Elevating Event Engagement: How QR Codes are Transforming Content Sharing

Author: Jordan Edgett

‍

Remember how popular hashtags used to be? #goeagles #bulldogpride #hornetsnest. Schools and organizations encouraged students to use unique hashtags when posting on social media, which helped gather shared content in one place, creating engagement within the community and drawing attention to students, groups, or events. While hashtags can still be effective, especially for specific campaigns, the digital landscape is evolving. As technology and user behavior shift, so too should our strategies for engagement.

Enter QR codes—the modern evolution of content collection. What started as a tool for contactless payments and information sharing has become a powerful means of connecting with diverse audiences across multiple platforms. Today, QR codes are not just a novelty; they’re a necessity, seamlessly bridging the gap between physical and digital worlds. Most local professional and college venues have already replaced hashtags with QR codes, and many forward-thinking high schools are beginning to capitalize on their capabilities as well.

CUE’s Platform is built around the concept of leveraging QR codes to enhance fan and community engagement like never before. For example, PostUp, a photo and video aggregation software, allows students and fans to access and share content in real time with just a quick scan. Unlike hashtags, which merely aggregate posts, PostUp facilitates a more dynamic interaction—content is not only shared but users can also engage in other quick play games for a chance to earn a reward or be redirected to other websites such as online merchandise shops, ticket sales, fundraising campaigns and more!

But PostUp doesn’t stop at traditional photos. In addition to allowing people to share photos as they capture them, CUE has integrated advanced AI filters that let users transform their images into something entirely new. Users can choose to showcase themselves as a favorite character or personality, these filters add a layer of creativity and personalization for special events.

By integrating PostUp, schools gain the ability to curate and control the content they showcase, offering new opportunities to create a level of interaction that resonates with today’s digital-savvy students while also offering schools the flexibility to use the content in various formats, whether for in-event displays or year-round marketing.

Take Katy ISD in Texas, for example, where PostUp was activated during graduation ceremonies. The district used QR codes to allow graduates and families to share baby pictures and other memorable moments from their time at school, which were then displayed in real-time, creating a shared, immersive experience for all attendees.

"The Katy Independent School District, which includes ten high schools, chose to trial the CUE PostUp product for our high school commencement ceremonies. Six of the ten schools participated, and the results were overwhelmingly positive. Both the graduates and their parents were fully engaged. Jordan Edgett was exceptionally patient and understanding as we learned to navigate the program. He was always available to provide technical support. I'm confident that next year all ten schools will participate.” - Laurie Mitchell, Athletics Marketing and Advertising Coordinator

For schools without video boards, the possibilities with PostUp are just as exciting. Imagine displaying student-submitted content on monitors throughout the school or embedding it into the district’s website, offering a window into the vibrant student life. This content not only engages the school community but also serves as a rich repository for yearbook images, ensuring an equitable representation of all student groups.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, students are natural content creators. PostUp empowers schools to leverage this talent, turning everyday moments into lasting memories and valuable assets for engagement.

‍