At the 2025 HSBC Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, UAE, premium cardholders were entitled to complimentary beverages within the event’s hospitality zones.
But managing these allocations manually had previously proven to be time-consuming and prone to error, especially during peak hours. The organizers required a solution that could provide real-time verification, reduce manual intervention, and ensure accurate and transparent redemption tracking— all while maintaining the premium service standard expected at an international sporting event.
RFID technology played a key role in redefining the guest experience as organizers adopted an RFID-based beverage tracking system— designed to simplify service, prevent errors, and ensure accurate control throughout the event.
RFID Solution
The solution was developed and implemented by Technowave Group, an established systems integrator specializing in RFID and mobility solutions.
Chainway provided the core hardware: the Chainway C66 built-in UHF RFID reader, powered by Impinj E-family chip and running Android 13, ensuring high reading performance, smooth integration, and reliability for large-scale event environments.
Three Part Process
The deployment combined three tightly integrated components to deliver a seamless experience. First, each eligible guest received a color-coded RFID wristband pre-encoded with entitlement details (tier and beverage quota). Wristbands enabled quick, contactless identification at service points.
Bar and hospitality staff used Chainway C66 UHF RFID Readers (powered by Impinj E-family chip, Android 13) to read wristbands with fast, reliable tag capture and stable performance. The C66 served as the rugged, on-site terminal for scanning and user interaction.
The RFID beverage tracking application, developed and integrated by Technowave, handled entitlement verification, real-time deduction and logging, and synchronization for reporting and analytics. Each redemption updated the guest’s remaining quota instantly and generated complete, auditable records for event management.
After Action Findings
All data is seamlessly synced to the backend, enabling dashboards and supporting stock and operations planning. In this deployment, the impact assessment showed that the integrated solution delivered:
- Smooth, contactless service— guests received their drinks quickly without the need for manual verification.
- Accurate and transparent redemption tracking, preventing duplication and ensuring fair allocation.
- Error-free operation, with automatic logging of each transaction for accountability and reporting.
- Valuable analytics on consumption trends, helping event organizers plan stock and staffing more effectively.
“Together, we delivered a solution that streamlined event operations and enhanced the guest experience, enabling more efficient and data-driven hospitality management in the region,” said Vipin Menon, Project Manager, Technowave Group.
Beyond the Fairway
Through this collaboration, Technowave and Chainway demonstrated how RFID technology can combine efficiency, accuracy, and elegance in live event operations.
The RFID solution proven at the HSBC Golf Championship can be adapted across multiple industries including Hospitality & Resorts, Exhibitions & Conferences and Retail & Live Events: Automate voucher and promotion tracking with precision.
“The RFID beverage-tracking project at the HSBC Golf Championship demonstrates how reliable RAIN RFID technology, paired with strong systems integration, can turn a complex operational challenge into a seamless and elevated guest experience,” said Owen Wu, Deputy General Manager of Chainway. “Through the combined efforts of Technowave Group on solution deployment and Chainway’s hardware powered by the Impinj E-family chip, the system delivered efficient, transparent, and reliable service.”