The Beacon, An Event’s Sidekick
Have you ever heard about the beacon? I certainly have not, until one of my colleagues introduced the product to me. Little did I know it, it would be one of the best products where event planners can use to enhance the level of interaction from their audience. Although the hype for this trendy product was enormous when it was first introduced in 2013 during Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, the use of the product is still relevant and growing. After reading about Estimote & Apple’s iBeacon, Google’s Eddystone product, I compiled a list of ideas where a beacon can change up your game strategy when competing in the event industry. Not only will this help event planners with geolocations, data collection and push messaging can be done automatically with beacons. In other words, receive quick reports and send information to attendees in one go.What is a beacon? 
A beacon is a device that sends radio waves to Bluetooth detection devices such as our mobile phones.These devices collect data about one’s location and send the information automatically. It’s one directional therefore only the beacon users can determine what is being sent to the devices. Smartphone users may, however, choose to disable their Bluetooth connection to stop receiving anything from beacons.
Beacon Ideas
There are many activities and events available that users can attend. However, not all are enjoyable. With a beacon, the level of engagement, however, can double or even triple. The purpose of this article is to insight you on how beacons can improve your events. There might be suggestions that you have heard of before, others you may not. Read on!-
Auto-checking in

-
Conferences

-
Treasure Hunt

-
Exhibition

-
Bike Sharing

-
Product Trial

-
Conventions & Exhibition Halls

-
Feedback

Other ideas
Zoo
Believe it or not, a few zoos have incorporated Beacons in their parks to educate and make guests interact with animals. Using a zoo application, they can learn more and access a list of intriguing activities to participates in.Meetings
Adding a beacon to meeting and using a room booking application can simplify the check-in process for room bookings. The beacon can send a check-in page once a person enters the room and enters their personal email used during booking. If no one enters the room and checked-in for a delay of 20 minutes, the room on the application can revert to being available for any other user who wants it.Open House
Beacons could also be used during open houses for students going to specific departments. Once students reach the entrance hall, beacons can provide attendees with useful information and documents about the school particular programs.Museums
Museums are already quite to adapt to technologies. In order to allow attendees to further get emersed in the arts and learn about it, beacons and the museum apps can help increase user’s engagement and creativity.Matchmaking
Getting a little more technical, beacons could also help with matching users together at a networking event. Information is collected through the phone, but send back if beacon admins feel the need for it. That’s it for the ideas, what will you be doing with your beacon?