HomeTown Spotlight | October: Lexington High School
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | OCTOBER 2024 School: Lexington High School Athletic Director: Dustin Curtis HomeTown is excited to announce October spotlight, Dustin Curtis and Lexington High School. ABOUT DUSTIN Dustin Curtis, a University of South Carolina alum, serves as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach at Lexington High School. Motivated by his high school football coach, Jimmy Satterfield, Curtis has devoted 18 years to coaching. Throughout his career, he has focused primarily on football while also coaching boys tennis and girls basketball. What is your favorite benefit of HomeTown? Dustin loves both the Fan and Gate Apps and how easy it is to sell digital tickets as well as products in concessions. Fun Facts about Dustin When Dustin isn’t coaching, he enjoys playing golf or spending time on the lake. His favorite quote is, “When in the act of preparing, one starts caring; champions are made.”
How To Sell More Tickets Ahead of Game Time
Streamlining Ticket Sales: The Future of School Athletic Attendance In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is key — especially for students, their families, and fans looking to catch a game. With the power of digital ticketing with HomeTown, schools like Siegel High School, Bay Saint Louis-Waveland, and Lewis-Clark State College have transformed how fans purchase tickets and how schools engage with their community. The Shift to Digital Ticketing Bay Saint Louis-Waveland School District transitioned from cash payments to a fully digital ticketing system. Athletic Director Zach Ferry highlights the significant benefits of switching to HomeTown and how the system has streamlined the entire process for fans, allowing them to purchase tickets online easily. In addition, students can access games for free through a promo code system tied to their Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) incentives, enhancing school spirit and attendance. The students scan their student passes at the gate, making entry seamless. This not only encourages attendance but also allows the school to track participation. By analyzing data on student attendance, Bay Saint Louis-Waveland School District can reward those who consistently support their teams, fostering a sense of community and engagement. Want to hear more from Zach? Check out our on demand webinar with him now! Enhancing Game-Day Experience The transition to digital ticketing has also improved the experience for fans. With card readers ready at the gates, attendees can skip the long lines, making game nights more enjoyable. For visiting teams, information is shared in advance, ensuring they understand the cashless payment system and can arrive prepared. This attention to detail enhances the overall experience for everyone involved. The reporting features of Hometown Ticketing are another significant advantage. Schools can quickly access data on ticket sales, allowing for better planning and resource allocation. This streamlined approach means fewer headaches for staff and a smoother operation on game nights. Spreading the Word Effective communication is also essential in promoting digital ticket sales. Scott Cochran, World Language Educator and Ticket Gate Supervisor at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee emphasizes the importance of visibility. Morning announcements broadcast over YouTube serve as a crucial channel to remind students and parents about upcoming games and ticket purchasing options. By placing QR codes in these announcements, they make it easy for viewers to access tickets directly from their devices. Additionally, leveraging Box Out, social media platforms and the school’s website helps to reach a broader audience. Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho promotes the Fan App on their social media to encourage higher attendance. Consistently posting links and reminders can help schools facilitate ticketing easily and ensure everyone knows when and how to buy tickets. HomeTown is a Game Changer The move to digital ticketing is more than just a trend; it’s a game changer for school sports. By making the ticket purchasing process easier and more efficient, schools like Siegel High School, Bay Saint Louis-Waveland School District, and Lewis-Clark State College are not only boosting attendance but also fostering a stronger sense of community among students, parents, and fans. With a few simple strategies, schools can ensure that everyone is ready to cheer on their teams!
HomeTown Featured As A Leader in K-12 Event Management Technology
We’re thrilled to announce that HomeTown Ticketing has been recognized as a top-10 Hottest Solution Provider by Education Technology Insights for our leadership in K-12 event management technology. This award highlights the strides we’ve made in making event management and digital ticketing more efficient, accessible, and as user-friendly as possible for schools and districts across the nation. Innovating K-12 Event Management At HomeTown, we’ve worked tirelessly to develop tools that streamline the process of creating, hosting, and managing events for schools. From ticket sales to crowd management, our solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of K-12 institutions. In the Education Technology Insights article, HomeTown CEO Nick Mirisis delves into how our platform has simplified ticketing, increased revenue opportunities, and provided an excellent experience for both administrators and attendees What Sets Us Apart? HomeTown’s is committed to delivering a customizable and reliable platform for schools. There are a lot of schools that are considering the move from manual processes and cash-only operations to a digital solution. Our automated processes, including fast ticket scanning, more accurate revenue reporting, and event promotions and updates, have taken event management to the next level. We’re proud to be recognized for empowering schools to run their events more smoothly, all while enhancing the fan experience with digital tickets and cashless transactions. The Future of School Event Management As K-12 event management continues to evolve, HomeTown is at the forefront of bringing technology solutions that work. Our platform not only helps schools manage events but also enables them to maintain full control of their data and branding. We’re excited about what’s to come, and our recognition from Education Technology Insights is just the beginning. Read the full article to learn more about what makes HomeTown a leader in K-12 event management.
Fast, Secure, and Seamless Scanning With HomeTown
When it comes to digital ticketing, HomeTown provides schools and event organizers with cutting-edge tools to streamline event entry and enhance the overall attendee experience. One of the key features driving this success is HomeTown’s robust scanning capabilities. Designed to be fast, efficient, and reliable, our scanning technology makes managing crowds and ensuring secure, smooth entry easier than ever. Ticket Scanning: Fast, Efficient, Reliable HomeTown’s traditional scanning system is built to handle high volumes of attendees with minimal effort. When we say fast, we mean FAST. The scanners are quick and accurate, allowing event staff to process tickets in seconds. Our scanning capabilities reduce wait times at entrances and a seamless experience for both staff and attendees to check and validate attendees. Moreover, the reliable nature of the system reduces the risk of bottlenecks and ensures that everyone gets through the gates in a timely manner. Rest assured our scanning can help catch and prevent attendees from faking their way in and ensuring safety and accounting for everyone in attendance. No more fake tickets or worrying about duplicates and people sneaking in. For events where crowds are expected to surge—such as big games or large performances—HomeTown offers a Quick Scan Mode. This mode further increases efficiency by allowing ticket scanners to process attendees at an even faster rate, keeping lines moving. By scanning multiple tickets in quick succession, it’s ideal for schools and organizations needing to ensure large volumes of people can enter without delay and accurately. Offline Scanning: Uninterrupted Service, Even Without Internet HomeTown’s traditional scanning system is built to handle high volumes of attendees with minimal effort. When we say fast, we mean FAST. The scanners are quick and accurate, allowing event staff to process tickets in seconds. Our scanning capabilities reduce wait times at entrances and a seamless experience for both staff and attendees to check and validate attendees. Moreover, the reliable nature of the system reduces the risk of bottlenecks and ensures that everyone gets through the gates in a timely manner. Rest assured our scanning can help catch and prevent attendees from faking their way in and ensuring safety and accounting for everyone in attendance. No more fake tickets or worrying about duplicates and people sneaking in. For events where crowds are expected to surge—such as big games or large performances—HomeTown offers a Quick Scan Mode. This mode further increases efficiency by allowing ticket scanners to process attendees at an even faster rate, keeping lines moving. By scanning multiple tickets in quick succession, it’s ideal for schools and organizations needing to ensure large volumes of people can enter without delay and accurately. Self Check-In: Empowering Attendees and Reducing Workloads For schools looking to reduce manual workloads or allow for a more autonomous entry system, HomeTown also offers a self check-in feature. This capability lets attendees validate their own tickets upon entry, freeing up event staff to focus on scanning and tending to other gate operations. It’s particularly useful for smaller events or in situations where staff resources may be limited. Self check-in helps maintain efficiency while ensuring attendees feel empowered to enter events quickly and securely. HomeTown’s comprehensive scanning capabilities—whether through traditional methods, offline scanning, or self check-in—give schools and event organizers the tools they need to run events smoothly, no matter the circumstances. These features ensure that events are managed efficiently, securely, and without interruption, providing peace of mind for both organizers and attendees.
HomeTown Spotlight | September: Haddonfield Public Schools
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | SEPTEMBER 2024 School: Haddonfield Public Schools Athletic Director: Lefteris Banos HomeTown is excited to announce September spotlight, Lefteris Banos and Haddonfield Public Schools. ABOUT LEFTERIS Lefteris Banos, MA, CAA, has been an educator for 29 years. Seven of those years as a Health and Physical teacher and coach, and 22 years as an Athletic Director. Growing up in Athens, Greece, Lefteris moved to the US when he was 19 to attend West Chester University in Pennsylvania. He knew he always wanted to be involved in athletics and is excited to start his 30th year in this field. How does Haddonfield School District use HomeTown and what is your favorite feature? Haddonfield Athletics uses HomeTown for their athletic department’s digital tickets for playoff games. With the ability to organize and control ticket sales without having to sell tickets in person, Lefteris was in London one year and was able to log on a computer to schedule ticket sales. The event went on without a hitch. HomeTown has made his job so easy along with providing top-notch customer service with quick response and always someone to talk to if any help is needed. “My favorite part about HomeTown is the ability to organize and control ticket sales without having to sell tickets in person. I was in London one year on a trip and I was able to log on a computer and schedule ticket sales. The event went on without a hitch. HomeTown made my job so easy. The customer service is also top-notch. Quick responses and always someone to talk to if any help is needed.” – Lefteris Banos, Athletic Director What do you think has made you successful throughout your career and what is something you hope to leave behind in your career and community? Lefteris sees success in all the friendships he has developed during his career as it’s the most rewarding aspect of his job. He hopes his students will go on and achieve great things, looking back at their high school as a place where they developed many skills needed to succeed in life.
Feature Spotlight: Automated Emailed Reports
Tired of having to always dig for your reports after events and payouts? HomeTown is excited to introduce our newly released feature for Automated Emailed Reports. Designed to streamline your workflow and enhance transparency, this feature ensures that you have all the necessary insights at your fingertips without any extra effort. Here’s how our Automated Emailed Reports can revolutionize your event management experience: Automated Delivery Say goodbye to the hassle of manual report generation. Our system ensures timely delivery of event audits and payout reports straight to users’ inboxes. By automating the process, you can be confident that critical financial information is always delivered on time, freeing you from the manual effort and ensuring your team stays informed effortlessly. Effortless Insights Stay informed without lifting a finger. Our automated email reports provide crucial insights directly to your inbox, keeping you and your users in the loop. This seamless delivery system saves everyone valuable time, allowing you to focus on what matters most – delivering exceptional events and experiences for student athletes. With HomeTown Ticketing, staying updated has never been this easy. Improved Transparency Empower your users with automated access to detailed reports, fostering trust and understanding of your financial picture. By providing clear and comprehensive reports automatically, you enhance transparency and build stronger relationships with your stakeholders. This level of insight not only helps in making informed decisions but also promotes a culture of openness and reliability. Experience the future of event management with HomeTown’s Automated Emailed Reports – where efficiency meets transparency.
Season Passes & Tickets With HomeTown
Updated August 2024 Unlock the Full Potential of Your Sports Season with Season Passes and Tickets Want to make it fast and easy for your most loyal fans to get into every game? HomeTown has the built-in option to sell season passes and season ticket packages to your events. Which one is right for your programs? Season passes and tickets offer numerous benefits for both fans and sports programs, creating a seamless experience and generating revenue. Season Passes: Passes provide an easy way for fans to purchase entry to multiple events at one time, while providing you with flexible options. When fans purchase their season pass, they will receive one QR code that can be scanned for entry. The QR code will be valid for one entry to each event within the season and can be stored on a mobile device, printed at home, or stored and accessed via the Fan App. The app will be the best and easiest way to manage their passes and tickets. Types of Season Passes: Single Sport Season Pass: Ideal for fans who follow a particular sport, offering access to all home games for that sport. Multi-Sport Season Pass: Perfect for fans who enjoy a variety of sports, providing entry to games across multiple sports or seasons. Flex Passes: This pass operates like a stamp card, giving fans and attendees the flexibility to attend a specific number of games across various sports or events. Season Tickets: Season ticket packages allow your fans to purchase entry to each game of an athletic season for one price. Season tickets can be sent digitally, with individual tickets for each game that are easily scanned upon entry to ensure each ticket is valid for the correct date. Season tickets are best for fans who want reserved seating, ensuring they can enjoy the game from their preferred spot for every home event. This is particularly popular in high-demand sports where specific seating is crucial. Related post: Set Up Your School for a Sell-Out Crowd with Digital Ticketing Convenient Purchasing and Renewals: HomeTown’s platform allows schools to create and sell season tickets and passes online, through the app, and at door or gate during point of sale. Once the season is over fans can get notifications and renew their passes or tickets before they are available to the public, ensuring they never miss a game and can reserve their preferred seats. Benefits of Offering Season Passes and Tickets: Guaranteed Revenue: Pre-sold passes and tickets ensure revenue before the season starts. Enhanced Fan Loyalty: By offering reserved seating, cost effective tickets and passes, and early renewals, schools and athletic departments can build stronger relationships with their fanbase. Streamlined Entry: Digital passes and tickets reduce the hassle of game-day entry, allowing fans to access events with ease. By offering a range of season passes and ticketing options, schools and athletic departments can cater to diverse fan preferences while optimizing their event management and revenue streams. Which one is right for you to offer your fans? Choosing between a season pass and season tickets depends on your priorities. If you enjoy the flexibility of attending various sports that fits your schedule, a season pass—especially a multi-sport or flex pass—might be the best option. On the other hand, if securing a specific seat for every game is your top priority or providing the experience of having individual tickets per event, then season tickets with reserved seating are the way to go. Schedule a call with someone on our sales team, or connect with your dedicated Client Success representative to learn more about season tickets and passes.
HomeTown Spotlight | August: Conroe Independent School District
HOMETOWN SPOTLIGHT | AUGUST 2024 School: Conroe Independent School District Athletic Director: Chris Feris HomeTown is excited to announce August’s spotlight, Chris Feris and Conroe Independent School District. ABOUT CHRIS Chris Feris has spent his entire 30+ year career in the education and athletics field. Over his tenure, Chris had the privilege to play baseball at Rice University and continue to be on the coaching staff. Chris was given the opportunity to take on the responsibilities of an associate director for Plano ISD and then nine years as an athletic director at Birdville ISD. He’s now in his third year as an athletic director at Conroe ISD and continues to deliver for his students and staff. What is his inspiration Chris, like many other ADs, is extremely passionate about his role as an athletic director. His father was also an athletic director and that helped surround and inspire him to pursue the same field and give back to the community that has given him so much. Chris enjoys the day to day operations that athletic directors oversee and really enjoys giving back to the students. As Chris says, “Being able to support coaches and students and enabling them to have the best possible experiences and to give back all the memorable experiences and life lessons I was a part of within athletics”. WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT HOMETOWN? Chris has been an early user of HomeTown since 2017 and has appreciated how HomeTown has grown and adapted to his needs! He loves how easy and simple it is to get set up and running with HomeTown. “It’s not like the old days where we had to get roll tickets…HomeTown takes care of the ticketing and the admin and staff have their own access to quickly make changes. We can have a playoff game and get things ready in just a couple of minutes for people to be able to buy their tickets.” – Chris Feris, Athletic Director Additionally the support that he received has been a crucial part of his success, “The support and willingness to continue to work with us to see how we need things or how things could work better for us. Recently the end of the year meeting y’all came and saw us to talk about ins and outs of the year. Moving forward from there a pre-season meeting before preseason tickets went on sale. The follow up and support is key”. – Chris Feris, Athletic Director Chris’s take on being successful When asked about his career and what made him successful Chris emphasized working with the right people. He stated that they’ve always shared the same ideals. “The people I’ve worked with are what have made me successful. They need to have fun and enjoy what they do and make the best out of any situation they’re given. Looking back at the people who were mentors or worked with or student athletes and the joys of making memories is what is important.” – Chris Feris, Athletic Director
The Client Experience Department
Summer Internship Program 2024 As summer heats up, so does the excitement within our HomeTown team. This summer, we’re thrilled to have a group of dynamic, talented, and eager individuals who have joined us as summer interns. Each intern, with their unique skills and fresh perspectives, is making a meaningful impact across various departments. From Marketing to Engineering, and from Finance to Client Experience, these young professionals are not only gaining invaluable experience but also contributing significantly to our projects and goals. Introducing… Avery Benedetto! Communications with a minor in Marketing major at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?I was looking for a summer job that would help me gain experience for my future career! Q: What have you learned so far? Or what’s your favorite part of the internship? My favorite part is the people! When I found out my internship was all remote, I was worried about being bored because of a lack of interaction with others, but I get to talk and interact with people all day every day! Q: What is your dream jobStay at home mom! Q: Did you play sports in high school or college?I played softball in high school Q: What is your favorite sports team? Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys Q: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?”Do not give with the intent to receive” Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song? ANYTHING Taylor Swift Q: What is your favorite movie, tv show and book?Movie- A League of Their Own, Show- Friends, Book- The Light We Lost Q: What is your favorite hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time?hanging out with friends and all things Chi Omega! (My sorority) Introducing… Adam Rini! Communications major at The Ohio State University. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?I wanted to gain more communication and customer service experience before attending graduate school in the fall. The responsibilities and duties appeared fitting for my career aspirations, and I am always looking to make new connections and possibly stumble upon new opportunities. Q: What have you learned so far? Or what’s your favorite part of the internship? I have learned how to maneuver the platforms and technological assets of HomeTown, and I have made sure to pay attention to how each CSM interacts and assist their clients. My favorite aspects of HomeTown have to be the atmosphere and people I have met. Everyone is super friendly and easy to talk to, so I have felt very comfortable within the work environment. The food and fun activities are also major perks. Q: What is your dream jobSport Commentator Q: Did you play sports in high school or college?Basketball/Track & Field Q: What is your favorite sports team? Cleveland Cavaliers Q: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?Treat everyone as equals! Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song? After Hours – Charlieonafriday Q: What is your favorite movie, tv show and book?Inglorious Basterds (any Tarantino movie for that matter) Q: What is your favorite hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time?Hanging with the homies. Introducing… Garrett Gross! Business Management major at Wittenberg University. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?I wanted to intern at HomeTown because it offered a chance to gain hands-on experience in a professional setting and to expand my knowledge and learn more about the customer service aspect of a business. Additionally, I have a passion for sports, and interning at HomeTown would allow me to stay connected. I saw potential in this internship to help myself grow professionally as well as provide a great opportunity to collaborate with others. Q: What have you learned so far? Or what’s your favorite part of the internship? My favorite part about interning at HomeTown is the team-oriented environment. Everyone is extremely helpful and focused on accomplishing goals while also striving to better themselves and the team. I am inspired about their emphasis on building strong relationships with clients. Q: What is your dream jobTo own a golf course. Q: Did you play sports in high school or college?I did football, wrestling, and track in high school. In college I was a member on the football team as well as a team captain my senior year. Q: What is your favorite sports team? Cincinnati Bengals Q: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you live by?Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will. Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song? Wagon Wheel by Darius Rucker Q: What is your favorite movie, tv show and book?Movie: The 5th Quarter TV Show: N/A Book: Behind Enemy Lines Q: What is your favorite hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time?Favorite hobbies are golfing, playing pickleball, and hanging out with my friends. Introducing… Nick Solace! Entrepreneurship and Emerging Technologies major at Miami University. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?College credit, to gain experience in the work force, and make invaluable connections. Q: What have you learned so far? Or what’s your favorite part of the internship? How to navigate all of our platforms and how to interact with our client base. My favorite part so far is hanging out with everyone in the Dublin office. Q: Did you play sports in high school or college?I played football and lacrosse in high school Q: What is your favorite sports team? Bengals, Reds, and CBJ Q: What’s your go-to karaoke song? I want it that way – The Backstreet Boys Q: What is your favorite movie, tv show and book?The Princess Bride Introducing… Kaiya Elsea! Health Service Administration major at Ohio University. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?I was looking for an opportunity to explore different career paths and I knew that HomeTown was a company that consisted of multiple different departments that I would be able to learn from. The high school I graduated from has been working with HomeTown for a few years now and I admired all the work they did for our local schools and thought it would be neat to be a part of
The Engineering Department
Summer Internship Program 2024 As summer heats up, so does the excitement within our HomeTown team. This summer, we’re thrilled to have a group of dynamic, talented, and eager individuals who have joined us as summer interns. Each intern, with their unique skills and fresh perspectives, is making a meaningful impact across various departments. From Marketing to Engineering, and from Finance to Client Experience, these young professionals are not only gaining invaluable experience but also contributing significantly to our projects and goals. Introducing… Thomas Peterson! Computer Science major at Purdue University. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?I wanted to intern at HomeTown so that I could apply what I’ve learned to a professional environment. While interning at Hometown last summer, I learned a lot from the team in a short amount of time, so I was glad to come back this summer. It’s cool to be able to contribute to a product that I used when I was in high school. Q: What have you learned so far? Or what’s your favorite part of the internship? This summer, I was able to learn a lot more about the infrastructure of HomeTown and it’s products. I feel like I’ve been able to contribute in a more meaningful way. Q: What is your dream jobSoftware Engineer Q: What is your favorite sports team? Boston Red Sox Q: What is your favorite hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time?Playing the bass guitar Introducing… Vignesh Lakshmanan! Networked and Social Systems Engineering major at University of Pennsylvania. Q: Why did you want to intern at HomeTown?HomeTown, at its core is built off a great business idea, and I could see the high quality of engineering present while exploring the product pages. I knew there would be so much to learn from other developers while also contributing to a company’s mission I could truly get behind. Q: What have you learned so far? Or what’s your favorite part of the internship? My favorite part of the internship has been having the opportunity to work on challenging and impactful projects while increasing my knowledge across different domains of software engineering. Q: What is your dream jobSoftware Engineer Q: Did you play sports in high school or college?Tennis in high school Q: What is your favorite sports team? LA Lakers Q: What is your favorite movie, tv show and book?Movie:Inception, TV Show: Succession, and Book:The Cold Start Problem Q: What is your favorite hobby or activity you enjoy doing in your free time?I enjoy doing bodyweight training and going on runs.
