Reserved Seating ensures each ticket corresponds to a specific seat. This article covers:

1. Creating a Reserved Seating Event
2. Ticket Types & Pricing (managing categories, fees, etc.)
3. Key Tips & Best Practices

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Understanding Reserved Seating Events

• Each ticket ties to a specific seat in a chart.
• Attendees can choose seats.
• Reserved seating is ideal for concerts, theaters, or any event needing well-defined seat assignments.

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Can You Mix GA & Reserved in One Event?

• Yes, you can create General Admission areas in a reserved seating chart.

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Does SimpleTix support booths and tables?

• Yes, we have robust support for booths for conferences and tables for dinners and galas. Tables can both be booked in their entirety or sold seat by seat.

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Creating a New Reserved Seating Event

1. Start a New Event
   • Log in to Manager Portal → Events → Create New Event.
   • Provide basic details (name, image, description, etc.).
2. Enable Reserved Seating
   • When asked if this is a “Reserved Seating” event, click Yes
   • Select an existing venue seating chart or build a new layout.
3. Design Your Seating Chart
   • Automated Scanning from a Reference Chart (Recommended): Our AI-powered tool can automatically detect and create seats from a floor plan image:
     1. Upload a static image file (a floor plan, schematic, or photo of your venue) as a “Reference Chart”
     2. When the scanning tool appears, zoom the image until the blue guide circle matches the size of a seat in your floor plan
     3. Click on one seat in the image to initiate the scan
     4. The AI will automatically scan the entire image and place digital, clickable seats over all detected seats
     5. Manually add or remove any seats the tool missed or misidentified
     6. Click Done to generate your fully functional, editable seating chart
     This automated method saves significant time compared to manually placing hundreds of individual seats.
   • Manual Layout: Use the built-in chart editor to manually drag and drop individual seats, rows, and sections.
   • Upload a Chart: If you have a custom CSV or seating map, reach out to SimpleTix Support for assistance.
   • Define Sections & Pricing (e.g., VIP, Balcony, etc.).
4. Save & Test
   • Preview your event page, ensuring seat labeling and event info match your goals.

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Ticket Categories & Pricing Management

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Understanding the Pricing Hierarchy

Reserved Seating in SimpleTix uses a two-level pricing system:

1. Categories (Parent Level)
   • Represent physical sections of your venue (Orchestra, Balcony, VIP, Box Seats, etc.)
   • Each category maps to specific sections on your seating chart
   • Set a base price for each category
   • Can be hidden from online sales using “Box Office Only”
2. Sub-Prices (Child Level - Optional)
   • Create price variations within a single category
   • Useful for demographic-based pricing (Youth, Senior, Student, etc.)
   • Enable special pricing (Military discount, Member rate, etc.)
   • Individual sub-prices can be marked “Box Office Only”

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Defining Ticket Categories

Categories represent the physical sections of your venue. For each category, you’ll set:

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Basic Category Settings

• Category Name: How the section appears to buyers (e.g., “Orchestra,” “Balcony,” “VIP”)
• Base Price: The standard ticket price for this section
• Color: Visual indicator on the seating chart (helps buyers identify sections)

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Category-Level Box Office Only

When you mark an entire category as “Box Office Only”:

• The entire section is hidden from online sales
• Only box office staff can sell these seats through the Manager Portal or Organizer App
• Useful for:
  • VIP sections reserved for phone sales
  • Obstructed view seats you prefer to sell in person
  • Special sections for group sales only

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Creating Sub-Prices Within Categories

Sub-prices let you offer multiple price points within a single category without complicating your seating chart.

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When to Use Sub-Prices

Best for:

• Demographic-based pricing (Youth, Adult, Senior, Student)
• Member vs. Non-member rates
• Early bird vs. regular pricing tiers
• Military, teacher, or first responder discounts

Example Scenario: Your “Orchestra” section has:

• Orchestra - Adult: $100 (base price)
• Orchestra - Youth: $50 (sub-price)
• Orchestra - Senior: $60 (sub-price)
• Orchestra - Employee Comp: $0 (sub-price, Box Office Only)

When customers shop online, they see only the first three options. Box office staff see all four, including the complimentary employee tickets.

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Creating Sub-Prices

1. Navigate to Your Event
   • Select your event and go to Times & Tickets
   • Click on a specific event time
2. Add Sub-Prices to a Category
   • Locate the category you want to add variations to
   • Click Add Sub-Price next to that category
   • Enter the sub-price name and amount
   • Configure settings (see below)
3. Configure Sub-Price Settings
   • Price: Set the specific amount for this variation
   • Service Fee Mode: Choose how fees are handled (see Fee Management below)
   • Box Office Only: Toggle to hide this sub-price from online sales
   • Sales Start/End: Optional scheduling for time-limited pricing

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Sub-Price Level Box Office Only

Individual sub-prices can be marked “Box Office Only” while keeping other sub-prices available online. Common Use Cases:

1. Employee Comps
   • Category: Orchestra
   • Orchestra - Adult: $100 (online)
   • Orchestra - Employee: $0 (Box Office Only)
2. Local Resident Discount
   • Category: Balcony
   • Balcony - Standard: $50 (online)
   • Balcony - Local Resident: $35 (Box Office Only, requires ID verification)
3. Day-of Pricing
   • Category: General Admission
   • GA - Advance: $40 (online, ends 24 hours before event)
   • GA - Door Price: $50 (Box Office Only, active day-of)

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Fee Management in Sub-Prices

Each sub-price can have its own fee handling configuration:

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Service Fee Mode Options

1. Pass On to Buyer
   • SimpleTix service fees and payment processing fees are added to the ticket price
   • Customer pays the fees at checkout
   • Common for standard ticket sales
2. Absorb Fees
   • You (the organizer) cover SimpleTix and processing fees
   • Ticket price is final amount customer pays
   • Useful for premium experiences or simplified pricing
3. Custom Fee
   • Set a specific fee amount or arrangement
   • Contact SimpleTix Support for custom fee configurations

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Sub-Prices vs. Promo Codes

Both tools can provide discounts, but serve different purposes:

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Use Sub-Prices When:

• Pricing tiers are permanent features of your event
• You need public visibility of all price options
• Pricing relates to buyer demographics (age, status)
• Box office staff need quick access to specific rates

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Use Promo Codes When:

• Running limited-time promotions
• Offering secret/exclusive discounts
• Partnering with affiliates who need unique tracking
• Testing different price points

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Combining Both

You can use sub-prices AND promo codes together:

• Sub-prices: Youth ($50), Adult ($100), Senior ($60)
• Promo code: “OPENING20” gives 20% off any sub-price

Managing Promo Codes

Learn how to create and manage promo codes for additional discount options.

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Password Protected Categories

You can password protect categories to hide them until buyers enter a code in the promo code field.

• The section shows as “sold out” until the password is entered
• Useful for:
  • Pre-sale access for email list subscribers
  • Hidden sections for sponsors or VIPs
  • Soft launches before public announcement

Note: Password protection is separate from Box Office Only. Password-protected sections ARE available online once the password is entered.

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Changing an Active Event

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Best Practices for Editing Categories & Sub-Prices

Safe Changes (After Tickets Sold):

• Adding new sub-prices to existing categories
• Adjusting sub-price amounts (consider impact on sold tickets)
• Changing fee modes for future sales
• Updating Box Office Only toggles

Unsafe Changes (Require Support):

• Renaming or deleting categories
• Reassigning category mappings on seating chart
• Major price structure overhauls

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Duplicating Events with Modified Pricing

If you need different pricing for a similar event:

1. Create a new Reserved Seating event
2. Select your existing venue
3. Choose Clone chart when prompted
4. Modify categories and sub-prices as needed

This preserves your original event while giving you flexibility for variations.

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Key Tips & Best Practices

1. Check Layout Before Going Live
   • Once seats are sold, major chart revisions can cause confusion.
2. ADA/Accessible Seating
   • Mark wheelchair-accessible seats and ensure companion seats are easily found.
3. Support Resources
   • For more help or a review of your reserved seating event, contact SimpleTix Support.