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The automatic wristband identification technology supplier Precision Dynamics Corporation (PDC) has announced a contract to supply festival producer South by Southwest (SxSW) with its Smart Band RFID wristband system for the SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Festivals this month.

SXSW implemented PDC's RFID solutions for the fourth consecutive year to automate admissions, prevent counterfeits, and improve attendees' overall experience.

RFID tickets
More than 36,000 conference participants, trade show attendees, and media will attend the SxSW festivals and conferences. Admission tickets will consist of either a PDC Smart Band RFID Wristband or an RFID-enabled Access Badge.

In 2003, SxSW counterfeit wristbands (the non-RFID variety) were sold with a total face value of as much as US$500,000. Since the implementation of PDC Smart Band RFID Wristbands, instances of counterfeit activity has been eliminated.

Stamping out fakes
"The first year we used the ID bands, we were amazed at how much shorter the lines were at venues," says Eve McArthur, SxSW Operations Director. "There must have been more counterfeit bands than we thought in the past. And since then, though our event is growing significantly each year, the lines have not grown accordingly."

General admissions and volunteer workers will use a Smart Band imprinted with the official SxSW logo. The RFID chip embedded in the wristband contains a unique identification number which verifies the authenticity of the band and is encrypted for increased security.

RFID security passes
Industry attendees, such as bands, and conference speakers and participants, will use an RFID-enabled badge, also encrypted with a unique ID number, providing admission to secured or special access areas. Personal information is not stored on the RFID wristbands or badges.

According to Douglas Bourque, PDC RFID Market Development Manager. "The RFID readers used at the event are programmed to detect fraudulent RFID wristbands, thus eliminating loss of revenue and unexpected over-crowding due to counterfeit sales."

Operational help, too
Apart from discouraging counterfeits, the RFID wristbands have added functionality to help enhance SXSW operations: The RFID wristbands have the capability to also obtain basic metrics such as the number of total attendees, dollar amount of purchases made at bars or concession stands, work-hours and break time for volunteers, and more. The wristbands are not capable of tracking the location of attendees.

For additional information:
·  Visit PDC at http://www.pdcorp.com
·  Visit SxSW at http://www.sxsw.com

Sources: Precision Dynamics Corporation; SXSW Inc.