Admission Ticket System for EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan
Introduction of IC chips for the first time in international exhibitions
1. Official decision on the admission charge system
The admission charge system for EXPO 2005 Aichi, Japan (Exposition of Global Harmony), was reported to and approved by the council of relevant ministers on November 8. This is scheduled to be reported to the BIE General Assembly meeting on December 2 and 3.
2. Decision on the admission ticket system
Appropriate for the first world exposition to be held in the 21st century, the Japan Association for the 2005 World Exposition has decided to introduce an entry system based on IC chips, the first time ever in the history of international exhibitions. Plans for implementation of the admission ticket system will be developed by the end of the year to prepare for advance ticket sales to start in September 2004, 18 months before the opening. Repeated testing will be conducted, and the design will be announced in late March 2004 (two years prior to EXPO 2005 opening).
* Outline
A miniature 0.4mm x 0.4mm IC chip will be embedded on each admission ticket, in order to provide an ID number for each ticket and at the same time make ID confirmation easy by simply placing the ticket over a reading device. Introduction of this IC chip will not only enable identification of ticket type but also offer visitors a wide range of services, including:
1. Making reservations for entry into pavilions and events
Reservations can be made from outside the EXPO 2005 site by entering the ID number on the admission ticket via the Internet, mobile phones, or pushbutton phones. Inside the site, reservations can be made by simply placing the admission ticket over a dedicated device found inside the EXPO site. On the day of admission, the ticket holder has his or her ticket checked simply by placing the ticket over a dedicated terminal and is then permitted to enter.
2. Reservations for various services
Reservations for use of wheelchairs, volunteer services, etc., can be made from the comfort of the home, in the same way reservations are made for entry into pavilions. On the day of admission, reservations can be confirmed simply by placing the ticket over a reading device.
3. Real-time admission control
Data, such as the total number of visitors, breakdown by type of ticket, breakdown by gate of entry, and breakdown by time of day, can be gathered easily on a real-time basis. This enables precision personnel planning to adapt to the state of congestion in the EXPO site.
4. Lost and found service
Contact address/phone of a guardian can be registered in advance in the admission ticket of a child ticket holder, either by mobile phone or the Internet, which will facilitate support for lost children.
5. Prizewinning contests for visitors
A more extensive range of services, including prize-winning contests, becomes possible for visitors.
6. Others
* The world’s highest standards in counterfeit control (visitor ID management with IC chips and admission ticket control server will block entry of persons holding tickets with IDs other than those approved. Also, IC chips cannot be copied or counterfeited.) * If the admission ticket should be damaged for some reason, the ticket can be reissued after authenticating the ID.
3. Morizo and Kiccoro featured in the ticket design
The admission ticket will feature the mascots for the EXPO, Morizo and Kiccoro.
These characters will be used as key visual design to make the admission tickets to EXPO 2005 easy to identify and visually friendly to visitors. Variations of Morizo and Kiccoro are scheduled to appear on the various types of admission tickets.
The basic design for the tickets will be announced in late March 2004 (two years before opening).
For your reference:
Types of admission tickets used in past international exhibitions
World Design Expo ‘89 (1989): Magnetized tape system
International Garden and Greenery Exposition (1990): Magnetized tape system
EXPO 2000 Hannover (2000): Bar code system
