diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/base_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/base_controller.rb
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..036aec62
--- /dev/null
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/base_controller.rb
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+module Admin
+  class BaseController < ApplicationController
+    before_filter :verify_user_admin
+
+    def verify_user_admin
+      if (current_user.nil?)
+        redirect_to new_user_session_path
+        return false
+      end
+      unless (current_user.has_role? :organizer, :any) || (current_user.has_role? :cfp, :any) ||
+             (current_user.has_role? :info_desk, :any) ||
+             (current_user.has_role? :volunteers_coordinator, :any) || current_user.is_admin
+        raise CanCan::AccessDenied.new('You are not authorized to access this area!')
+      end
+    end
+  end
+end
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/callforpapers_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/callforpapers_controller.rb
index 4e238027..b18d80de 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/callforpapers_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/callforpapers_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class CallforpapersController < ApplicationController
+  class CallforpapersController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
 #     load_and_authorize_resource :cfp, class: 'CallForPapers', through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/campaigns_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/campaigns_controller.rb
index 0c933f23..8a0e3e23 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/campaigns_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/campaigns_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class CampaignsController < ApplicationController
+  class CampaignsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource :campaign, through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/commercials_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/commercials_controller.rb
index 632f396e..2a41b2dc 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/commercials_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/commercials_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class CommercialsController < ApplicationController
+  class CommercialsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource through: :conference, except: [:new, :create]
 
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ module Admin
 
     def new
       @commercial = @conference.commercials.build
-      authorize! :create, @commercial
+      authorize! :create, @conference.commercials.new
     end
 
     def edit; end
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/conference_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/conference_controller.rb
index ca712700..6b31fd0b 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/conference_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/conference_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class ConferenceController < ApplicationController
+  class ConferenceController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_resource :user, only: [:remove_user]
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/contacts_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/contacts_controller.rb
index 2507f4dc..c441a4c6 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/contacts_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/contacts_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class ContactsController < ApplicationController
+  class ContactsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource through: :conference, singleton: true
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/dietchoices_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/dietchoices_controller.rb
index bf1ffdf5..2720577c 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/dietchoices_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/dietchoices_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class DietchoicesController < ApplicationController
+  class DietchoicesController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource :dietary_choice, through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/difficulty_levels_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/difficulty_levels_controller.rb
index 1ed54077..cfab7528 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/difficulty_levels_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/difficulty_levels_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class DifficultyLevelsController < ApplicationController
+  class DifficultyLevelsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/emails_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/emails_controller.rb
index bff82c49..b0f0a26c 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/emails_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/emails_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class EmailsController < ApplicationController
+  class EmailsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource class: EmailSettings
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/event_types_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/event_types_controller.rb
index 34bebbf8..f6cfaab2 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/event_types_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/event_types_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class EventTypesController < ApplicationController
+  class EventTypesController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource :event_type, through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/events_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/events_controller.rb
index 0fbd8f77..1b534f33 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/events_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/events_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class EventsController < ApplicationController
+  class EventsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource :event, through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/lodgings_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/lodgings_controller.rb
index 7db38e66..ce299ed7 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/lodgings_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/lodgings_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class LodgingsController < ApplicationController
+  class LodgingsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource :venue, through: :conference, singleton: true
     authorize_resource :lodging, through: :venue
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/photos_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/photos_controller.rb
index c5f58167..764f4532 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/photos_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/photos_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class PhotosController < ApplicationController
+  class PhotosController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/questions_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/questions_controller.rb
index f64af6c2..a9da703b 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/questions_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/questions_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class QuestionsController < ApplicationController
+  class QuestionsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource through: :conference, except: [:new, :create]
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/registrations_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/registrations_controller.rb
index 677cb701..bc17b1ff 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/registrations_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/registrations_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class RegistrationsController < ApplicationController
+  class RegistrationsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/rooms_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/rooms_controller.rb
index f9ed42e0..0acb9586 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/rooms_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/rooms_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class RoomsController < ApplicationController
+  class RoomsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/schedules_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/schedules_controller.rb
index bf04d453..0a939db8 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/schedules_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/schedules_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SchedulesController < ApplicationController
+  class SchedulesController < Admin::BaseController
     # By authorizing 'conference' resource, we can ensure there will be no unauthorized access to
     # the schedule of a conference, which should not be accessed in the first place
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/social_events_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/social_events_controller.rb
index 47bbeceb..bc8dae88 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/social_events_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/social_events_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SocialEventsController < ApplicationController
+  class SocialEventsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource :social_event, through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/speakers_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/speakers_controller.rb
index 019cb24b..d3dfe700 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/speakers_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/speakers_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SpeakersController < ApplicationController
+  class SpeakersController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource :event
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/sponsors_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/sponsors_controller.rb
index 9db33120..26d1df6e 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/sponsors_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/sponsors_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SponsorsController < ApplicationController
+  class SponsorsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource :sponsor, through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/sponsorship_levels_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/sponsorship_levels_controller.rb
index bef6af72..134295e3 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/sponsorship_levels_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/sponsorship_levels_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SponsorshipLevelsController < ApplicationController
+  class SponsorshipLevelsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/stats_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/stats_controller.rb
index 99bee919..a6ba21b8 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/stats_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/stats_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class StatsController < ApplicationController
+  class StatsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/supporter_levels_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/supporter_levels_controller.rb
index 686f16dc..f0721c94 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/supporter_levels_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/supporter_levels_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SupporterLevelsController < ApplicationController
+  class SupporterLevelsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/supporters_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/supporters_controller.rb
index 99dcefb3..f1610631 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/supporters_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/supporters_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class SupportersController < ApplicationController
+  class SupportersController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/targets_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/targets_controller.rb
index 6253459e..21246185 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/targets_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/targets_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class TargetsController < ApplicationController
+  class TargetsController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/tracks_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/tracks_controller.rb
index 14f375f7..089afacc 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/tracks_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/tracks_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class TracksController < ApplicationController
+  class TracksController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     authorize_resource through: :conference
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/users_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/users_controller.rb
index cf41882e..d5a52787 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/users_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/users_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class UsersController < ApplicationController
+  class UsersController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource
 
     def new
@@ -21,9 +21,9 @@ module Admin
 
     def update
       if @user.update_attributes(params[:user])
-        redirect_to admin_users_path, notice: "Updated #{@user.email}"
+        redirect_to admin_users_path, notice: "Updated #{@user.name} (#{@user.email})!"
       else
-        redirect_to admin_users_path, alert: "Could not update #{@user.name}. #{@user.errors.full_messages.join '. '}."
+        redirect_to admin_users_path, alert: "Could not update #{@user.name} (#{@user.email}). #{@user.errors.full_messages.join('. ')}."
       end
     end
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/venue_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/venue_controller.rb
index 14d08cd1..f2d77495 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/venue_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/venue_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class VenueController < ApplicationController
+  class VenueController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
     load_and_authorize_resource :venue, through: :conference, singleton: true
 
diff --git a/app/controllers/admin/volunteers_controller.rb b/app/controllers/admin/volunteers_controller.rb
index 00b06c90..e6c53e6e 100644
--- a/app/controllers/admin/volunteers_controller.rb
+++ b/app/controllers/admin/volunteers_controller.rb
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 module Admin
-  class VolunteersController < ApplicationController
+  class VolunteersController < Admin::BaseController
     load_and_authorize_resource :conference, find_by: :short_title
 
     def index