AIA Announces Strategic Technology Partnership with Drop Band for the 2026 AIA Global Tournament

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AIA Announces Strategic Technology Partnership with Drop Band for the 2026 AIA Global Tournament

Official wearable credentials powered by Drop Band will support access, communication, and event operations for the inaugural AIA global tournament.

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — May 10, 2026 — The Association of International All Star (AIA) today announced a strategic technology partnership with Drop Band, naming the company an official technology partner of the AIA and the 2026 AIA Global Tournament.

As part of the partnership, every attendee, coach, hotel package participant, and full-admission purchaser attending the Global Tournament will receive an official AIA credential powered by Drop Band technology. The band will serve as an all-access pass for the tournament experience, helping streamline access, communication, credentialing, safeguarding, and event operations throughout the competition.

The AIA Global Tournament will serve as the first large-scale implementation of Drop Band technology within the AIA ecosystem, marking a significant step forward in the organization’s commitment to innovation, accessibility, safeguarding, and operational advancement within the All Star cheer and dance industry.

Drop Band is a tap-based wearable access layer for payments, entry, identity, giving, loyalty, and connection, built to help organizations simplify access, engagement, communication, and event operations. The company collaborates with universities, health and wellness organizations, professional sports properties, government contract opportunities, and live event organizations globally.

Through this partnership, the AIA aims to introduce enhanced event experiences and modernized systems designed to better support athletes, coaches, event producers, families, and spectators alike.

“We are excited to see this come to life,” said Jibreel Rayam, President of the AIA. “Ted Baker, CEO of Drop Band, has been able to see the vision that I have for the Global Tournament and the future of communication, safeguarding, and easy processing, which continues to be a pain point within the industry we serve. I’m looking forward to leading the way on some new processes that the sport desperately needs from an external source.”

The partnership reflects the AIA’s long-term commitment to building a modern, globally connected ecosystem for All Star cheer and dance through collaboration, transparency, and innovation.

The inaugural 2026 AIA Global Tournament will welcome teams from around the world to Montréal for a multi-round international tournament experience built around advancement, global representation, and cultural exchange.

For the AIA, the partnership adds a modern credentialing system intended to support the scale, movement, safeguarding, and communication needs of a global tournament environment.

About the Association of International All Star

The Association of International All Star is dedicated to advancing the global All Star cheer and dance community through collaboration, transparency, innovation, and international opportunity. The AIA Global Tournament is designed to bring teams from around the world together for a competitive, culturally connected, and forward-looking tournament experience.

For more information about the AIA Global Tournament, visit:www.associationofinternationalallstar.com

About Drop Band

Drop Band is a tap-based wearable access layer for payments, entry, identity, giving, loyalty, and connection. Built for large-scale events and organizational environments, the band works with a simple tap — no battery, Wi-Fi, or charging required. Drop Band partners with universities, health and wellness organizations, professional sports properties, government contract opportunities, and live event organizations to support more connected, efficient, and engaging experiences.

For more information about Drop Band, visit:www.drop.band

Media Contact

Jibreel Rayam - President

Contact: aiaglobaltournament@gmail.com