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Marin Center likes Facebook as tickets go high-tech [The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif.](Marin Independent Journal (CA) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) May 24--An innovative high-tech ticketing system at Marin Center will boost sales, generate additional revenue and dramatically cut online ticket fees while enabling customers to buy tickets on Facebook -- and alert friends who may like the same shows. In addition, the new software system, which will be installed by June 4 in time for the Marin County Fair later that month, will allow more efficient use of county staff, said Jim Farley, Marin County cultural services chief. "I've never come up with a project like this," Farley said, noting the program dramatically reduces fees while increasing county revenue and customer service. He estimated the program will generate $85,000 a year, or $425,000 over a five-year software contract, for the county treasury, primarily from "convenience fees" charged to phone and online customers. The fees, which under the old system funneled $12.50 a ticket to Ticketmaster, now will range from $2 to $5 a ticket, depending on the event, with $2 charged for the county fair, and $5 for auditorium and other major fairground events. While Ticketmaster got all the fee revenue generated under the old system, the county will now get the lion's share, with $1 a ticket going to a new software contractor. Among other innovations, the new system will allow online ticket buyers to view a real-time display of available auditorium seats, select individual seats and get a virtual view from that seat of center stage. Farley, backed by staffers including information technology officials, was jubilant as he outlined the program this week for county supervisors, who had reviewed the idea during budget hearings. The county board promptly approved a $40,000 allocation to cover start-up costs ranging from ticket scanners to cabling, and awarded a contract to ShoWare, a division of VisionOne Inc. of Fresno, which provides turnkey ticketing solutions to venues around the world. The company, which will receive $1 per ticket sold to county events, was deemed the best bet among 13 ticketing companies submitting proposals for review. "This firm presented the best financial proposal, user-friendly content management system and the latest in social media and mobile applications," Farley reported. Further, "If your board does not approve this agreement, the Department of Cultural and Visitor Services will not have a customer-friendly ticketing solution for year-round events at this facility and not generate sufficient new revenue to address long-term restructuring needs," Farley advised supervisors. "Features like online, mobile and social media ticketing as well as free print-at-home tickets are powerful features that allow our patrons to purchase tickets how and when they want, whether it's from a computer, a tablet or a smartphone," according to Farley. The new system will replace Ticketmaster and two other ticket vendors who now serve Marin Center box office, online and county fair events. He noted the program includes the ability to buy tickets with a phone via Facebook and alert friends. The option of a paperless system will allow patrons to enter events with a wave of the phone. Most residents will get the first opportunity to use the new system by buying tickets to the county fair online this year. The event will be the first fair in the state to "utilize ticketing directly within Facebook," according to Joseph Wettstead, ShoWare publicist. "ShoWare's mobile ticketing product allows patrons to easily purchase tickets right from their Internet-enabled smartphones without the inconvenience of having to download and store an application," Wettstead said. The Marin Center complex hosts about 200 events each year that generate roughly $4.5 million in ticket sales. Contact Nels Johnson via email at [email protected] ___ (c)2012 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) Visit The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.) at www.marinij.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |