We need to start selling tickets over the 'net and jump out of the box into the next level. Linda Comer, executive director of the National Independent Concessionaires Association, asked if people have a bad taste about the fair 30 days later, when they get their credit card bills and realize how much money they spent. With the advent of smart cards, manual compilations are replaced with computerized reporting. She also noted that sponsorship and advertising opportunities abound with smart cards. Not only can the card face display sponsor logos, but the back can offer coupons or specials.
Smart cards can even collect demographic information for sponsors and events.
With the right program and terminal, consumer surveys can be obtained, and coupons and prizes can be offered by participating sponsors. Pathways Group is the company that developed and installed the smart card pilot system for Funtastic Shows. One example is the widespread use of smart card technology in the transit industry. He also stated that setting up and operating a credit card system is a much more involved process than setting up and operating a smart card system, costing an operator up to 20 times more during a season. In addition, the time required for credit card authorization makes this type of purchase much more time consuming for the customer than purchase and use of a smart card.