Summer is prime time for foot traffic, festivals, and fun in your community—and it’s also the perfect season to launch a digital event passport or check-in challenge. Whether you’re a destination marketing organization, downtown association, or event organizer, digital passports are a smart, simple way to boost economic impact and create memorable experiences for locals and visitors alike.

And the best time to start planning your summer campaign? Right now (spring!). Let’s break down how digital event passports work, why they’re effective, and how to launch one just in time for your summer season.

What is a Digital Event Passport?

A digital event passport is a mobile-friendly tool that encourages people to visit multiple locations—like shops, restaurants, attractions, or vendor booths—by checking in at each stop.

Participants use their phones to follow along, checking in at participating spots and earning points, badges, or rewards along the way. It’s a fun and easy way to drive foot traffic, boost local spending, and increase engagement during events or seasonal campaigns.

Digital passports help turn casual visits into purposeful exploration—giving people a reason to stay longer, see more, and support more businesses in your community.

Why Use Digital Passports? (Hint: They Help Drive Economic Impact)

Digital passports aren’t just fun—they’re strategic. Here’s how they deliver real value:

1. 📍 Bring People to More Places

Spread foot traffic across your entire district or event area. Guide visitors to hidden gems, new businesses, or spots that might otherwise go unnoticed. This helps local businesses thrive, and your visitors get a more complete experience.

2. 🛍️ Encourage Spending

Incentivize purchases by offering discounts, special offers, or prize entries as participants check in at locations. This boosts both foot traffic and sales—while keeping the excitement up for your participants!

3. 📊 Track Real-Time Engagement

Unlike traditional punch cards, digital passports let you monitor engagement in real time. You’ll see exactly where people are checking in, what businesses are most popular, and how well your event is performing—giving you the insights you need to adjust your strategy on the fly.

4. 🤝 Strengthen Business Partnerships

Give local businesses a clear reason to get involved with your campaign. By offering a fun, easy way to engage with your audience, you’re helping businesses connect to more customers and promoting collaboration between merchants.

5. 🌟 Create Memorable Experiences

Digital passports add an element of excitement and adventure, making your event or district feel more interactive and memorable. This not only increases participant satisfaction but also drives repeat visits, keeping people coming back long after the event ends.

Campaign Ideas for Summer

Digital passports are flexible and easy to theme for the season. Here are a few summer-ready campaign ideas:

• Summer Fun Challenge: Mix shopping, attractions, and events into one big adventure
• Downtown Days Passport: Drive engagement during a multi-day street fair or sidewalk sale
• Sips & Bites Trail: Feature local coffee shops, breweries, or food trucks
• Family Adventure Passport: Include parks, museums, splash pads, and ice cream spots
• Farmers Market Trail: Check in at vendor booths or market locations over the summer

You can theme it by month, focus on a holiday weekend, or run it all summer long. The best part? You control the timing, look, and feel.

Why Plan Now (Yes, in April!)

While summer feels far away, your most successful campaigns will be the ones that are well-planned and well-promoted. Here’s why April is the time to act:

1. ⏳ Give Businesses Time to Prepare

Starting early means local businesses get the time they need to create special offers, prepare signage, and organize staffing. The more time they have, the better they can participate and align with your campaign, ensuring a smooth and successful experience for everyone involved.

2. 📢 Promote Early to Build Lasting Buzz

When you launch your campaign in April, you're able to start creating excitement and anticipation well before the summer rush. Building awareness early means your destination stays top-of-mind for potential visitors and engages them at the right moment, boosting brand recognition across both traditional and digital marketing channels.

3. 💰 Secure Sponsorships and Partnerships

Proactive planning gives you the chance to secure sponsorships early—while businesses, influencers, and media outlets still have open calendars. These early collaborations amplify your campaign’s reach and make your marketing efforts more impactful, supporting both your event and the local economy in meaningful ways.

4. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Attract and Engage Premium Visitors

By promoting your campaign early, you capture the attention of proactive travelers and event-goers who plan ahead. These visitors tend to stay longer, engage more deeply with your community, and appreciate the unique experiences your area has to offer. By giving them something exciting to look forward to, you encourage loyalty and positive word-of-mouth for your businesses.

5. 💡 Maximize Impact with Multiple Touchpoints

Early planning gives you time to build a consistent, multi-channel marketing strategy. From social media and digital ads to traditional print and radio, starting your campaign early allows you to reach a wider audience more effectively, ensuring that your destination’s message resonates and sticks.

Ready to Create Your Summer Passport? Let’s Get Started! 🗺️

With Proxi, you have everything you need to craft a stunning, mobile-friendly digital passport that’s as unique as your event. Easily add custom check-ins, engaging descriptions, eye-catching media, and personalized buttons to make it truly yours. Plus, track every interaction in real-time to measure success.

Don’t wait for summer to arrive—start planning now and be the spark that fuels your community’s success this season.

Need help bringing your digital passport or check-in challenge to life?
Let’s chat! We’re here to help you make your campaign unforgettable.