The Atlantic City Convention Center 
announced it will implement the ESCA Exhibition Industry Worker Identification System requiring all workers be identified with either a WIS Badge or an ACCC issued credential. This new program allows enhanced overall security for licensees and guests by drastically reducing the number of credentials which makes the process of worker identification much simpler. The WIS Badge is an industry-wide proven system. Each badge is reasonably priced at $18 for ESCA member full-time employees and $25 for all others every three years.
“We understand this transition will require planning and time on everyone’s part, so we’ve done our best to ensure an accommodating timeline with plenty of advanced notice,” a statement from convention center reps says.
The key dates are:
November 2018: Letter notifications sent to all contractor partners and exhibitor appointed contractors after the official announcement.
December 2018: Each worker who checks in at security will be provided with informational handouts that contain WIS Badge information and frequently asked questions.
January 1, 2019: All contractors, suppliers, vendors and EACs who work in the facility must be identified with the WIS Badge or the credential issued by the ACCC.
The statement recommends that all companies visit wis.esca.org for a complete overview of the process involved in registering for the badges. Each company approved to work at ACCC will need to name a person as WIS administrator who will be responsible for registering their employees and ordering ID badges.
It is important to note that the WIS badge does not grant the bearer access to any events in any venues. The badge merely verifies that the individual is approved to enter the venue, if they are being employed by a contractor working on the specific event. Security for specific events is still in force and all workers must be cleared to enter the events via the normal security requirements in effect for the specific events.
As additional venues implement the WIS program email notifications will be sent to all registered companies’ WIS administrators and feature the venues in the monthly ESCA newsletter.
Exhibition Services and Contractors Association (ESCA) is the association for firms engaged in providing services and materials for the meetings, exhibition and hospitality industry: Trade Shows & Exhibitions, Conventions & Meetings, Corporate Meetings & Events. For more info, visit esca.org.
