Taking QR Codes for a Spin

You've no doubt seen QR codes... you know, those funky looking squares with a bar code inside. They're appearing in newspapers, magazines, even on tradeshow booths. The code links to just about anything you want it to... websites, blogs, marketing material, you name it. QR codes are green, they're hip, and they're growing in popularity in the meetings industry. Our IT experts are encouraging us to use them, so I decided to give them a go, and I thought you might want to learn along with me.

First, I found a blog by Tim Patterson, better known as @tradeshowguy explaining QR Codes. It was very helpful. Tim's blog led me to a search for online companies that generate QR Codes. I tried delivr QR Codes. It was as simple as shortening a URL on bit.ly. You just enter the link, click "generate", and boom. I have a QR code. Here it is:

This code links directly to www.ConventionNewsTV.com.
If you want to make the link... just search the Market on your smart phone for "QR Code Reader", and pick a free one. Once you download the App (I chose QR Droid) you just take a picture of the code, and voila. You're linked. Pretty amazing, actually.

When CNTV works with trade publications to produce video show dailies, we will be incorporating QR codes into the print versions.
The codes will link directly to CNTV videos. It's an amazing way to link print and video. It's also a great way to take people right to promotional videos, and highlights of your event.

You can include QR Codes in emails, post them on your website, and display them at your booth. Mashable recently posted five great uses for QR Codes... Check them out. So, that's a quick summary of QR Codes... how are you planning to use yours??