Exhibition Park introduces digital tickets, VIP program

The first event to use the new service will be the upcoming 43rd annual Home and Garden Show.

It’s presented by BILD Lethbridge March 20 through 23 and will feature a variety of exhibitors, plus a backyard makeover giveaway with an estimated value of $20,000.

Attendees can enter that giveaway online at HGLethbridge.ca or by visiting the information booth in the Main Pavilion at Exhibition Park.

Advanced tickets for the Home and Garden Show are available now at HGLethbridge.ca and exhibitionpark.ca.

EX VIP

A new EX VIP program has also been announced.

It will allow guests to enjoy exclusive promotions, advanced tickets and up-to-date event information.

Anyone who joins the program before March 20 will receive a second bonus entry into the Home and Garden Show backyard makeover giveaway.

“Our introduction of the digital ticketing will be across all of our platforms and the EX VIP club really gives us the opportunity to have that exclusive touch point with people,” Warkentin said.

“(It will also help) to understand who our clientele is better than we do today, to innovate our product and to be able to cater our events to the clientele that are coming here to Exhibition Park.”

Warkentin said one of the main goals going into this year was to help Exhibition Park evolve.

“We really want to understand the client better and really give them accessibility to the park and one of the things we felt we were behind on compared to the industry norm was the introduction of the digital ticketing platform,” he explained.

“Understanding that clientele – who’s coming and what they want to see out of our events is key to us moving forward.”

At this point in time, the Home and Garden Show is the only event with tickets on sale. Warkentin said following an April 2 “entertainment announcement”, tickets for Whoop-Up Days will go on sale April 5.

“Subsequently there will be other announcement dates. I would encourage everyone to sign up for the EX VIP club to know when those announcement dates are as well as getting exclusive advanced ticket purchasing options,” he said.

FATE OF PAPER TICKETS

Paper tickets are still available for purchase, even with the introduction of the digital passes.

“The process has changed a little,” Warkentin said.

“So, for the Home and Garden (Show) for example, you’ll still buy your ticket at the gates to the park as you would have in the past, but you’ll actually get a printed receipt with a barcode on it that will be scanned when you enter the Pavilions.”

He said that the digital ticketing project has been in the works “for quite some time” and called the development a “major milestone” for Exhibition Park.

He explained that as the system debuts, guests can expect some slight delays when buying their tickets at the gate.

“We do anticipate a minimal increase in the amount of process time to come through because there is now a printed stub, whereas in the past you just paid (at the gate) and drove in. Now you’ll receive that printed stub – we do expect that delay to be absolutely minimal, but I do want people to be aware that if you are buying on site, there is going to be that very slight delay.”

BURNCO PATIO LOUNGE

In addition, Warkentin said the BURNCO Patio Lounge in the South Pavilion will be open daily for beverages, HGTV programming and entertainment.

That includes Medicine Hat band Mahoney on March 22 from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Sebastian Clovis from HGTV’s Save My Reno and Home to Win will be on hand that same day at 2:00 p.m. to answer any renovation questions guests may have.

On March 22, BDO is hosting its 7th annual Home and Garden Economic Forecast Breakfast at 8:00 a.m.

Speakers will include Warkentin, Bridget Mearns from the BILD and Michael Kelly with the City of Lethbridge. Tickets for the breakfast are complimentary by RSVPing at agoing@bdo.ca.

by Justin Goulet (@JustinGoulet21)

Exhibition Park introduces digital tickets, VIP program

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