This year, the Villages Amphitheater enters the modern age with a new, web-based ticketing system to assist with and enhance box office sales.
Officially launched on February 24, the new system allows users to view and purchase any available seats for the 2010 Summer Concert Series directly from the villagesamphitheater.com website. Beginning March 10, users will also be able to view and purchase seats to any individual show in the series.
Amphitheater Director, Brian Wismer elaborates, “This system is so incredibly easy to use. I think our patrons will really love how user-friendly it is. Definitely, the best part is being able to choose your own seats. Most people don’t prefer having a computer select what is ‘best available’, so this is as good as coming to the box office in person.”
After a 7-year agreement with Ticketmaster, the staff decided to consider other options. Through extensive research of different ticketing services, California-based company, “tix.com” was chosen to best meet the needs of the Villages patrons and staff. “Tix.com had the fastest and simplest software for the user and our box office staff”, said Wismer. “They integrate seamlessly into our website, and allow us to take ticket orders 24/7. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
One unique feature coming soon will be something called “view from your seat”, where customers can see an actual photographic image of the stage from their seat location. Staff hopes that this will help patrons who are unfamiliar with the venue to select good seats that might not look as good on a traditional seating chart. “The technology allows us to make it much more interactive for the customer so that they can make a more informed decision and have fun doing so,” said Wismer.
For those customers not ready to make the technological jump, the box office is still available for all walk-in or phone-in requests. “The last thing we wanted to do was force it on people, so we are always eager to accommodate our customers that prefer dealing with us in person,” said Wismer. The box office is actually located at the Historic Train Depot at 250 E. Lanier Avenue near Downtown Fayetteville. Only on show days are tickets sold at the actual amphitheater box office.
The 2010 Summer Concert Series is presented by Mercedes-Benz of South Atlanta, and begins May 1 with The Oak Ridge Boys. For more info, call 770-719-4173 or visit www.villagesamphitheater.com.
The Villages Amphitheater is owned by the Downtown Development Authority and managed by the Main Street Tourism Association of Fayetteville.
