The Ultimate Hometown Solution: The All-in-One Tool Transforming Bear River High’s Activities

At Bear River High School, supporting students and running successful activities has always been a priority. With a small student body of 700, where 50% participate in athletics, finding efficient, effective fundraising and event management tools was critical. That’s where Hometown came in, offering easy-to-use, effective solutions for both.. With Hometown’s Schoolfundr and Box Office solutions, Bear River High streamlined their operations, boosted school revenue, and made life easier for staff, students, and the community. Fundraising Simplified with Hometown’s Schoolfundr Solution Bear River High’s Activities Director, Jessica Lee, has been helping students thrive since 2007. She knew their old fundraising tools weren’t cutting it. After switching to Hometown, the difference was immediate.  Instead of managing product sales and manual tracking, the school moved to a modern, digital-first platform. Coaches and students could now send text messages, upload email lists, and collect donations in minutes, eliminating the need for traditional fundraisers like selling cookie dough or holding a summer car wash. “The biggest advantage of Schoolfundr is that they don’t take a cut of the money. It’s been a game-changer for our small school and a breath of fresh air compared to other platforms.” – Jessica Lee, Activities Director | Bear River High School The platform’s ease of use meant students could handle much of the work, while staff could easily monitor progress with minimal effort. After just one successful event, Bear River High knew the tool would have a lasting impact. They’re already looking into new features, including reserved seating and parking. Fundraising Highlight Bear River High School FFA raised over $20,000 using Schoolfundr to: Restore their greenhouse Attend FFA leadership conferences Cover travel and contest expenses  Through email and social media, the community rallied to support their students and key initiatives. Discovering Hometown’s Digital Ticketing Solution at CADA Switching digital ticketing systems wasn’t exactly on Bear River High’s to-do list. But after learning about Hometown’s Box Office solution at the California Activities Directors Association (CADA) conference, they saw an opportunity they couldn’t pass up. Their previous ticketing system posed challenges, especially for reserved seating and school events like drama and dance. After a quick demo, the shift to Hometown Box Office became an easy decision. The transition was seamless—Hometown set up their Box Office system in just three days, right in time for a drama production that required reserved seating. Tickets were ready to go and the process was smoother than ever. Hometown’s user-friendly and intuitive platform improved the experience for both staff and students. “The reserved seating feature worked perfectly, and the system is intuitive and easy to use. It’s been a game-changer for our events.” – Jessica Lee, Activities Director | Bear River High School Why Schools Trust Hometown for Fundraising & Events Several factors made these platforms the right choice for Bear River High: Unmatched Customer Support: The activities director praised Hometown for its excellent customer service, with response times typically under an hour. They also provided helpful videos and resources, ensuring the bookkeeper and other staff could easily navigate the system.  Efficiency and Simplicity: Hometown makes managing activities effortless. Fundraising is seamless and user-friendly, while Hometown’s intuitive ticketing allows for quick setups and stress-free events. Community Impact: By offering easy-to-use platforms that don’t cut into funds raised, both the Schoolfundr and Box Office solutions allow Bear River High to focus on what matters most — supporting their students and programs. Big Hometown Results for a Small School Even as a smaller school, Bear River High experienced significant success with Hometown’s Schoolfundr and Box Office solutions. These platforms allowed them to streamline their fundraising and ticketing efforts, enabling students and staff to focus on their activities instead of being bogged down with logistics. Ready to Streamline Your School’s Fundraising and Ticketing? Whether you’re looking to upgrade your digital ticketing system or launch a more effective fundraiser, Hometown offers school-centered solutions designed for impact. Request a free demo today to learn how Hometown can help your school achieve success — just like Bear River High. Don’t wait, take the first step towards making a bigger impact

Get Ahead of the Game: How Athletic Directors Can Get Ready For The Fall Sports Season

The fall sports season will be here before you know it, and as an Athletic Director, you know that success doesn’t happen by accident. It takes planning and coordination to ensure your operations run smoothly. To help you get ahead of the game, we’ve put together 4 essential steps you can tackle today to set your fall sports season up for success. 1. Finalize Your Ticketing Strategy  Traditional ticketing methods, such as paper tickets, can create unnecessary stress on game days. Digital ticketing solutions allow your schools to eliminate long gate lines, reduce cash handling, and simplify fan entry. But to get the most out of digital ticketing, consistency is key! If you’re offering online tickets for one sport, like football or basketball, make sure you’re doing the same for all your events. When your community is used to checking your ticketing page for available events, missing events, or offering tickets inconsistently, can lead to confusion and lost attendance. What you can do today: Ensure your event management experience is fully set up ahead of summer break, with pricing, seating, and access options finalized for all ticketed events before the first event. Create a centralized location for ticket sales to help set expectations and build a smoother experience for your community. 2. Enhance the Fan Experience In today’s digital age, fans expect a seamless and convenient experience; mobile ticketing and contactless entry are no longer luxuries but the standard, reflecting how communities now research, purchase, pay, and check-in using their phones.The Hometown Fan App allows your fans to easily find, purchase, access, and manage their tickets, creating a user-friendly experience that boosts satisfaction and encourages repeat attendance. What you can do today: Start offering Season Passes and Season Tickets (or multi-game ticket bundles) to drive recurring revenue and promote fan loyalty. Remind parents, students, and community members to download the Hometown Fan App for quick and easy access to their tickets throughout the season. 3. Streamline Operations for Staff and Volunteers Your teams — whether it’s ticketing staff, event security, or game-day volunteers — need the right tools to operate efficiently. A comprehensive event management system can minimize manual processes, provide real-time reporting, and ensure you’re fully staffed where it matters most. What you can do today: Ensure all essential processes are documented and easily accessible to staff. Organize credit card readers and tablets as bundles for consistency and reliable connectivity. Remember, consistency is key. Use the Hometown Gate App for all on-site operations – from ticket sales to concessions, merchandise, and even parking. The more unified your tools are, the easier it is for your team to deliver a seamless fan experience. 4. Plan for The Unexpected Unpredictable weather delays and schedule changes can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Hometown’s “Notify Guest” capabilities allow you to communicate instantly with fans, adjust entry processes dynamically, and ensure your events stay organized no matter what happens. Real-time notifications are delivered as a text, email, and App Push notification for all ticket types. What you can do today: Create a contingency plan for common game-day disruptions, including weather delays and schedule adjustments. Ensure your staff utilizes Offline Scanning mode to keep guests entering the event regardless of connectivity disruptions. Use the dynamic communication tools, such as email or text alerts, to quickly notify fans of schedule changes. Set Yourself Up for Success The best time to get your fall season plan in place is now; don’t wait until the season starts. Hometown makes it easy to prepare with our digital Fall Planning Kit. Share these resources with administration, coaches and staff. 

Hometown Spotlight | Kelli Kurle, Blue Valley North High School

HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | MAY 2025 School: Blue Valley North High School Athletic Director: Kelli KurleHometown is excited to announce May spotlight, Kelli Kurle and Blue Valley North High School. About With eight years in her current role and experience in two other local districts, Kelli brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to high school athletics. Her passion for fostering student-athlete success both on and off the field is truly inspiring. About Blue Valley North High School Blue Valley North High School is a public high school located in Overland Park, Kansas, serving students in grades 9 through 12. Known for its strong academic programs, diverse extracurricular activities, and competitive athletics, it fosters a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. What do you like most about Hometown? Hometown makes it easy for Blue Valley North High School to raise money and keep all the money they raise with Schoolfundr. Using Hometown’s fundraising solution they’ve raised over over $70,000 for their programs. Fun fact When she’s not supporting her teams, Kelli enjoys camping and exploring the great outdoors.

How Midway ISD Streamlined Complex Summer Camp Operations with Hometown

Managing athletics and summer programs for a school district as large as Midway ISD (MISD) is no easy feat. The challenge lies not just in organizing the programs but in handling the logistical complexities that come with them—registrations, managing discounts, and transitioning services to digital platforms. The team at MISD Athletics was spending countless hours juggling these tasks, leaving little time to focus on the programs themselves.  Enter Hometown: a user-friendly, customer-centric platform that helped MISD Athletics overcome these hurdles, saving time and simplifying operations.  The Challenge: Managing Summer Programs Was Overwhelming MISD Athletics faced a significant challenge when it came to managing their summer camps. With hundreds of participants, the process of handling registrations, ensuring correct pricing (including discounts for certain attendees), and managing payments manually was cumbersome. The athletic office spent a large amount of time:  Coordinating registrations: With manual processes, errors and inefficiencies were inevitable.  Managing discounts: Ensuring the right attendees received discounted pricing added an extra layer of complexity. Transitioning services online: Moving from traditional methods to a digital platform was daunting, requiring a partner who could ensure a smooth transition. These tasks weren’t just time-consuming; they also diverted focus from what mattered most—providing exceptional experiences for students and families. The Solution: Simplified Operations with Hometown Understanding the need for a streamlined solution, MISD Athletics turned to Hometown. The platform wasn’t just a tool—it was a comprehensive solution designed to tackle their biggest operational challenges head-on.  Here’s how Hometown addressed the key pain points:  1. Enhanced Registration Management  Hometown’s intuitive platform simplified the registration process. It allowed MISD Athletics to move all registrations online, eliminating manual paperwork and reducing the risk of clerical errors.  2. Simplified Discounts  One of the biggest hurdles was applying discount codes for specific attendees. Hometown’s customizable platform made this process simple and easy. Each attendee can easily apply their unique code during registration, ensuring accurate pricing without additional manual work. And creating the best experience for their community. 3. Seamless Shift to Digital Ticketing Making the switch from manual processes to a digital ticketing platform can feel daunting, but Hometown’s dependable support team made the transition smooth and straightforward. With responsive guidance at every step, the MISD team felt confident and well-supported throughout the journey. “The obvious thing I love about Hometown is the service. The staff is always very friendly, helpful and attentive.” – Brad Shelton, Athletic Director I Midway ISD The Results: More Time to Focus on Students Thanks to Hometown, MISD Athletics transformed their summer program operations. The platform significantly reduced the workload on the athletic office, freeing up time and energy for other priorities: Reduced administrative burden: Automating registrations and discount management saved hours of manual work.  Improved accuracy: No more errors in registrations or pricing. Enhanced focus: With logistics handled by Hometown, the team could concentrate on improving programs and delivering top-notch experiences for students and families. A Partner, Not Just a Platform Hometown went beyond providing a platform—it became a true partner for MISD Athletics. Whether it was through their user-friendly technology or their attentive customer service, Hometown delivered solutions that worked. “Hometown meets all of our needs, and their support ensures every transition or idea we bring to them is successful. They’ve truly taken the stress out of managing our programs.” – Brad Shelton, Athletic Director I Midway ISD Simplify, Streamline, and Succeed with Hometown For MISD Athletics, Hometown proved to be the perfect solution to solve their biggest challenges. From streamlining summer camp management to simplifying discount applications, the platform transformed MISD operations and allowed their staff to focus on what matters most: their students and community.  If your school district is facing similar challenges with registrations, program management, or transitioning to digital services, Hometown offers a proven solution. Join the growing number of schools and organizations, like MISD Athletics, that trust Hometown to simplify operations and deliver results. What can Hometown do for your program?

A Day in the Life of a Customer Success Manager: Helping Schools Overcome Challenges & Prepare for a Winning Season

As the excitement of a new sports season builds, schools across the country are preparing to welcome fans, boost event sales, and create unforgettable community experiences. But what happens behind the scenes to make it all run smoothly? That’s where Hometown’s Customer Success Managers step in, ensuring every detail is covered so your fan experience goes off without a hitch. Proactive Planning & Outreach: Getting Ahead of The Game Our CSM’s day starts with a cup of coffee and a deep dive into upcoming school events. Using Hometown’s advanced ticketing dashboards, they work with Athletic Directors and Athletic Secretaries to ensure digital sales are on track and seat maps are optimized for maximum attendance. Proactive communication is the secret to their success. By identifying and addressing potential challenges early, they ensure every school is fully prepared before the first whistle blows, creating a seamless event experience for fans and staff alike. Potential Challenges: Low pre-sale ticket numbers affecting event attendance Confusion around digital ticketing processes for event fans Last-minute changes to event schedules or venue layouts Inefficient fan entry due to improper ticket scanning or setup Miscommunication between event staff on seating or ticketing logistics With strategic planning and support, our CSMs give schools the tools they need to host successful events every time. Support & Troubleshooting: Your Go-To Resource When it comes to using Hometown’s platform, our CSMs are there every step of the way. They ensure school staff feel confident scanning tickets, managing refunds, and promoting sales to their community. Need help at the last minute? No problem. When you have a question about integrating ticketing on their website, a CSM quickly hops on a call, offering step-by-step guidance. The result? Fans can find and purchase tickets easily, ensuring no one misses the action. Game Day Preparedness: Ready For Kick-Off As game time nears, our CSMs . They check in with schools hosting events that evening, make sure scanning devices are charged, ticket links are live, and that their staff feels ready to handle the crowd. If any last-minute hiccups arise, CSMs are on-call to provide real-time support, ensuring fans have a smooth entry experience and schools can focus on delivering the big event. “Working directly with educators and administrators is more than just a job — it’s a meaningful opportunity to support K-12 students in experiencing memorable in-person events that enrich their education.” – Lydia Larson, Senior Client Success Manager | Hometown Optimization & Success: Turning Data Into Wins Once the season wraps up, the work doesn’t stop. Our CSMs analyze event data to ensure schools are meeting their goals. They analyze event data to ensure schools are meeting their goals, such as increasing attendance and boosting revenue. Ultimately, their focus is on helping schools improve fan satisfaction and achieve their objectives. Simply put, their goal is to help schools achieve long-term success. They identify growth opportunities and implement small but effective changes to drive even better results next season. Why Hometown Box Office Out: A Partner You Can Count On A Customer Success Manager’s goal is simple: to help schools deliver a seamless experience for athletes, coaches, and fans. By being proactive, responsive, and committed to their success, they ensure every sports season starts on a winning note. “My favorite part of this role is building strong, lasting relationships with the districts I work with. The most rewarding partnerships are the ones where clients become friends, united by a shared commitment to student success and community engagement.” – Lydia Larson, Senior Client Success Manager | Hometown Lydia Larson – Senior Client Success Manager Texas at a Hometown Football Event

How Perry Service Learning Program Revolutionized Fundraising with Schoolfundr

Perry Service Learning (PSL) of Perry High School has been empowering students to address community needs and advocate for justice since 2004. But like many service learning programs, PSL faced challenges when it came to fundraising. Balancing professionalism, simplicity, and impactful results felt like a daunting task—until they discovered Schoolfundr, a platform designed to make fundraising effective and stress-free. Here’s how PSL transformed their fundraising approach with Schoolfundr and achieved incredible success.  The Challenge: Fundraising That Fell Short For years, PSL relied on traditional fundraising tools to support its mission of integrating service with education. However, these platforms had significant drawbacks.  Emails sent by students didn’t convey the professional image the program wanted, and the overall experience felt impersonal to donors. “Emails from students just didn’t feel polished or professional. On top of that, the limited customer support made it frustrating when we ran into issues.” – Allison Trentanelli, Teacher | Perry Service Learning Like many programs, PSL struggled with tools that didn’t meet their needs, resulting in missed opportunities and general dissatisfaction. The Solution: Enter Schoolfundr Everything changed when PSL adopted Schoolfundr, a platform specifically designed to simplify fundraising while creating a professional, engaging experience for donors. A Polished Donor Experience One of the most impactful changes PSL noticed was the transformation in how their fundraising efforts were presented to donors. “Our Schoolfundr page is both professional and personal, with customized pages for each student,” – Allison Trentanelli, Teacher | Perry Service Learning Instead of clunky emails and uninspiring links, donors were greeted with polished, inviting pages that encouraged meaningful contributions. Exceptional Customer Support Another key benefit was the hands-on support from the Schoolfundr team.  “Schoolfundr’s customer service is unmatched. They were quick to respond to emails and made launching our campaigns completely stress-free.” – Allison Trentanelli, Teacher | Perry Service Learning This level of support gave the PSL team the confidence to run smooth, effective campaigns without worrying about technical glitches or unanswered questions. Keeping Funds in the Community What truly set Schoolfundr apart was its financial model. Unlike other platforms, Schoolfundr allows organizations to keep 97% of the funds raised. “This was huge for us. It means more resources can go toward supporting our service projects and community partners.” – Allison Trentanelli, Teacher | Perry Service Learning By reducing platform fees, PSL was able to channel more funding directly into initiatives like education reform, poverty awareness, and environmental efforts—all areas of focus in their curriculum. The Results: Fundraising Made Simple and Impactful Switching to Schoolfundr didn’t just improve PSL’s fundraising—it completely transformed it.  “Schoolfundr made fundraising easier, more professional, and more effective than we ever imagined. We were able to focus our energy on our students and the community instead of struggling with outdated tools.”  – Allison Trentanelli, Teacher | Perry Service Learning The results speak for themselves. PSL saw stronger donor engagement, improved financial outcomes, and an overall smoother experience for everyone involved.  Could Schoolfundr Work for Your Program? For service learning programs like Perry Service Learning Program, fundraising is critical to their mission of fostering responsible, active citizens. But traditional tools can hold organizations back.  With its easy-to-use design, outstanding customer support, and low fees, Schoolfundr proved to be a game-changer for PSL’s fundraising efforts. Their success story is a testament to how the right tools can elevate a program’s impact and help build a better community.  If your program struggles with outdated fundraising methods, it’s time to consider Schoolfundr. Join the many schools and organizations already transforming their fundraising—and their communities—with this innovative platform.

The Top Fundraising Strategies Every Athletic Director Should Know with Hometown: The Ultimate Solution for Every Team

Tired of losing 20% of the funds you raise? Hometown offers a streamlined solution to simplify financial management and maximize your team’s fundraising potential. Hometown’s fundraising solution, Schoolfundr, is designed with athletic programs in mind, enabling teams to raise funds efficiently for sports programs, equipment upgrades, travel costs, and more. With a simple and versatile platform, Hometown is the ideal partner for athletic directors looking to enhance their program’s resources with minimal hassle. Top 5 Fundraising Strategies for Athletic Directors 1. Donation Drive Launch a straightforward campaign where donations go directly toward supporting your team’s needs, from new uniforms to travel expenses. Harness the passion and support of your sports community to reach your goals quickly. Setting up a donation-based fundraiser with Hometown is simple: Create a custom fundraiser page. Define your fundraising goal. Easily reach out to potential donors by uploading email lists. Share your fundraiser link via text, email, and social media. 2. Activity-Based Fundraiser Engage your team and supporters with events like lift-a-thons, walk-a-thons, or shoot-a-thons. Set goals for participants, and encourage sponsors to pledge donations based on achievements. These events not only motivate participants but also showcase your team’s energy and determination. Fundraising Spotlight: Hopewell Baseball Hit A Thon – Hopewell Baseball Team used Hometown’s Schoolfundr to host a Hit A Thon to achieve their team goals. They raised over $12,000 – over 258% of their goal! 3. Service-Oriented Fundraiser Organize community service events like car washes, field clean-ups, or sports clinics in exchange for donations. These activities raise funds while fostering connections between your team and the broader community. 4. Raffle Fundraiser Excite your fans with a raffle for prizes like team merchandise, game tickets, or even gift baskets. It’s a simple, effective way to boost participation and generate funds for your athletic program. Fundraising Spotlight: La Salle Big Red Raffle – Raising over $85,000 is a huge accomplishment for any school. With Hometown, La Salle was able to raise and keep all of the funds they raised. Previous to Hometown, they were collecting and tracking raffle ticket purchases by hand and were required to sell in person. 5. Gold Ball Drop Fundraiser Make a splash with a unique event like a golf ball drop. Participants purchase numbered golf balls that are dropped from a height onto a target, with prizes awarded for the closest landing. It’s an engaging and memorable way to support your team. Fundraising Spotlight: Casteel High School Football Golf Ball Drop – Casteel High School Football creatively used Hometown’s fundraising solution for an engaging, team-wide event, successfully raising over $10,000 to acquire essential equipment for their program. Maximize Your Fundraising with Hometown’s Fundraising Features Customization & Ease of Use Hometown’s solution allows you to tailor each fundraiser to reflect your team’s identity. Add custom messages, team logos, and images to create a campaign that resonates with your community. The platform is user-friendly, making it easy to set up campaigns quickly. Advanced Analytics Stay on top of your campaign’s performance with Hometown’s real-time tracking and analytics. These insights help you adjust your strategy and maximize your fundraising impact. Why Hometown is the Go-To Solution for Athletic Directors With Hometown, you’ll retain what you raise, giving your program the resources it needs to thrive — no skimming off the top. The platform’s social media integration and mobile-friendly design make it easy for supporters to donate anytime, from anywhere.  Whether you’re raising money for new equipment, facility upgrades, or team travel, Hometown offers a collaborative and efficient approach to fundraising. Take your athletic program to the next level today by starting your next successful fundraiser with Hometown!

Friday Night Lights Transformed: How Allen ISD Scored Big with Hometown’s Ticketing Revolution

Managing tickets for busy Friday night football games, summer camps, and other school events was a logistical challenge for Allen ISD. The district faced connectivity issues with their point-of-sale (POS) devices during peak times, leading to long lines and frustrated fans. Additionally, the season ticket renewal process was cumbersome and time-consuming for both staff and patrons.  By transitioning to Hometown’s Box Office platform, Allen ISD revolutionized their ticketing process, optimized operations, and achieved a remarkable 19,000 ticket increase on Box Office year over year. Discover how Hometown emerged as the definitive solution for Allen ISD’s ticketing challenges and why it’s a transformative force for schools nationwide. The Challenges: Connectivity Issues and Ticketing Headaches Before moving to Hometown’s Box Office platform, Allen ISD faced significant hurdles. On the old platform, season ticket sales were cumbersome, and point-of-sale (POS) devices often suffered from connectivity issues during key events like varsity football games. Fans experienced long lines, and staff spent countless hours troubleshooting and managing outreach. Season ticket renewals, a major source of revenue for the school, were also complicated to handle. The district knew they needed a better solution that could simplify processes, improve fan experiences, and reduce workload for their administration. The Solution: Why Allen ISD Chose Hometown Last summer, Allen ISD switched to Hometown’s Box Office platform—and the results have been remarkable. Hometown’s advanced ticketing technology and user-friendly features addressed every challenge the district was facing. Here are some of the standout features that made the biggest impact: Point-of-Sale Devices with Reliable Connectivity: Hometown’s updated POS devices eliminated connectivity issues, ensuring smooth ticket sales and redemptions, even during peak events. Custom Fields for Added Flexibility: With Hometown’s customizable forms, Allen ISD was able to expand their offerings by adding summer camps and other programs to their ticketing site. Streamlined Season Ticket Renewals: The process for renewing season ticket packages became faster and more intuitive, resulting in increased sales. Ticket Resending Options: Fans now have the option to easily resend tickets via text or email if needed, reducing headaches for both staff and attendees. The Results: Smoother Operations and Happier Fans Since upgrading to Hometown, Allen ISD has seen impressive results: Faster Lines on Game Day: Smooth POS connectivity has significantly cut down wait times at varsity football games, creating a better experience for fans. Higher Revenue from Season Tickets: With a simpler renewal process, season ticket sales are up, boosting revenue for the district. Expanded Offerings: The ability to customize forms allowed Allen ISD to add summer camps to their offerings, expanding opportunities for their community. Reduced Fan Outreach: Fans no longer need to contact school staff or Hometown Fan Support as often, thanks to the platform’s intuitive design and easy-to-use features. “We’ve seen smoother operations on Friday nights, and the ability to expand to new events like summer camps has been a huge win for our school. Hometown made it simple.” – Jeff Chaney, Coordinator of Athletic Facilities | Allen ISD Why Hometown is the Ultimate Ticketing Solution for Schools For Allen ISD, Hometown didn’t just solve their immediate challenges; it elevated their entire approach to event management. From faster ticket redemption to new opportunities for engagement, Hometown has proven to be more than just a platform—it’s a partner in success. If your school or district is ready to simplify ticketing, improve operations, and deliver a better experience for fans, Hometown is the solution you’ve been waiting for. Ready to transform your school’s events? Get started with Hometown today!

How Hometown Makes Graduation Smooth, Stress-Free, and Unforgettable

Graduations are a milestone worth celebrating, but planning the ceremony can be overwhelming, from organizing seating and ticketing to managing crowds and ensuring a smooth entry process.Hometown simplifies the process with an all-in-one platform for ticketing, seating, and entry management. With Hometown, schools are able to provide a seamless graduation experience, one that even Grandma can do! With Hometown’s digital tickets and automated tools, schools can provide a seamless graduation experience—so simple, even Grandma can do it! Top Hometown Features for Graduation Success 1. Custom Seat Maps for Better Event Organization Making sure everyone has a seat — and knows where it is — can be a logistical headache. Hometown’s custom seat maps take the guesswork out of seating arrangements and help you deliver an organized, professional commencement experience. Tailored to your venue: Our team designs a seat map unique to your venue’s layout, whether you’re using reserved seating or general admission. Easy modifications: Need to adjust the seating for stage expansion or reserved sections? No problem. Seat maps can be quickly updated to reflect changes. Family Experience: Attendees can view the seating arrangement and select their seats online, giving them confidence in their choice. 2. Quick and Efficient Ticket Scanning Graduation day is busy enough without long lines and ticketing confusion. With Hometown’s Gate App, staff and volunteers can scan tickets in seconds, ensuring a smooth entry process for all attendees. Fast and reliable scanning: Whether attendees display tickets on their phones or bring a printed copy, each ticket is scanned in just a fraction of a second. Accurate validation: The system instantly verifies whether a ticket is valid, invalid, or duplicated, preventing entry issues. Capacity control: Scanning helps schools track attendance in real-time, ensuring the venue doesn’t exceed its capacity by providing an accurate count of attendees. This knowledge helps maintain safety at the event by preventing overcrowding and allowing for swift action in case of emergencies. Reduced wait times: Digital ticket scanning can cut entry wait times by up to 40%, keeping lines moving smoothly. By streamlining entry, Hometown makes graduation day more efficient and enjoyable for everyone involved. 3. Hometown Customer Support for Graduation Success Graduation day is a busy and important day for schools, staff, students, and families. Hometown understands that and offers excellent customer support to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for their customers. The Hometown customer support team offers extensive help and guidance for any questions about setup, implementation, and any unexpected issues that may arise. If any technical glitches occur, the Hometown team is available to troubleshoot and resolve them quickly. They can also offer advice and best practices for graduation event planning and execution. This level of support ensures that schools have the help they need for a successful graduation ceremony. Why Schools and Families Love Hometown Schools rely on Hometown to simplify the planning process, while students and families appreciate the convenience and professionalism of the platform. Here’s what makes Hometown stand out for graduations: No Stress for Staff: Automate ticketing and seating so your team can focus on the event itself, not the logistics. Convenience for Families: Digital tickets are easy to access, share, and use, reducing the risk of lost tickets and last-minute confusion. Memorable Experiences: From custom seat maps to quick entry, our features help create a polished event that reflects the importance of the day. “We use Hometown for a wide range of services—from general game tickets and season passes to reserved seating. It’s been instrumental for our booster club sponsorship levels and annual fundraiser events like our golf and pickleball tournaments. We also rely on it for graduation, school musicals, plays, and any order forms.” – Amanda Friday, Athletic Secretary | Midland Christian Graduation is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and Hometown is here to make it unforgettable. Whether you’re managing ticket distribution, seating arrangements, or entry logistics, our platform offers the tools you need to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Ready to elevate your commencement ceremonies? Get started with HomeTown today and discover how simple graduation planning can be!

From Dreaming to Center Stage: How Hometown Rocked the First Grub and Groove Performing Arts Event

When Marquette High School Bands  set out to organize their latest Grub & Grove event, they needed a seamless way to manage ticketing, seating, and guest preferences. Successful performing arts events require precision and professionalism, but the challenges of planning can quickly become overwhelming—especially when coordinating a live performance. Enter Hometown , the all-in-one platform that transformed their event planning process and delivered a flawless experience. The Challenge: Overcoming the Complexity of Event Organization Planning an event for a performing arts program comes with unique obstacles. For Marquette Bands, it wasn’t just about selling tickets—it was about creating a professional, memorable experience for attendees while simplifying logistics for their team.  Their challenges included:  Designing a seating layout that balanced functionality with audience enjoyment, ensuring every guest had a great view.  Streamlining seat reservations to make the process easy and stress-free.  Collecting guest preferences, such as meal options, to enhance the pre-show experience.  Centralizing ticket sales, communications, and event data into one cohesive platform to avoid errors and save time.  Using multiple tools to tackle these tasks created unnecessary complexity and increased the risk of mistakes. They needed a solution that harmonized all aspects of event planning. The Solution: Hometown Brings It All Together Hometown became the ultimate event planning tool, simplifying the entire process for the Grub & Groove. With this all-in-one platform, the team was able to: Streamline seating arrangements: “The ticketing system made it easy to set up a seating layout and allowed patrons to reserve seats effortlessly—one of the most valuable features for us.”  – Candace Hall Selvidge Middle School Secretary & Event Volunteer Optimize pre-show logistics: By integrating a Google form with ticket purchases, patrons could select meal options during the checkout process, ensuring smooth concessions and an enhanced pre-show experience. Centralize all event details: Communicating event information, gathering customer data, and processing payments all in one place were critical to the event’s success. Marquette High School Bands Grub & Groove Event Custom Seat Map Powered by Hometown For a performing arts program, where crafting a polished experience is key, Hometown ensured every detail worked together seamlessly. The Results: A Perfectly Orchestrated Event Thanks to Hometown, Marquette High School Bands delivered an event that wowed both attendees and organizers. The platform’s user-friendly features ensured easy seat reservations for patrons, while the event team had everything they needed to manage the event flawlessly. “The process made both Hometown and Marquette High School Bands Grub & Groove look professional. We’re excited to use Hometown for future performances and events.” – Candace Hall | Selvidge Middle School Secretary & Event Volunteer Why Hometown is the Ultimate Solution for Performing Arts Programs Whether you’re hosting a school concert, a community theater production, or a large-scale fundraiser, Hometown is the go-to platform for performing arts events. With tools to handle ticket sales, seating, guest preferences, and payments, Hometown saves you time, reduces stress, and ensures a polished, professional experience for your audience.  Want to deliver an event that hits all the right notes? Discover how Hometown Ticketing can transform your performing arts program today!