Valas Pumpkin Patch: How a Farm Attraction Became a SimpleTix Super-User
-
by
Riley Manning has worked as a travel and entertainment writer for more than 10 years. Today, he writes about unique events and the technology that helps make them happen.
Situated outside of Omaha, Nebraska, Vala’s Pumpkin Patch and Apple Orchard is a 400-acre farm that has been in operation for 38 years. A agro-tourism powerhouse, Valas sells over 80,000 event tickets each season and hosts a myriad of ticketed special events, from apple picking, horse rides, and gem mining to the crowd favorite, the Pigtucky Derby Pig Races.
Valas also hosts and caters large group events like corporate retreats and family reunions, providing a robust menu of concessions and food packages.
Their ticketing needs are complex, but Vala’s used a host of SimpleTix features to drive revenue and deliver fantastic guest experiences.
Online Ticket Purchasing & Ticket Types
Vala’s needed to offer several types of tickets, as well as season passes. SimpleTix helped enable this variety to ensure Vala’s achieve the most value from each customer.
- General Admissions can be purchased as peak tickets (which can be used any day of the week), off-peak tickets(which can only be used Monday through Thursday), Friday-only tickets, Summer Season Tickets (which can only be used on Summer Festival weekends), and Halloween tickets.
- Season Passes can be used during the entirety of the fall season
Season passes are a fantastic option, as attendees are required to upload a selfie to accompany their season pass, removing the opportunity for purchasers to loan their pass out to someone else. Both General Admissions and Season Tickets are available online and can be delivered as a text message at checkout, making the purchasing experience as easy as possible.
Season Pass and General Admission Upsells
Valas didn’t want the hassle of jumping between several different software providers for ticketing, merch sales, and concessions. SimpleTix rolled all of these functions into one streamlined platform that all flows into one account. This makes it easy to report attendee count, ticket sales, catering orders, and more. With SimpleTix data, Vala’s targeted ticket purchasers with small upsells at just the right time in the purchase process.
- Adventure tickets – 10 apple shots, a paintball coupon for 30 shots, and $5.00 off a pumpkin coupon
- Orchard Experience Coupon – this memorable upsell includes a 1/2 peck of apples, 1/2 gallon of sweet cider
- Taste of Vala’s Food Coupon: Caramel Apple, Large Kettle Corn Dozen Apple Cider Doughnuts
- Vala’s Souvenir Mug – All mugs purchased online are at the single mug purchase price of $14.99. Mugs purchased at the farm come with a discount on multiple mug purchases in the same purchase. Refills cost $1.99 for fountain drinks and $2.99 for specialty drinks (hot cocoa, coffee, cider slushie, cold cider, hot cider)
Campfire and Party Barn Experience Tickets and Upsells
Group events are a huge revenue driver for Vala’s. SimpleTix worked with the farm to create an interactive map of the farm that shows the available camp sites and barns, along with their reservation prices. Once the campsite is selected, the purchaser is prompted with several upsells, such as smores kits, beverages, other catering selections, and merchandise. Square upsells are added to the initial reservation invoice, and once the customer checks out, everything is included in one transaction — the guest could enjoy all of Vala’s offering without ever reaching for their wallet, all because they could purchase everything in advance.
Vala’s operates so many attractions and serves so many guests that it would be impractical to go into each day with no idea of how many visitors to expect. With SimpleTix, Vala’s could predict the crowd in advance, allowing them to allocate their staff, concessions, and other resources efficiently and save money while delivering a stellar experience. Plus, SimpleTix charges zero extra fees for concessions and merch transactions.
Any organization can become a SimpleTix super-user and leverage its ticketing processes to increase sales, streamline operations, simplify reconciliation, and more. In fact, the vast majority of our features come from real user feedback. See how easy it is by setting up a free SimpleTix event page for your event or attraction. You won’t pay a penny until you sell a ticket.
SimpleTix has offered an affordable, premium event ticketing platform that outperforms Eventbrite and similar apps for over 12 years. Compared to the competition, SimpleTix offers better options at a better price point. To learn more, call us at +1 (855) 550-3670 or email us here.
Categories
Latest News
Related Articles
Best Eventbrite Alternatives: What to Look For
-
by
Handling ticket sales and managing events online should give organizers flexibility and control, but Eventbrite’s platform often comes with challenges that add unnecessary stress. High transaction fees, limited payout options, and restrictions on how organizers access customer data can make it difficult to manage events efficiently. These limitations can cut into revenue, delay cash flow, and complicate audience engagement. If these challenges sound familiar, it might be time to explore Eventbrite alternatives that offer lower costs, faster access to funds and full ownership of your customer data. Here’s a look at what features are available in alternatives to Eventbrite and how these options can give you more control over your events. Lower Fees for Greater Profit Margins Eventbrite charges between 6% and 8% on transactions, which can quickly eat into your earnings, especially for high-volume or larger-ticket events. If you’re organizing multiple events in a year or if you’re handling big-ticket sales, these fees add up, taking away from what you could reinvest into the event or keep as profit. Some alternative platforms offer lower transaction fees, usually around 2% to 5%, helping you retain more of each sale. Flat-rate subscription pricing is also available on some platforms, so instead of paying per ticket, you pay a predictable monthly or annual rate. This approach often makes more sense for organizers with recurring events, as it eliminates the cost-per-ticket markup and provides a clearer picture of costs each month. Faster Access to Funds for Improved Cash Flow Eventbrite’s payout schedule typically processes funds within 4-5 business days after an event. While this works for some, others need faster access to ticket revenue to cover ongoing expenses, secure venues, or fund last-minute promotions. Delays in cash flow can create unnecessary stress, especially for organizers managing multiple vendors or those handling events on...
Features Your Event Registration Software Should Have
-
by
Choosing the right event registration software impacts every aspect of your event - from how many people complete registration to your stress levels on event day. Here's what actually matters when managing events in the last 2 years - based on data from 10,000+ events. Smart Registration Forms That Convert Powerful registration forms deliver an exceptional first experience for your attendees. Modern event ticketing software with conditional logic automatically personalizes the registration journey—when a VIP ticket holder registers, they instantly see their exclusive session options and perks. This smart adaptation creates a clean, focused experience that drives registrations. Mobile registration dominates the event industry, with 68% of tickets purchased on phones. Top-tier registration software excels at mobile experiences, offering one-page checkout and automatic progress saving. Simpletix customers typically see 35% higher completion rates thanks to these mobile-optimized features. Key Conversion Features: Smart conditional logic Mobile-first design One-click checkout Automatic progress saving Custom branding options Seamless Payment Processing Advanced payment processing turns registration into a revenue engine. Modern event management software customer experience tools handle multiple payment methods smoothly while maintaining bank-grade security. For international events, supporting local payment methods can boost registration rates by 40%. Automated payment management saves time and reduces errors. The best registration platforms handle refunds automatically while maintaining detailed transaction records. They also generate professional invoices for corporate registrants instantly. Essential Payment Features: Multi-payment method support Automated refund handling Corporate invoice generation International payment options Real-time transaction reports Efficient Attendee Management Smart attendee management scales your events effortlessly. The best event registration softwares provide self-service portals where attendees can update their own information, reducing administrative time by 75%. Automated waitlist management instantly notifies and registers next-in-line attendees when spots become available. Corporate event registration and tradeshows become seamless with group management tools. Enable one person to...
Selling Event Tickets Online: Conversion Secrets from Top Organizers
-
by
Most event organizers wait for people to buy tickets, then panic when sales are low a week before the event. Sound familiar? In 2025, the smartest organizers aren't just hoping for sales – they're using specific strategies to sell event tickets online and fill seats early. The Three Windows That Matter Forget posting your event everywhere and hoping for sales. There are three specific times when people actually buy tickets: Tuesday lunch hour (12-2PM): When companies book team events. Corporate buyers convert at 34% during this window vs. 12% other times. After work (6-8PM): When friends plan nights out. Group purchases spike 3x during these hours. Sunday afternoon (2-5PM): When families plan their weekends. Family event tickets sell 4x faster during this window. Time your promotions for these windows, and you'll sell more tickets than blasting social media all day. Each window needs different messaging and payment options to maximize sales. Price Points That Actually Sells Event Tickets Online Stop copying other events' prices. Think of your pricing like a good menu - clear options without overwhelming choice. With ticketing made simple, sell tickets online with ease to streamline your sales strategy, making it easy to manage various ticket types. Start with early access tickets at a modest discount to reward your eager fans and build momentum. Your regular admission price sets the baseline. VIP tickets at premium prices create an exclusive tier that makes standard tickets feel more accessible. Add group rates for six or more to encourage larger parties. Resist the temptation to create complex tiers - they confuse buyers and actually hurt sales. Here's the pricing structure that consistently converts: Early access tickets at 15% off regular price (converts 28% of early viewers) Regular admission at your target price (baseline for comparison) VIP tickets at double your...