Calling all cards! Radios and card readers update Province’s event tech
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Cards on the table: Our Province has access to new tech to help run outdoor events and collect ticket money and donations – and it’s available for everyone to use.
Behind the development is Chris Tandy of Industry Lodge in Scunthorpe. On the Province’s behalf he has acquired a set of radios and card readers to keep those running events in touch with each other, and make taking payments faster and simpler in the contactless age.
Lack of the ability to take card payments was highlighted at last year’s Masons&Motors event at Doddington Hall, when a significant proportion of those present turned down the opportunity to donate to the Festival by saying they had no cash. The tech came into its own at the Flying Freemasons event a few weeks later when Chris provided a single machine to help collect flying fees. He said: “If we hadn’t had it available, a number of people wouldn’t have been able to fly. That would have been as much of a shame for them as it would have been for the Festival.
“But problems caused by a lack of cash are a thing of the past now,” he added. “These card readers are simple to set up alongside a mobile phone app, and every event can use it to collect donations. At the end of the event it’s possible to see at once how many transactions there have been, and how much money has been raised.”
Chris has produced a user guide to the card readers, which helped members of the event Committee get to grips with the tech before its first ‘outing’, at the Ropsley Heath Light Railway Open Day.
TO FIND OUT MORE about the new tech, how easy it to use, and to book it for your event, please contact Chris direct on 07432 143108 or email him at cjtandy@yahoo.com – but please don’t leave it until the last minute!
