Accreditation / Credentialing 2019

Accreditation / Credentialing

Accreditation and credentialing your media, operational and volunteer attendees is a critical part of your event operations. When you take control of this important aspect of event management, you create efficiency and provide a better experience for your covering media and all operational staff. But how?

Let us help.

Last year alone, more than 1,700 professional and collegiate events worldwide utilized Sports Systems’ proven platform to simplify accreditation and credentialing, save time and increase productivity through:

A fully brand compliant application website
Simple, user-friendly application process
Improved data accuracy
Automated, personalized email communications
Intuitive reports for each event constituent

That’s simplicity by Sports Systems.

Let us help you simplify complexity and streamline your entire accreditation and credentialing process with less effort and greater security.

Flexible, Easy-to-Access Application Site +

Link to the application site from your existing event website
Variable application and qualification questions based on applicant category and/or desired access level
Terms and conditions disclosure and applicant sign off

Improved Application Process +

Clear, concise application instructions
Communication of criteria for consideration, review process and timeline for notification
Easy-to-follow application forms
Applicant-toggleable multi-language options
Built-in credential photo upload tool
Easy return to online application to make changes or add new applicants
Real time summary page displaying current status of each attendee application

Attendee-facing GDPR-compliant data protection disclosures and options
Clear, personalized email communications regarding application status

Polished Application Experience +

Precise email communications including credential pick up instructions and on-site procedures
Clickable access to bardcode gate/parking passes and other necessary printed forms via custom PDFs
Personalized mobile app to provide easy access to maps, schedules and other on-site details
Mobile alerts as to last minute schedule and location changes

Event Team Administrative Tools +

Complete, accurate application details from which to base approval/denial decisions

Efficient, total-view accreditation and credential administration
Time-saving, system-generated emails to inform applicants of status, approval notification, and on-site details
Attendee type-specific update emails to any subset of attendees
Seating chart tool for media room seat assignments
Unlimited, secure, real time reports for all event constituents
SMS/texting to all or any subset of attendees
Mobile app content editing and in-app alerts

On-Site Check-In Tool +

Hostess or self-service mode
Live data integration with application system database
Validation of attendee details and identity

Case Study:

NCAA Division I Basketball Championships
(Men’s and Women’s)

Challenge: Informally branded “March Madness,” the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships are each single-elimination tournaments of 68 teams to determine the “Sweet 16,” the “Elite 8,” the “Final Four” and finally the “National Champion .” The men’s tournament has become one

of the most famous and most watched U.S. sporting events of the year. Public interest, and thus media coverage, of March Madness is massive. Each year the NCAA faces the equally massive task of accepting and vetting thousands of time-critical credential requests from media across the country and beyond.

Challenge: Informally branded “March Madness,” the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships are each single-elimination tournaments of 68 teams to determine the “Sweet 16,” the “Elite 8,” the “Final Four” and finally the “National Championship”. The men’s tournament has become one of the most famous and most watched U.S. sporting events of the year. Public interest, and thus media coverage, of March Madness is massive. Each year the NCAA faces the equally massive task of accepting and vetting thousands of time-critical credential requests from media across the country and beyond.

Solution: Sports Systems’ accreditation/credentialing service simplifies the numerous tasks involved with media application collection, management, vetting, and communication to ensure not only optimal media coverage, but also the safety and security of all involved.

Sports Systems’ accreditation/credentialing service:

Delivers a simple process for media to request credentials whether applying to provide coverage of a particular team’s advancement through the tournament or coverage from a particular competition site
Automates email communications to applying media

Affords the NCAA full control over all media data submitted
Simplifies the channeling of applications to the correct reviewing parties
Accommodates the NCAA’s multi-level approval process including participating schools and competition host sites
Provides each host location’s event management team clear, comprehensive reports including only the media approved to cover their location and the teams competing there
Keeps approved media informed via a mobile app for easy access to all details while also providing the NCAA the ability to send alerts to media for important on-site announcements

Results: Since 2005, the NCAA has prepared for March Madness with the confidence of having a dependable, consistent system and processes by which to tackle the aptly-named season. They know they are backed by Sports Systems’ exceptional customer service and, where needed, hand-holding of new competition site contacts. The applying and covering media understands the straightforward

process and knows that all communications will be clear and concise, and that they will have the credentials, reservations and details they need at their fingertips. The NCAA, its sponsors, promoters, vendors and all constituents are ensured not only optimal March Madness media coverage, but also the safety and security of participants, staff and fans throughout the tournaments.

Sports Systems simplifies the entire process of managing media credentials with a user-friendly system that saves our staff a great deal of time. The media covering our event had nothing but high praise for the entire online application process. But the best part of using Sports Systems has been the treatment we’ve received from their staff. They are most helpful, completely knowledgeable, can relate to our needs, and are accessible at any time. We conducted surveys for personnel from host institutions and conferences to ask them for their feedback regarding the online credentialing system. 100% of the feedback we received is positive. Most impressive is the responsiveness to so many people who need assistance during a small window of time.

David Worlock, NCAA

Sports Systems is one of the best partners we are affiliated with, providing professional and prompt service for our organization. They are always looking to improve their products, often before we even ask for it. That is the sign of a great partner.

Mike Schulze, Director of Communications and Sponsorships, Outback Bowl

Sports Systems’ credential portal has been incredible and has helped us streamline our credentialing process. It’s very easy to use and the media likes it as well. This is our second season using the system, and we will continue to use it as the years go on. We highly recommend it!

Nicole Chayet, Sr. Manager, Communications & Hispanic Relations, New York City Football Club

Sports Systems made the credentialing process much simpler and efficient. The automatic email feature saved me a substantial amount of time, freeing me up to work on more pressing needs rather than sending approval/denial emails for hours every Tuesday and Wednesday evening.

Preston Edwards - Carolina Panthers

Sports Systems continues to be the leader in large-scale event data collection. The system is intuitive and adaptable for each event. The customization both in design and functionality make it hard to beat!

Gina Lehe - College Football Playoff

Sports Systems makes credentialing a breeze! I could not imagine filling credential requests for the Camellia Bowl without the fine folks at Sports Systems.

Barry Allen - Raycom Media Camellia Bowl

Using Sports Systems was a total time saver for me in the busiest time of my year.

Eric Rhodes - NOVA Arizona Bowl

It was really easy to use and the breakout of media lists really helped make my life easier. I highly recommend using Sports Systems for any major sporting event.

Brian DeLettre - TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

In my first year in the bowl world and using Sports Systems’ credentialing system, Brian Binette and the Sports Systems team made the transition seamless. The training was very thorough, and they were so helpful throughout the process. I heard nothing but rave reviews from the credentialed media.

Erik Evenson - Walk-On's Independence Bowl

Sports System has been a vital tool for our game and getting the information to all necessary parties quickly.

Casey Kupper - Music City Bowl

Brian is a great asset to the Bowl and Sports Systems! Always a phone call away, so responsive, and always willing to help whenever we need it!

Amber O'Brien - PlayStation Fiesta Bowl

Get in touch to see how we can simplify your Accreditation/Credentialing!

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