Why cashless payment is indispensable at festivals

The 2023 festival summer is just around the corner. While fans are already studying the lineups, behind the scenes the planning begins. In addition to the classic infrastructure such as electricity, lighting and sound, an Internet connection for the site has also been added more and more frequently in recent years - for good reason. In this article, we show why organizers can no longer do without cashless payments and a robust WiFi infrastructure.

Cashless payment expected at festivals

The corona pandemic has given cashless payment a major boost, even in Germany. And at events in particular, where guests can't easily withdraw cash, alternative payment options play a major role. At a festival, it can quickly happen that your guests run out of cash. If it is then possible to pay at food stands, merchandise and other points of sale with a credit card or cell phone, this is of course a huge relief for guests. Basically, there are two different approaches to cashless payment.

Real-time or prepaid?

Real-time payment: by Visa card or cell phone

This simply requires a contactless terminal that is linked to one's bank account and connected to WiFi .

Advantages:

• very simple deployment, which each stand operator can also do themselves
• guests can pay with their card or cell phone just like in everyday life
• Near the point of sale must be available WiFi

Prepaid payment: by wristband

In this approach, guests are given a wristband with a built-in RFID chip (ideally the entrance wristband). Any amount of money is booked onto this chip. This is done either in advance when the ticket is ordered or on site. Of course, it would be nice if this transaction could also be made cashless.

Advantages:

• Guests do not need anything except their festival wristband. Even, who jumps naked over the area, can buy a beer :)
• All cash receipts can be monitored centrally and live
• The system must be provided by the organizer
• For proper functioning is required at the event WiFi

All in all, sooner or later there will be no getting around offering digital payment options. In an earlier blog entry, we took a closer look at the topic ofcashless payment at events.

Cashless payment is a win for everyone

Less effort for the staff

Offering cashless payment options makes the work of bar staff at a festival much easier. The reduced administrative effort eliminates the need to count, sort and store cash, saving time and resources. It also minimizes the risk of shortages and theft, as there is less cash in circulation. More efficient processing of payments results in shorter waiting times at the bars and enables staff to work more smoothly.

More comfort for the guests

Cashless payment offers guests at festivals a convenient and secure payment option. There is no need to search for suitable cash, which means shorter waiting times at the bars. This is particularly advantageous at festivals, where ATMs are not always easy to find. Guests can pay quickly and easily with their cards or mobile payment methods and enjoy their festival experience undisturbed.

Security for organizers

Offering cashless payment at festivals also brings numerous advantages for organizers. By recording transactions electronically, they have a clear overview of sales in real time at all times. This enables better planning and organization of merchandise management at the bars. In addition, event organizers have greater planning security, as they can respond in good time to rising demand or bottlenecks. Less cash on site also reduces the risk of theft or robbery and thus contributes to security on the festival site.

Stable WiFi is the foundation

A robust Internet or WiFi connection at the festival site is the absolute foundation for the smooth functioning of cashless payment options. The availability of reliable online connectivity is essential to process electronic transactions in real time and provide guests with a seamless payment experience.

An unstable or weak Internet connection could lead to delays in payments, resulting in longer waiting times and frustration for guests and bar staff. Furthermore, there is a risk of failed transactions, double debits or other technical problems that could affect guests' confidence in the cashless payment system.

A solid Internet connection is also crucial for real-time monitoring and management of sales by event organizers. Only with a reliable connection can they keep track of sales at all times and react to changes or bottlenecks if necessary.

In addition to cashless payments, a stable Internet connection plays an important role in communication between bar staff and other involved parties on the festival site. This enables efficient coordination of inventory management, security measures and other logistical aspects.

Overall, then, a robust Internet or WiFi connection is critical to ensuring the success and efficiency of cashless payment systems at festivals and providing a positive festival experience for guests and staff alike.