RFID cashless payment to be introduced at SummerDays Festival
Following a successful premiere at the first Swiss open air festival of the year, Snow Jam, Swisscom Event & Media Solutions are to introduce RFID cashless payment and access control at SummerDays Festival in Switzerland (29-30 August 2014).
Snow Jam was the first event to utilise the technology as part of a strategic partnership between Swisscom and RFID innovators Intellitix, announced in January this year. Swisscom provides network engineering and connectivity, video streaming and temporary IT services to a long list of festivals and events in Switzerland. RFID solutions – delivered via Intellitix – prove a valuable new service to offer its ever-growing list of clients.
The technology was introduced to the extensive VIP section at Snow Jam festival. VIPs received a branded wristband, which granted entry into the VIP area. Using the same wristband, guests were able to purchase food or beverages which substantially decreased the wait time for guests.
The short waiting times and the ease of use impressed both organisers and visitors. Organiser René Götz, explained that the event was proving ground for future festivals: “We are very satisfied with the solution and are considering launching cashless payment at Openair Frauenfeld 2015 and would like to cover the entire festival.
“We had very positive feedback from the festival-goers and bar staff and the real-time reporting is definitely an added value. It’s very useful to have an overview of current sales and visitor numbers.”
The technology will now be introduced at SummerDays Festival in Arbon on Lake Constance, which is scheduled for 29-30 August, with Jamiroquai taking the headline spot.
Cyrill Stadler, organiser of SummerDays Festival, commented: “Introducing cashless payments to a festival can be a challenge and we need to inform visitors and train personnel. Most of all we need to trust the technology, but we are confident that we have found a reliable and trustworthy partner in Switzerland, whose services and products have proven themselves in the event market for years.”