In today’s fast-paced event environment, capturing qualified leads efficiently is crucial for exhibitors and event organizers. Cvent LeadCapture steps into this space, offering a mobile application designed to streamline lead collection and attendee interaction. This review will delve into the app’s functionalities, explore its strengths and weaknesses, and analyze its suitability for various event needs.

Core Functionalities

Cvent LeadCapture focuses on facilitating lead capture through badge scanning. Attendees with barcoded badges can have their information automatically populated within the app. This eliminates manual data entry, minimizing errors and saving valuable time at busy booths. Additionally, the app allows for manual input of contact details when badges are unavailable.

Pros:

• Efficiency: Badge scanning significantly reduces data entry time, allowing for faster lead capture and more interaction with attendees.
• Accuracy: Automatic data population from badges minimizes errors associated with manual entry.
• Customization: Qualifying questions can be pre-loaded and asked during lead capture, allowing for a deeper understanding of attendee needs.
• Offline functionality: The app operates offline, ensuring uninterrupted lead collection even with limited internet connectivity. Leads are synced once a connection is re-established.
• Data Integration: Cvent LeadCapture seamlessly integrates with other Cvent event management solutions, enabling a centralized data repository for comprehensive analysis.

Cons:

• No Business Card Scanning – Since Cvents must be purchased by event hosts, it fully relies on having event badges that are compatible with the software. This makes the app less flexible for scanning other types of inputs such as business cards and digital business cards.
• Limited Functionality: While Cvent LeadCapture excels at capturing basic contact information, it lacks features for advanced lead nurturing within the app itself. Integration with marketing automation platforms can address this limitation.
• Reliance on Badges: The app’s efficiency hinges on the use of barcoded badges. If badges are unavailable or have incompatible formats, manual data entry becomes necessary, impacting speed and accuracy.
• Cost: Exhibitors already have thousands of dollars invested in the trade show but may have to pay hundreds of dollars more for a license to the “Lead Capture” functionality that only works at a single event. As such, this solution is on the expensive end if you are attending multiple expos each year.
• Learning Curve: While the app is generally user-friendly, a brief onboarding process for exhibitors might be necessary to maximize its potential.
• Limited Offline Access: While the app functions offline for lead capture, accessing and managing existing lead data requires an internet connection.
• Only works at specific events – Cvents apps can only be used at events where event hosts have purchased a license to do so. For exhibitors who attend a lot of trade shows, this is not a good thing. 
• No Artificial Intelligence – Since Cvents lead capture app is 100% reliant on their badges and data, there is no use for artificial intelligence.
• No LinkedIn Functionality – LinkedIn is the preferred social media network for professionals, but there isn’t built in functionality to connect with prospects on LinkedIn.
• No Batch Scan – Event booths can get busy. There is no advertised ability to scan multiple cards or badges at the same time.
• Booking Appointments – There doesn’t appear to be a way to link with your Microsoft or Google Calendar to book appointments directly on the trade show floor, which is why many sales people attend trade shows to begin with.

Suitability

Cvent LeadCapture is a valuable tool for exhibitors at trade shows, conferences, and other events where attendee badges are standard. It is particularly beneficial for:

• High-Volume Events: With its rapid scanning capabilities, the app is ideal for events with large attendee numbers and busy booths.
• Data-Driven Event Hosts: Event hosts that prioritize data accuracy and centralized lead management will appreciate the seamless integration with Cvent’s event management ecosystem.
• Exhibitors using Pen and Paper or Fishbowls: The app eliminates the need to collect business cards if it is available at the event you are attending.

However, for events without barcoded badges or those requiring more advanced lead nurturing capabilities within the app itself, alternative solutions might be more suitable.

Alternative Business Card Scanner & Lead Capture Apps

• Handshook: Integrates with most CRMs and email marketing systems through Zapier AND excels at scanning business cards, badges, AND digital business cards like HiHello, Blinq, and Dot card. Plus can find missing contact information on badges and connect with prospects on LinkedIn right from the app.
• Romify.io – AI powered mobile app is compatible with both business cards and event badges which makes it super useful at a trade show. It links with your CRM but lacks some advanced features like the one above.
• iCapture PowerScan: Other than Handshook, this app seems to be the next best thing available for lead capture and business card scanning but is more intended for scanning business cards and connecting with Salesforce. However, it doesn’t appear to be as compatible as Handshook or Romify.
• Whova: This is an all-in-one events app that doesn’t do lead capture or lead retrieval well.
• Webex Events (formerly Socio): This is more of an event management app platform like Cvents or Whova.

Pricing

Cvent LeadCapture is not offered as a standalone product. It is part of Cvent’s Onsite Solutions suite, which includes a range of event management tools. Pricing for Onsite Solutions varies depending on the specific features and functionalities required for the event. It is recommended to contact Cvent for a customized quote.

This is a major downside for businesses, sales managers, and marketing managers who just want their employees to use a single app for all events to capture leads and send to their CRM as it isn’t available to them.

Pricing starts at around $250 per license for a single event which is paid for by the exhibitor in addition to the thousands of dollars they paid to be at the trade show.

The Final Word

Cvent LeadCapture is a robust and user-friendly application that simplifies lead collection for exhibitors at badge-centric events. Its tight integration with Cvent’s event management ecosystem and focus on data accuracy make it a valuable tool for data-driven organizations. 

However, its limited functionality for lead nurturing, booking appointments, AI, and LinkedIn within the app, plus no way to scan business cards or digital business cards, and its reliance on Cvent badges as an added expense require consideration. If you are a company that want to implement a universal lead capture or business card scanning solution for your team in all situations (trade shows, day-to-day sales, marketing), Cvents might not be the best for you. An alternative solution like Handshook.app or iCapture (owned by Cvent) might be the best for business card scanning.

By understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and pricing structure, event organizers and event managers can determine if Cvent LeadCapture aligns with their specific needs. For those seeking more advanced lead nurturing capabilities or catering to events without barcoded badges, exploring alternative solutions might be necessary.