Event Registration Software
Online registration, badge printing, exhibitor check-in and on-site ordering — built for B2B trade shows, dealer expos and distributor buying shows.
Authored by JT Smith Team · Updated November 2026
What is event registration software?
Event registration software is the system organizers use to sign up attendees and exhibitors before an event and check them in on arrival. At a B2B trade show or dealer expo, registration also covers buyer credentials, badge printing, booth assignments and the exhibitor portal where vendors manage their own space.
Most event registration tools stop at check-in. showPRO™ goes further: once a buyer is registered and badged, they can place orders with every vendor on the show floor — the layer that wholesale shows and buying expos require.
Registration features built for wholesale shows
Every feature serves the moment buyers and vendors are on the floor together.
Online pre-registration
Buyers and exhibitors register before the show opens. Organizers see confirmed attendee counts in real time and can send updates to registrants.
Badge printing kiosks
On-site kiosks print buyer and exhibitor badges on arrival. The JT Smith Red Vest team staffs registration and keeps the queue moving.
Fast check-in scanning
Badge scanning reads attendee credentials in under a second. Offline-first architecture keeps check-in running even when convention-center Wi-Fi drops.
Exhibitor portal
Vendors apply for booth space, sign contracts, order booth services and register staff — without emailing the organizer — through a self-service exhibitor portal.
iOS and Android apps
Buyers check in and place orders from the iOS or Android app. Organizers run registration from a tablet. No app download is required for web-based access.
Real-time reporting
Registration totals, check-in counts and order volumes update live. Organizers see the full picture without waiting for the show to close.
Buyer and exhibitor directories
Registered attendees appear in the buyer directory. Exhibitors see which buyers are on the floor so their reps can focus on the right accounts.
Secure payments at registration
Collect registration fees and booth deposits at sign-up. Payment data is handled through PCI-compliant tokenized processing — card numbers never touch our servers.
On-site ordering after check-in
What most registration tools don't have: once badged, buyers place orders with every vendor at the show, offline if needed, syncing to each distributor's ERP.
Registration built for buying shows, not just conferences
General event registration tools are designed for conferences where attendees listen and network. A wholesale buying show or dealer expo needs more: buyers come to order, and registration is only the first step.
| Feature | General tools | showPRO™ |
|---|---|---|
| Online pre-registration | ||
| Badge printing kiosks | varies | |
| Exhibitor portal | varies | |
| Offline check-in | ✕ | |
| On-site wholesale ordering | ✕ | |
| ERP sync | ✕ | |
| On-site staffing team | ✕ |
How to choose event registration software for a trade show
Ask these five questions before you decide. Most software answers the first three. showPRO™ answers all five.
- 01
Does it handle both buyer and exhibitor registration?
Some tools only manage one side. A buying show needs separate flows for buyers (who place orders) and exhibitors (who have booths, contracts and staff).
- 02
Does it print badges on-site?
On-demand badge printing at the registration desk speeds check-in and prevents the queues that form when badges are pre-printed and sorted.
- 03
Does it work without internet?
Convention center Wi-Fi is unreliable. If the registration system requires a live connection, check-in stops when the network does.
- 04
Does it connect to on-site ordering?
At a wholesale show, registration is only the door. Buyers are there to order. If the registration system is separate from the ordering system, your team manages two platforms and buyers switch between two apps.
- 05
Who staffs the event on-site?
Software alone doesn't run a show. Ask whether the vendor provides on-site staff or whether you are on your own. JT Smith's Red Vest team staffs registration, badge printing and ordering for every showPRO™ event.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is showPRO?
showPRO™ is B2B trade show ordering and event management software from JT Smith & Associates. Sales reps and buyers capture wholesale orders on the show floor — offline, with contract pricing and instant ERP sync — while organizers run registration, booth services, floor plans, and billing in the same system. Backed by 30 years and onsite crews who work the show with you.
What is event registration software?
Event registration software is the system organizers use to sign up attendees and exhibitors before an event and check them in on arrival. At a B2B trade show or dealer expo, registration also covers buyer and exhibitor credentials, badge printing, booth assignments and the exhibitor portal where vendors manage their own space.
What registration features does showPRO™ include?
showPRO™ handles online pre-registration for buyers and exhibitors, on-site check-in with badge printing kiosks, booth assignment and exhibitor portal access, and payment collection. For buying shows it adds on-site order capture so buyers can place orders with every vendor at the show floor.
Can exhibitors register and manage their own booth?
Yes. Through the showPRO™ exhibitor portal, vendors apply for booth space, sign their booth contract, order booth services, upload marketing materials and register their booth staff — all without emailing the organizer.
Does showPRO™ print badges on-site?
Yes. showPRO™ includes on-site badge printing kiosks for buyers and exhibitors. The Red Vest on-site team from JT Smith staffs registration and badge printing for the event.
Does showPRO™ work offline at the registration desk?
Yes. The check-in and ordering system uses an offline-first architecture. Convention center floors and hotel ballrooms often have unreliable Wi-Fi; showPRO™ stores attendee data locally and syncs when connectivity returns, so registration never stops.
Is there a mobile app for registration and check-in?
showPRO™ runs in web browsers and as iOS and Android apps. Buyers register and check in on the app; organizers can run check-in from a tablet at the registration desk.
Where is registration data hosted?
In JT Smith & Associates' own private data center in Illinois. Data is not shared with third-party advertising platforms.
How is event registration software different from conference management software?
Registration software handles sign-up, check-in and badges. Conference management software also covers sessions, speakers and exhibitors. showPRO™ combines both for B2B trade shows and buying shows, and adds the on-site ordering layer that general conference tools don't have.
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