Wichita Open's
Case Study
See how we’ve solved challenges for seated venues, timed ticketing and general admission events.
Wichita Open
The Wichita Open is a long-standing PGA Tour Korn Ferry tournament held in Wichita, Kansas for over 36 years. As one of the region’s most celebrated sporting events, it welcomes over 20,000 fans and VIP guests each year for four days of high-level competition, sponsor activations, and unforgettable hospitality.
With a growing need to modernize sponsor ticketing, reduce entry bottlenecks, and expand access to real-time data, the Wichita Open team partnered with TicketSocket to elevate operations and deliver a smooth, professional experience for guests and partners alike.
Challenge
Inefficient Sponsor Ticket Management
Using their previous system, HappsNow, the Wichita Open team struggled with outdated workflows and limited tools for managing sponsor ticket allocations. Data was hard to access, and the manual process created delays and confusion during distribution.
Our Solution
Custom Sponsor Portal
TicketSocket built a dedicated sponsor portal tailored to the event’s needs—allowing sponsors to assign, distribute, and track their ticket usage in real time. The portal was launched in advance of the tournament, transforming what could have been a major bottleneck into a seamless, self-service experience.
Year-Over-Year Growth Tracking
With detailed analytics and redemption reporting, the team was able to show sponsors exactly how their tickets were being used. As a result, sponsor ticket redemption rose from the mid-40% range to over 80% in just three years.
Challenge
Long Entry Lines and Inconsistent Check-In Flow
Each day, up to 10,000 spectators arrive at the outdoor venue—many during a tight 90-minute window. The prior system couldn’t keep up with high-volume check-ins, resulting in long lines and frustrated guests.
Our Solution
Dedicated Scanning Hardware
TicketSocket deployed handheld scanners and trained staff and volunteers on best practices for managing lines by ticket type. The team redesigned the welcome center layout to streamline access for different ticket groups, reducing friction and confusion.
Access Control Features
The system was configured to prevent unauthorized entry into VIP areas, ensuring only the right guests accessed premium zones.
Onsite Support
TicketSocket provided onsite staff for the first two years of implementation, delivering peace of mind and live troubleshooting during high-pressure moments. As the system became familiar, the tournament was able to reduce customer service staff from four to just one person—without sacrificing quality.
Challenge
Lack of Real-Time Reporting & Post-Event Insights
The previous ticketing platform offered limited visibility into ticket usage, making it hard to show sponsors ROI or adjust in real time. Reports were cumbersome to pull, and critical data often came too late to act on.
Our Solution
Powerful Reporting & Mobile Access
With TicketSocket’s real-time analytics tools, the Wichita Open team could pull sales data, scan counts, and sponsor-specific metrics instantly—even from a mobile phone during the event. These insights helped the team provide live updates to partners, refine future planning, and open ticket sales earlier than ever before.
Earlier Ticket Launches
With TicketSocket’s support in setting up sponsor portals and frontend flows, the team was able to open ticket sales 7 months in advance—up from just 4 months in prior years—capitalizing on holiday gifting and early corporate sales.
Results
Sponsor Ticket Redemption Up from 40% to 80%
With self-serve tools and better reporting, sponsors now manage their allocations more efficiently and get real value from their investments.
Entry Lines Nearly Eliminated
Improved scanner workflows and venue layout reduced wait times dramatically—even during peak volume hours.
Mobile Reporting Drives Sponsor Engagement
The team can now pull real-time attendee data mid-event, enabling smarter conversations and follow-up plans with key partners.
50% Earlier Ticket Sales Launch
Support from TicketSocket allowed the event to go live 3 months earlier than past years, maximizing momentum and presales.
Let’s get you a demo!
Explore TicketSocket, or create an account and start elevating your events. You can also contact us to design a custom package for your business.
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Let’s get you a demo!
Explore TicketSocket, or create an account and start elevating your events. You can also contact us to design a custom package for your business.