Will New Admissions Technology Make Paper Tickets a Thing of the Past?

With all of the new technology available to event organizers and venues for ticketing and admissions—mobile check-in systems, QR code scanning on smart phones—will paper tickets become a thing of the past?

Companies like Peatix are developing technology that eliminates the need for both tearing paper tickets and QR code scanning. Their new platform, ColorSync, is a mobile check-in system for events that does not require manually scanning each individual ticket. The pros for venues and event organizers are that with group ticket scanning comes less liability and a smaller door staff roster. Fans may even benefit, too, from the effortless check-in system. The big downside of ColorSync is that its capabilities vary with light and different devices make operation difficult. Because using it is an “acquired skill” and more work needs to be done before ColorSync is a reliable platform, paper tickets aren’t out yet!

One of the main pros of using paper tickets is, of course, that it’s a tried-and-true system wherein a physical object, the ticket, is required for show admittance. There’s less room for sales and tracking errors because physical ticket stubs can serve as a safety net or backup if a computer system housing ticket numbers and attendee information that crashes. While systems like ColorSync have the potential to be utilized as a time saver, where fans check in by pulling up an app on their mobile devices to show doormen, human nature allows for delays when a guest comes unprepared: for example if someone forgets to load the app onto the device they’re carrying, isn’t ready with the open ticket when they arrive at the door, or any number of other delays or issues that already exist when fans check in with paper tickets. As with any technology, we can also assume that mobile check-in systems have the potential to be hacked, replicated, or otherwise compromised by those wishing to attend a show without paying or go backstage without permission. Concert tickets also serve a sentimental purpose, especially for fans who have made attending festivals and concerts into a lifestyle and take pride in the paper mementos they’ve amassed.

What do you think? Would the elimination of paper tickets make for a more enjoyable event experience or are you, similar to a true book-lover who forgoes e-readers, happy with the way things have been going all along with paper tickets?

 

 

July 28, 2014July 29, 2014 by Jennie Lyon Categories: FundraisingTags: concert venues, events, fan access, festivals, mobile ticket system, music artists, music events, music festivals, music venues, raffle tickets, rodeos, security features, summer advertising, summer events, technology, Tickets, vip access, wristbands Leave a comment

3 Great Tips When Organizing Your Next Raffle

Selling raffle tickets or giving away door prizes are great ways to draw guests to your event—whether it’s a fundraiser, auction, or social event. (Word to the wise: if you will be giving away prizes in exchange for raffle ticket purchases, make sure to check on your state’s legal guidelines regarding the matter!) Here are three tips to keep in mind when planning your next raffle.

#1 Decide on Prizes
After you’ve done the dirty work by checking on the laws surrounding raffles and auctions in your state, check a fun item off of your raffle to-do list by determining how many prizes to give away and what they’ll be. It’s typical to offer a great third prize like a restaurant gift card to several winners, a bigger prize like a weekend getaway for two to the second place winner, and a high-ticket item like a car for the grand prize. Whatever your budget, this model can be scaled up or down as needed. Consider your audience when choosing the prizes; if you’re running a primary school charity auction, some families with little ones and newborns may not be able to enjoy a weekend away for two because they can’t get away if they’re in charge of little ones, but might enjoy an afternoon at the spa instead.

#2 Keep the Odds in the Ticket-Holder’s Favor
This one is important if you really want to sell a lot of tickets! If you’re expecting a crowd of 1000 people, for example, you’ll want to make at least 15-20 prizes available to make sure the odds of winning aren’t so daunting that no one will play! Remember that not all prizes will equal the grand prize; ten $50 gift cards can make up part of that 15-20.

#3 Create a Pricing Model that Matches Your Audience
Just as you’ll consider your audience when choosing prizes, your raffle ticket pricing should also reflect where your audience is coming from. If the event is higher-end—something like a philharmonic fundraiser—you can safely assume that guests will plan on spending a little cash and can price tickets accordingly. Your raffle prices should also, of course, cover the expense far above and beyond the prizes you have to purchase (tip: try to get prizes donated!). If you’ll be selling raffle tickets at the door at a carnival or outdoor festival, keep the pricing scale lower- to mid-range to cater to a mixed audience.

We offer admission tickets with detachable stubs made especially for raffles as well as Chinese raffle tickets. Our eight themed, customizable raffle tickets give customers the option to customize up to ten lines of text on the main ticket to provide guests with all the information they need about the event including an announcement that there’s a chance for them to win a door prize. The 1.5” raffle stub—the portion attendees will hand in for the raffle—is pre-printed with three lines instructing guests to fill out their name, phone number, and email address. These designs are perfect for events that centered around an auction or prizes, though with customizable themes they are a great choice for auctions and fundraisers, as well!

Chinese raffle tickets, also known as Penny Social tickets, come in solid colors and are sold in packs of 500 sheets with 20 tickets per sheet. Event hosts can choose from eight solid colors and tickets are sequentially numbered. Prices for Chinese raffle tickets are as low as $28 for 500 tickets and ship within one to two business days, or same day if tickets are ordered by noon EST.

Check out the dynamic products at Worldwide Ticketcraft before planning your next raffle!

July 22, 2014January 19, 2016 by Jennie Lyon Categories: FundraisingTags: concert venues, events, fan access, festivals, music artists, music events, music festivals, music venues, raffle tickets, rodeos, security features, summer advertising, summer events, Tickets, vip access, wristbands Leave a comment

How to Use Wristbands and Chinese Raffle Tickets at Your Next Event

Wristbands are a great alternative to tickets if you’re hosting an event that doesn’t require a full ticket for admission.

A few examples of events where you may not need guests to carry around a ticket stub include shows or acoustic music in smaller, intimate venues, outdoor carnivals and festivals where guests may be coming and going throughout the evening, or for events with separated admittance areas like beer gardens or VIP lounges. These wristbands are perfect for one-day events and can also be used in conjunction with tickets for events, as noted, with backstage admittance or separate entry.

Our Tyvek wristbands are our most popular and least expensive wristband option. Choose from a rainbow of seven bright colors or purchase a variety pack. Wristbands are ¾” wide with a non-removable, tamper-resistant adhesive to fit even the littlest wrist. Bands are waterproof, lightweight, and durable. Customizable wristbands are sequentially numbered to help with sales and admission tracking and include one line of customizable text.

We also sell Chinese raffle tickets, also known as a Penny Social ticket. The solid color tickets are sold in packs of 500 sheets with 20 tickets per sheet. These tickets are also great for events where guests will enter and exit once (no coming and going during the show), carnivals and markets, and community social events. Event hosts can choose from eight solid colors and tickets are sequentially numbered. Prices for Chinese raffle tickets are as low as $28 for 500 tickets and ship within one to two business days, or same day if tickets are ordered by noon EST.

Check out our website to order wristbands or Chinese raffle tickets for your next event. If they’re not, we have plenty of other options to cover your admission needs including colorful, themed tickets and customizable raffle tickets.

YOUR TURN: What do you look for when choosing admission and raffle options for your events?

July 15, 2014November 25, 2015 by jennielyon Categories: FundraisingTags: concert venues, events, fan access, festivals, music artists, music events, music festivals, music venues, raffle tickets, rodeos, security features, summer advertising, summer events, Tickets, vip access, wristbands Leave a comment

Give Fans a Unique Experience with EventD8 Tickets

With so many bands to see and festivals, rodeos and nightclubs to attend this summer, why not go the extra mile to show your fans you care by offering customized tickets to your next event using one of EventD8’s hot ticket themes? With themes spanning many genres of music, artists and venues can pick tickets that fit their event’s vibe. EventD8’s 2×5.5” themed tickets feature a colorful image (like this EDM ticket) on a background of one of six different colors. Our multiple themes and color schemes are also great for events taking place over more than one day or with more than one artist or stage.

In addition to these options, artists and venues can customize up to seven lines of text on the main ticket and three lines on the ticket stub, and can choose ticket starting numbers for ease of tracking sales. If you need to fill all seven lines of text with show info, consider including a web or social media address or writing a personalized message to your fans like, “Thanks for the support!” to really go all out in showing your appreciation for them. All of our tickets feature a gold foil check mark and lock image on ticket fronts to increase security at the door as well as “VALID GENUINE” in clear varnish (resin dissolved in a liquid for applying on materials to form a hard, clear, shiny surface when dry) across the back.

Speak to your fans in a unique way with personalized graphics and text when ordering for your next show, event, or tour. Your fans are the heart of your business—EventD8 helps you give them an experience as special as your music is to them.

July 8, 2014December 9, 2015 by jennielyon Categories: FundraisingTags: Advertising, artists, badges, concert venues, events, fan access, festivals, music artists, music events, music festivals, music venues, rodeos, security features, summer advertising, summer events, Tickets, vip access Leave a comment