This post explains the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) and its use cases.
The Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) was born to commemorate experiences by collecting badges in NFT format. You may want a memento to commemorate an event, conference, or meeting you attended. Something new is filling the void: the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP).
Event planners can use the POAP website to organize events effectively. Attendees can also benefit when joining the same event. You use your geolocation data or scan a QR code to register when you get to the event, creating an attendance record with a timestamp securely recorded in a Smart Contract on the Ethereum Blockchain.
What is the Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP)?
The Proof of Attendance Protocol (POAP) is a Non-Fungible Token (NFT) proving that you attended an in-person or virtual event. These digital tokens get sent to your wallet for attending such events as a reward. Specifically, it is a protocol that creates digital badges or collectibles through Blockchain technology. Smart Contracts mint them as non-fungible Tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum Blockchain using the ERC-721 standard. Organizers create badges to record event attendance.
Either way, POAPs were initially minted and distributed on the Ethereum mainnet. They were created for the first time at the ETHDenver Convention in 2019 to reward hackers who attended and participated in the hackathon event.
POAP allows event organizers to engage and interact with their followers. Typically, event attendees can earn these unique NFT badges through QR codes at the event and join additional activities on the POAP platform, such as community polls, raffles, and the POAP leaderboard.
How can they be distributed?
POAPs can be distributed in several ways, both digitally and physically.
- Digital: Participants can plug in their crypto wallet and claim their badge wherever the event determines. Another option would be to send the POAP via email.
- Physical: The most common route is distributing the POAP via a QR code. The event organizer can facilitate attendees to get a POAP wallet to scan the QR code and download their badge.
Who has used the Proof of Attendance Protocol?
Many important brands and companies used the Proof of Attendance Protocol for event planning and community member engagement.
- Decentraland. It is known for providing POAP within its Metaverse.
- Estée Lauder. The acclaimed beauty brand presented an exclusive NFT Wearable, Advanced Night Repair, at Metaverse Fashion Week, held March 23-27, 2022.
- Adidas. Adidas’ POAP serves to identify its most loyal supporters.
- Lottie London. They hosted the first Metaverse graduation party in Decentraland. The Proof of Attendance Protocol directed users to the Lottie London Walmart shopping website and allowed attendees to engage with the event entirely.
- SushiSwap. It sent POAPs from the air to its AMA attendees and those who voted on its governance proposals.
In conclusion, POAP will create new use cases in the future that go beyond recording event assistance. For example, you could use them to recognize contributions or offer privileges to community members. POAP’s collection could also function as a trusted Blockchain resume for individuals to demonstrate their experience and educational background.