Event passes are also known as event badges, credentials, backstage passes, custom passes, laminated VIP passes and more. They have moved from paper tickets to convenient digital solutions for both organizers and attendees.
PassKit lets you create professional digital event tickets that integrate with Apple and Google Wallet. The platform takes care of everything from creation to delivery, so you are covered with a complete service for all your event needs.
In this guide, you’ll learn the benefits of digital event passes and how to create custom mobile tickets in five minutes with PassKit’s easy-to-use software.
Say goodbye to printing costs and hello to better attendee experiences.
What is PassKit?
PassKit is a flexible platform that lets businesses design and distribute digital passes for mobile wallets without coding knowledge or design skills. It integrates with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet, so your event passes can reach every smartphone user regardless of their device.
Unlike paper tickets that can get lost, damaged or forgotten, PassKit’s digital passes are stored securely on attendees’ smartphones and are accessible with a tap.
PassKit stands out from the competition with its user-friendly interface, robust customization options and powerful distribution tools.
It has real-time updates, location-based notifications and detailed analytics, so it’s perfect for event organizers who want simplicity and sophistication without the technical hassle.
PassKit has great customer service, so you can have a smooth and supportive experience from day one.
Start a 45-day free trial to see how it works.
How PassKit digital event passes help event organizers
Digital event passes are changing the way organizers manage events, offering unmatched convenience, cost savings, and improved attendee engagement.
No printing costs and logistics
Digital event passes eliminate the costs of traditional ticketing. You save on printing costs, custom die, special paper, ink and free ground shipping. This paperless approach frees up financial resources and physical space previously used for ticket storage and distribution.
The digital format also eliminates the logistical headaches of managing physical inventory and the rush to print last-minute tickets for walk-up attendees.
Less staff at check-in points
Digital tickets simplify the check-in process with automated verification systems. With PassKit’s PassReader app, you can reduce the number of staff at entrance points, including backstage passes.
Attendees simply show their phones for ticket scanning, which leads to faster processing and shorter lines. You can then reallocate staff to focus on other aspects of the event experience rather than entry bottlenecks.
Real-time pass updates
One of the biggest benefits of NFC tickets is the ability to make instant updates. When event details change – whether it’s a venue update, time change, speaker replacement or even reunions – PassKit lets you update all issued passes remotely.
This real-time communication eliminates confusion and ensures all attendees have the latest information without having to reissue tickets.
Contactless check-in
Contactless solutions are a must. PassKit’s QR code tickets provide a completely touchless check-in experience – attendees, including fans at concerts or premieres, simply show their phone for scanning without physical exchange or contact points. It addresses health concerns and speeds up the entry process.
Mobile friendly formats
Digital passes integrate with tools attendees use every day – their smartphones. Passes stored in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet are accessible even without an internet connection.
The familiar interface eliminates the learning curve and provides features like an automatic display when approaching the venue and prominent placement on lock screens at the time of the event, whether it’s a music tour, film premiere or live show.
Attendance and engagement data
Mobile tickets turn simple tickets into data collection tools. PassKit helps organizers gather insights on when attendees arrive, which sessions they attend and how they move through the event.
It helps improve future events by identifying popular features, potential bottlenecks and attendee preferences without having to ask for additional surveys or feedback.
Sustainability benefits of going paperless
Environmental awareness is key for organizers and attendees. PassKit’s digital passes eliminate the need for paper production, reducing your event’s environmental footprint.
Less fraud with unique pass features
PassKit’s digital passes come with security features that are way better than what regular tickets offer.
Each pass comes with unique identifiers and can include encrypted barcodes and ID badges to prevent duplication.
The platform’s validation tools quickly spot any fake or previously used passes, which helps cut down on ticket fraud and unauthorized entry, keeping your event’s revenue safe.
How to create event passes with PassKit
Design, manage and distribute digital event passes with PassKit by following this simple step-by-step guide.
Setting up your PassKit account
Getting started with PassKit is easy. The platform gives you a 45-day free trial to test all features. When the trial expires, you can continue with the usage-based pricing and get automatic volume discounts.
Once registered, you’ll get access to the dashboard – your control center for pass creation.
Navigate to the “Event Tickets” section to start your project. The user-friendly interface will guide you through the initial settings, such as event name, date, and venue details.
PassKit’s onboarding resources are also available to help if needed, so even first-time users can easily complete the setup process.
Design your event pass
PassKit’s visual editor makes designing professional passes simple. Select a template that matches your event type – conference, concert, workshop or sports event. Templates provide a structure while allowing complete customization.
Upload your event logo and artwork, and adjust the color scheme to match your brand. The editor provides real-time previews of how the pass will look on different devices.
Add the essential event information, such as title, date, time, and location. Consider adding a map or clear directions to help attendees find your venue.
Keep text concise and use visual hierarchy to highlight important information. Include contact details for customer support if attendees have questions or issues.
Add advanced features
Implement dynamic QR or barcode scanning for fast check-in. Set up automated notifications to remind attendees about the event or alert them to last-minute changes.
The platform allows location-based features that can trigger when attendees approach your venue, such as displaying the pass on their lock screen or sending helpful information.
For multi-day or complex events, consider adding custom fields for specific attendee information such as selected sessions, seating assignments or meal preferences.
These custom fields make the pass more valuable to attendees and provide essential information to your staff at check-in.
Distribution channels
PassKit offers multiple distribution methods to reach all attendees regardless of their technical level.
Generate unique download links to include in confirmation emails and let attendees save their passes with one click.
Create QR codes to embed in websites or printed materials for attendees to scan and view their passes. For larger events, explore API integration with your existing registration system to automate pass delivery.
Social media sharing options allow attendees to share their participation and create organic event promotions.
The platform’s distribution analytics will show you which channels perform best so you can refine your event marketing plan.
Test your passes before launch
Before wide distribution, testing is crucial. PassKit’s preview function shows exactly how the pass will look on different devices.
Send test passes to team members with different smartphone models to ensure consistency across devices. Verify all interactive elements work correctly – barcodes scan, notifications appear as scheduled, and location services trigger as expected.
Do a mock check-in scenario using PassKit’s validation tools to identify potential bottlenecks. It will train your staff and confirm that the technical infrastructure works seamlessly.
Best practices for using PassKit’s event passes
Optimize your event’s success by following these best practices for creating and managing digital event passes.
Time your pass distribution for maximum engagement
Timing is everything when it comes to pass distribution. For a special event, send the pass too early, and it will be forgotten; too late, and you’ll create anxiety.
The sweet spot is 7-10 days before the event – close enough to generate excitement but with enough time to troubleshoot.
Consider a two-phase distribution – an initial announcement when tickets are purchased and the actual pass delivery closer to the event date.
For multi-day conferences or festivals, stagger your distribution to avoid information overload. Send the pass with a quick email and some setup instructions.
PassKit allows you to automate this process and ensure consistent timing even with last-minute registrations. Monitor open rates and wallet installations to refine your timing strategy for future events.
Personalize passes with attendee information
Personalization turns a standard pass into a valuable attendee resource. Beyond name and ticket type, consider adding custom information like selected sessions, dietary preferences or accommodation details.
PassKit’s field customization allows you to create personalized experiences without complex coding.
Data from your registration system can be mapped to pass fields. For repeat, attendees acknowledge their loyalty with special badges or status indicators on their passes.
Use the update feature for last minute changes
Events rarely go exactly to plan. PassKit’s real-time update feature allows you to adapt to changes without reissuing passes.
When schedule changes occur, update all passes instantly so attendees have the latest information. For major changes, combine pass updates with push notifications to alert attendees immediately.
The platform’s segmentation feature allows targeted updates, ideal for events with multiple tracks or sessions. Create update templates in advance for common scenarios like room changes, delayed starts or speaker substitutions.
It allows for rapid response when situations arise and minimizes disruption to the attendee experience. PassKit goes the extra mile for clients to ensure a seamless experience.
Create tiered passes for different access levels
Complex events require differentiated access control, including VIP passes, to enhance the experience for attendees.
PassKit makes it easy to create tiered passes – VIP, general admission, backstage, press – each with distinct visual cues for easy identification.
Custom printed ID badges for attendees and VIP passes are essential for security at events.
Each pass type can have specific access instructions, perks information or exclusive content relevant to that tier. For security, implement different validation requirements for premium areas.
The platform’s template duplication feature makes it easy to create multiple pass types while maintaining branding consistency across all tiers.
Use passes for post-event engagement
Digital passes continue to provide value after your event is over. Update passes post-event with thank you messages, links to recorded content or feedback surveys to extend engagement.
For recurring events, turn expired passes into promotional tools for next year by updating them with early-bird registration information. Attendees might save their event passes as mementos after the event.
Integrate with social media for increased visibility
Increase your event’s reach by adding social sharing options to your digital passes. Design passes with social media in mind – create visually appealing designs that attendees will want to share.
Add social sharing buttons to your pass distribution emails to encourage immediate posting. Create event-specific hashtags on the passes to unify social conversations.
For premium events, consider creating special “shareable moments” where unique pass features unlock exclusive content designed specifically for social sharing.
It turns each attendee into a potential promoter and expands your event’s digital footprint.
Setup QR/barcode scanning
Smooth entry management relies on proper scanning setup. PassKit’s Scanning app works with standard equipment, but setup is key.
Position scanning stations strategically to avoid bottlenecks and have clear signage directing attendees to the correct entry points based on pass types.
Train staff thoroughly on scanning, including troubleshooting common issues like damaged displays or low-battery phones.
Have a backup validation procedure, like manual lookup by name or email, to handle exceptional cases without disrupting the main entry flow.
For events with re-entry, configure your system to differentiate between first entry and returns. Test your scanning setup in different lighting conditions to ensure it works regardless of the time of day or venue.
PassKit integration with your systems
Thanks to Zapier and Make, PassKit has integration capabilities with popular CRM systems to seamlessly sync your customer data. It allows automatic pass personalization based on your existing customer records and tracks engagement for future marketing campaigns.
The platform works with leading event management software to streamline the pass creation process using registration data you already have. PassKit’s API makes connecting with ticketing systems easy and eliminates duplicate data entry and admin overhead.
Email marketing integration allows passes to be distributed through your preferred platforms and maintains consistent communication with attendees.
For custom needs, PassKit has custom API options that allow developers to create bespoke connections to proprietary systems.
Backend attendance tracking integrations complete the ecosystem so you can monitor check-ins and attendance patterns in real-time and update your databases with valuable engagement metrics to inform future event strategies.
PassKit analytics for event performance
PassKit has analytics that track pass installation rates across platforms so you can see which acquisition channels perform best.
These metrics show when attendees add passes to their wallets or remove them completely. You can also see which mobile wallet they use the most.
Check-in data gives you valuable insights into arrival patterns, peak entry times and attendance rates for different ticket types. It helps you optimize staffing and identify logistical improvements for future events.
The platform monitors ongoing attendee engagement, including how often passes are viewed before, during and after your event.
These analytics provide a foundation for data-driven planning of future events and help you identify what to repeat.
By connecting attendance data with marketing spend and revenue, PassKit helps you demonstrate clear ROI to stakeholders and identify opportunities to increase profitability.
Conclusion about event passes
Digital event passes have gone from nice to necessary for event management.
PassKit makes this technology available to all organizers, regardless of technical ability, with professional, customizable passes that enhance the attendee experience and simplify operations.
The platform’s features – from durable passes and real-time updates to analytics – far surpass traditional ticketing methods which often rely on outdated options like custom shapes, bag tags, and flush cut.
Try PassKit for 45 days free and see how easy it is to create professional mobile wallet tickets in minutes.
Your attendees will love the convenience, and you’ll love the smooth operations and insights. Don’t forget to grab some lanyards to go with your event passes to make them look even more professional.
