RFID Report for AV & Events Industry: Trends, Applications & Opportunities (updated 2025)

When it comes to managing large-scale events, efficiency is key. You don’t want to be caught in a logistical nightmare, scrambling to track down misplaced equipment or dealing with entry delays. We’ve been there. We know. It hurts.

But there’s good news: With over a decade of experience in the event industry, Rentman is now at the forefront of implementing RFID technology to streamline operations. RFID? Yep! Whether you're battling inventory inaccuracies or looking to improve asset tracking, RFID presents the best solution.

In this RFID report, we compiled insights from Rentman users, the industry, and our own experience to address the most pressing warehouse challenges faced by AV and event businesses today (and of course, how RFID solves them).

What does RFID mean?

To clarify: RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, is a technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track RFID tags that are attached to objects. Think of cameras or light equipment - you don’t want those expensive items to get lost in your warehouse or stolen during an event!

Why you should invest in RFID

As further outlined in the RFID report, there’s a good reason why we and other companies in the AV & event industry are religiously using RFID technology. Aside from saving you lots of time, RFID for events will:

1. Improve accuracy: Manual processing of large volumes of equipment can lead to human errors. RFID systems replace manual scanning of every single piece of equipment. For example, if you need 50 cables for a project but only pack 49, the RFID reader will automatically notify you of the shortfall! 🙋‍♀️
2. Enhance traceability: Tagging your equipment with RFID allows you to track where items have been once they return to your warehouse from various jobs. Unlike traditional QR tracking, RFID enables quick processing of bulk returns and immediately shows which items haven't been returned from specific projects. 🕵️‍♀️

How RFID is being used for events today

RFID has already been making waves in the event industry - from optimizing check-in processes to ensuring equipment is exactly where it needs to be. Take for example Tomorrowland. Visitors there use RFID wristbands that not only speed up entry but also cut down on staffing costs, reduce fraud, and hold up no matter how lively the party gets!

However, RFID for events can take many different forms. Read how our clients have successfully integrated RFID in our full RFID report here!

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