A credential management system which obviates the need to design, produce and distribute one-time printed passes to individuals authorized to be present at an event such, for example, as cast members, stage crew, security details and staff, important guests, performers, players, officials and many others. Electronic credential passes are distributed to invitees of an events such as a sporting event, a concert, a large social gathering, or filming of a movie or TV show. Each reusable pass is operative to display an image containing indicia representative of an event descriptor and an access level descriptor, whereby one can quickly and easily ascertain whether an individual seeking access to a particular area, during an event, is in fact authorized to do so. Optionally, the image displayed by each reusable pass can further include a photo of the bearer, a UPC bar code, and one or more logos corresponding to event sponsors.