How One Chamber Used Emails from a Check-In Event to Drive Hundreds of Local Visits

One of the most common questions we hear from Chambers and community organizations is:
How do you keep people engaged once a check-in event or passport challenge actually starts?

A great example comes from the Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce and their holiday Buy Blue Springs Passport Challenge. Over the course of a few weeks, they used scheduled emails sent directly to participants of the check-in event to build momentum, encourage repeat visits, and finish strong.

The results speak for themselves: hundreds of check-ins, growing participation, and measurable foot traffic for local businesses.

You can use Proxi's built in email tools to message participants directly.

Launch Email: Introduce the Check-In Event and Drive Early Participation

The first email introduced the Passport Challenge and set clear expectations for the check-in event:

• Visit participating local businesses
• Check in using the interactive map
• Earn entries toward a $400 grand prize

People knew exactly how the event worked and how to get started. This is a key advantage of running a digital passport challenge with built-in email capabilities: the audience is already opted in and ready to participate.

Mid-Event Email: Use Scheduled Emails to Encourage Repeat Check-Ins

Midway through the challenge, the Chamber sent a scheduled progress update email to everyone who had registered for the check-in event. This message highlighted:

• Number of participants
• Total check-ins across businesses
• Entries into the prize drawing

These types of emails are incredibly effective for check-in events because they reinforce one simple idea: every additional visit matters. Participants are reminded that checking in again improves their odds of winning while continuing to support local businesses.

Final Reminder Email: Drive Urgency at the End of the Passport Challenge

As the Passport Challenge neared its end, a scheduled email went out to participants. The message focused on urgency without pressure:

• The check-in event was ending soon
• There was still time to participate
• Every check-in still counted

This type of final reminder email often produces a noticeable spike in activity during the last few days of a challenge, helping organizers maximize engagement right up to the finish line.

Why Emails from a Passport Challenge Work So Well

Email works especially well for check-in events because it reaches people who have already shown interest. When emails are sent directly from within a Passport Challenge, organizers can:

• Schedule emails ahead of time
• Communicate only with registered participants
• Reinforce behavior like repeat check-ins and local visits

Instead of relying on one announcement, Blue Springs treated their Passport Challenge like an ongoing experience, supported by timely, relevant emails throughout the event.

If you’re running a digital passport, scavenger hunt, or check-in event, email is not just a promotional tool. When used thoughtfully, it becomes part of the event itself, helping drive participation, repeat visits, and real-world impact for local businesses.

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