SGP DNA: Ticketing edition
With almost no room for error, it takes a keen eye for detail (and some golf skills!) to be part of Singapore GP’s Ticketing and Accreditation team. There’s never a dull moment according to Senior Manager Lee Yu Sin, whose team will soon be starting work on the 2021 race already! Read on to find out her #SingaporeGP fan #protip.
Q What does the ticketing and accreditation department do exactly?
I think majority of the people think that the ticketing team just needs to sell tickets but in fact, there is a lot more to it! We plan ticketing options and their corresponding prices, configure seating arrangements, work with stakeholders and other departments on ticketing promotions, partnerships, and marketing efforts including the production, printing and fulfilment of the over 250,000 tickets and lanyards!
The accreditation team, on the other hand, oversees the production, processing and issuance of work access passes and decals to every staff, contractor, vendor and stakeholder requiring access into the Circuit Park. There are over 30 different passes, over 25,000 applicants and over 20,000 vehicle decals that have to be issued – imagine how detailed or organised we must be!
Q Take us through what you would normally do on a typical day at the office, pre-race.
We work very much in advance – we start configuring ticket options for the race at least 18 months ahead. This means that we will soon be starting discussions for 2021 come June this year.
We are a street circuit, so our build is largely based on demand. We’re constantly monitoring ticket sales and inventory throughout the year and making adjustments where necessary. We act as the bridge between our technical team and our ticketing agency – what’s sold must be built and vice versa. We also work with various internal teams and third-party vendors to ensure the tickets are designed beautifully, printed accurately and delivered on time.
Accreditation work is very detail-oriented so much time is spent verifying the applications and getting the passes and decals issued accurately and on time. There is no room for mistakes. You have to be very, very meticulous and organised if you want to be part of this team.
Q What will people find surprising about the ticketing team?
That we don’t actually step into the circuit park or see the F1 cars despite working for the Singapore Grand Prix! We are usually at the ticket collection centre outside of the circuit park, making sure that everything goes smoothly.
Yu Sin, pictured fifth from left, front row
Oh, and we also have to understand the view from every seat. So if you see us standing in the middle of the empty grandstand looking into the distance, now you know why.
Q What is your favourite part of the job?
When you see fans and staff wearing the tickets we’ve painstakingly worked on. So many of them keep the tickets as a souvenir too! I would say my favourite part of the job is when our ticketing operations is running smoothly on site and everyone works well together to handle any ticketholder’s concerns. It makes the hard work all year round worth it.
In fact, I would say the team is well-prepared to manage almost any ticketing or access query. We once had to find a way to get a box of fresh seafood into a restaurant within the Circuit Park within a freshness time limit.
Here’s a #protip that many don’t realise. When you arrive at your seat, and suddenly find it obstructed – we are a street circuit, after all – don’t worry! Just approach any of our grandstand ushers and they will do their best to find you a better option.
And after the race, we naturally need to de-stress…and what better way than with a mini-golf session! Yes, we’re all about focus and precision you see :)
Yu Sin, pictured first from left