Set Design and Construction: reservation system

reservation system

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Set Design and Construction
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URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2458
Printed Date: 11/23/24 at 10:47pm
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Topic: reservation system

Posted By: lcrozone
Subject: reservation system
Date Posted: 6/20/07 at 6:20am

I'm new to community theater, I've been in sales forever, but am now in office admin.

It's my task to find a new reservation system.

We are a small (124 seats) non-profit community theater. Currently we use walk-ins, tele calls & some online, which is really just an email link, there's no shopping cart.

During our last big show (smoke on the mtn) I could easily spend 3-4 hours just taking reservations from voicemails left the previous nite, not to mention the ongoing calls during the day, and the time to return peeps mssgs for reservations & confirming which peeps had made multiple reservations for the same night.

I've looked @ tix.com & blackbaud, but would appreciate some input from folks who've used these or other systems.

Any advice/info would be most appreciated!

TIA!

lcry

Replies:

Posted By: dboris
Date Posted: 6/21/07 at 12:44pm

My theater has been using Vendini ( http://www.vendini.com/ - http://www.vendini.com/ ) for a couple years now and it's worked out well for us.

I used to answer reservation calls for my theater so I know how huge a job it can be. Getting people to buy online is a great way to make this easier. You are still going to get phone reservations and the trick to managing these is to have appropriate box office hours. Obviously the more hours the better, but if you need to limit yours hours be sure to provide hours both during the day and in the evening (you don't need to provide both in the same day). Also be sure to have someone maning your phones at least 2 hours before each performance to handle last minute requests for tickets, directions and other information.

Dan

Posted By: fjoef
Date Posted: 7/16/07 at 2:46pm

We are also a small community theater group and I went throught the same frustrations as you booking tickets via phone and in person.

UNTIL I found http://www.brownpapertickets.com - www.brownpapertickets.com EXCELLENT. They take care of the credit card processing and take a fee - WELL WORTH IT. Tickets are will-called or sent free 1st class mail Build the mark-up into the price and you will not be sorry!!

Ask for Sten Iverson and tell him the Apple Cider PLayers referred you!

GOOD LUCK!

Joe

http://www.appleciderplayers.com - www.appleciderplayers.com

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Joe Ferrara