We’ve all been there: standing in a never-ending line at an event, watching as organisers struggle to manage check-ins with outdated tools. Maybe you’ve waited while someone fumbles with a pen-and-paper list or had to dig out cash because it’s “cash only” at the door. It’s inconvenient for attendees, but for organisers, it’s an outright disaster.

The door is where all the pressure converges. It’s where the weeks (or months) of planning meet the real world, where every bottleneck can mean lost customers, annoyed guests, and a chaotic first impression. And in an age where technology is supposed to make everything seamless, the scene at many event doors is stuck in the past.

The hidden chaos organisers face

For organisers, the challenges at the door go beyond just keeping lines moving. Here’s what they’re up against:

Lost revenue: Imagine dozens of potential attendees walking away because they don’t have cash or refuse to wait in a 20-minute line. That’s money out the door before they even walk in.
No real-time data: The check-in process is a black hole for many organisers. Who showed up? When? How many no-shows were there? These questions go unanswered without proper tools, leaving organisers flying blind for future planning.
Stress and confusion: Events are high-stakes, and the door is the pressure cooker. With people arriving all at once, slow systems or unprepared staff can quickly lead to chaos.
Frustrated attendees: First impressions matter. Long lines and clunky check-ins can sour the mood before the event even starts, turning an excited crowd into a restless one.

Why are we still using outdated methods?

For many organisers, the tools available just don’t cut it. Traditional ticketing platforms often stop at the point of purchase, leaving organisers to figure out check-ins on their own. The result? Pen-and-paper guest lists, cash boxes, and staff scrambling to manually match names to tickets.

Even with digital solutions, clunky systems or app-only check-ins often create just as many problems as they solve. What happens when there’s no reliable Wi-Fi? Or when attendees show up without the right QR code? It’s no wonder so many event professionals dread the door.

The cost of inefficiency

The knock-on effects of a poor check-in process are massive. Let’s break it down:

Lower on-site sales: A slow door process discourages last-minute ticket buyers. Those who might decide to join on a whim are often turned away by the hassle.
Missed marketing opportunities: Without proper data collection, organisers miss out on valuable insights about their audience, making it harder to grow and improve future events.
Reputation damage: An event that starts with chaos at the door is remembered for all the wrong reasons, no matter how good the rest of the experience is.

And the sad truth? Most of these problems are avoidable with the right tools and processes in place.

Also Read: How blockchain can revolutionise ticketing without disrupting the user experience

What’s the solution?

While every event is unique, some common principles can make check-ins less of a headache:

Speed first: Every second matters at the door. Streamlining ticket scanning, payment processing, and guest verification is key to keeping lines moving.
Flexible payment options: Cash-only systems are a thing of the past. Enabling credit cards, mobile payments, and even on-the-spot ticket purchases ensures no sale is missed.
Data on demand: Organisers need tools that provide real-time insights into who’s checked in and who hasn’t—without requiring extra work from staff.
Reliability over complexity: A system that’s too complicated or reliant on perfect conditions (like Wi-Fi) is bound to fail when it matters most. Simple, reliable tools make all the difference.

A better future for organisers

At Tessera, we’ve reimagined what ticketing can be, not just for attendees but for organisers who deserve better solutions at the door.

Here’s how we’re helping organisers leave the chaos behind:

5-second ticket purchases: Attendees can buy tickets in seconds, even on-site, ensuring no opportunity is lost.
Boosted on-site sales: Faster processing has increased ticket purchases at the door by 50 per cent, giving organisers more revenue with less hassle.
Real-time insights: Tessera’s tools provide immediate data on attendance, no-shows, and customer behaviour, empowering organisers with actionable insights.
Stress-free experiences: Our platform is designed for reliability and ease of use, with no need for additional app downloads or overly complicated systems.

We believe the door should be a smooth transition, not a bottleneck. With Tessera, organisers can focus on delivering an incredible event experience instead of firefighting operational chaos.

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Image credit: neilurs

The post The nightmare at the door: Why event check-ins are broken appeared first on e27.