Modernizing Payment Technology at State Fair of Texas

This case study details the partnership between the State Fair of Texas and accesso ShoWare, focusing on the modernization of payment technology for the 2025 Fair. The Fair, which has a long history of welcoming millions of guests, aimed to enhance the guest experience by upgrading its commerce infrastructure. Key initiatives included the introduction of EMV chip cards, tap-to-pay contactless cards, and digital wallets for both on-site and online transactions. The results showed a significant shift in consumer behavior, with 83% of on-site orders and 59% of online orders utilizing digital wallets. The Fair also implemented a voucher-based spending system to encourage advance purchases, which improved operational efficiency and revenue generation. The partnership emphasized the importance of collaboration and on-site support, ensuring that technology enhancements were complemented by dedicated operational assistance. Overall, the modernization efforts aimed to meet evolving guest expectations while preserving the traditions of the Fair.