Routes and fielddrive: leveraging modern tech to host sustainable global events

The fielddrive x Routes partnership

The collaboration between fielddrive and Routes is built on shared values of innovation, excellence, and sustainability. Routes events bring together airlines, airports, and tourism authorities to shape the future of the aviation industry. These high-profile gatherings demand flawless execution and a top-notch attendee experience, making fielddrive an ideal partner.

Built on trust and innovation, this partnership ensures consistent, high-quality event tech solutions at Routes events that elevate attendee experiences and support their ambitious event goals worldwide.

How fielddrive is helping Routes transform their event operations

Pre-event operations

Streamlined equipment setup

• Challenge: Previously, setting up equipment before events often required extensive time and effort. Traditional printers also had to be reconfigured each time they were moved, complicating booth layout changes. Furthermore, local vendors frequently supplied printers with native-language settings and instructions, which created a lot of confusion for the onsite team.
• Solution: fielddrive’s self-check-in kiosks require minimal setup and can be relocated without major reconfiguration. This flexibility lets Routes adapt registration layouts effortlessly, ensuring events run smoothly. Standardized equipment from fielddrive guarantees consistency and reliability across all locations, saving valuable time and reducing stress.

“When we arrive onsite, and I see the fielddrive kiosks, I know everything is sorted. It’s so much easier and saves us so much time compared to setting up printers,” said Aimée Green, Senior Digital Solutions Manager, Routes. 

Robust badge customization

• Challenge: Routes previously relied on black-and-white printers and manual processes, which limited their ability to reflect the premium nature of Routes events. Incorporating sponsor logos and event branding was also difficult under these constraints.
• Solution: fielddrive’s full-color badge printing provides extensive customization. Badges incorporate attendee details, sponsor logos, and branding elements, creating a professional and visually appealing design. This not only enhances the event’s image but also offers sponsors greater visibility and ROI.

Seamless data integrations

• Challenge: Managing attendee data across different systems was time-consuming, prone to errors, and challenging when handling last-minute updates. Routes needed a solution that integrated seamlessly with its Salesforce and VisitGES-based backend.
• Solution: fielddrive’s API integrations with Salesforce and VisitGES enable real-time data synchronization. This significantly reduces manual workloads, improves data accuracy, and ensures last-minute changes are reflected instantly across all systems.

As Aimée highlighted: “The integration is seamless. It was impressive how quickly changes synced during testing, and it’s saved us a huge amount of time.”

Reliable global support

• Challenge: Routes events take place worldwide, which means before partnering with fielddrive, Routes relied on local vendors for equipment and services. This led to inconsistent quality and introduced many logistical complications for the onsite teams.
• Solution: fielddrive’s global reach ensures consistent, high-quality service at every event location. By offering standardized solutions and dedicated project managers, fielddrive supports Routes’ goal of delivering exceptional events worldwide.

“We need consistency across global events, and fielddrive ensures the same high standard every time, no matter the location,” said Ellie Wells, Head of Marketing, Routes.

Onsite operations

Effortless check-in

• Challenge: Manual attendee check-in procedures caused bottlenecks, reducing efficiency and negatively impacting the overall attendee experience. For high-profile events like Routes, a seamless entry process was crucial.
• Solution: fielddrive’s self-check-in kiosks enable attendees to scan a QR code or input their details for instant check-in. This user-friendly approach eliminates queues, streamlines entry, and ensures that Routes events make a strong and positive first impression.

“The check-in kiosks have really improved the attendee experience. The process is smooth and intuitive, and it makes a great first impression,” said Aimée. 

Advanced badging system

• Challenge: Before partnering with fielddrive, Routes’ badge printing process required significant manual labor and time, often causing delays and disrupting attendee flow.
• Solution: fielddrive’s high-speed kiosks create full-color badges in seconds, eliminating manual tasks like folding paper into plastic wallets. The result is a faster, more polished event experience.

‍

“We used to print badges on A4 paper and fold them into plastic wallets. It was very tedious and slow. fielddrive’s full-color badge printing has completely transformed the registration look and feel at our events,” Ellie pointed out.

Better sponsorship opportunities

• Challenge: Routes aimed to enhance sponsor visibility and value at its events, seeking solutions that delivered creative branding throughout the attendee journey.
• Solution: fielddrive kiosks and custom badge designs offer extensive branding opportunities, prominently featuring sponsor logos on both kiosk panels and badges. This integrated approach captures attendee attention and delivers high ROI for sponsors.

“Our sponsors really appreciate the branding opportunities fielddrive provides. It’s been a major value add for them,” Aimée said, commending the amazing value fielddrive solutions add to their sponsors.  

Sustainable practices

• Challenge: Routes wanted to align their event operations with Informa’s FasterForward program and sought a partner equally committed to hosting environmentally responsible events.
• Solution: fielddrive helps Routes meet their sustainability goals by equipping Routes events with a fully eco-friendly badging solution. The badges are printed on biodegradable paper using eco-friendly ink and contain no PVC or glue. Furthermore, fielddrive’s badges remove the need for plastic badge holders, significantly reducing single-use plastic waste at Routes events. Finally, fielddrive’s global hubs ship equipment from the nearest location to the event venue, which further minimizes the event’s carbon footprint.

“Switching to fielddrive’s badge solutions has reduced waste and aligns perfectly with our sustainability goals,” emphasized Aimée.

Post-event operations

Actionable insights

• Challenge: Routes needed a streamlined way to evaluate each event’s overall performance and identify areas for improvement. Without a clear view of attendance patterns and operational outcomes, the team found it difficult to measure success or refine strategies for future events.
• Solution: fielddrive’s robust post-event reporting system compiles essential post-event data, such as check-in statistics and attendance totals, into one cohesive summary. By analyzing these metrics, Routes gains a deeper understanding of what worked well and where improvements are needed. This data-driven perspective empowers the team to enhance attendee satisfaction, allocate resources more effectively, and consistently elevate the quality of subsequent events.

“The reports from fielddrive are accurate, detailed, and always up-to-date which is crucial for showing sponsors their ROI,” said Aimée.

Results

The partnership between fielddrive and Routes has delivered significant outcomes, laying the groundwork for continued success:

• Global reach: fielddrive has demonstrated its global reach by delivering consistent, high-quality solutions at events across Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These deployments highlight the flexibility and reliability of fielddrive’s approach, regardless of location.
• Seamless check-in: Streamlined processes that enhance efficiency and reduce wait times.
• Improved badging: Full-color, customizable badges that boost sponsor visibility and elevate event professionalism.
• Eco-friendly practices: A holistic approach to sustainability—eliminating plastic wallets, using biodegradable materials, and minimizing shipping footprints—aligns with Routes’ FasterForward goals and reduces overall waste.
• Reliable support: Dependable global and onsite assistance that ensures a smooth experience and builds confidence for Routes’ team.

Over 6,000 attendees have already benefited from these advancements at Routes events, showcasing fielddrive’s dedication to innovation and continuous improvement. By streamlining event operations and enhancing attendee satisfaction, fielddrive upholds Routes’ commitment to hosting exceptional, sustainable events across the globe.

Conclusion

fielddrive and Routes’ partnership demonstrates how innovative technology and reliable solutions can revolutionize event management. Together, Routes and fielddrive are setting new benchmarks for event efficiency, sustainability, and attendee satisfaction, shaping the future of global events.