The organizer's system or a rented device fits when
- You need the registration data behind the badge.
- You expect many visitors per hour and need one scan per person.
- The show gives you the licence at a price that is fine for you.
Lead retrieval, badge scanner or business card scanning: which one do you need?
Three different things are called lead capture at a trade show. A lead retrieval system is the organizer's whole service, a badge scanner is the device or app that reads the code on a badge, and business card scanning reads what a visitor hands you. They answer different questions, and many exhibitors use more than one.
The three methods side by side
| Feature | Lead retrieval system | Badge scanner | Business card scanning |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it captures | The registration data held by the organizer for the scanned badge, in the organizer's portal | The code on the badge, which the system looks up | The name, company, email and phone printed on the card |
| Who provides it | The organizer or its contractor, at shows that offer it | The organizer, its contractor, or a rental company | You choose the tool yourself |
| How it is usually sold | Often per device or licence for one show | Often rented as a handheld device or as an app licence | The vendor decides: per show, per year or per user |
| Works where the show has no lead retrieval | No | Only if you bring a system that can read the codes | Yes |
| What you do after the scan | Export the leads from the organizer's portal | The same, or a CRM sync if the vendor offers it | Depends on the tool; Followbooth sends the brochure, exports CSV and works with Zapier, an API and webhooks |
Lead retrieval systems and devices
A lead retrieval system is what the organizer or its contractor offers: a code on every badge, a way to read it, and a portal where you get your leads. The reader is often a rented handheld device (a lead retrieval device), or an app on your own phone with a licence for the show.
This makes sense when you want the registration data of every visitor you scan, when the show offers it at a fair price, and when your team scans many badges quickly. It does not help you at shows without such a system.
Badge scanner apps
A badge scanner app reads the barcode or QR code on a badge. Whether it can tell you anything about the visitor depends on the system behind the code, so most badge scanner apps work only for shows that connect them to the organizer's data.
An app that reads the printed text on a badge instead of the code works anywhere, but it gets only what is printed: usually a name and a company.
Business card scanning
Business card scanning reads the card a visitor gives you, so you get the email and the phone number the visitor chose to share. It works at any show, and it is the only one of the three that does not depend on the organizer. It needs a card, or a visitor who is willing to give their details.
Which one fits which exhibitor
Your own business card tool fits when
- The show has no lead retrieval, or you do not want a licence for every phone.
- You want the visitor to leave with your brochure, in their language.
- You exhibit at several shows and want one tool, one list and one price.
When Followbooth is not the better choice
- You need the registration data attached to the badge: use the organizer's system or its licensed app.
- You need a native, one-click CRM connector: Followbooth syncs through an API, webhooks and Zapier, not through native connectors.
- You must scan without signal on a phone that is not an iPhone: only the Followbooth iPhone app works without signal, and in the browser reading a card needs a connection.
- You expect hundreds of visitors an hour: a badge scan is faster than a card scan.
In these cases use the other method, and use Followbooth next to it where the stand has time for a conversation.
Prices
Start free with 10 business card scans, no card needed. Prices exclude VAT.
- Event Pass: €149 per show
- Up to 3 people and 300 leads, with access for 30 days after the show. For teams that exhibit a few times a year.
- Team Annual: €790 per year
- Up to 5 people, unlimited shows and 1,500 leads a year, then €0.30 per lead. Includes QR file groups for every show and a data processing agreement.
Questions about lead retrieval methods
What is a lead retrieval device?
A lead retrieval device is a handheld scanner or tablet, usually rented from the organizer or its contractor, that reads the code on an attendee badge and stores the lead. Many shows now offer an app on your own phone instead.
What is a lead retrieval system?
A lead retrieval system is the organizer's service: codes on the badges, the scanners or apps that read them, and the portal where exhibitors download their leads.
Can I use a business card scanner at a show that offers lead retrieval?
Yes. The two do not exclude each other. Many teams scan badges with the organizer system and use a card scan for the conversations that matter.
Do I need to rent a scanner to capture leads?
No. You can capture leads with business cards, a paper form or a QR code on your stand. A rented scanner is useful when you want the badge data.
Related pages
Try it at your next show
Start free: 10 business card scans, no card needed.