QUICKER QUEUES FOR 35,000 CALOUNDRA MUSIC FESTIVAL GOERS

The Caloundra Music Festival is set to embrace cashless technology to give festival goers more time enjoying the music at this year’s event and less time queuing.

The October 2-5 event will utilise Commonwealth Bank’s world-leading EFTPOS tablet ‘Albert’ to improve efficiency in ticketing and purchases and reduce cash handling for festival organisers.

The Sunshine Coast Council event will be the first of its kind in Australia to partner with Commonwealth Bank and utilise the EFTPOS tablets for transactions.

Caloundra Music Festival Director Richie Eyles said the new EFTPOS tablet technology would allow this year’s festival goers to enjoy an even more memorable experience.

“Imagine not having to stand around in long queues or line up multiple times in order to get a drink  – well that’s what Caloundra Music Festival goers can look forward to via this new mobile payment tablet,” he said.

“Albert will help our patrons to stay where they are and purchase what they want without the worry of missing the start of Ben Lee or Xavier Rudd’s act.

“Festival goers without their own card can also purchase a Caloundra Music Festival cash card at the festival to use on the EFTPOS devices.”

Rob Donegan, Head of Local Government, Commonwealth Bank said, “With around 50 Alberts headed to Caloundra, this will be the largest ever use of the new technology in one location. It’s great to see Sunshine Coast Council embracing new ideas to give festival-goers more music and less queuing.”

The Albert EFTPOS tablets used at the festival will feature a newly developed app so the Sunshine Coast Council can centralise payments processing for the entire event. This system will also help the Council with stock movement and management. Moving away from cash also provides on-site security benefits.

The Sunshine Coast Council’s use of Albert sees it join a growing list of organisations taking advantage of CBA’s next generation EFTPOS tablet. In December, Hobart City Council will use 200 Albert devices as they take their Taste of Tasmania festival cash-free. Commonwealth Bank is the biggest financial services provider to local councils.

Festival-goers will be able to use debit cards, credit cards or cash to pay for purchases. When using cards they can tap, swipe or insert the card and use a PIN.

Further information

• CBA media release: Taste of tech hits Hobart town

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