Industry News

26/09/2011 - A negative 2005 auditor review of the Kentucky Exposition Center's cash-only parking system led to a transition to credit card processing systems at the gate, the Courier-Journal reports.

Beginning this past February, workers began renovations to the KEC's dated gate system at each of its five entrances and 21 lanes. The fair board improved the installation approximately one year ago, having signed a contract with Northern Kentucky-based Guardlink for $3.2 million over 10 years. After the 10 year period is up, the fair board will own the automated gates outright.

Computerized systems have been installed in all five of the KEC's entrances, designed primarily to reduce the extended waits that vehicles experience as they enter the fairgrounds. By switching from paper currency to credit cards, officials also hope they will improve revenue accountability.

"The new system should aid in moving people through and eliminate a lot of the chance for human error," fair board president Harold Workman told the news source.

The systems will accept Visa credit cards, as well as MasterCard, Discover and American Express. They'll also be able to give change for paper currency for bills up to $20, and dispense a parking ticket within seconds.

A new online credit card processing system also allows visitors to purchase tickets in advance online.

"The Kentucky State Fair Board is continually seeking ways to improve our venues to make patrons’ visits more convenient and enjoyable," Workman added. "We identified the need and took necessary steps to insure greater access for our guests."

Workman and his colleagues began the automated gate process after the 2005 audit cited a need for a system that counted cars and double-checked the gate attendant count sheet. The auditor also suggested the accounting department record and deposit cash in a vault rather than deliver receipts to the management office.

With the automated system, there's no longer a need for such a process.

With the Kentucky State Fair now over, Workman tells the news source that he feels comfortable deploying the automated system to the public. He plans to unveil the gates on October 1.