Festivals and other community events have traditionally been a home of lanyards. Today, however, they are becoming increasingly versatile tools that allow people to stay more engaged, organized, and entertained. They may only go around your neck, but whether it is a music festival, neighborhood fair, cultural event, or a charity walk, lanyards can be used in a variety of innovative ways.

Here are some alternative ways in which you can enhance your next event with promotional lanyards for sale.

Event Access and Identification

On the simplest level, lanyards can serve as access passes. Organizers may find it helpful to control entry points, VIP areas, or backstage access by putting name badges, wristbands, or QR codes on them.

The major applications include:

• Colored lanyards to help differentiate functions such as staff, performers, and vendors 
• Schedules 
• Maps 
• Emergency contacts 
• Tags that can be scanned quickly and securely 
• Brand uniformity with a seamless corporate style 

Personalized lanyards, such as those created by Save Your Ink, can add a professional touch, making it easier to identify key individuals. Maps, schedules, or emergency contacts can also be put in laminated badges, turning a lanyard into a compact information hub.

Interactive Scavenger Hunts

Your event can become more interactive with the use of lanyards in the form of scavenger hunts or challenges.

Some ideas for interactive use include:

• Pins, stamps, or tags attached to the lanyard by attendees 
• Visiting booths 
• Completing tasks 
• Attending performances 
• Integrating digital tracking with QR codes or NFC tags 
• Offering prizes for those who cover all checkpoints 
• Adding themed items to lanyards (e.g., puzzle pieces, charm clips) 

Commemorative Keepsakes

Lanyards can also be turned into keepsakes that attendees might choose to hold onto long after the event has ended.

Ideas for commemorative lanyards include:

• Event date 
• Slogan or theme 
• Beautiful graphics 
• Limited edition or annual designs 
• Selling high-quality lanyards to VIP attendees, donors, and long-time supporters 
• Eco-friendly materials may add to their keepsake value 

Functional Swag Holders

Festival and event-goers often appreciate lanyards that provide more functionality than they traditionally offered, and there are various ways businesses can take advantage of this trend.

Appropriate holders for:

• Tickets 
• Cash 
• ID cards 
• Bottles of hand sanitizer or sunscreen 

Added clips for:

• Pens 
• USB drives 
• Bottle openers 
• Key holders or pull-out badge reels 

Social Media Photo Ops

Lanyards can also be designed to encourage social media interaction and create moments that are shareable. Research suggests that 59% of consumers discovered new products on TikTok, so creating social media posts featuring your lanyards could offer valuable exposure for your business.

Lanyard event ideas that might boost social media include:

• Taking selfies with vibrant colors or unique designs 
• Adding event hashtags and QR codes that link to the event’s social media pages 
• Constructing a scavenger-style challenge around hidden lanyard designs 
• Setting up photo stations with branded backdrops and high-quality lighting 

Team-Building and Group Coordination

Lanyards for festivals are also helpful when it comes to organizing large groups and encouraging camaraderie.

Some ideas include:

• Team or role color coding 
• Printing names or nicknames of participants 
• Including interesting facts to start conversations 
• Displaying corporate or school logos or mascots at your team events 
• Delegate lanyards that can also serve as scorecards for competitive games

Cause Awareness and Fundraising

If your event is aligned with a cause, lanyards can help raise awareness and become a visual symbol of the cause.

Include education and donation elements:

• Symbolic colors (e.g., pink for breast cancer, purple for epilepsy) 
• Brief information or statistics about the cause printed on the lanyard 
• Stratified designs for donors, volunteers, and sponsors 
• Organizing a sale of collectible lanyards to raise funds 
• Wrapping donation packages with lanyard-related merchandise 

Tips for Enhancing Lanyard Impact

Here are some valuable practices to consider for your lanyard strategy:

• Visibility design and comfort: Use bright colors, readable fonts, and materials that are easy to wear. 
• Customization: Add branding, use event themes, and, where appropriate, personalize with attendee names. 
• Sustainability: Opt for eco-friendly materials such as bamboo or recycled polyester to help minimize waste. 
• Promote communication: Add features like punch cards, badge ribbons, or collection pins. 
• Distribution strategy: Distribute lanyards in check-in packs, send them in advance packages, or include them in swag bags. 
• Consider utility: Lanyards can serve many purposes beyond just holding badges, so consider how they can be used creatively. 

Aligning your lanyard strategy with the objectives of your event, whether for organization, participation, or fundraising, will ensure that your lanyard doesn’t just function as a promotional giveaway but becomes an integral part of the event experience.

Summary

Lanyards for festivals may not always be the most critical aspect of event planning; however, with a little creativity, they can make a significant contribution to the attendee experience. Their uses extend well beyond the traditional roles of engaging crowds and generating social media buzz and can foster deeper connections and awareness.

Festivals and community events can leave a lasting impression, not just by providing lanyards as simple accessories, but by transforming them into memorable tokens of a great time. The next time you organize an event, consider viewing lanyards not just as accessories, but as opportunities to enhance the overall experience.