7 Proven Strategies to Boost Attendance and Engagement at Your School’s Events
School events are the lifeblood of a thriving community, bringing together students, parents, educators, and residents to celebrate milestones, achievements, and shared aspirations. However, driving high attendance and involvement can be challenging, especially in today’s fast-paced world of competing priorities. To help schools overcome these hurdles, we’ve compiled seven expert strategies to enhance community engagement and ensure your events are a resounding success. These actionable tips focus on leveraging technology, fostering collaboration, and creating meaningful experiences that resonate with your audience. 1. Make Event Information Easily Accessible Clear communication is the foundation of successful event planning. Ensure that event details are easy for every member of your school community to find and understand. Use a mix of communication channels—such as email campaigns, school newsletters, social media, and posters—to get the word out. For an even more streamlined approach, consider using platforms like Hometown. Hometown simplifies event management by providing a centralized hub where attendees can access all the information they need, including event details, ticket sales, and real-time updates. With an intuitive platform, you make it seamless for families and community members to stay informed and connected. “I really like how simple and easy it is. It’s very user friendly.” – Mason Harper, Assistant Athletic Director at Medina High School 2. Offer Convenient Digital Ticketing Options In today’s digital age, convenience is key. Paper tickets and cash-only payments can deter attendees, especially those with busy schedules. Digital ticketing platforms like Hometown provide a hassle-free solution, allowing attendees to purchase tickets online from any device. With mobile-friendly options and secure payment systems, families can buy tickets on their own time—even at the last minute. For schools, digital ticketing reduces administrative burdens, streamlines ticket tracking, and eliminates the chaos of managing cash transactions. By adopting modern ticketing solutions, you can boost attendance while creating a frictionless experience for everyone. 3. Leverage the Power of Social Media Social media is an indispensable tool for building excitement and promoting your school events. Create engaging posts, countdowns, and sneak-peek content to generate buzz. Highlight key event features, such as performances, guest speakers, or fundraising goals, to capture attention. “Did you know that 54% of social users use social media to research events?” (Source: Hootsuite, 2023) Platforms like Boxout, which partners with Hometown, make it easy to design professional, eye-catching graphics for your social media campaigns. These visuals help amplify your event’s visibility, drive ticket sales, and foster community engagement. Encourage students, parents, and staff to share your posts to further expand your reach and strengthen your school’s sense of community. 4. Involve Students in Event Planning Empower students to take an active role in planning and organizing events. When students feel a sense of ownership, they’re more likely to encourage their families and peers to participate. Provide opportunities for students to contribute through volunteering, performing, or helping design activities. This involvement not only boosts attendance but also fosters leadership, teamwork, and pride among students. When students see their efforts come to life, they create deeper connections with the school community. Texas High School Hometown Ticketed Basketball Game(November, 2024) 5. Collaborate with Local Businesses Forge partnerships with local businesses to enhance your event’s reach and value. Invite businesses to sponsor activities, donate giveaways, or contribute to raffles. In return, highlight their support by including their logos in event promotions and recognizing their contributions during the event. These collaborations strengthen community ties while offering businesses meaningful exposure. By working together, schools and local organizations can create mutually beneficial relationships that add a unique touch to your events. 6. Create Incentives to Drive Attendance Incentives are a powerful motivator for increasing participation. Offer perks such as door prizes, raffles, or discounts on future events to encourage attendance. Consider exclusive incentives that resonate with your audience, such as gift cards, school merchandise, or VIP seating. Research shows that offering incentives can increase event attendance by up to 20% (Eventbrite, 2022). By adding value to the event experience, you can generate excitement and ensure more community members turn out to support your school. 7. Celebrate and Share the Success The work doesn’t end when the event does. Sharing the highlights and achievements afterward helps keep the momentum going. Post photos, videos, and key statistics, such as the number of attendees or funds raised, on social media and your school’s website. Celebrate milestones like record-breaking attendance or impactful donations to build excitement for future events. Platforms like Hometown make it easy to track attendance and revenue, providing valuable data to share with your community. This transparency fosters trust and encourages ongoing participation in upcoming school initiatives. Lead the Way in Community Engagement By implementing these strategies, your school can become a leader in fostering strong community bonds and creating events that people genuinely look forward to. Embrace technology like Hometown to simplify event management, engage your audience, and maximize attendance. Kickstart Your Next School Event Today Don’t wait to transform your school’s events into thriving community hubs. Begin planning your next event today with the tools and techniques designed to inspire connections, celebrate achievements, and unite your community. With the right approach, your school events will become the cornerstone of a thriving, engaged community. Curious to learn more about how Hometown can transform your events? Learn more.
No More Cash, No More Chaos: The Digital Ticketing Revolution at Rancho Rio Public Schools
The Challenge: Managing 12,000+ Fans on Game Night For New Mexico’s Rancho Rio Public Schools, Friday nights mean one thing — game night. With over 12,000 fans attending their events, ensuring a smooth game day ticketing process wasn’t just a goal — it was a necessity. Long lines, misplaced tickets, and cash handling created unnecessary hassles for both staff and fans. With a community accustomed to cash transactions, the transition to a digital ticketing solution had to be user-friendly and seamless. “Hometown has made it really easy.” – Todd Resch, Executive Director, Rancho Rio Public Schools The Solution: Hometown’s Cashless Ticketing System Rancho Rio found the perfect partner in Hometown, the trusted leader in digital ticketing solutions. On a busy Friday night, ensuring fans can enter quickly and easily is essential. Transitioning to a modern cashless ticketing system wasn’t just about convenience—it was about elevating the entire game experience. Now, parents, students, and community members can purchase tickets effortlessly, freeing up more time to enjoy the excitement of the game. Here’s how Hometown makes it simple: Buy tickets directly from your school’s website. Pre-order season passes for the entire season. Enjoy mobile-friendly payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay. With Hometown, Rancho Rio has truly transformed the way their community experiences game day. “We want to make the fan experience our top priority and Hometown has enabled us to make a seamless transition to cashless ticketing for our community,” – Todd Resch, Executive Director, Rancho Rio Public Schools Unparalleled Support from Hometown What makes Hometown’s solution stand out isn’t just the technology, but the dedicated support they provide. Hometown’s exceptional support has been a game-changer for Rancho Rio. The team is always available to answer questions, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Instead of struggling with ticket sales logistics, the school can now focus on creating memorable game day experiences for fans. “What sets Hometown apart from the rest is the support they provide us.” – Todd Resch, Executive Director, Rancho Rio Public Schools The Results: A Frictionless Game Day Experience For attendees, cashless ticketing systems solve major game day frustrations—no more long lines, lost tickets, or scrambling for cash. The result? A smoother, more enjoyable experience from start to finish. Since launching the system in August of 2024, the district has seen impressive results. Two high schools, Rio Rancho High School and V. Sue Cleveland High School, have already sold tickets for 161 events this year. In total, they’ve sold over 19,000 tickets—14,500 online and 4,800 at Points of Sale – bringing in $128,040 in ticket revenue. Looking ahead, the district plans to expand cashless ticketing to middle schools, ensuring an even broader impact across its community. A Winning Formula for Schools Everywhere Rancho Rio Public Schools’ success shows how cashless ticketing solutions can revolutionize school sports events. By partnering with Hometown, they’ve created a system that prioritizes the fan experience, simplifies operations, and keeps the focus on the game. For schools looking for a reliable ticketing platform, Rancho Rio’s story is proof that Hometown isn’t just selling a product—they’re building partnerships. Discover how Hometown’s ticketing platform can transform your school’s game day experience with seamless digital ticketing and unparalleled support. Ready to get started? Learn more about cashless ticketing for schools and how Hometown can help simplify your events today!
You Always Find Your Way Back Home: How Hilliard City School District Achieved Seamless Ticketing with Hometown
Hilliard City School District sought a reliable and efficient ticketing solution for their athletic events to accommodate thousands of fans. After experiencing challenges with another provider, the school returned to Hometown, a platform known for its exceptional customer service and dependable technology. The decision proved to be instrumental in ensuring smooth operations and a better experience for both staff and community. Their Challenges A few years ago, Hilliard switched from Hometown to another provider in an attempt to explore alternative solutions. Unfortunately, the switch led to numerous problems, including: Technical failures: Equipment often malfunctioned, especially during high-traffic events, causing frustration for staff and fans. Self-scan complexities: The lack of scanning options created confusion for spectators and ticketing staff. Cumbersome interface: Fans found the online ticket purchase process difficult to navigate. After enduring these challenges for a year, Hilliard decided to return to Hometown. Marking an Impact The return to Hometown had an immediate and positive impact on Hilliard City School District’s event management: Reliable technology ensured smooth ticketing operations, even during high-attendance events. Hometown’s exceptional customer service provided immediate troubleshooting—critical for Friday night football games with up to 5,000 fans. The platform’s user-friendly interface made it easy for fans to purchase tickets online, reducing confusion and complaints. “Hometown has always been a call away, and their customer service is the best. On a Friday night football game with 5,000 fans, it’s comforting to know you can call and get immediate help.” – Chris Ludban, Assistant Athletic Director at Hilliard High School The Results By returning to Hometown, Hilliard achieved: Streamlined operations: One ticketing provider for all events eliminated confusion and inefficiency. Better fan experience: Fans enjoyed an easy-to-use online platform for purchasing tickets. Reliable technology: An iOS- and Android-friendly app and responsive customer support ensured smooth ticketing, even during the busiest events. Hilliard’s experience underscores the importance of choosing a ticketing provider that prioritizes reliability, user experience, and exceptional customer service. For them, Hometown proved to be the perfect partner, delivering consistent results and peace of mind. “There’s no comparison between the two companies—Hometown just does it better… PERIOD.” – Chris Ludban, Assistant Athletic Director at Hilliard High School
Hometown Spotlight | Jeff Whisler: MSHSL
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | MARCH 2025 Organization: Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Secretary of Region 4AA: Jeff WhislerHometown is excited to announce March spotlight, Jeff Whisler and MSHSL. About My name is Jeff Whisler. I’m currently the Secretary for Region 4AA, part of the Minnesota State High School League. I spent 38 years in education, starting as a teacher and administrator before transitioning to an activities director. I served as the activities director for 14 years at Monte School District and later for 6 years at Roseville Area High School, retiring in 2018. After retirement, I took on my current role, where I oversee section tournaments, manage finances, and support schools in our region. How you use Hometown? As Region Secretary, I work closely with schools to organize and run section tournaments, and tools like Hometown (or Schoolfundr) help streamline processes like handling event logistics and managing funds efficiently. What is your favorite Hometown feature? I appreciate features that simplify financial management, such as systems for paying officials and processing tournament expenses. It keeps everything organized and reduces administrative headaches. Fun fact After 37 years in education, I’m retired but still busy! I’m married to my high school sweetheart, and we love spending our mornings with our 2-year-old grandson. Stepping into my role as a region secretary has been a perfect fit—it keeps me connected with schools and students and allows me to stay involved in high school athletics, which has always been a passion of mine.
The Hidden Costs of Paper Ticketing in School Sports: Why It’s Time to Go Digital
For many school athletic programs, paper ticketing and cash-only sales have long been the standard way of doing business. But while this process may seem simple, the hidden costs can add up quickly – impacting your staff, your revenue, and your community. Here’s a breakdown of the four most critical hidden costs, and how to combat them. Hidden Cost #1: Increased Personnel Managing cash boxes at the gate requires extra staff, increases the risk of clerical errors, and slows down fan entry. When the final buzzer sounds, reconciling cash takes even more time, and transporting deposits to the bank adds another layer of work and risk. These steps might sound all too familiar if you have been taking a cash-only approach. Digital operations not only make the attendee experience better, your staff no longer has to worry about staying late to count cash and deposit funds. The ability to reconcile your funds nearly instantly means less time spent on manual accounting, fewer errors, and complete financial transparency – giving your team peace of mind and getting you back home shortly after the event is over. “As someone who is always the first to enter and the last to leave the stadium on Friday nights, I can honestly say that before we started using Hometown, I’d often be there until midnight. Now, I can leave [early] because of the streamlined reporting – it saves me from having to go to the bank.” – Beth Smith, Athletic Secretary at Wylie ISD Hidden Cost #2: Security and Accountability Risks Cash transactions can come with security concerns such as missing funds or potential theft. With digital ticketing, every sale is tracked and accounted for, reducing the chance of financial discrepancies and ensuring accountability across all touchpoints. This shift can enable schools to enhance the safety at each entry point, giving their staff peace of mind before, during and after the game. “The switch helped our district recover lost revenue during critical seasons. The revenue generated has been reinvested in student programs, creating a positive impact throughout the district.” – Jay Govan, Assistant Athletic Director at Northside ISD Hidden Cost #3: Fewer Ticket Sales & Revenue Event attendees today expect simple, contactless options. Cash-only ticketing can be inconvenient for these event goers, discouraging attendance from those who prefer mobile payment options. A digital system allows fans to buy tickets in advance, reducing last-minute stress at the gate. This keeps stands packed and recurring fans happy. Hidden Cost #4: Lack of Reporting Visibility Paper ticketing doesn’t offer schools real-time event insights, which can lead to capacity challenges and heightened security risks. Digital ticketing provides instant reporting, giving your staff the visibility they need to manage capacity, track revenue, analyze trends, and even make informed decisions for future events. Struggling to get buy-in for digital ticketing? This quick guide helps athletic directors effectively engage with their school administration to make the case for a seamless ticketing solution. Download it now! DOWNLOAD NOW “Transitioning to Hometown helped centralize how the district operates and it was a game changer for logistics and operations, allowing them to sell over 400% more season tickets than in previous years.” – Lance Moffet, Athletic Director at Hays CISD Hometown Is Here For Your Community By streamlining event operations, your staff will spend less time on manual tasks and more time enhancing game-day experiences for your dedicated community. Plus, digital ticketing can significantly improve required financial compliance, ensuring transparency at every level from purchase to scan to collection. Offering a digital-first ticketing system isn’t just about modernizing – it’s about making your athletic program more efficient, more secure, and more reliable for everyone. Ready to make the switch? Book a free demo to learn how digital ticketing can maximize revenue for your school and improve the fan experience. BOOK A MEETING
Choosing the Best Ticketing Partner: Expert Tips from Corpus Christi ISD
Managing athletic events for a large school district is no small task. For Corpus Christi Independent School District (ISD)—which oversees six high schools, 11 middle schools, and two stadiums, including a historic venue from the Great Depression—the challenges of organizing sporting events are immense. Assistant Athletic Director Michael Keel shares how adopting Hometown transformed their processes, from ticketing efficiency to audit compliance, while keeping fans satisfied. The Challenge: Inefficient Ticketing and Audit Risks Before Hometown, Corpus Christi ISD struggled with an outdated ticketing system. Their previous provider failed to deliver detailed reports, causing issues during audits and leaving the district financially vulnerable. “As a data nerd, I value transparent and detailed reporting—The lack of clarity in reports from the previous provider was a major issue and drove us to search for a better solution.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD The Solution: Hometown’s Game-Changing Features Hometown quickly solved Corpus Christi ISD’s challenges with its advanced reporting and user-friendly platform. The district saw immediate improvements in efficiency, transparency, and audit readiness. Key Benefits of Hometown: Detailed Reporting: Hometown’s reports satisfied auditors and made financial processes seamless. Ease of Use: The platform is intuitive, even for non-technical users, ensuring smooth operations. Real-Time Support: During a regional soccer tournament with 17 lightning delays, Hometown’s support team helped extend ticketing times within minutes, avoiding logistical chaos. “The reports from Hometown are the easiest I’ve ever seen. They’ve made everything more efficient and transparent for our auditors and finance team.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD Flexibility and Advanced Features Hometown’s flexibility is another standout feature. The platform accommodates complex needs, such as: Custom Ticketing: Prevent opposing teams from buying out seats during playoff games. Stadium Management: Simplify season ticket sales for two vastly different stadiums, one of which is a historic landmark. “The ability to customize and secure ticketing options has been crucial for us.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD Real-Time Support in Action Hometown’s exceptional support was tested during a regional soccer tournament plagued by lightning delays. Despite being new to the platform, Keel was able to extend ticketing times and re-enter fans without issue, thanks to real-time assistance. “Anything I couldn’t figure out, their team fixed within minutes. Without their support, the delays could have cost the district money and caused a logistical nightmare.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD Key Questions for Choosing a Ticketing Provider Keel offers advice for schools and districts evaluating ticketing solutions. He recommends focusing on these key factors: Report Quality: Does the platform provide detailed, transparent reports for audits and financial needs? Real-Time Support: Can the provider offer immediate help during events to resolve issues quickly? Ease of Use: Is the platform intuitive for all staff, technical or not? Hometown checked all these boxes for Corpus Christi ISD, significantly reducing administrative burdens and improving event management. Conclusion: A Reliable Partner for School Districts For Corpus Christi ISD, Hometown has proven to be more than just a platform—it’s a reliable partner. From simplifying event management to ensuring financial transparency and meeting the unique challenges of running events at two very different stadiums, the platform has addressed key pain points and elevated the district’s operations. “As an administrator, I don’t have to be in the system all the time,—yet, I know it’s reliable, easy to use, and backed by real-time support. That’s what makes Hometown stand out.” – Michel Keel, Assistant Athletic Director at Corpus Christi ISD If your school district is searching for a ticketing solution, take it from Corpus Christi ISD—Hometown is worth considering. The ease, efficiency, and support it provides could be exactly what your district needs to streamline event management and ensure success.
