Enhancing the St. Louis Bourbon Festival with RFID Access Control

Client: St. Louis Bourbon Festival

Industry: Event Management

Objective: Improve attendee experience, streamline entry, and reduce ticket fraud using RFID access control.

The Challenge

Streamlining the St. Louis Bourbon Festival, an annual event with tickets sold in advance and at the box office. This year's event expanded to a 4-city block layout with lots of buildings and spaces to explore. The festival includes live music, street performers, food trucks, as well as VIP taster loungers. Event organizer Drew faced many of the challenges common to all events small and large as well as some unique challenges.

Long Wait Times: Extended entry lines caused attendee frustration and slowed down the check-in process, early access tickets were sold but half the time was lost due to slow access
Ticket Fraud: Counterfeit tickets and unauthorized entries are always a concern for any event.
Complex Entry Management: Managing access to VIP zones, special tastings, and exclusive areas was difficult with a traditional ticketing system.

The event organizers needed a solution that would:

Speed Up Entry while maintaining security.
Reduce Fraudulent Entries with a robust access control system.
Provide Real-Time Data to improve operational efficiency.

The Solution

The St. Louis Bourbon Festival transitioned to RFID wristbands in place of traditional tickets. To support this shift, ID&C has introduced two key event services. The first is the EVNT Pass RFID access control system, which streamlines entry, boosts security, and offers real-time insights into event operations. The second is Push Pass event fulfillment, enabling event organizers to send RFID wristbands and badges to attendees ahead of the event.

Push Pass

Ticket Fulfillment: ID&C’s event fulfillment system allowed wristbands to be sent out in advance, minimizing lines at the box office and will call.

Pre-Event Data: Our Push Pass system provided complete visibility, enabling organizers to track the status of every package, from fulfillment to shipping. The comprehensive tracking provides peace of mind for both you and your attendees.

Enhanced Security: This use of RFID technology and barcodes reduces pass-backs and counterfeit entries by ensuring only valid, scannable credentials are used.

Mistake-Proof Credential Linking: Ensured all credentials are accurately mapped to ticket types and attendees.

Comprehensive Data Logging: Provided detailed records of ticket sales and fulfillment metrics.

EVNT Pass

Pre Event Registration: RFID wristbands were registered in advance through a link on the event website making attendee registration quick and easy.

Fast and Secure Entry Points: Handheld RFID scanners were set up at all entry gates to the event and VIP lounges, allowing attendees to quickly scan their wristbands for secure, contactless entry. The system could instantly verify credentials, significantly reducing wait times.

Real-Time Data: ID&C's platform allowed event organizers to monitor attendee flow, identify potential bottlenecks, and access real-time data on the number of people entering at any given time and location.

Fraud Prevention: The RFID system was configured to reject counterfeit or invalid wristbands, ensuring that only legitimate ticket holders could enter the festival. This reduced ticket fraud and eliminated unauthorized access.

Post-Event Insights

Data Analysis: ID&C uses the scan data to provide insights on customer journey.

Registration Poll Data: At registration, event organizers surveyed attendees about their whiskey and bourbon preferences, providing valuable insights to help personalize future experiences.

Re-targeted Marketing: Registration data from pre-event and day of registrations were provided to event organizers, enabling them to engage more effectively with fellow whiskey and bourbon enthusiasts about future events.

The Results

68% Reduction in Queue Wait Times: The RFID system facilitated quicker entry, dramatically cutting wait times from 29 minutes to an average of just 9 minutes, thereby enhancing the overall attendee experience.
Zero Incidents of Ticket Fraud: With RFID wristbands and real-time validation, the festival experienced no instances of counterfeit tickets or unauthorized entries.
Increased Operational Efficiency: Real-time data provided insights into attendee movement, enabling the event team to adjust staffing and manage crowd flow more effectively. This also helped reduce administrative tasks, allowing staff to focus on enhancing the overall event experience.
Improved Attendee Experience: The efficient entry process and secure VIP access enabled attendees to fully enjoy the event, free from the frustrations of long lines and access complications.
60% Ticket Registration: This encompasses not only pre-registered fulfilled wristbands but also attendees from the box office and will-call on the event day, thereby helping event organizers achieve their registration target

The Conclusion

By using ID&C’s RFID access control and event fulfillment systems, the St. Louis Bourbon Festival transformed its event operations, reducing entry times, preventing ticket fraud, and improving both the organizer and attendee experience. This technology-first approach not only enhanced security, but also provided actionable insights to optimize event management. Event organizers were able to prioritize their attendees' enjoyment instead of grappling with the frustrations of long wait times from previous years. Post-event data empowered organizers to cultivate their community, providing them with the tools to connect and share their passion for bourbons with like-minded individuals.

Interested in RFID solutions for your event?
Contact ID&C today to learn how we can streamline your next event with RFID access control.

Client Testimonial:

“The RFID system provided by ID&C was a game-changer for our event. Not only did it drastically reduce wait times at the entrance, but it also gave us real-time data that allowed us to manage the crowd more effectively. We’re thrilled with how secure and efficient the entire process was.”

– Event Organizer, St. Louis Bourbon Festival