What is a QR code and how do I use one?

Just when you thought you were on top of technology, along comes another new innovation. Using something called a QR code, your mobile phone can be utilized in yet another very productive way.

Let's say you're planning an event and you want people to add it to their calendars. Use a web-based code generator called Maestro to create a QR code. Send the QR code through email, publish on a website, print on a poster or even use it on a printed postcard that you send through the (gasp) mail. All your potential guests have to do is snap a photo of it with their mobile phones using a free app, and voilà, It's been added to their calendar in a matter of seconds!

QR codes can be used for web addresses, contact info (mine is inset, feel free to add me to your contacts), maps, text messaging and there's even a RAW mode, so you can customize these handy little codes to suit your needs. Have you heard the buzz about how you can soon use your mobile phone as your boarding pass? All made possible with QR codes!

A few examples of how you, as a meeting professional, can use QR codes:

• Print your QR code on your business cards - associates can take a photo of your business card and upload your contact info into their phones in a matter of seconds.
• Generate QR codes for registered convention attendees and train exhibitors how to upload attendee contact info instantly, using technology they probably already own.
• Print QR codes on attendee registration receipts and check them in at registration by simply snapping a photo of their printed confirmations.
• Generate a QR code for a map and directions to the conference location.
• Use QR codes to organize your conference shipments, handouts, sign placement... the possibilities are infinite.

Links:

• Maestro QR Code Generator
• SPARQCode QR code info & demo video
• Free QR code reader apps - available for Blackberry, iPhone, Palm, Windows Mobile and Droid phones (or check your phone's app store using a search for "QR code reader")
• Track flights using QR codes with FlightStats
• See how they're using QR codes to market Legos in Germany