In 2012, my wife Amelia Kintz and I co-founded Afton Tickets because we believed the ticketing industry was broken — especially for event organizers and event attendees.
As event producers ourselves, we experienced firsthand how frustrating traditional ticketing platforms can be. We wanted to build a company that prioritized people over profits — where event organizers and their attendees are treated like humans, not just numbers or ticket sales.
Our Mission: People Over Profits in Event Ticketing
Afton Tickets: Where event organizers and their attendees exist as people — not transactions.
We launched Afton Tickets with a simple but powerful belief: both the event organizer and the ticket buyer deserve better.
Unfortunately, there’s a major disconnect in the ticketing industry. Many large ticketing companies negotiate high-fee contracts with venues and event promoters — often without any regard for the actual end user experience.
The result? Sky-high service fees, poor customer service, slow support, and ticketing systems that prioritize corporate profits over attendee satisfaction.
How Did Ticket Service Fees Get So High?
Let’s break it down:
- I recently bought a $20 concert ticket that had a $10.50 service fee.
- That’s over 50% in fees — something most event attendees understandably hate.
So why do ticketing fees keep going up?
Because most ticketing deals are negotiated behind closed doors between large ticketing companies and venues. These companies often offer venues signing bonuses and profit-sharing agreements — but the “profit share” actually comes from increasing the service fees paid by customers.
Example: A ticketing company promises a venue more money by raising service fees from $3.50 to $8.75. The venue gets a bigger cut, but the customer foots the bill — not the ticketing company.
And many venue owners don’t even realize this is happening. I’ve personally spoken with venue partners who were shocked to learn how much their customers were paying in hidden or inflated fees.
The Problem with the Current Ticketing Model
High fees are just one symptom of a bigger issue:
- Rigid refund and transfer policies
- Terrible customer support for attendees
- Delayed updates or edits to ticket links and promo codes
- Long entry lines due to inefficient systems
- A lack of empathy and transparency
Here’s a real example:
I once requested a refund for an event I couldn’t attend due to a childcare issue. Although the ticketing company’s email stated refunds were allowed, the fine print (hidden in a link) revealed a 7-day limit I had unknowingly passed. I lost $80 on tickets and $32 in service fees — with no recourse.
Afton Tickets: A Different Kind of Ticketing Company
We believe in ticketing for the people — not monopolized by the big players, but democratized and client-first.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Low, transparent service fees that organizers can control
- Flexible refund and transfer policies driven by the organizer, not us
- 1-on-1 support by phone or in person — especially during emergencies
- Fast turnaround for updates, promo codes, and ticket link edits
- Human-first customer service for attendees, with real empathy
We’ve even refunded tickets out of our own pockets in situations where it was simply the right thing to do.
Built by Event Organizers, for Event Organizers
Because we’ve produced events ourselves, we know what it’s like to be in your shoes. That’s why Afton Tickets is committed to:
- Helping independent venues and music promoters avoid the high-fee traps of legacy platforms
- Offering tools and support that actually make event production easier
- Giving both attendees and organizers the experience they deserve
We understand that every event is unique, and you should be empowered to run it your way — not how a massive ticketing corporation tells you to.
Our Promise to You
As we continue to grow, we’re committed to:
- Holding on to the values we started with
- Listening to every organizer and attendee
- Improving every part of our service at 10x the speed of the big players
- Keeping fees fair, support personal, and technology efficient
We know we can’t fix the entire ticketing industry overnight, but we can lead by example. And we’re proud that so many clients are making the switch to Afton Tickets — because they believe, like we do, that there’s a better way.
Thank You
To every event organizer, cashier, ticket taker, venue manager, and attendee — thank you for joining us on this ride. You inspire us to keep improving every day.
Together, we can build a ticketing experience that works for everyone.
As always if you are looking for a great event to attend you can purchase tickets HERE.
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Meet Ryan Kintz, the visionary CEO behind Afton Tickets, Afton LiveStream, and Afton Shows. With a rich background in event organization, concert promotion, and entrepreneurial ventures, Ryan is a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
Afton Tickets: Elevating Event Experiences
As the co-founder and CEO of Afton Tickets, Ryan serves a diverse clientele, including fairs, festivals, beer/wine/food events, and concerts of various scales, from 500 to 100,000+ attendees. His commitment to excellence shines through, providing tailored ticketing solutions that enhance event experiences and streamline ticket sales.