conventions - Influencing Identity

Attending a Networking Event with Name Tags

Badge holder with a printed insert and matching lanyard and imprinted badge ribbon to help make connections at a networking event.

Lanyards, name tags, reusable badges and even signs are useful tools for any conference or convention. And the corporate event name badge is one detail that has been overlooked too much. For years people have been dealing with this awkward situation over and over again at event after event. As such, setting the stage is just as important as attending a conference or networking event. However, there are many roadblocks along the way.

Here’s the scenario:

“You’ve just arrived at your weekly, cookie-cutter networking event, and after walking up to the registration table, you proceed to search across a sea of identical plastic name badges with tiny print for the one with your name and company printed on it. You’ll affix this name tag to your shirt at the least awkward angle you can finagle, and proceed into a crowded room of people all arching their necks to scope out the people worth chatting to while trying not to stare at someone’s chest for too long. (And most likely many have chosen to position the name) tags to be hidden in the folds of jackets or flipped around entirely making them impossible to read. Good luck with that one.”

Let us help you with finding the perfect solution to this problem. We offer products that facilitate networking and promote making those important connections. Our name tags and reusable badges are perfect for use with our lanyards and other fasteners.

For many people, the idea of wearing a name tag evokes the stale idea of the epic “Hello, my name is…” variety you might find at an awkward mixer or high school reunion. But a name tag is a valuable tool and, when used in fresh and creative ways, it can be an effective tool in helping people at a networking event and when interacting with each other.

Still not convinced on wearing name tags at a networking event?

Here are some creative ways to use any name tag or reusable badge to help eliminate any awkwardness while at a networking event.

Try omitting titles and company names. Use this as an effort to associate people more with what they love to do, or excel at, than what they do for a living. Focus on the individual.

Move beyond the work domain. Try using reusable badges with a catch phrase or other conversation starter to get people to mingle.

Incorporate a theme. It doesn’t matter what the theme is, just as long as it’s geared toward getting people flowing through the masses. After all, it’s about making those important connections.

To Wear, or Not To Wear. What is a Name Tag?

Many people feel that name tags are pointless and kind of a pain to wear. While most of these people will complain about wearing a name badge, they can all agree on one thing. That is the point of the identification in the first place. So, what is a name tag?

Once someone is wearing identification, it becomes easier to recognize them. So, those who become self conscious once they actually break and don a name badge, they will agree that the identification does aid in the day to day activities.

andertoons name tags name badges hate wearing

While there was a focus on Scott Ginsberg, a man who wears a name tag every day, Mark Anderson is annoyed by this small personal identification tool. Anderson says, “Well, I should say I hate wearing a name tag. I find them very useful when I’m speaking to someone because I’m horrible with names, but I always feel self conscious with that big red ‘Hi, I’m Mark’ branded on my chest.”

Defining Identification

By definition, a name tag is something you wear with your name to quickly identify yourself. Simply put, it is something to help others quickly see who you are. While a name tag is typically made from plastic or metal, there are many forms this identification can take.

“So, instead of hobnobbing and mingling, I set my mind to work on other ways people are identified with tags or signs, and this cartoon popped out. I suppose a therapist might suggest that I was feeling trapped in my job, but mostly I just felt goofy, and was able to turn it to my advantage. This cartoon came from attending one of those business events where I had to wear a name tag.”

In rebuttal against these feelings, name tags really are a great equalizer. Name tags always help out when meeting a lot of people at once. This is especially beneficial at a conference or convention, and in a short time frame.

“If everybody wears name tags, no more fighting, no more intolerance and no more disrespect,” says Scott Ginsberg.

Name tags RULE (even if we are biased)!

Wearing a name tag where people can easily see and read it makes getting to know them easier. It also puts everyone ease. The important thing to remember is that when meeting a lot of different people, they have an easier way to really remember who you are and what you stand for. No one will be left to assume anything about anyone with the simple aid of personal identification.

Shop Available Name Tags

Finding the right name tag is as easy as clicking here: www.nametag.com!

Name Tag Etiquette: Part 2

Event badges are the best way to identify yourself, especially when networking is a primary focus. Follow these guidelines and you will always be safe from sabotaging your success. So, what is the best way to print an event name badge?

Printing Event Badges

Event Badge holder with printed insert and handwritten name

Providing pre-printed event badges is one of the most effective investments you can make to the success of an event, especially a networking event. Yet many people waste this opportunity to help guests meet and greet at an optimum level. Here are a few tips to ensure your event name badges look great and are the most productive.

Keep the Printing Simple

All your event badges need is a first and last name with your affiliation or company underneath. Think twice about the need to provide any more information beyond these basics.

Printing the first name larger than the last name

While there are no hard and fast rules governing whether to enlarge the person’s first name, I submit that it’s best to print both the first and last name in the same size font. You will obviously see the person’s first name. However, if the last name is too small to be easily read, an opportunity to connect is lost since a person’s identity comes from knowing both a person’s first and last name.

No Honorifics and Titles for Event Badges

Do not place honorifics such as Ph.D. or Dr. or titles such as President or Sales Manager on event badges. You can learn this information as you converse. Only at special events will honorifics or titles be helpful, such as a doctor’s convention where the doctor’s specialties are important or a company conference where titles let others know what that person’s responsibilities are.

Adding a Company or Organization Name

Event Badge holder insert has three lines: name, title and association.

Besides a person’s first and last name, the only other information to print for an event badge is a person’s company or organization name; this is a great way to begin conversations. While we should all be proud of our affiliated organizations, seeing the person’s name is more important than knowing their affiliated company. Therefore, place the company name or logo at the bottom of the tag in a font size that’s easy to read yet smaller than the person’s name.

Host and Sponsor Organizations

Give acknowledgment to the sponsors of your event through the design of the badges, but never allow that information to override the all-important role of a name badge which is to introduce the person who is wearing it.

Choose a Font

Use big, bold fonts for printing and avoid script or fancy fonts. The goal is to make the badges easy to read, so choose your font wisely. With several thousand choices on most computers, your name badges do not need to be boring when selecting a font for readability. Some popular fonts for name badges include Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, Calibri and Times.

Font Size Matters

Print the names on the badges in a font size that practically fills the tag. It is a waste of an excellent networking tool to print the information on any badges in small type. Instead, begin with a large 40-point font and adjust the size to fit the names on each line. Some names are larger or shorter, so adjust the font size accordingly.

Print a Test of the Event Badges

Before printing your badges, print a single badge and look at it from the same distance it will be viewed at the event. Then, if there is any difficulty in reading any of the information, go back and make adjustments and try it again.

Now that you have your event badges, learn how to wear them at Event Name Tag Etiquette: Part 1.

By Syndi Seid, the world’s leading etiquette trainer, celebrity speaker and founder of San Francisco based Advanced Etiquette.

Event Name Tag Etiquette: Part 1

An event name tag is the best way to identify yourself, especially when networking is a primary focus. Follow these guidelines and you will always be safe from sabotaging your success. So, what is an event name badge and how do you wear them properly?

Should I bring my own name tag to events?

While arriving with your custom designed name tag ensures your name and affiliation are printed the way you like, it may not be in your best interest to do so. Consider this: event planners usually create tags specific to a particular occasion to identify those who legitimately belong at the event and those who do not. Wearing a name tag from outside the event may inadvertently convey the impression that you are crashing the party.

Squint Factor

There is nothing more disappointing than arriving at check in to see ineffective name tags. The logo of the hosting or sponsoring organization dominates the event tag. At the same time, names, company affiliations and every other detail, except your birth date, are printed so small they are not easy to read.

Remember the Purpose of the Name Tag

When preparing event name tags, think through the purpose of them. The tag should make communicating and networking easy for your event attendees. Always show names in spoken order, given name followed by surname, followed by your affiliation or company underneath. Think twice about the need to provide any more information beyond these basics.

Hosts and Sponsors

Sponsors and hosts are important to every event, and they deserve recognition. However, it is essential to remember that the person’s name is the most important information on the tag. Therefore, the majority of space should be devoted to presenting the person’s name. Thus, the logo or sponsoring affiliation should be smaller than the attendee’s name. It should never be the reverse.

Handwriting vs. Printing on Event Name Tags

Having tags printed and waiting is the perfect way to start an event. When this is impossible, provide dark pens and encourage everyone to write large enough that you can easily read their information from a distance, at least one half inch in height. Allow as much white space as possible; it helps others to easily read the badge.

Printed Tags

When generating pre-printed tags on a computer, choose a font that is easy to read. Arial, Myriad Web and Garamond are always good starting points. Sometimes it takes extra time to employ a little trial and error to find the correct font size and balance. However, it will be well worth the effort for optimum results. See part 2 of this article for information on printing event tags.

Wearing an Event Name Tag

Where should you place a name tag for networking? Wearing the tag high on your right shoulder gives other people the best view of the tag and your face. As you extend your right hand for a handshake, your eye and arm immediately draw to the right side of the person you are greeting. Because the uppermost part of your chest is the flattest area below your shoulder, this helps your tag to lie flat and be more secure. For women, this also prevents the awkwardness of drawing attention to a location we want to avoid having someone staring at. Placing the name tag high up in an easy to read and visible place keeps the focus on the tag where it should be.

Company Name Tags

Many businesses require their staff to wear name tags for identification. In this case, wearing such tags on the left shoulder is appropriate.

BONUS: Place name tags straight and in plain view.

Never wear your name tag crooked, sideways or upside down. It sends a negative message to others, usually implying a lack of respect for the occasion or a lack of care or interest in your appearance.

What other tips do you have to add to this list? Let us hear from you.

By Syndi Seid, the world’s leading etiquette trainer, celebrity speaker and founder of San Francisco based Advanced Etiquette.

NEXT – Part 2: Printing Name Tags

The Rules of Adhesive Name Tags at Conferences

For conferences, meetings and events, adhesive name badges are a must have. Not only do you eliminate the chance of misspelling attendees’ names (they will just write them), but they are also inexpensive.

But even so, there is proper etiquette for adhesive name badges in these situations. As an event or conference host, it is your responsibility to make sure your attendees are wearing their name tags appropriately.

Dictate where you want your attendees to wear their name tag. When you hand the name tags to your attendees so they can write their names, simply say, “Please wear your name tag on the upper right side of your shirt,” or wherever you think is best. This creates uniformity at the event, and people will not have to scan an entire person’s body to find their name tag.

Writing Names on Adhesive Name Badges

Ask your attendees to write their name big (but not too big). Nothing is worse than awkward squinting or staring in order to read a name.

Use black markers. Skip bright and lighter colors, and make it simple with black ink. Make sure the tip of the marker is not too thick to ensure cleanliness. Black may seem boring, but at the end of the day it makes the name tags easy to read and professional looking.

If you see someone whose name tag has been crinkled or ripped throughout the day, replace it. Keep them fresh and clean, even if it means having to order extras.

For the sake of uniformity, it is not proper etiquette for event attendees to wear name tags they brought from home. At conferences and events, name tags often serve as an equalizer for all of the attendees, so letting someone be flashy might throw off the vibe of the entire day.

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