39% revenue uptick for Cocoon in the Park with Event Genius Pay

This July, the UK’s Cocoon in the Park festival recorded a 39% increase in revenues just two years after making the switch to RFID cashless payments with Event Genius Pay.

The growth – calculated by using data from the festival’s last non-cashless, token-based event, in 2016 –was achieved after organisers implemented a series of recommendations provided by the team at Event Genius, who had analysed data from the festival’s cashless debut in 2017.

“Last year we decided to go cashless and saw the benefits of Event Genius Pay, for fans and ourselves, immediately,” says Shane Graham, founder and owner of Cocoon in the Park. “This year, by using the lessons learned from the data insights provided by the system, we were confident we could improve further.”

The cashless POS, which processed its four-millionth payment transaction this summer, works by offering ticketholders the chance to plan their budgets by pre-purchasing credit – to be spent on food, drink and merchandise – directly from the festival’s website.

“Once you’ve bought your first drink, holding out your wrist to pay becomes second nature”

On the day itself, fans exchanged their entry tickets for a wristband equipped with a small RFID chip and had their pre-purchased credits loaded by staff. Customers could then spend their money by tapping their wristband at any of the point of sale devices at the festival’s bars and vendors.

“It’s so easy for fans to get used to,” adds Chris Toich, founder of Outback Events, providers of event production and bar operator services at Cocoon in the Park.

“Once they’ve bought their first drink, holding out your wrist to pay becomes second nature and queues move quickly. There’s no fumbling around for change, waiting for a card machine to connect, and fewer errors.”

“It sounds simple, but by letting fans spend more time enjoying the music, we’re helping them have the best experience possible,” continues Graham. “We saw this reflected in the incredible atmosphere at Cocoon’s tenth anniversary this summer, and the growth will help us to deliver an even better experience next year.”

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