, and attendee tracking with precision and independence. Your willingness to embrace new tools, share honest feedback, and push for better outcomes challenges us to continually improve. You don’t just use our technology you help shape it. BUILDING BETTER EXPERIENCES, ONE EVENT AT A TIME The most successful events are built on intentional choices. How attendees are welcomed. How data is captured and used. How engagement is encouraged. You understand that every detail contributes to the bigger picture, and your leadership ensures those details work together harmoniously. By trusting Validar to support check-in, badge printing, and attendee journey tracking, you allow your teams to focus on what matters most: delivering meaningful, memorable experiences. LOOKING FORWARD WITH CONFIDENCE The event landscape continues to evolve, and with it comes new expectations, new technologies, and new opportunities. As we head into this next chapter, we’re excited to continue supporting your vision helping you adapt, scale, and innovate with confidence. Whatever this year brings, know that we’re committed to being a dependable partner in your corner. THANK YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR To our event producers: thank you for your trust, your collaboration, and your relentless commitment to excellence. We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and even more excited about what’s ahead. Here’s to a new year filled with successful events, strong partnerships, and unforgettable experiences. Warm regards, The Validar Team

Your exhibiting community plays a critical role in your event’s success both in driving revenue and enhancing the attendee experience. That’s why it’s essential to equip exhibitors with tools that help them connect, measure, and prove ROI. At Validar, we’ve learned a lot from working alongside some of the most innovative event marketers in the world. By increasing exhibitor value, organizers can justify higher sponsorship fees, improve satisfaction, and strengthen long-term partnerships. Here are four proven strategies our customers use to deliver more value to exhibitors using the Validar platform. 1. OFFER A SUITE OF LEAD RETRIEVAL OPTIONS—NOT A ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL SOLUTION Every exhibitor approaches lead capture differently. Some want to scan and store leads quickly; others want deeper qualification or to integrate directly into their CRM. With vCapture, you can offer multiple retrieval options tailored to each exhibitor’s goals, including: * Dedicated mobile or device-based scanning * Custom qualifiers to rank and categorize leads * Bring-your-own-device access * Offline capture that works even in low-connectivity environments By providing flexible solutions and ensuring exhibitors understand their options before the event you empower them to capture better leads and measure ROI with confidence. 2. TRACK SESSION ATTENDANCE ON BEHALF OF EXHIBITING SPONSORS Session sponsorship is one of the most valuable opportunities you can offer exhibitors. Using Validar’s session attendance tracking (passive or active), you can provide sponsors with verified data on who attended their session, how long they stayed, and which topics generated the most engagement. This transparency not only validates sponsorship investments but also gives sponsors actionable data to nurture leads post-event. 3. ENABLE ATTENDEES TO REQUEST MEETINGS BASED ON SESSION INTEREST When an attendee engages with session content sponsored by an exhibitor, that’s a warm lead waiting to be activated. Through EventHub Dynamic Session Evaluations, you can allow attendees to immediately request a follow-up meeting if the topic resonates. This feature bridges the gap between education and connection helping exhibitors turn audience interest into meaningful conversations. 4. USE GAMIFICATION TO ENCOURAGE ATTENDEE-TO-EXHIBITOR ENGAGEMENT Gamification is one of the most effective ways to boost exhibitor ROI. With EventScore, you can drive targeted engagement by rewarding attendees for visiting booths, attending sponsored sessions, and interacting throughout the event. Our clients have achieved extraordinary results using this approach significantly increasing booth traffic and deepening attendee-exhibitor connections. FINAL THOUGHTS Your exhibitors invest heavily in your event. By empowering them with the right tools lead retrieval, session tracking, feedback capture, and engagement you deliver measurable value that keeps them coming back. If you’d like to see how Validar can help maximize exhibitor ROI and enhance your next event experience, we’d love to show you how. 👉 Book a free demo with our team → [https://validar.com/demo]

Recognizing and rewarding attendee engagement can be one of the best investments an event organizer can make—if it’s deployed with intent and structure. Gamification isn’t just about adding points and prizes. Done well, it creates meaningful interactions that drive product demand, increase exhibitor ROI, and give your attendees an experience they’ll remember. At Validar, we’ve had the privilege of working alongside some of the smartest event producers in the world. Through those partnerships, we’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. Here are the best practices we recommend when deploying gamification at your next event. 1. DEFINE YOUR GOALS BEFORE YOU LAUNCH Gamification must start with purpose. Is your objective to increase attendee-to-exhibitor interactions, improve session attendance, encourage networking, or boost session evaluations? Review past event performance, identify where engagement fell short, and set measurable KPIs to improve against. By knowing your goals upfront, you can structure your engagement tool to drive the exact behaviors that matter most to you. image (10).png [https://validar.com/media/image (10).png] 2. BUILD AWARENESS BEFORE THE EVENT BEGINS Your community should know about your gamification investment well before they arrive onsite. Promote the challenge in pre-event communications, mobile apps, and social channels. If attendees understand the opportunity ahead of time, they’ll be more likely to engage from the moment the gates open. 3. MAKE RECOGNITION PUBLIC Recognition is a powerful motivator. Display real-time leaderboards, celebrate winners on event screens, or share updates in mobile apps and social posts. When recognition is visible, you amplify motivation across the entire attendee base—not just for those already participating. 4. DISTRIBUTE RECOGNITION THROUGHOUT THE EVENT Don’t save rewards for the end. Spread recognition across sessions, days, and networking opportunities. This keeps momentum alive and ensures that engagement stays consistent rather than peaking only once. 5. CREATE RULES THAT DRIVE YOUR PRIORITIES Game mechanics should encourage the outcomes you value most. For example: * Award points for booth visits to increase exhibitor ROI. * Reward feedback submissions to capture session insights. * Recognize networking actions to build community. * Well-structured rules align attendee motivation with event objectives. 6. SELECT REWARDS THAT RESONATE WITH YOUR AUDIENCE Choose incentives that your audience will find meaningful—whether it’s tech gadgets, exclusive experiences, or charitable donations. The reward should feel aligned with your community’s values and interests. When prizes resonate, participation rises. image (11).png [https://validar.com/media/image (11).png] FINAL THOUGHTS Gamification, when deployed with clear intent and thoughtful design, can transform engagement at your event. We’ve seen extraordinary results—from increased session evaluations to stronger exhibitor connections—that prove the impact when it’s done right. If you’re curious about how gamification could boost engagement and product demand at your next event, we’d love to share some of our success stories. 👉 READY TO MAXIMIZE ENGAGEMENT AT YOUR NEXT EVENT? Book a free demo with our team → [https://validar.com/demo]

Validar is proud to announce our new integration with Wicket’s facial authentication platform, designed to accelerate registration, enhance security, and elevate the attendee experience. This partnership combines Validar’s vCheckin onsite registration solution with Wicket’s privacy-first facial authentication technology, delivering a frictionless and secure way for attendees to enter events. FASTER, FRICTIONLESS ENTRY Attendees can opt in by uploading a selfie during registration, linking it to their event credentials. Upon arrival, Wicket’s sensors authenticate them in under a second — reducing wait times and allowing them to head straight into the event. SECURE AND PRIVACY-FIRST Security and data privacy remain top priorities. Wicket’s platform ensures that: * Participation is always opt-in * Personal data is encrypted and purged post-event * Attendees stay in control of their information This helps prevent badge sharing while giving organizers peace of mind. PROVEN AT SCALE The integration launched at the 2025 M&IW Summit, showcasing how facial authentication can streamline entry and improve flow. Wicket’s platform has already powered over 4 million credential scans at major events and venues, demonstrating both reliability and scalability. WHY IT MATTERS FOR EVENT ORGANIZERS By integrating Wicket with vCheckin, Validar is helping organizers: * Speed up the check-in process * Enhance event security * Improve the attendee experience * Free up valuable time for human connection As Chip Begley, Director of Event Technology at M&IW, put it: “Wicket’s facial authentication, paired with Validar’s vCheckin onsite registration platform, promises to deliver a frictionless experience — allowing attendees to breeze through registration and head straight into the event, saving valuable time for what matters most, human connection.” Learn More To read the full announcement, visit the official press release here: 👉 Validar + Wicket Integration Press Release [https://www.prweb.com/releases/validar-announces-integration-with-wickets-facial-authentication-platform-to-transform-event-check-in-and-elevate-attendee-experience-302519882.html]

This year marks Validar’s 20th year helping event producers and exhibitors succeed with attendee tracking and lead capture solutions. Our mission has always been to help event professionals measure performance, optimize engagement, and maximize ROI and we’ve built two decades of experience doing just that. We’re proud of the technology we’ve built, but even prouder of the partnerships we’ve developed along the way. What truly sets us apart is the depth and breadth of our experience delivering: * Onsite registration and badge printing * Attendee behavior tracking * Session attendance measurement * Lead capture and content engagement tools Here are five key advantages our 20 years of industry experience bring to every event we support: 1. Deep Industry Knowledge With two decades of experience, we understand the nuances of event production. From trade shows and conferences to corporate events, we’ve seen the challenges firsthand and solved them. This allows us to deliver solutions that align with your goals, anticipate common roadblocks, and ensure your team avoids costly mistakes. 2. Streamlined Communication When your vendor speaks your language, collaboration becomes easier. Our team knows event terminology, tech protocols, and show floor dynamics. This fluency creates smoother communication, fewer missteps, and stronger partnerships between your team and ours. 3. Innovation Rooted in Experience Being in the industry this long means we’ve seen trends come and go and we know what actually works. Our experience helps us bring innovative ideas to the table, not for the sake of buzzwords, but to solve real problems and create differentiated experiences for attendees and exhibitors. 4. Proven Credibility Over the past 20 years, we’ve supported thousands of events and worked with some of the most trusted names in the industry. We’ve earned our reputation through consistent delivery and measurable results. From glowing testimonials to long-term partnerships, our track record speaks for itself. 5. Smart Investment and ROI Experience leads to efficiency. We can scope projects more accurately, make smarter recommendations, and help you maximize your event tech budget. From optimized staffing to better onsite workflows, our solutions are designed to help you drive value without sacrificing quality. Final Thought While experience matters, we believe it should be paired with adaptability, innovation, and a customer-first mindset. At Validar, our 20-year journey is just the beginning. We’re still evolving because your events are, too. If you're ready to put 20 years of experience to work for your next event, let’s talk. [https://validar.com/demo]