Credentialing to the Stars

Mar 1, 2006 12:00 PM

More than 6,000 people attending the Golden Globes awards ceremony in January had to have their personalized credential or ticket scanned to gain access to The Beverly Hilton Hotel. Each attendee wore a laminated 3½ × 5-in. security credential embedded with an RFID device and displaying the individual's photograph and permitted areas of access. Such high-profile events today are definitely requiring tighter security, says Steve Mark, managing director of EventCredentials LLC, Los Angeles.

Normally, the Beverly Hilton is open to the public, but during the Golden Globes it becomes a highly restricted secured venue. Using a system from EventCredentials, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) registered and credentialed media members, production staff, celebrities, vendors and hotel employees, so that each of the 5,000 credentialed individuals could gain access. Access areas included the International Ballroom, the red carpet area, the 25,000-square-foot media center with 10 separate media rooms, and the five on-site after-parties.

In addition, more than 1,300 attendees had personalized RFID chip-embedded tickets with name and table number, which were used to gain entrance to the International Ballroom. More than 1,500 vehicles entering the controlled perimeter also received credentials, including limosines that dropped off celebrities at the red carpet and food delivery trucks. During the three weeks leading up to the show, each attendee was filtered through EventCredentials' proprietary event management software so that the HFPA and its security team had electronic access to each individual's relevant data at all times.

Within five days before the event, attendees visited the EventCredentials Credential Center located on-site at the venue to have their pre-approved access record retrieved, photo captured, credential printed and RFID chip activated.

On show day, each credential, vehicle pass and ticket was scanned for electronic verification at several locations. Scanning devices included wireless PDAs, which displayed the credential holder's photo and name when the credential or ticket for physical verification was scanned by security personnel. RFID technology also made it possible to instantly deactivate lost, revoked, stolen or forgotten credentials/tickets, thus eliminating potential counterfeiting or misuse.

A similar scenario unfolded on Jan. 29 at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, site of the Screen Actors Guild Awards. For the last three years the guild has turned to EventCredentials LLC to provide photo and RFID-enhanced credentials to individuals granted access to the venue. More than 4,000 attendees wore security credentials around their necks. Handheld wireless PDA units were again used throughout the venue to verify and control each individual's approved access to specific secure zones. Access zones included: the Shrine Expo Hall where the seated dinner takes place and is broadcast live throughout the world, the red carpet area, the 15,000-square-foot media center with numerous separate rooms and the People magazine after-party attended by approximately 2,000 individuals.

EventCredentials implemented its “3-in-1” turnkey solution, which allowed SAG to streamline the registration, credentialing and controlling of access level rights. EventCredentials' solution provided an integrated system of attendee database management; onsite photo and RFID-enhanced credential production; and credential scanning at perimeter and internal access points.

During the three weeks leading up to the show, the attendees were filtered through EventCredentials' proprietary event management software so that the security team had electronic access to relevant data (including driver's license number) at all times.

“The RFID chip makes it impossible to duplicate or use a photocopy of the credential,” says Steve Mark, managing director of EventCredentials. “It can be deactivated if lost or stolen and another can be issued.”

The system incorporates database management, onsite check-in and credential production. This system includes the following: radio frequency identification device (RFID chip) embedded in each credential and linked to attendee's record; handheld scanning devices used at designated entrance points to verify attendee's granted access; handheld scanning devices that display attendee's name and picture for identification purposes; ability to create and store an entrance data log in database for each attendee; ability to instantly deactivate a lost, revoked or stolen credential; ability to prevent counterfeiting of credentials; and an RFID credential that is the most secure anti-counterfeit device possible.

EventCredentials LLC has also provided services for other prestigious events, including The CNN 25th World Annual Report Conference, The BET Annual Music Awards, Turner Broadcasting Upfront Fall Line-Up Launch and The MTV Movie Awards.

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