A new era of event management has arrived at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP). During the 32nd SPREP Meeting of Officials and associated meetings, the Secretariat unveiled its state-of-the-art digital event check-in system — a bold leap forward in SPREP’s digital transformation journey.
This innovative system redefined the meeting experience from the very first moment attendees walked through the door. Instead of queues and paper lists, participants registered online, received their personalised QR code and PIN instantly via email, and checked in at the venue in as little as two seconds. Whether scanning with their phone, presenting a custom name badge, or simply entering their PIN, attendees enjoyed a seamless and futuristic welcome befitting SPREP’s vision of innovation.
“This system is more than just faster check-ins,” said Christian Slaven, SPREP IT Manager.
“It’s a living example of digital transformation in action — professional, efficient, and designed around people. From staff to participants, everyone felt the difference.”
A Showcase of Transformation
Beyond the swift arrivals, the system delivered powerful operational breakthroughs:
- Instant name badge creation — badges generated in seconds, replacing what once took staff days of manual effort.
- Smart attendance insights — real-time reporting on session numbers for better planning and analysis.
- Effortless convenience — putting participants at the centre of a streamlined digital-first experience.
- Sustainability in practice — all name badges were printed on recycled paper, reinforcing SPREP’s ongoing commitment to protecting our planet.
Designed for the Future
The system was designed from the ground up for the cloud by Web Applications Developer Specialist Billy Chan Ting, with software development support from Adrian Roma.
Remarkably, the entire design and development process began just three months before the 32nd SPREP Meeting of Officials. In that short timeframe, the team successfully delivered a fully cloud-based solution and rolled it out, live at one of SPREP’s largest annual gatherings — a clear demonstration of what can be achieved when innovation, teamwork, and commitment are aligned with a strong vision of digital transformation.
By using a cost-effective cloud platform and open-source tools, the team delivered a solution that is scalable, secure, and sustainable — ensuring SPREP achieves world-class outcomes without unnecessary costs.
SPREP IT also sourced state-of-the-art equipment to ensure the check-in process remains simple, reliable, and user-friendly. The approach reflects a commitment to smart design choices that balance innovation with responsibility.
The achievement reflects the collective strength of SPREP’s Information Services Department made up of the SPREP IT team, whose testing and feedback ensured resilience, and the Knowledge Management team led by Miraneta Williams-Hazelman, who played a pivotal role in onboarding attendees and overseeing registration and check-ins.
Powered by Partnership
The successful launch was made possible through UK Funding, underscoring how international partnerships can enable cutting-edge digital solutions in the Pacific.
Enthusiastic Response
The results speak for themselves: over 300 participants experienced the system first-hand at the 32nd SPREP Meeting of Officials, with overwhelmingly positive feedback confirming that this innovation has set a new gold standard for regional meetings.
What’s Next
This new digital check-in system will now be standard across all future SPREP meetings and events, placing the organisation at the forefront of digital-first innovation in the Pacific and beyond.
