Identification cards were the key security method at the International Ice Hockey Federation's (IIHF) 2003 World Junior Hockey Championship. Access control cards and readers were also considered but it was decided these were too expensive and might complicate things. Jason Clarke, Accreditation Coordinator for the World Juniors said, If something broke down or we had technical difficulties, then it would really throw a monkey wrench into things. Especially when you have players trying to get to the change room and a reader has a glitch in it. We figured ID cards were the best and most failsafe way to go.

Identicam and Chubb Security were presented with the challenge of helping to issue over 3,000 Photo IDs for coaches, team players, media personnel, volunteers, NHL scouts, VIPs and other officials.

The tournament was held from December 26, 2002 to January 5, 2003 with up to four games each day. The games were played at the Centre 200 complex in Sydney, Nova Scotia and at the Halifax Metro Centre. Playoffs were held at both centers and the finals were held in Halifax.

The identification cards included a photo, the logos of 10 sponsors as well as the French and English logos of the Championships. Six different background colours were used to designate the particular areas of the arena where the wearer was allowed. An additional designation of L1 or L2 on the cards allowed access to lounge areas.

Three systems including a FARGO Pro-L Printer and imaging software were rented from Identicam to produce the accreditation cards. One of the systems was located in the Sydney arena and two were in Halifax.

The card production began in October when a volunteer orientation was held. Since the players came from Russia, Switzerland, the United States, Slovakia, Belarus, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and of course, all of Canada, special arrangements had to be made. Pictures were taken by each team with digital cameras and then sent by e-mail or on CD-ROM so the ID cards could be printed and ready. They were then given to the coach or manager for distribution to the team members. Or, the team could drop by the accreditation centre and have their pictures taken up to two weeks before the championships. Jason Clarke, Accreditation Coordinator for the games said, "Most of it definitely had to be done in advance. From sheer volume, we never would have been able to keep up the day of the event".

One person operated each system while another handed out cards that had been printed beforehand. Both accreditation centres at the arenas were open two weeks before the games. Clarke coordinated the Halifax accreditation while Brad Jacobs was the Accreditation Coordinator at the Sydney arena. "The systems were run by volunteers and had to be easy-to-use. The software was really user-friendly. We were able to learn the software very quickly. Training the volunteers on it was very simple and everyone caught onto it very quickly", said Clarke.

The software provided by Identicam was EPI Suite Card Imaging Software, a program specifically designed for card design and to record and maintain cardholder information. It can also capture signatures and fingerprints as well as encode magnetic stripes, bar codes and smart chips.

Identicam suggested EPI Suite since it is user-friendly and they had successfully used it for other events such as World Youth Day, Canadian Rowing Championships, Special Olympics and the World Arm Wrestling Championship.