Leave paper passes in the past …
… and don’t leave guests searching and scrolling through their inboxes and camera rolls for invitations or screenshots of QR codes.
Mobile wallet passes present a more modern and convenient alternative.
Securely stored within guests’ phones, these passes bring ease, clarity, and polish to how guests and event organizers exchange and access information, from the moment the guest RSVPs.
For event planners considering embracing such technology, here’s what you need to know to choose the right mobile wallet pass.
What is a mobile wallet pass?
A mobile wallet pass is a digital credential conveniently stored in an Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. Businesses around the globe issue digital passes to replace physical cards and documents like boarding passes, customer loyalty cards, and membership cards. In the events industry, digital passes are used in place of physical passes and tickets.
With an Apple Wallet pass or Google Wallet pass, event passes and details are always accessible, instantly recognizable, and designed for a premium guest experience. And when that pass is customized with your event’s branded colors, logo, and imagery, it reinforces brand recognition and maintains consistency with the rest of your communications.
For guests, wallet passes:
- Provide instant access to event credentials without searching through emails or printing documents
- Act as a personal, curated touchpoint tied to their event experience
- House the most relevant event information in one easily accessible location
- Elevate the perception of the event before arrival, especially when the pass reflects the event’s brand identity
- Serve as an event reminder, stacked in the guest’s digital wallet once added
For event organizers, wallet passes:
- Centralize guest credentials and event information
- Allow for automated updates without redistributing materials
- Ensure controlled access while maintaining a seamless experience
Another benefit of wallet passes for event organizers is that, within the same event, it’s possible to reissue the same pass to guests via multiple campaigns (such as confirmations and reminders), as well as issue multiple different passes to guests as needed.
Common use cases
Digital event passes are yet another way to personalize the event experience for every guest, but event organizers use them for a number of different reasons. They are commonly used to improve:
- Event access or entry credentials
- VIP or role-specific identification
- Issuance of QR codes or barcodes for a fast, seamless check-in experience
- Issuance of multi-day, multi-access passes for complex events
Read: 9 helpful tips for managing event check-in
Features to look for in a mobile wallet pass
For event organizers searching for the best way to issue mobile wallet passes to guests, there are several important things to consider. zkipster Wallet Pass is built to tick all the boxes for event planners who prioritize elevating the guest experience.
Elegant branding and customization capabilities
For top-tier event planners who curate luxury events and exclusive event experiences, you’ll want the ability to curate the look and feel of each pass. That includes customizing with brand colors, event logo and icons, and high-resolution visuals that reflect the event’s goals and identity.
zkipster Wallet Pass features easy-to-use templates that support visually rich designs, with the flexibility to create different pass designs for different guest types, such as VIPs, speakers, staff, press, and sponsors, as well as different purposes, such as event entry, VIP access, and parking.
Don’t forget the back of your pass. With zkipster Wallet Pass you can add useful event information and links, such as timings and agendas, event websites, secure donation links for nonprofits, maps to help guests find the venue, incentives and more.
Learn more: How to approach event branding for VIP events
This level of customization allows for strong branding opportunities to reinforce brand perception, make the pass feel intentional and premium, and elevate the guest journey.
Seamless integration with guest management data
When comparing mobile wallet pass solutions, look for a platform with the ability to connect passes directly to guest profiles. zkipster Wallet Pass allows for automatic population of guest-specific details via custom fields, including guests’ names, roles, access level, or status, as well as event-specific details like date, time, location, and seating information.
This reduces manual work and errors while ensuring passes reflect real-time guest information. Using automation to manage credentials also frees up your team to focus on higher-impact tasks, like managing on-site logistics and keeping guests engaged.
Read also: 42 pre-event survey questions to ask attendees (and how to manage responses)
Real-time updates and dynamic content
Look for a wallet pass platform with the functionality to provide real-time updates via dynamic content. Event planners will value the ability to update pass information after it’s been added to a wallet to communicate time or location changes, access permissions, and provide status updates.
zkipster Wallet Pass supports real-time content updates, which are essential for live events because they keep guests informed, eliminate confusion, and reduce on-site support needs.
Location-based messages are a powerful communications channel for event planners. These push notifications are sent when a guest is within 1,000 meters of the event location, so are ideal for welcoming attendees and sharing entrance information. They appear on the lock screen, maximizing visibility and accessibility, and are available with zkipster Wallet Pass.
Apple Wallet and Google Wallet compatibility
Be sure to choose a mobile wallet pass platform built for compatibility with both iOS and Android devices. Look for digital passes that offer native support for both mobile platforms, provide consistent experiences across devices, and work within each phone’s built-in wallet app so no additional downloads are required. For a digital wallet pass to enhance the guest experience, the technology must be easy to use.
Easy distribution and guest onboarding
A mobile wallet pass should allow for simple delivery options. Send invitations and guest communications via email and other channels with Apple and Google “Add to Wallet” buttons and/or custom pass links that require guests to perform as few steps as possible.
A smooth onboarding experience will not only set the tone for the entire customer journey, but will also reduce how many assistance requests you receive from guests.
On-site usability and staff efficiency
Event planners need guests to be able to access updates and event information in real time. Apple and Google Wallet passes are designed for instant readability, with clear text and visual indicators that define a guest’s access level or role.. Instant guest validation helps keep lines moving and supports calm, confident on-site operations to help elevate the event experience from the moment the guest arrives on site.
Using location-based messaging also helps reduce check-in bottlenecks, as guests can access their passes with a single tap via the lock screen notification triggered when they are close to the event venue.
Designing distinct passes for different guest segments - such as VIP or press - supports your team’s efficiency too, by giving them a quick visual indicator of each guest’s role and access level.
Analytics and visibility for organizers
A mobile wallet pass should help you track activations and voids as well as monitor guest engagement at every stage of the event. During the event, event organizers can rely on real-time check-in data to analyze when guests arrive and how they move through the event when there are multi-events or breakout sessions in different locations or different spaces within the venue.
Data analysis can provide valuable insights to help you optimize planning and operations for future events. It can also be used to help you understand guest retention, giving you a clearer picture of what keeps them coming back.
Scalability and flexibility
When choosing a wallet solution, make sure it’s flexible and able to scale with your business. It should support multiple events, guest types, and access needs as well as be suitable for both small, intimate events and large-scale programs. Having this flexibility will allow you to continue to use the same wallet pass platform as your event strategies evolve.
A platform-first approach to mobile wallet passes
zkipster Wallet Pass is the premier digital wallet pass for exclusive, luxury events in the arts, fashion, entertainment, sports hospitality, nonprofit and corporate sectors.
Designed to work seamlessly with all other zkipster Events features, Wallet Pass gives event planners creative control over how their event shows up in a guest’s wallet. It delivers a personalized, visually appealing experience that feels exclusive before they even arrive.
