NFC magic at the National Sports Forum

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Cecil

NFC-Powered Experiences
Access Pass & Design added a new dynamic to our presence at the 2013 National Sports Forum, held in sunny Orlando, Florida. In our 9th consecutive year in attendance (and our 9th year of a fantastic partnership with the National Sports Forum) we showcased our NFC-powered brand activation event credentials.

NFC what? Brand Activation Event Credentials? What does that mean?

Booth visitors were incentivized to “Tap That Pass” – which means simply they placed one of our tech-embedded badges next to an NFC-enabled device (Sony phones, Samsung tablets, RIM handhelds, etc).

In an experience that some described as “magical”, booth attendees were presented with exclusive online content and the chance to win Skullcandy^tm headphones!

By tapping a pass to automatically generate exclusive content on their mobile device, visitors were exposed to a whole new range of sponsorship opportunities that exist through the connection of an event badge or VIP pass to the digital world.

Danny’s Breakout
This year’s National Sports Forum was also a big year for our sports marketing guru, Danny Heinsohn. He developed and presented his first NSF breakout session, entitled “It’s Not What You Sell, But HOW You Sell”. Team Access was very proud of his achievement and we’re looking forward to more speaking engagements to come – congrats Danny!

Be on the lookout for a follow up blog on his presentation.

Danny (@dannyheinsohn) tweeted his top take-aways from his experience as well as some of the other breakout sessions. They are as follows:

1. Great ideas always get funded.
2. Non-traditional ideas sometimes require non-traditional sponsors.
3. Be proactive, understand the brand, and develop good ideas.
4. Use buzzwords, do your homework, meet criteria. Most importantly – fit the brand
5. Remember to turn your mic on at a breakout presentation

What were your take-aways? Comment below!

See you next year at the National Sports Forum 2014.

Access Pass & Design
Our credentials. Your confidence.

Tour Link 2013 and Pollstar Live! 2013

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Cecil

TourLink

When it rains it pours, and in Scottsdale, Arizona that’s just what it did!

While the ground was soaking up the moisture outside, inside of the Talking Stick Resort, Tour Link attendees were soaking up the latest industry info from veterans of the industry, including Henry Bordeaux, Mike Savas, Jim Digby, our very own Seth Sheck, and many others.

Tour Link 2013, a three day music conference from January 24-26, showcased many panel sessions addressing pressing industry issues, with topics ranging from Event Safety and Enhancing the Fan Experience to You Can’t Make This Sh*t Up, where tour dogs talked about being on the road over the years and some of the more colorful stories that ensued.

The evenings at the resort were highlighted by cocktails, conversations & lots of face time with our valued clients, partners, and new friends. The conference was capped off by the awards show where the industry professionals themselves nominate their favorite vendors, tour managers & hotels.

In the end, Access Pass & Design was honored to receive the their first Tour Link 2013 Top Dog Award for top pass/itinerary company. We are very proud of this award and of our team – thanks to everyone who helped us get there!

Pollstar

From Scottsdale to LA…

Pollstar Live! and Event Live take place concurrently at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. The two events have proven to be highlights in the Entertainment industry. Occurring from February 5th-7th, entertainment professionals (booking agents, artist managers, hoteliers & many others) come together to share ideas and solve problems. Pollstar Live! conference is a great way to meet newcomers as well as shake hands with old friends & colleagues.

Event Live is consistently one of the best trade shows in the industry, showcasing every aspect of putting on professional live events.

We promise to give a full recap of both Pollstar Live and Event Live soon.

Access Pass & Design
Our credentials. Your confidence.

Bubbles, BBQ, & Business Recognition

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Kyle

Last Thursday, September 20th, Access Pass & Design was officially recognized during the 3rd Annual Bubbles, BBQ & Business Recognition dinner in Carson City, NV.

Bubbles, BBQ & Business Recognition was hosted by the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA) and was an event to recognize twenty seven companies – sixteen for being businesses new to Nevada, and eleven for effecting significant expansion (as evidenced by the hiring of new employees or the purchase of new equipment). Access Pass & Design was recognized for expansion and proudly provided the guest badges for the sponsors and the honorees.

We asked Frank how he felt on being chosen to attend the event and he replied, “I was honored to be included in that group of entrepreneurs, and proud to be a Nevadan.”

The guest speaker and host of the event was Nevada State Senator, James Settelmeyer, with the Northern Nevada Development Authority Executive Director, Rob Hooper presenting the awards.

We asked Frank what he thought of the event.

“Senator Settelmeyer really left an impression on me,” said Frank. “The man had an amazing way of expressing himself, and you got the feeling that he is just a regular person; a down-to-earth Nevadan that really works for us.”

“And the brisket was good!” Frank added.

Access Pass & Design sends a big thank you to Nevada Senators Harry Reid, James Settelmeyer and Dean Heller, Governor Brian Sandoval, Congressman Mark Amodei, Rob Hooper, Alan Jurkonis, and everyone else the Northern Nevada Development Authority.

We also congratulate the other companies honored at this year’s dinner – let’s keep the good business practices going and make Nevada’s economy stronger than ever.

Proud Partners!

Posted on September 12, 2012 by Kyle

Featured Partner: Tour Supply

We’re in high-gear for our concert-touring season, with lots of great bands and touring acts on the road, here in the states and internationally.

Since many of the live events we serve are always looking for the best production and sound equipment for the job, let us take a moment to introduce one of our key partners: Tour Supply.

Tour Supply, Inc. is the industry leader for touring and sound essentials. Their product line is broad, from guitar and drum equipment, effects, and accessories, to expendables (gaffers tape, batteries, etc), to pro audio and wireless systems.

They’ve made a name for themselves by being reliable and extremely knowledgeable, while offering their products at a phenomenal value.

We’re proud to work alongside them in serving our touring and live-sound clients, and we hope you take the time to visit their website and contact them for your sound and touring needs.

www.toursupply.com // 1-866-480-8687

Employee Spotlight – Curtis

Posted on August 9, 2012 by Kyle

Curtis loses the locks!
Since his inception (at least since he joined our ranks back in 2008), Curtis has rocked the dread locks. Long, majestic, and eye-turning, Curtis’s locks have been a mainstay of our Access Pass & Design team.

But alas, the era of Curtis’s locks came to an abrupt end last month, falling to the adept hands of our shipping coordinator Brandon (seen holding the dreads in the pic above).

When asked why he cut them, he responded, “It was just time. I haven’t had a hair cut since the year 2000.” He said he feels more refreshed, “even though it was nerve-wracking.” But all the girls have heartily approved, so we’re sure he’ll recover quickly.

Curtis plans on donating his hair to a charitable organization.

Well, so long, dread locks. Hello era of Curtis, the player!