QR Codes for Events in 2025: Enhance Engagement and Streamline Operations

I remember one of my first payments with a QR code. It was at a movie festival. After standing in line, the person behind the counter presented a QR code; I scanned it and entered the hall. It took all of 30 seconds for me to check myself into the event and join my friends.

It’s pretty crazy how quick and easy that was! 

QR codes are making their way into all transactional areas of our lives, all over the world. From restaurant menus, to invitations, to movie tickets, to payments, they are everywhere.

Now take a moment to think of how great it would be if your events were studded with QR codes. You could make your event 90% easier to manage from all angles and more so for your attendees. 

If you haven’t already used QR Codes into your event, worry not! We’ve got you covered! 

But, let’s start with a burning issue!

We hear you! There is a reason (or four) why QR Codes come with a certain appeal that traditional links don’t have. Here’s why: 

1. Instant Access

Convenience is key at events! Your attendees want to move quickly and need information on-the-go. Scanning a QR code is faster and easier than hunting around for a URL. This simplicity encourages more people to engage with the content provided.

2. Connects Offline to Online

Events often combine physical and digital elements. QR codes bridge this gap, allowing printed materials, signage, or badges to provide immediate access to digital resources like schedules, maps, or feedback forms. This seamless integration enhances the overall event experience.

3. Tracks Engagement

Understanding what engages attendees is crucial for continuous enhancement. You can get insights into attendee behavior by tracking QR code scans. With this data, you can measure interest in specific sessions, booths, or materials, to make data-driven improvements in future events. 

4. Here’s a personal favourite! 

If you fall victim to Murphy's Law (everything that can go wrong will go wrong), and everything goes wrong with the link attached to your QR Code, you can just rectify the link without having to change the QR Code. Disaster averted, and your attendees will continue having a good time after a brief intermission.

That should have got you onboard with QR Codes. So, let’s get into something more hands-on!

Across all event stages, QR codes will increase the likelihood of higher registrations and impressions. Not to mention how handy they’re going to be at various touch points. Let’s get into this stage by stage. 

QR Codes for Pre-event ops

• Promoting your event with QR codes

Add QR codes to all your event collateral like posters, brochures, agendas with their respective links. You can make it easy for people to access all the relevant information about your event with just a quick scan. When shared and reshared on social media, your call-to-action will stand out distinctly, to your target audience.

📌 Pro-tip: Customise these QR codes with add your brand's colors and logo to help increase your brand’s awareness and recognition.

• Simple RSVPs for  Invitations

Adding QR codes to your invitations can make it easy for your attendees to RSVP. It would make it fluid as adding a button to a physical or digital invitation. They can even access event details, and even add the event to their calendar with just a single scan.

• Streamlining Ticketing with QR codes

QR codes will be very effective for ticketing and check-in purposes.. With QR codes on tickets, attendees can be checked-in with one simple scan at the entrance t. Your attendees won’t need to wait in long lines and your check-in desk is going to be a lot less crowded. Moreover, you will seamlessly gather data.   

📌 Pro-tip: With QR codes for ticketing, you won’t need physical tickets which will reduce paper waste.

📌 IMPORTANT: Test 👏your 👏 QR 👏Codes! 
✅ Here’s a simple checklist: 

• Is the link accessible? (If it is a Google Form, double check to see if it open to everyone ‘outside your organisation’.) 
• Does it work on an Android phone? 
• Does it work on iOS phones? 
• Does it work on desktops/laptops

1. No fuss; just assigned seats  
   QR codes can be used to assign seats to attendees at an event. QR codes can be printed on attendees' badges, and scanning the code will automatically assign them to a specific seat in the venue.  This will also help to streamline the check-in process and ensure that attendees are seated quickly.
    
2. Boost event app downloads 
   QR codes can be used to encourage attendees to download the event app. By scanning the code, attendees can be directed to a landing page where they can download the app. This can help to increase engagement with the event and provide attendees. 
   
   📌 Pro-tip: To increase engagement, you can place QR codes on signage throughout the venue, or include them in promotional materials such as emails or social media posts. 
    
3. Event information at your finger tips 
   QR codes can be used to provide attendees with easy access to important information such as the event agenda, safety tips, sponsor information, and more. Never underestimate the power of handy QR codes at events. Attendees will appreciate having event info at their fingertips, right on their phones, instead of flipping through brochures.
    
4. Easy on-site check-in 
   Take it from us (event management tech geniuses), QR codes for check-ins will save you from a world of stress. QR codes can be used to streamline the check-in process for attendees. By scanning the code, event organizers can quickly check attendees in or even provide self-check-in options.
    
5. A MUST HAVE! QR codes for payments 
   Your attendees will really appreciate this. In this day and age, it is very important to simplify the payment experience and QR codes do the job!  By scanning the code, attendees will be directed to a payment page where they can complete their transactions quickly and easily. 
    
6. Tracking Attendees (without GPS! ) 
   Like never before, you can rig your event venue with QR codes By scanning the code, event organizers can track which sessions attendees have attended and which exhibitors they have visited. This can help organizers better understand attendee behavior and preferences, and make more informed decisions for future events.
    
7. Keep track food/lunch coupons 
   Sometimes physical meal vouchers can be messy. Attendees might lose them or damage them, making them counter-productive. But QR codes will not fail you here. You can use them to track food and lunch coupons at an event.
    
8. Tracking goodie bag distributions  
   You’ve got some great goodie bags to share with your attendees. You want to make sure there is no wastage and that everyone gets one. QR Codes are a great way to make sure that happens. With QR codes on attendees' badges, and scanning the code will automatically assign them a specific goodie bag.
    
9. Smarter Lead Capture, Happier Exhibitors
   QR codes can make your exhibitors love your event experience 10x more! You can use QR codes to help them record and store lead info without breaking a sweat. Exhibitors can place QR codes on their booths or promotional materials, and scanning the code will automatically enter attendees into a prize drawing or provide them with exclusive content.

Once your event is done, its QR code still lives on. You can repurpose the landing pages attached to your QR Codes and hook them up to follow-up communications for your event. This could be your post event feedback form, surveys, photo galleries, event recaps and so on. 

QR codes are pretty simple to set up. However, it might be cumbersome if you don’t have one place to manage the multiple QR Codes you will need to make. So, finding the right QR code generator matters.

We made a simple QR code generator for you with Nunify, which is an all-round event marketing tool. It streamlines the process and lets you generate all QR codes for events in one place. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to create a QR code for your events:

1. Visit Nunify’s QR code generator for events  
2. Fill in your name and date. (optional)
3. Choose/Enter assets for which you want to generate QR codes
4. Click on “Generate QR codes”
5. Fill up personal details in the form 
6. And Voila! Nunify will send you QR codes in the given email

We made a strong case for QR Codes for Events. Moreover, we’ve worked with many, so many event organisers who swear by QR codes now. In a nutshell, they will enhance your experience as an organiser and your attendee’s experience. Use QR codes to improve the attendee experience, streamline event logistics and gain valuable insights into attendees' behavior.