Death to the Albatross! (Let's get back to the basics on name tags!)

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.
 - George Bernard Shaw

Name badges have gotten ridiculous. Event organizers have tried to capture so much information on the name badge, provide agendas at a glance, drink tickets, identification ribbons, sponsor level, event branding, and the kitchen sink all on one little name badge... it's gotten so bad that I feel like everyone is walking around with a giant albatross around their necks!

What is the purpose of a name badge? To help people connect. How can you connect when you have to fight to locate their name, look at their stomach (or a female's chest), or ask them to flip their badge around so you can find their name. How much of a jerk do you feel like when you can't remember someone's name, but there is zero chance of actually catching their name badge without them noticing?

We need to get back to basics on name tags. Keep them simple. Help people connect. Give them a large first name, a smaller last name, and their company. If you need security features (like colors to know if they are a sponsor or an attendee to keep them in or out of certain session), incorporate that seamlessly into the design. Let's get back to having name badges that can be worn higher up on the chest so no one has to look down the center of the body to locate a name.

And let's talk about ribbons: Ribbons no longer make people feel special. You know what makes people feel special? Having people call them by name and shake their hand. Maybe even hug. Imagine a world where you can hug without getting your name badge tangled up with your huggee!

And finally, once we've agreed to go back to name badges that clip or magnetically attach to the chest area, make sure your attendees wear their name badges properly. Wearing the badge on the upper right side of the chest, in line of sight with a handshake, is the most appropriate location for networking. Check out this great post by Carey Suevega on proper name tag placement
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Who's with me for a name tag revolution?