Sian West

Every year, thousands of families, and children throng to amusement parks seeking thrill, recreation, and a jolly good time. But running a theme park is not all fun and games. From ensuring guest safety and efficient crowd control to delivering unforgettable patron experiences, a lot goes behind the scenes at a theme park. In recent years, wearable technology has emerged...

Halloween is a prime time for brands to connect with customers through exciting and memorable events. Whether you're a local business or a major corporation, a well-crafted Halloween event can boost brand awareness, generate excitement, and create lasting positive associations. Here are 7 creative Halloween event ideas to inspire you, all featuring the power of RFID wristbands and cards: 1...

Planning a successful event involves managing a complex web of details, and security sits at the forefront. From VIP access control to smooth crowd management, the right access control system can streamline entry, enhance the guest experience, and provide valuable data. While organizers often focus on best practices of event access management, a lot of thought needs to be given...

Gone are the days of scrambling with paper tickets and manual checks! Event technology is revolutionizing access control, turning it from a security headache into a seamless symphony. Imagine: data flowing effortlessly between platforms, allowing real-time updates and centralized control. This isn't a futuristic dream – it's the power of technology integrations.  With the help of event technology, you can...

In the blog NXP MIFARE® Ultralight C vs. MIFARE® Classic 1k,  I looked at how the 3DES encryption available with NXP’s Ultralight C, provided a significant step-up in security for hotel access control and identity verification.  But, Ultralight C (we’ll refer to it simply as ULC) is not the ‘ultimate’ in secure access technology, not by a long shot. In this post...

Wristbands have become synonymous with events of all kinds - from the music festivals and concerts to sporting events, nightclubs, parties, fundraisers, and charities. Used as a fashion statement in the past, wristbands have now evolved into multifaceted accessories for event goers and event organizers. From admission control to branding, promotion, and audience engagement, wristbands have come a long way...

In this article, I want to discuss why using wristbands, instead of traditional keycards, at your hotel is a game-changer! Since ID&C has introduced our keycard wristbands, we’ve had a lot of resorts reaching out asking, Should I be using RFID wristbands at my hotel? I say absolutely, here's why…. Better Guest Experience How many times have you found yourself...

Chances are, if you’ve visited a music festival, water park, hotel or convention in the last couple of years, you've probably worn an RFID wristband. But how do RFID wristbands work? You might have even used an RFID wristband to tap and pay for drinks or post a photo to your Facebook account. Not quite following me? Well, here at ID&C we receive lots of...

In today's fast-paced world, event organizers need cutting-edge technology to ensure their festivals run smoothly. Choosing the right event technology is vital, as it can make or break the attendee experience. With options like RFID, NFC, barcodes, and QR codes at your disposal, the decision can be overwhelming. In this guide, we'll explore these technologies and help you determine which...

In today's world, technology has become an integral part of human existence, and events are no exception. From using wired keypads and infrared voting devices in medical conferences, the event planning industry has evolved significantly.  Whether it's virtual reality, augmented reality, or interactive event apps, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing attendee engagement and overall event success. As we...

Did you know that a single security breach at an event can cost organizers millions of dollars?  Whether it's a concert, conference, trade show, or a sporting event, effective access control is critical to prevent security disasters. From managing attendee entry to controlling access to restricted areas, these access management measures are essential for the safety and overall success of...

Every year, millions of fans worldwide eagerly wait for the Super Bowl, a cultural juggernaut synonymous with sporting excellence and unparalleled entertainment. From its humble beginnings in 1967, The Super Bowl has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon. It also serves as an invaluable source of wisdom for event planners and organizers. In this blog, we glean through 13 pivotal lessons...

Counterfeit-fighting Superheroes - The Ultimate Event Wristbands! You've finally made it back home from the event. After sleeping for what feels like a century, you're contemplating taking off your event wristband to keep as a reminder of the best time ever! Little did you know, it's putting up a fight! Time to summon your inner Hulk? No, it's going to...

In today's fast-paced world, security is a paramount concern, especially in the hospitality industry. With hotels serving as temporary homes for guests, ensuring their safety and privacy is non-negotiable. Access control systems play a crucial role in safeguarding hotel premises, and the choice of RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) technology can significantly impact overall security. Two prominent options for hotel access control...

It's been a decade since we last delved into the RFID vs NFC debate in our industry. Now, it's time to revisit the article we published on Techradar.com back in 2013.  With over 100 million RFID wristbands in circulation, and their widespread use in live events worldwide for access control and cashless payments, it begs the question: What insights have...

What defines a successful event? For eventgoers, fans, and patrons, their overall experience can make or break any event. Brands and businesses determine success through lead generation, higher sales revenue, and brand recognition. As an event planner and organizer, one must keep audience experience and brand objectives in mind while planning an event. According to IBIS World, the US party...

Whether you’re already established or starting out, brand activations can create a great opportunity to make a big impact in your industry. It’s not new, news that consumers want experiences from brands. They want to feel like they’re part of something and escape the everyday. So, here are 8 amazing RFID brand activations to inspire you. Activations that have compelled...

In 2013, Disney's MagicBand revolutionized the theme park and resort industry. Estimated to have cost over $1bn the wristbands formed part of the 'My Disney Experience' project which also tied-in the use of a cutting-edge mobile app to help guests plan and manage their trips. For Disney, it was simple. If they enhanced the experience, more people would spend more time...

'Golf is big business in America. More than 1-in-4 Americans age 6 or older, 82 million people in total, consume some form of golf media. That’s a huge market - not only of players but of people who simply love to watch the game. Making it a lucrative and appealing market for advertisers and media outlets.  To give you a scale...

Eco-consciousness is becoming a priority for many of us in our daily lives, making switches to more sustainable ways of living and shopping, and the hospitality industry is no different. The hotel industry currently accounts for approximately 1% of global carbon emissions and this is set to increase if old practices continue. The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance estimates that hotels need...

VIP Wristbands - Why? Are you planning a concert, festival, or event and want to offer a VIP experience for your guests? With a VIP wristband, your guests can be privy to queue jumping, restricted access, or simply an extra bottle of champagne. We understand everyone has different budgets and expectations in mind when considering ticket prices. Some are happy with...

Self-pour bar systems are the restaurant industry's latest craze. And, the RFID technology behind them is helping bar managers better understand their customer's drinking habits. RFID (Radio-frequency identification) is a wireless technology used to transmit small amounts of data between a tag and a reader. In most cases, (at least in the world of hospitality and events) RFID tags hold little or...

If you’ve walked through the gates of some of the country’s biggest music festivals in the past 5 years, then you’ve probably experienced using an RFID wristband. RFID at festivals has taken off to the extent where it is becoming the norm for many multi-day events in the 50,000+ attendance range. But, RFID (which stands for Radio Frequency Identification) is fast...

Summer camps are big business in America. They’re a lifesaver for working parents and can entertain children from dusk until dawn all summer long. Safety is paramount when dealing with child care at youth camps. And having to identify a child, their medical condition, or key details, is key to running a safe and efficient program. Wristbands are an inexpensive way...

Our customers often ask 'what are the best security wristband features?' Event organizers want to make sure that nobody can copy their festival wristbands and get unauthorized access to their event. Why? Because oversubscribed events can be dangerous if safe capacity is exceeded. And, it can result in a bad experience for guests that have paid to attend, which can have a...

If you’ve stayed in a hotel, chances are you’ve probably spent some time standing outside your room while you awkwardly swipe your RFID keycard over-and-over again to try and open the door. Or perhaps you left it by the pool or in the fitness suite. We’ve all been there. But thanks to a new concept from ID&C, the Wristband Hotel Key...

It will come as no surprise that the North American sports market is expected to reach $73.5 billion by 2019. Gate revenues, television rights, and sponsorships are the main driving force behind the sector growth and the key component underpinning all facets of sports media is technology. Technology has had a colossal impact on the world of sports in recent years...

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have been hearing a lot about face masks, N95 masks, and Appendix A. From a nationwide shortage of masks, to the latest CDC recommendation encouraging people to wear masks in public settings, its clear masks are at the forefront on everyone’s minds. But what do we really know about the difference of these types of face masks...

Wristband Color Meanings Awareness wristbands can be used as a sign of support for certain movements, beliefs or health conditions. However, the wristband color meanings can be somewhat ambiguous, especially when a particular color represents so many illnesses and beliefs. This can often be confusing for those who are unaware of what they mean. Here at ID&C Band, We’ve compiled a list...

The use of RFID wristbands for resorts and attractions has grown significantly in the past 5 years. Ever since Disney's MagicBand burst on the scene in 2013, the theme park industry has rapidly adopted RFID technology. Age-old paper wristbands and tickets are being replaced with cutting-edge state-of-the-art contactless passes, in the form of wristbands or cards. But, RFID tags are nothing new in the...

It’s no news that the hospitality industry has been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Travel restrictions and social distancing have brought new challenges for hotels and resorts. And, international travel and close-proximity of guests is a potential breeding ground for germs to be spread. These uncertain times make PPE for hotels more essential than ever in protecting staff and...

If you have ever hosted an event or attended a music festival, you have likely dealt with wristbands before.  Wristbands, also known as bracelets, are available in many forms and types - colorful wristbands, Tyvek wristbands, paper bracelets, plastic bands, rubber bracelets, engraved bracelets, printed wristbands, RFID wristbands, and more. They are widely used in day-to-day life as gifts, symbols...

Hands up who's guilty of making a pledge to 'give back more', 'pass it on', 'make a contribution to society' etc. etc., but then doing absolute diddly-squat about it? It's not because we don't want to take time to fundraise, it's just because...well there is always something that gets in the way. 'I'm too busy, I'll vow to do something next...

According to a report from marketing researcher Newzoo, esports revenues are predicted to hit $905 million by the end of 2018, a huge 38% increase on the previous year. With millions (if not billions) of monthly gaming streams on sites such as YouTube and Twitch, esports is a hot topic in the digital world right now.  But esports is not only about...

Guest blog by Natasha Hiller, Chief Operations Officer at Marcato. So, you've taken the plunge and decided to integrate RFID at your next event.  Now you can sit back and let the technology do the work. You're life just got easier, and you're about to make a ton of cash, with no effort at all, right? Wrong! While RFID technology has the...

Comic Cons (or comic book conventions to give them their full title) have become one of the most sought after tickets on the event calendar, with some Cons outselling major music festivals 2 to 1.  The rapid rise of Comic-book Cons are just one reason why an increasing number of organisers have turned towards RFID technology to help ‘Pow!’ the...

Unless you’re someone that likes to keep a memento, chances are that when you leave a museum or event, your wristband goes straight in the trash? Well, not anymore. The Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida has taken a unique approach to its left over paper wristbands. It encourages visitors to tie their used Tyvek wristbands to its 'Wishing Tree', creating a...