SCANVenger Hunt: Gamification That Encourages Face-to-Face Interaction and Active Learning
March 3, 2013
The Mission: Get members of the Denver Chapter of the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE Denver) networking, while showing off the LoDo neighborhood of Downtown Denver. Oh, and make it fun.
NACE Denver tasked the Arrangers, a Destination Management Company headquartered in Denver, to carry out this mission. Danny Findley, sales manager at Arrangers, said, “The chapter wanted to do a team building event and thought maybe a scavenger hunt.”
The Arrangers decided to turn that idea up a notch with a modern approach. They partnered with SCANVenger Hunt, a company that provides a mobile interactive gamification platform for corporate team building, as well as the travel and hospitality industry.
Attendees were randomly split into teams at the start of the event to encourage networking with people they were less likely to be familiar with. Each team was given their first clue and off they went. At each stop, participants had to answer a trivia question in order to get to their next clue via a QR code scan.
Findley said the trivia questions were designed so that the attendees would learn more about what Downtown Denver has to offer in the way of restaurants. Not only would participants get to do some sampling at each restaurant, they also were actively trying out a new bit of technology.
Event planners and show organizers often struggle with the delicate balance of technology and face-to-face interaction. There always is a fear that attendees will be so focused on the technology that it will discourage them from connecting face-to-face.
This game was a perfect example of starting with clear objectives and then finding the right tool to get event organizers to their goal. This particular tech tool is one that encourages interaction with other attendees and builds excitement during an event. “[Participants] could see real time who was in the lead and we also had bonus points built in to incorporate local info,” Findley said.
Findley also has seen SCANVenger Hunt used successfully at trade shows. Unlike passport books, where show attendees just go from booth to booth to get a stamp, SCANVenger Hunt helps exhibitors start a conversation through a relevant trivia question.
At their 2012 Awards Gala, NACE Denver awarded Arrangers with Best Entertainment for the LoDo Dine-Around QR Code Scavenger Hunt. That sounds like a mission accomplished.
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
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