Why did Bridge switch to Cooltix’s service? Why is it worth selling tickets online? We discussed these topics and more with Péter Németh-Bende, head of the Bridge Student and Faculty Club in Győr.
How has Bridge developed over the years?
Bridge started in 2002, but the venue had already been operating as an entertainment space before that. The building was handed over to the university in 2007, when it became a student club. We’ve been growing steadily ever since: now the group includes several restaurants, bars, and even a hotel. I’ve been responsible specifically for Bridge since 2018, and since then we’ve gradually reached this point. Today, I’m happy to say the growth is exponential. We see that the more opportunities we have, the faster we can develop.
You’ve organized many events recently. What were the main challenges you faced?
The biggest challenge was clearly the state of the building. It used to operate as a boathouse and was in rather poor condition when we took it over. That’s why we carried out a full renovation last year: we were closed for a year and reopened on February 19, 2022. The entire exterior was renewed, new doors and insulation were added, the concert hall was refurbished, and the upper floor received a new ventilation system. This was a huge milestone for the club, making event organization much easier—we can now host bands who previously wouldn’t have come due to less refined conditions. For example, Tankcsapda and Kowalsky meg a Vega now consider us a viable venue.
Interestingly, although Covid caused difficulties, we managed to handle them relatively well. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, we had to cancel the university festival, which hit us hard. In response, we created an outdoor stage and hosted around 40 concerts during the summer, something few venues did in the country. This helped us build excellent relationships with bands. On one hand, we were the club making sure something was happening; on the other, technical crews appreciated having work during that time. It was an important milestone in building our network.
While many companies struggled during the pandemic, you experienced the opposite. What goals and plans drive this growth?
Our main goal is to organize as many sold-out concerts and events as possible. We want higher attendance, and being a university club helps because we can attract people even during the week. A big dream of ours is to eventually host international bands.
Another goal is to hold family-friendly days once a month on Sundays, targeting parents and children. This also introduces kids to the venue early, making it more likely they’ll come back as adults for concerts.
You’ve been offering online tickets since 2018. Why did you decide to go digital?
I’ve always liked this kind of solution. In 2018, online purchasing wasn’t as common, especially because our audience was relatively small and preferred physical tickets. Covid changed that—now visitors are much more comfortable buying tickets online, and we rarely sell paper tickets anymore. The idea that a band wouldn’t sell tickets online is basically gone.
Online transactions also make some processes easier, like refunds, which are faster and smoother, and buyers appreciate that. As for the buying process itself, before, someone had to physically travel to pick up a ticket, which was inconvenient for those living 30–40 km away. Now, online sales remove all physical barriers. This convenience is one reason digital ticketing is gaining ground.
You’ve used online ticketing platforms for several years now. What specific advantages have you seen?
The clearest advantage is how quickly I can create a ticket. It takes literally two minutes, and sales can start immediately. In the past, for example, for a New Year’s Eve party, we had to order printed tickets, which only arrived on January 2. The offline process was painfully slow, but this is no longer an issue with online sales.
Overall, I find the digital format much better. I can easily see ticket sales progress without making phone calls—everything is in one place. It’s easier to check current numbers, create reports, and speed up everyday work. It makes us faster and more efficient.
What advantages does this offer for buyers?
Everyone receives their ticket by email and just needs to bring their smartphone to the event. Since everyone has a smartphone, they won’t forget their ticket. Plus, it’s much more convenient because there’s no need to travel anywhere to purchase tickets.
Right now, you’re using the Cooltix system, but previously you used a different digital ticketing platform. What motivated you to make the switch, what was missing?
First of all, you were recommended by someone I know and trust. Secondly, once I got to know the system, I didn’t need any convincing. The previous platform we used was more like a transition between paper tickets and digital ticketing. With you, I can create everything myself and don’t need any approvals from you. On the previous platform, I had to create the event, they had to approve it, they published it, and if I wanted to edit anything, I had to go through the entire process again. It was a bit cumbersome and lacked the smoothness that your system offers.
Would you recommend using a digital ticketing system to other organizers?
Of course, because it’s much easier to work when you can see your ticket sales progress with a single click. We also have to consider that, because of Covid, we never know when another lockdown might come, and ticket refunds can be issued at any time. On this kind of platform, it’s a 5-minute job.
Overall, I think this is the direction the world has moved in. People are even willing to pay a convenience fee for online purchasing. I wholeheartedly recommend you to everyone and suggest they check out the Cooltix platform—once they try it, they’ll definitely stay!
