The Columbus Metropolitan Library and the CML Foundation worked together to host their second annual Book Festival, a major event drawing over 40,000 book lovers this year. Attendees had the chance to meet authors, shop new and used books, buy literary-themed gifts, and participate in programs for all ages. Hundreds of vendors and area organizations came together to celebrate reading and support the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
As with any large event, organizers faced a pressing challenge: enhancing attendee engagement. With so many vendors scattered throughout Topiary Park and the Main Branch of CML, stakeholders wanted to create a way to drive foot traffic and increase engagement with individual booths.
We proposed an interactive Discovery Quest using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology to address the challenge. This activity built on our previous success with a similar quest at the Ohio Library Conference in Fall 2023. We aimed to develop an even more engaging experience for a larger audience at the Book Festival.
The development process began with collaborative discussions with staff at the CML Foundation and the Cleveland Metropolitan Library. We used Asana for project management, exchanged emails regularly, and held Google Meet sessions to finalize logistics and test the necessary URLs.
We used Figma for designing the visual components for the Quest. Our design featured NFC cards at 15 sponsor booths, each providing hints to guide participants to the next vendor. This technology aimed to drive attendees to interact with multiple booths throughout the festival. We also provided QR codes for those unfamiliar with NFC technology.
Attendees needed to visit at least six booths to be eligible for a small prize, while those who visited all 15 booths were entered into a draw for a grand prize—a Yeti cooler. This gamified approach increased both booth traffic and overall engagement with the festival.
The Discovery Quest proved to be an exciting addition to the Book Fest. Many booths that had previously experienced low engagement reported a significant increase in both traffic and interest. The interactive nature of the Quest resulted in festival-goers spending seeking out specific booths throughout the venue, and many visitors were pleasantly surprised at what they found on their travels.
Attendees embraced the activity enthusiastically. While only six booth visits were required to qualify for a prize, many festival-goers chose to visit all 15 booths. This participation was driven by the enjoyment and challenge of the Quest.
The positive feedback from the festival highlighted the value of incorporating creative technology solutions. Overall, the Discovery Quest demonstrated how innovative technology can enhance event experiences and foster greater engagement.
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