Partnership between STEP and Norwegian Cruise Line

Connectivity for 50,000+ Bourbon Enthusiasts

See how STEP transformed the Kentucky Bourbon Festival® with secure, reliable connectivity powering one of the nation's premier bourbon events.

Powering Kentucky's Premier
Bourbon Festival

The Kentucky Bourbon Festival evolved into a fully hybrid event, making reliable connectivity essential to every aspect of the guest experience.  From RFID-enabled ticketing and cashless point-of-sale transactions to public Wi-Fi, media uploads, and event security, every critical operation depended on a secure, high-performance network.  STEP provides an integrated 5G, private cellular, and wired/ Wi-Fi solution, fully managed and monitored through STEP Navigator, to power the entire event environment.

Powered by STEP's Connectivity-on-Wheels (CoW) mobile network platform, the festival received enterprise-grade wireless coverage across the 2.5-acre event grounds. The solution kept more than 50,000 attendees, 34 Kentucky distilleries, vendors, media teams, and event staff connected throughout the festival, ensuring seamless operations from gate entry to the final pour.

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The Technology Behind a Connected Festival

Delivering reliable connectivity for more than 50,000 attendees required more than internet access. STEP engineered, deployed, and managed a hybrid mobile network that powered every critical aspect of the Kentucky Bourbon Festival, including ticketing, payments, public Wi-Fi, and event security.
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Connectivity-on-Wheels (CoW)

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RFID Ticketing & Entry

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Vendor & Public Connectivity

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Cashless Point-of-Sale

Designed for a Dynamic Event Environment

Supporting a multi-day outdoor festival requires connectivity that performs in constantly changing conditions. From entry gates and vendor booths to media stations and public gathering areas, every location depended on secure, reliable wireless coverage.

Using STEP's Connectivity-on-Wheels (CoW) platform, the network was strategically deployed to provide seamless connectivity across the 2.5-acre festival grounds, ensuring every critical system stayed online throughout the event.

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Connectivity That Elevated the Festival Experience

Reliable connectivity powered every aspect of the festival, from RFID ticketing and cashless payments to public Wi-Fi, media coverage, and event security. The result was a seamless experience for attendees, vendors, and event organizers alike.

50,000+ ATTENDEES. 34+ DISTILLERIES. ONE CONNECTED EXPERIENCE.

VIEW CASE STUDY