I’m thrilled to sit down with Katarina Railko, our esteemed hospitality expert, whose extensive background in travel, tourism, and entertainment has made her a prominent voice in the events industry. With a particular passion for expos and conferences, Katarina brings a wealth of insight into the innovative world of event management technology. Today, we’re diving into her experience with GOAllAreas, a groundbreaking platform launched by Ginger Owl Productions. Our conversation explores the inspiration behind this tool, its transformative impact on live events, unique features like long-range scanning and sustainability tracking, and the future of event operations.
How did the idea for GOAllAreas come about, and what motivated the team at Ginger Owl Productions to develop this platform?
The idea for GOAllAreas stemmed from a deep understanding of the pain points in live event operations. At Ginger Owl Productions, we’ve worked on countless events and saw firsthand the inefficiencies in accreditation, access control, and data management. We wanted to create a one-stop solution that could streamline these processes and make life easier for organizers. The motivation was really about innovation—building something by event professionals for event professionals that could adapt to any event format, from music festivals to awards shows.
What were some of the biggest operational hurdles in live events that GOAllAreas was designed to tackle when it launched in August 2024?
When we launched GOAllAreas, we focused on solving issues like fragmented systems, manual processes, and inconsistent security measures. Accreditation, for instance, was often a logistical nightmare with long wait times and errors. Catering and health & safety tracking were handled separately, creating silos. And security for VIPs and artists needed a major upgrade. Our goal was to integrate all these functions into a single, user-friendly platform that could save time and reduce stress for organizers.
With over 30 events supported across the UK and Europe since its debut, can you share a memorable moment where GOAllAreas really shone?
One standout moment was during the BRIT Awards 2025. The scale of the event, with so many high-profile attendees, put our system to the test. GOAllAreas handled accreditation seamlessly, ensuring everyone from artists to crew moved through access points without delays. The feedback from the organizers was incredible—they loved how intuitive and efficient it was, especially under such intense pressure. It was a proud moment for us to see the platform deliver on its promise.
Having worked on major events like the British Summertime Festival, how has GOAllAreas changed the game for organizers of large-scale productions?
For large-scale events like the British Summertime Festival, GOAllAreas has been a game-changer by centralizing operations. Organizers no longer juggle multiple tools for accreditation, catering, or safety inductions—it’s all in one place with real-time dashboards. This means faster decision-making and fewer errors. Plus, our long-range scanning tech for VIP access has taken security and convenience to another level, allowing seamless entry without compromising safety, which is huge for events with thousands of attendees.
What specific elements of GOAllAreas make it particularly well-suited for music events?
Music events have unique needs, like managing large crews, artists, and tight schedules, and GOAllAreas was built with that in mind. Features like modular accreditation let organizers customize access levels for different roles—think artists, technicians, or media. The long-range scanning for VIPs and artists ensures quick, secure entry without bottlenecks at backstage areas. And our real-time reporting helps track everything on the fly, which is critical when timings are so precise at music events.
Among the many features like catering management and health & safety inductions, which ones do clients tend to value the most, and why?
Clients consistently rave about the accreditation and pass printing feature. It’s often the backbone of event operations, and since it made up over a third of our onsite services last year, we’ve seen how much it matters. The ability to issue passes quickly, track access, and integrate with other functions like catering saves organizers hours of manual work. It’s the foundation that lets everything else run smoothly, and that reliability is why it’s so appreciated.
Can you explain how the long-range scanning technology for VIP and artist access works and what sets it apart from traditional methods?
Our long-range scanning tech is a breakthrough. It uses advanced RFID capabilities that allow individuals to be identified and verified from a distance without needing to tap a card or show a pass. Security staff monitor approvals or denials on handheld devices in real time. Unlike traditional methods where you’d need physical contact or close proximity, this is completely contactless, making entry faster and less intrusive while maintaining top-tier security.
How does this long-range scanning improve both security and convenience compared to older systems?
Older systems often required physical scans or manual checks, which could slow down entry and create vulnerabilities if passes were lost or duplicated. Long-range scanning enhances security by tying access to unique, encrypted identifiers that can’t be easily replicated. It also boosts convenience—VIPs and artists can walk through entry points without stopping, which is a huge plus at busy events. It strikes a balance between airtight security and a smooth, hassle-free experience.
With a significant six-figure investment in the platform, can you share insights into the development journey and why such funding was essential?
Developing GOAllAreas was a massive undertaking that required substantial investment to ensure we got it right. The funds went into research, cutting-edge tech like long-range scanning, and building a scalable, secure infrastructure. We wanted a platform that could handle the demands of global events while exceeding data protection standards like GDPR. That level of quality and reliability doesn’t come cheap, but it’s been worth every penny to deliver a tool that truly transforms event management.
What was the experience like collaborating with an international development team, and how did their expertise influence GOAllAreas?
Working with a highly skilled international development team was fantastic. Their technical expertise brought our vision to life, especially in areas like cybersecurity and user interface design. They challenged us to think bigger, integrating features like real-time dashboards and sustainability tools that we hadn’t initially prioritized. Their global perspective also ensured the platform could adapt to different markets and regulations, making GOAllAreas versatile for events across the UK, Europe, and beyond.
Sustainability is a key focus with tools like the travel survey for carbon tracking. How have event organizers reacted to this feature?
Organizers have been incredibly enthusiastic about the travel survey tool. Sustainability is a growing priority in the events industry, and many are under pressure to report on their environmental impact. This feature lets them capture accurate data on how crew and attendees travel—whether by foot, bike, or diesel van—which they can use to measure their carbon footprint. It’s been a pleasant surprise for many clients who didn’t expect such a practical sustainability solution in an event management platform.
How does the travel survey tool specifically support events in achieving environmental goals or meeting compliance needs?
The travel survey tool collects detailed data on every individual’s mode of transport, which is then aggregated into reports that organizers can use to assess their event’s carbon emissions. This helps them identify areas to reduce impact, like encouraging public transport or offsetting emissions. It also supports compliance with environmental reporting requirements, which are becoming stricter in many regions. It’s a straightforward way to align events with green initiatives without adding extra workload.
Data security is clearly a priority since GOAllAreas is Cyber Essentials certified and exceeds GDPR standards. Why was this so important, and how do you build trust with clients on this front?
Data security was non-negotiable for us. Events handle sensitive information—think personal details of artists, VIPs, and crew—so any breach could be catastrophic. We invested heavily in certifications like Cyber Essentials and rigorous pen-testing to ensure our platform is bulletproof. To build trust, we’re transparent with clients about our protocols, and we exceed GDPR requirements to give them peace of mind. When they see the measures we’ve taken, they feel confident entrusting us with their data.
Looking ahead, what is your forecast for the future of event management technology and the role platforms like GOAllAreas will play?
I believe event management technology is headed toward even greater integration and automation. Platforms like GOAllAreas will become the central hub for every aspect of an event, from planning to post-event analysis, with AI and data analytics playing a bigger role in predicting and solving issues before they arise. Sustainability and security will remain top priorities, and I see tools like ours evolving to offer even more tailored solutions for different event types. It’s an exciting time, and I think we’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible.
