Because in secure environments, guesswork isn’t an option.  Accreditation isn’t admin. It’s operational control. But too often, systems still treat it like paperwork, or worse, like glorified name tags.

And that’s where the real risk begins.

“The biggest mistake? Thinking it’s just about names on passes.”

— Patty Peloquin, Inter Miami CF (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

Whether you’re managing a sports arena, government site, or global event, your accreditation system determines who gets in, what they access, and how securely you operate.

 

5 High-Risk Vulnerabilities Hidden in Outdated Accreditation Workflows (And How to Fix Them)

1. No Real-Time Visibility = Perimeter Weakness

“We’re preparing food for 6,500 people… but only 2,000 had tickets.”
— Amy Patterson, Churchill Downs (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

If you can’t track credential usage live, you’re wide open to over-access, pass-sharing, and backdoor entries. Churchill Downs saved thousands in F&B losses by enforcing tighter, tiered access using real-time scanning.

🔧 The Fix: Adopt dynamic credentialing with time-boxed access and scan-in/scan-out logic.

 

2. Manual Approval = Human Error

“We were working off emails and spreadsheets. Things got lost. It was messy.”
— Patty Peloquin, Inter Miami CF (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

When credentialing relies on spreadsheets, scattered inboxes, or verbal sign-offs, it opens the door to approval gaps, rogue credentials, and last-minute chaos.

🔧 The Fix: Centralise approvals with system-based workflows and role-based access control.

 

3. No Enforcement = No Confidence

“Security might dictate access, but if leadership overrides it, everything falls apart.”
— Amy Patterson, Churchill Downs (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

Even the best credentialing rules mean nothing if they’re not enforced. You need top-down buy-in and on-the-ground tools to ensure rules are followed.

🔧 The Fix: Secure exec sponsorship, train ground staff, and back it up with automated system alerts.

 

4. Static Credentials = Zero Flexibility

“We can now restrict game-by-game access — no reprints needed.”
— Patty Peloquin, Inter Miami CF (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

Things change fast: guest lists, staff roles, vendors. If your credentials don’t flex, you end up over-authorizing just to avoid hassle.

🔧 The Fix: Use systems that allow for dynamic updates, including per-event permissions and instant invalidation.

 

5. No Usage Insights = Blind Spots

“Who’s actually using credentials? When? Where? Without data, you can’t improve.”
— Jeff Boehm, Wicket (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

If you can’t audit access, you can’t lead with confidence.
The lack of analytics means security can’t evolve, and leadership can’t justify spending or make informed upgrades.

🔧 The Fix: Choose credentialing tech with built-in data logging, scanning reports, and usage dashboards.

 

🎯 Takeaway for Leaders

“Accreditation is your control center. It’s not just who’s in the building it’s how ready you are.”
— Kathy Lupia, Petrone Risk (May 2025 Accreditation Myth Webinar)

The best ops leaders treat accreditation like infrastructure, not an afterthought.

If your current process feels like a formality, it’s time to rethink what control, readiness, and visibility should look like in your environment.

 

🎧 Haven’t watched the Accreditation Myth Webinar?

If you found these insights valuable, don’t miss the full Accreditation Myth Webinar, where leading voices from sport, security, and guest operations debunk outdated thinking and reveal what modern accreditation requires.

🎤 Featuring:

• Kathy Lupia, Chief Risk Officer, Petrone Risk

• Amy Patterson, formerly VP, Events & Derby Operations at Churchill Downs Racetrack, is now Head of Guest Operations, FIFA World Cup 2026

• Jeff Boehm, Chief Operating Officer, Wicket

• Edwin Saayeng — Director of Major Events & Operations, Accredit Solutions

From stadiums to global tournaments, these leaders share how accreditation impacts control, confidence, and credibility at every level.

🎥 [Watch the full webinar →] Click Here For The Replay