Event organizers know the pain of first impressions gone wrong: lines at the gate, downloads that stall, emails that go unread.

And yet, many still rely on traditional event management tools that haven’t kept pace with attendee expectations.

Offering instant, app-free access from the mobile lock screen is more than a convenience. While today’s event-goers may not expect it yet, providing seamless entry and real-time updates through Apple Wallet or Google Wallet sets your experience apart. It boosts engagement, builds momentum, and helps keep attendees coming back.

This article breaks down how mobile wallet passes can replace outdated ticketing platforms, and how tools like Badge make it easy to deliver branded, scalable access for modern events.

Event Check-In Experiences Haven't Aged Well

For years, event check-in has relied on a mix of emails, QR codes, ticket PDFs, and branded apps. But this patchwork of channels often creates more confusion than convenience.

Attendees are left digging through inboxes or downloading unfamiliar apps just to get through the door. What should be a seamless moment becomes a fragmented experience. And for organizers, that means longer lines, more support issues, and a weak first impression.

And attendees are noticing. According to Bizzabo’s 2025 Event Benchmarking Report:

• 73% of attendees expect modern event technology (up from 63% in 2023)

• 65% say the mobile app experience directly affects their overall impression

• 64% of organizers plan to switch event tech vendors in the next 12 months

The issue isn’t digital check-in itself, it’s bad digital check-in. Clunky event check in apps create disconnects before your event even begins, threatening satisfaction, conversion, and long-term brand loyalty.

What Mobile Wallets Offer Instead

Where check-in apps create friction, mobile wallets eliminate it.

Platforms like Apple Wallet and Google Wallet are already embedded in modern smartphones. That means no extra downloads, no lost e-tickets, and no missed check-ins. Just fast, app-free access via mobile tickets, delivered directly to the lock screen.

Mobile wallet passes offer a few core benefits:

• Personalization: Branded tickets that include event details, attendee information, and tailored visuals

• Flexible Redemption: Built-in QR codes, barcodes, or NFC for fast, secure entry across any device

• Ongoing Engagement: A real-time communication channel that works without email, SMS, or app installs

It’s not just about entry. Wallet passes offer flexibility, speed, and engagement in one format attendees already use and trust.

How Mobile Wallets Elevate the Event Attendee Experience

Mobile wallet passes do more than speed up entry, they reshape the entire attendee journey. From real-time updates to branded experiences, they offer a smarter, more connected alternative to traditional event check in apps.

With Badge, organizers can issue mobile wallet tickets that not only simplify access but also become dynamic communication tools before, during, and after the event.

Real-Time Updates, Without the Hassle

Things change: set times shift, venues update, new info gets released. But with paper tickets or static PDFs, there’s no easy way to keep attendees in the loop. Even most digital ticketing systems rely on manual refreshes or push notifications that often go unnoticed.

Badge solves this by enabling live updates to the mobile pass itself. Whether it's a change in venue, an updated start time, or an added speaker, the information refreshes silently, so attendees always see the most current details, right from their lock screen.

No reissuing. No confusion. No missed updates.

Location-Based Alerts That Reach the Right People, at the Right Time

Badge’s platform supports geo-triggered notifications, giving organizers a powerful way to connect with attendees based on where they are within the venue.

As guests move around, Badge can automatically push timely, relevant alerts such as:

• Session reminders: “Your session starts in 5 minutes” when approaching the breakout area

• Promotional offers: “Visit Booth 412 for a giveaway” near the expo floor

• Access updates: “VIP access now open” at the main entrance

These contextual nudges create a more immersive experience while driving engagement where it matters.

Always-On Access That’s Actually Convenient

Attendees shouldn’t have to remember passwords, dig through inboxes, or install apps just to enter an event. With Badge, mobile tickets are stored directly in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, ready to scan, tap, or show at a moment’s notice.

Because these passes live on the device itself (not in a third-party platform), they’re accessible offline and from the lock screen. That means shorter lines, faster entry, and far fewer support issues.

A Branded Experience, Not Just a Ticket

Every pass issued through Badge is a fully custom event ticket, built to reflect your brand. You control the design, such as logos, messaging, colors, ticket tiers, even sponsor placements.

This level of customization turns each pass into a powerful brand touchpoint, reinforcing your identity every time attendees open their wallet. Whether it's for access control, event updates, or sponsor promotions, every interaction feels cohesive and intentionally designed.

Post-Event Engagement Without Extra Effort

Where most event tools stop working after the doors close, Badge keeps your audience connected.

Passes remain active on attendees’ phones, creating an opt-in marketing channel for follow-ups, early-bird offers, and future event invites. You can drive ongoing engagement long after the final session, without relying on email open rates or app retention.

With Badge, the ticket becomes more than access, it becomes a lasting connection to your event and brand.

Real Results: How Jampack Issued 60,000 Mobile Tickets in One Month with Badge

When Jampack, a global hospitality platform operating in over 90 countries, set out to modernize its event access flow, the team faced a familiar challenge: how to deliver event ticketing at scale without the friction of apps, manual coordination, or outdated workflows.

Their solution? Mobile wallet passes, powered by Badge.

In just 30 days, Jampack issued more than 60,000 mobile tickets, enabling seamless access for thousands of attendees worldwide.

What Changed

Instead of relying on app-based check-ins or static e-tickets, Jampack adopted a mobile-first approach that met users where they already are: their lock screen.

• Faster check-in: Attendees scanned wallet passes directly from Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. No logins, downloads, or extra steps.

• Simplified group ticketing: Organizers could easily distribute multiple passes with a few clicks, making it easier to coordinate large bookings and group arrivals.

• Smarter engagement: Jampack used Badge’s geo-triggered alerts and real-time update capabilities to keep attendees informed with live session reminders, access instructions, and promotional updates, exactly when and where it mattered.

The Outcome

The shift to mobile wallet passes delivered measurable results. Attendees moved through check-in faster. Organizers spent less time managing logistics. And the guest experience felt modern, branded, and effortless from start to finish.

By replacing traditional ticketing with custom event tickets issued through Badge, Jampack created a more responsive, scalable access model, one that’s built for today’s mobile-first event expectations.

The Future of Event Check-In Is Already Here—Powered by Badge

Traditional event check-in apps are being left behind, for good reason. Mobile wallets deliver faster access, higher adoption, and real-time engagement that today’s attendees expect.

If you’re ready to move beyond the bottlenecks, it’s time to rethink what ticketing can do.

Discover how Badge powers mobile tickets and custom event check-ins at scale.

👉 Talk to our team and see how Badge can power your next event.