Managing big events like the Addis Neger Expo was not easy. Long lines, manual ticket sales, and no clear way to track how many people came made things stressful for both visitors and organizers.
To solve this, we built a ticketing system that made registration, seat reservations, ticket sales, and reporting much faster and easier.
The Problem
Before, everything was done by hand:
- Visitors waited in long queues to register
- Cash and POS sales were hard to track
- Organizers had no real-time data about tickets sold
This caused delays and confusion.
The Solution
The new system fixed these problems with three main features:
1. Easy Registration
Visitors could quickly register through a simple form, which reduced waiting time at the entrance.
2. Seat Reservation
For the first time, visitors were able to reserve seats in advance. This gave them peace of mind knowing they had a spot secured, while organizers could better manage seating capacity and avoid overcrowding.
2. POS & Cash Ticket Sales
The system worked with POS machines and also supported cash payments. Both were tracked in the backend, so organizers always had accurate records.
3. Analytics Dashboard
Organizers could see ticket sales live, with breakdowns for cash vs POS. At the end of the day, they had clear reports to check all sales and attendance.
Tech Used
- Frontend: React + Tailwind CSS
- Backend: Node.js + AWS Cognito
- Database: PostgreSQL
- POS Integration: Custom CBE birr APIs for instant payments
Results
- Registration was 50% faster than before
- Visitors could reserve seats in advance, avoiding overcrowding
- Ticket sales were tracked correctly with no errors
- Organizers could finally use real-time data to plan better
- Visitors had shorter wait times and enjoyed a smoother experience overall
Conclusion
This project showed how technology can make events more efficient. By supporting both digital and cash workflows, the system fits the local market while giving organizers powerful tools to manage their event.