With onsite badge printing from Results at Hand, Big I Michigan replaced a once time-consuming pre-event process with faster check-in, less congestion, and a more polished attendee experience.
“Results at Hand has actually made our events simpler, not more complicated.” – Big I Michigan
AT A GLANCE
| 7 to 2 registration staff or volunteers | 2-5+ to 1-2 min. typical attendee check-in | Several hours to 1 hour staff preparation per event |
Event registration is often an attendee’s first in-person interaction with an organization. When it runs smoothly, it sets a confident, welcoming tone. For Big I Michigan, however, delivering that experience once required hours of advance preparation, several staff members, and stacks of pre-printed badges.
The Challenge: A familiar process with too much friction
Before working with Results at Hand, the Big I Michigan team printed every badge in advance, sorted them into attendee categories, alphabetized them, placed them in holders, and transported everything to the event. At registration, attendees then waited while staff searched for the correct badge.
The process became especially difficult when someone was not listed where staff expected them to be. Exhibitors who were also registered attendees could appear in different categories, forcing the registration team to pause the line, check multiple lists, and locate the right badge.
“It worked, but it created unnecessary delays and required a lot more preparation before the event,” the Big I Michigan team shared.
The Concern: Would new technology create a new problem?
Moving to on-demand badge printing offered a clear opportunity to simplify the process, but changing a familiar registration workflow came with understandable concerns. The team wondered whether connectivity or printing problems might slow check-in down rather than speed it up.
“At an event, the last thing you want is a registration system that creates a new problem instead of solving one.”– Big I Michigan
The actual experience quickly eased those concerns. Big I Michigan found the Results at Hand system easy to use and smoother than its previous process.
The Solution: Registration and badge printing working together
With Results at Hand, attendees can check in and have their badge printed immediately. Staff no longer have to search through pre-printed badges or stop to determine whether someone is registered as an attendee, an exhibitor, or both. Because registration information and badge printing are connected, the team can address changes or questions at the point of check-in.
Before one event, Big I Michigan even set aside a separate table for registration problems. The team expected to help people who could not find a registration, needed a correction, or had another issue. In practice, the table was barely needed. The intuitive process made it possible to resolve most needs immediately without pulling attendees out of line.
The Results: Faster check-in with fewer demands on staff
The new workflow made a measurable difference before and during events. Registration staffing dropped from seven staff members or volunteers to two. Typical attendee check-in time decreased from two to five minutes (sometimes longer when a line formed) to approximately one to two minutes.
Preparation changed just as dramatically. Instead of spending several hours across multiple days printing, sorting, stuffing, and transporting badges, the team now spends about one hour uploading and reviewing the registration list.
With fewer people needed behind the registration desk, Big I Michigan also reduced staffing costs, congestion, and the sense of chaos around the entrance. Staff can focus on welcoming attendees and helping where needed rather than searching for badges or troubleshooting lists.
A More Polished First Impression
The benefits extend beyond efficiency. Big I Michigan members have commented on how much the organization’s events have evolved and described the experience as more “tech-forward.” Although attendees may interact with registration for only a minute, that moment helps shape their impression of the entire event.
Walking up, checking in, and receiving a professional badge immediately makes the arrival experience feel organized, modern, and intentional without adding work for the event team.
A Simpler Path Forward
For associations that feel nervous about changing an established registration process, Big I Michigan’s advice is straightforward: do not let the technology be the barrier.
“It saves our staff time, creates a better experience for attendees, and makes us look good in the process. I wouldn’t want to go back to doing it the old way.”– Big I Michigan