Background & Challenge
Palace Ipswich is a local monthly drag performance show held at a cozy venue (Banshees Bar & Artspace in Ipswich, QLD). It’s a passionate community-driven event, and despite being a relatively small organization, Palace Ipswich wanted to deliver a first-class ticket booking experience for their audience. Before, tickets were managed through basic online forms and on-the-door sales, which was manual and prone to mix-ups (like duplicate bookings or lost attendee info). They dreamed of a custom ticketing system that could handle online sales smoothly, generate scannable e-tickets, and even integrate with Apple Wallet and Google Wallet for added convenience. Additionally, because each show might have unique themes or age restrictions, they needed to capture dynamic attendee information during checkout (for example, ask questions like “How did you hear about us?” or collect names for door prizes, etc.).
Deliver an affordable system with features usually reserved for large venues: e‑tickets, digital wallet integration, dynamic checkout fields, and real-time admin tools.
Solution
We built a dedicated ticketing section with secure payments and instant confirmations, Apple Wallet/Google Wallet passes, flexible data capture per event, and an admin dashboard with live sales and QR-based check-in.
Key Features & Benefits
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User-Friendly Ticket SalesWe built a dedicated ticketing section on the Palace Ipswich website where upcoming shows are listed with dates, descriptions, and a “Buy Tickets” button. Customers can select their desired show, choose the number of tickets, and input any required details (like the attendee names, contact info, etc.) in a clean, guided form. The design is on-brand – flashy and fun to match the drag show vibe – but underneath is a robust transactional system.
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Instant E‑Tickets & Email ReceiptsThe checkout process accepts credit/debit card payments securely. Once payment is made, the system automatically issues an electronic ticket for each seat. Confirmation emails are sent out instantly, containing a QR code ticket for entry. This eliminated the old manual process of sending emails days later; attendees now get immediate proof of purchase.
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Apple & Google WalletA standout feature is that attendees can add their tickets to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet directly from the confirmation email or page. We implemented industry-standard .pkpass files for Apple Wallet and equivalent passes for Android, so the ticket (with event name, date, venue, and QR code) is stored on their phone. On the night of the event, people just show their phone’s wallet ticket at the door, which can be scanned for quick entry – no printouts required. This level of convenience and professionalism is rarely seen in small venue shows and has impressed the audience.
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Dynamic Data CaptureThe ticketing form is flexible, allowing Palace Ipswich to add custom fields for different shows as needed. For instance, if a special themed night requires choosing a best-dressed competition category, the form can ask each buyer a question during checkout. We’ve enabled them to collect whatever information is required for a particular event (e.g., “Are you a first-time attendee?”, or any consent checkboxes for adult-themed content) without needing new development each time. It’s all easily configurable in the admin interface.
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Admin Dashboard & Check‑In ToolWe provided an admin backend where the event organizers can see ticket sales in real time, export guest lists, and even use a check-in feature on the night. The check-in tool works on a tablet or phone to scan the QR codes at the door, automatically marking tickets as used and preventing duplicates. This makes the door management efficient and ensures an accurate headcount.
Project gallery
Results
The custom ticketing system for Palace Ipswich has dramatically streamlined operations, with all tickets for recent shows now sold online and fast QR-based check-ins reducing queues and stress at the door. Audiences love the modern, seamless experience—buying tickets easily and storing them in their phone’s Wallet app—which has boosted satisfaction and increased repeat attendance. Pre-sales are stronger than ever, shows sell out faster, and organizers now have clear visibility into sales and attendee data to communicate updates and promote future events. The flexible platform also empowers the team to run creative promotions and gather fun insights from attendees, adding to the show’s personality and community feel.
By leveraging bespoke technology, even a grassroots event can deliver a compelling, efficient experience that rivals the big players – all while capturing the unique needs (and fabulousness) of a drag show production.
“Honestly, this ticket system changed the game for us. We might be small, but now our tech is on par with the big venues. Our fans love it – we’ve made everything from buying tickets to entering the show so much simpler.”
