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Jeremy Konko presents Mobile Strategies at HiMa Interactive Strategies Conference

The verdict is in --

The HiMa Interactive Strategies Conference was held 10/08 and featured over 13 experts in Digital Media, Social Media, and Search Marketing.

Bills add text messaging to gameday hotline - with GuestAssist

The Buffalo Bills announced Thursday they have implemented a new web based text messaging system called GuestAssist, to provide fans the ability to text message the team’s Guest Services department for game related issues during home games at Ralph Wilson Stadium (RWS). GuestAssist will be operational beginning with the Bills vs. Jets game on Sunday, November 2, 2008.

For the first time, fans are able to text the team with important and/or emergency information on the day of the game that will help alleviate guest service related issues. To report an issue, fans may text “BILLS” <space>, followed by their location and issue to 78247. Once the text message is received from Guest Services, the appropriate staff will be alerted to respond. Calling the team’s fan hotline number 716.312.8933 and asking stadium/team personnel for assistance will continue to be an option for fans.

Six years ago the Bills began the Verizon Wireless text alert system that provides the team with the ability to contact fans via a team text message containing important and/or emergency team information. Verizon Wireless text alert subscribers have since grown to over 10,000 since the program began in 2002. The growth in cell phone technology and increase in text messaging by fans was a factor in implementing GuestAssist.

The implementation of the text message option is also partially based on feedback from fans that had difficulties leaving their seats to report issues. In addition, some fans had issues with crowd noise when making cell phone calls to the team’s fan hotline number from the seating bowl. The text message option allows fans to discreetly contact stadium guest services for assistance.

“We continue to look for ways to improve fan safety as well as fan convenience,” said Chris Clark, director of security for the Buffalo Bills. “Text messaging will provide fans another avenue to communicate and it will allow us to quickly address any concerns or questions they may have.”

The text messaging option for fans to report an issue on the day of the game is another element the Bills have put in place for the 2008 season as part of the NFL’s Fan Code of Conduct program. Other elements supporting the Fan Code of Conduct and team’s “Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Considerate” guest services message include an increased focus and presence from the Bills security and police assigned to work the games, additional stadium signage, scoreboard announcements and public address announcements. Also, guest service messages from the Bills remind fans to have fun but be responsible, watch out for each other and report incidents to any nearest stadium personnel.

Now, to report an issue to the team, fans can also simply text message “BILLS” <Space> Location and Issue to 78247.

For more information regarding Verizon Wireless Mobile iNzone where fans can sign up for Bills text alerts and buy ringtones please visit www.bills.vibesinzone.com/.

Buffalo Bills Start Text-Messaging System with GuestAssist

From the Democrat & Chronicle - 10/31/08:

In an effort to make Ralph Wilson Stadium more fan friendly, the Bills will debut a text-messaging system Sunday when they host the New York Jets that will allow fans to report problems or emergencies in their sections via their cell phone.

The system, called GuestAssist, will allow fans to send text messages to stadium personnel who can then assist them with their problem, be it a health emergency or dealing with an unruly fan sitting next to them.

"We're always looking to do new things, and this just kind of made sense," said Andy Major, the Bills executive director of marketing

Qtag’s new service enabling attendees at a sporting event or a concert to contact stadium authorities about a medical situation or unruly fans

From 10/20 RCR Wireless article -- GuestAssist noted as short-code application providing consumer benefit of communication and security.

From the perspective of a consumer, text messaging provided via short codes is no different from ‘phone to phone’ text messaging that uses a longer code. There is no reason to distinguish the regulatory treatment of short-code text messaging and ‘phone to phone’ text messaging simply because of the length of the address used to send the message,” the public-interest groups stated. “Yet, the carriers’ documents confirm that wireless carriers often discriminate against would-be providers of text-messaging services via short codes based on the content of the information or the type of services they seek to offer.”

The public-interest organizations insist wireless providers are abusing their role as gate-keepers of short codes and thereby undermining an increasingly important means of basic communications for schools, public safety, voter registration and other entities. The groups scoff at the notion that short codes are simply a medium for marketing and billing, calling the view simplistic and misleading in view of “the increasingly vital role that text messaging via short codes plays in our society and democracy.” They said short codes are being used for the United Nation’s new ‘text messaging for peace’ campaign; Mobile Voter’s effort to encourage voter registration; Qtag’s new service enabling attendees at a sporting event or a concert to contact stadium authorities about a medical situation or unruly fans; a Boston police program to curb crime by texting tips to law enforcement; and donations to the Red Cross. Such applications of short codes, according to the public-interest entities, are not included in MMA’s list of acceptable uses.

Fans can report problems via text messaging

From 10/20 Article by Don Muret - Staff writer -

More news about GuestAssist - the security system adopted by NFL teams and others to provide a quick, anonymous way for fans - event attendees to communicate with security teams and keep the environment safe.

The advent of text messaging as a preferred method of   communication has made managing NFL crowds more effective, according to stadium   operators and security officials. Twenty-six of the 32 NFL teams have incorporated a text   message system at their facilities, and league officials expect …

For access to this article and more you must be registered with SportsBusinessJournal.com

qtags' GuestAssist provides NFL guests with security and satisfaction

Mark Yost in the 10/14 Wall Street Journal article

NFL's Eagles Tackle Drunken, Rowdy Fans

discusses the benefits of using text-messaging based services to provide customer security and satisfaction at NFL events.

One continuing problem, he said, is that about 45,000 of the Eagles' 70,000 fans come through the gates in the 45 minutes just before kickoff. Obviously a few troublemakers get through, so the Eagles have two systems to help corral them.

The Linc was the first NFL stadium to have a text-messaging system that allows fans to anonymously report trouble. They simply text their section and seat number and security comes down. "I have 3,000 people on my staff, but with anonymous texting I have 70,000 eyes that can help me, as well," Mr. Bonacci said.

The text-messaging system used by the Philadelphia Eagles and 14 other NFL teams is GuestAssist.

 

GuestAssist links fans with stadium staff via texting

From Marketing Shift

We often hear about the dangers from text messaging during driving, but here's an example of how texting can increase your saftey.

Anyone who's crammed into a major stadium for a concert or sports game knows there's truth to the saying that there's an idiot in every crowd. In fact, at virtually any college or pro football game, you may find hundreds of them, screaming cursewords,smoking, harrassing other fans,throwing food, or just ruining your family's gameday experience.

For years, the only way to deal with these misfits was to squeeze your way down the aisle to try and find the nearest usher or security guard, but that's not such an easy task when you're  wedged in a 12-inch seat, side-by-side in a section of hundreds of people. It's also a frightening prospect to think that you could be stuck during a medical emergency. The NFL remedied the problem of poor fan behavior by banning any drunks from entering a game. Ten stadiums also added the text service called Guest Assist.

With GuestAssist fans can instantly contact a stadium's staff for security or service via a simple text message code to the stadium's control center, and the response is sent to the source. Fans can also get info about the nearest bathrooms,concession stands, etc, with the service. GuestAssist also provides the stadium's front office with valuable data for reviewing their customer service performance.

The press release explains:

Operators receive a visual and audible alert on the arrival of inbound guest requests, and can monitor and respond to text message inquiries from stadium guests. Administrators can view, export and print an archived history of communications with stadium guests and fans for efficient post-event analysis.

Pink Ribbons UNBEATABLE new venue

Text 'PINK' to 78247 to join the Pink Ribbon's Project text updates group!

UNBEATABLE: A BOLD NEW MUSICAL was selling off-the-charts when Hurricane Ike struck and damaged Stages Repertory Theatre. The actors were re-located, equipment was salvaged, and everyone waited to see what the fate of this world-premiere musical would be.

If you believe in Karma, you'll love what happened next: Stages - who housed an Alley Theatre production following Tropical Storm Allison - is now the beneficiary of the Theatre District's good will.  The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts opened its arms to us, and now UNBEATABLE: A BOLD NEW MUSICAL will run in Zilkha Hall from September 24^th through October 6^th.

Now for the brightest news of all: While Stages had 171 seats in its theatre, Zilkha Hall has 500 - giving us an even greater opportunity to reach out to the community and raise awareness about breast cancer.

WE NEED YOUR HELP IN GETTING THE WORD OUT about these newly-scheduled performances, and filling every seat with someone who is in need of inspiration, hope, and laughter! The performance schedule is below, as well as extensive information on how to get your tickets at the Hobby Center.

If you've seen it already, come see it again in this beautiful proscenium space; if you haven't seen it yet, now's your chance to come with your family and friends! Let's help this project exceed its original potential, and break records for raising awareness in the Houston community! (To see what audiences are saying, go to the end of the email and read their comments!)

UNBEATABLE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

Wednesday, September 24 - 7:30 PM

Friday, September 26 - 8:00 PM

Saturday, September 27 - 3:00 PM

Sunday, September 28 - 7:30 PM

Wednesday, October 1 - 7:30 PM

Friday, October 3 - 8:00 PM

Saturday, October 4 - 8:00 PM

Sunday, October 5 - 3:00 PM

 

HOBBY CENTER TICKET INFORMATION:

 

Online

Your tickets, your way. . . 24 hours a day.

www.thehobbycenter.org

Scroll through the events calendar and click on the event you are interested in purchasing. This will take you to theEvent Description page. After clicking the ticket link, enter the quantity of tickets you would like to purchase and then choose the seating/price level options. If the desired seats are sold out, the Sorry page will appear, informing you that the price level could not be secured. Otherwise, the Shopping Cart page will appear and a timer will be displayed. At this point, you may continue shopping, check out, remove seats, or remove your entire order. If you would like to complete the purchase of your tickets, choose a Delivery Method from the drop down menu. Then, click on the Check Out button located at the bottom of the page.

 

Phone

Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm; Saturday - Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm

(713) 315-2525, option 1 for Single Tickets; option 2 for Groups of 10 or more

The Hobby Center Box Office representatives provide fast, friendly service during the hours mentioned above. For single tickets to Broadway in Houston performances, please call (713) 629-3700. 

 

In person

Street Level at 800 Bagby Street , between Rusk and Walker

Visit the Hobby Center Box Office, Monday - Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm; Saturday - Sunday 11:00am - 4:00pm

 

WHAT OUR AUDIENCES ARE SAYING ABOUT "UNBEATABLE!"

 

• Congratulations on      all of your hard work with Unbeatable. It is a wonderful show with amazing music and performers. "Tracy" did a fantastic job with the role. You were right about the laughs throughout the play - and wrong about tears before intermission. The mother-daughter scene got me good.I have no reason to believe that the show will not sell out completely!

 

• The show was fabulous.  You did an amazing job with it all.  I am so glad we were able to be a part of it.  It will be a huge success.

 

• My husband, Larry and I just got back a little while ago from the Unbeatable play. It was truly touching and inspiring. Even Larry, who is not usually emotional at movies and plays, became teary eyed at different parts of the play. We very much enjoyed the experience.

 

• Thank you again for      thinking of us and for all that you do on behalf of womens' breast cancer

 

• Stan and I, Lolly and Stuart went to see the show today.  It was so moving and brought back so many memories and stirred feelings inside from so long ago. 

 

• Hi!  I know the      weekend was marvelous for you all. . .and you must still be on such a      high!  Much congratulations!

 

• "Unbeatable" is "Supremeable".  I was thrilled to see the musical opening night. Thanks for making "Unbeatable" happen in Houston.  I am recruiting friends to join me and see it again. J

 

• What an incredible evening Saturday nite!!!!!!!  It was awesome.  I am flattered beyond belief to have been included.  Look forward to talking to you soon about it.  Many thanks.  You should be proud of what you have accomplished

 

• Yes, I did watch the show last night!! And it was fabulous! Entertaining, yet poignant, with a top-notch cast (especially Kristy Cates - what a powerhouse voice!). I thought the set was very well done, as well, and I really liked the transitions between the story and the courtroom. It was wonderful to see such a terrific production on our stage and how the audience was wrapped up in it all.

 

• That is SO      wonderful!!!!! J As you saw, I was      extremely touched as well!

 

• I am going again      with 6 of my family members this Sunday!!!

 

• I loved the show!  One of my best friends from high school, a recent breast cancer survivor, is coming in from Tuscaloosa with her daughter to see it.  So I will be going again.

 

• Congratulations!!
We have already heard from those that attended last night and everyone had a most moving experience. Can't wait to see it.

 

• Judy and I thought that the production was extremely powerful.  It was an emotional roller-coaster with an outstanding cast.  We were truly moved by the play.  The lyrics were very clever.  It needs to go to New York!

 

• You have done a      tremendous job!!!!

 

• Thank you, Thank you, Thank  you!!!!! We had SO much fun on Wednesday night. The performance was amazing, I have told everyone about it. Mom bought a bunch of tickets and is taking more girls back for a night. I gifted 4 tickets to one of my clients, just waiting for her to pick a date!!! I am so proud of you for all of the hard work that you put into the production! You have done so much with your foundation, I know that has to make you feel good about all the time, effort and money that you put into supporting breast cancer awareness and research!

 

• Keep on doing what      you do! You are the best at it!

 

• We loved it - it was      exceptional. Thanks and congratulations on helping bring this to Stages.

 

• Really enjoyed last      night, and it gave me hope for my bone marrow transplant.  Thanks for      working with my schedule.

 

• Words cannot express how moved I was by Unbeatable. The story line is INCREDIBLE and the cast is AMAZING! All of our guests truly enjoyed the show AND they were also very impressed by Stages theatre. Thank you for making the production possible. I know the show will touch many lives.

 

• It is difficult to choose words that adequately describe how touched I was by Tuesday evening's performance of UNBEATABLE!!!!!

 

• Kristy Cate's portrayal of Tracy and her experience with this horrible disease was absolutely riveting from the beginning through the final scene. I have not been captivated by live theater like this in many years. Please convey my heartfelt appreciation to the cast or others involved with this magnificent production. Unfortunately, Tracy's story is being played out in real life every minute of every day all over the world. Thank you for helping me and all of the audiences  who witness how lives are changed around each and every woman that has to fight this awful battle.

 

• I plan to see the play again before it leaves town. You have done good work benefiting many with all of your efforts to make this play      come to life.

qtags helps 2008 Tour de Pink riders stay in touch

The 2008 Tour de Pink - presented by Compass Bank - went off successfully yesterday at the sunny Prairie-View A&M Campus. 

The ride is expected to raise over $200,000 to provide breast-cancer screening and treatment for under-served women in the Greater Houston area - and is a cornerstone of the Pink Ribbons Projects' community outreach, which provides among other things, mobile mammography services. 

qtags is in its second year of sponsorship, providing marketing & communication assistance as well as text-messaging alerts (simplyalert) to all those who text PINK to 78247. 
The PINK alerts include updates on time, weather, training rides and fund-raising opportunities and help the Pink Ribbons Project team communicate real-time with participants and volunteers.

I completed the ride again this year (with my back-burner helper) and thank the PInk Ribbons Project for their tireless efforts to serve those who need breast cancer care. 

Also a big thanks to TYSongs who wrote In Motion for Pink Ribbons Project - it was an emotional finish-line with this spectacular song.   

NFL Facilities Turn to GuestAssist by qtags to Improve Fans' Game Day Experience

NFL Facilities Turn to GuestAssist by qtags to Improve Fans' Game Day Experience

                        

GuestAssist by qtags - an instant customer communication tool for sports facilities, conference/convention centers and other venues that host large gatherings -- will be used by as many as 10 NFL stadia in the 2008 season to improve fans' game day experience.

                        

Houston, TX (PRWEB) September 4, 2008 -- GuestAssist by qtags (www.guestassist.net) - an instant customer communication tool for sports facilities, conference/convention centers and other venues that host large gatherings -- will be used by as many as 10 NFL stadia in the 2008 season to improve fans' game day experience.

 

 

 

GuestAssist provides instant two-way, text messaging-based communication between ticket holders and the venue's event staff, allowing for improved management of safety, security and guest services.

 

GuestAssist is currently licensed for use at:

 

•    Georgia Dome (Atlanta Falcons)

•    Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles)

•    Cleveland Browns Stadium (Cleveland Browns)

•    Heinz Field (Pittsburgh Steelers and University of Pittsburgh)

•    M & T Bank Stadium (Baltimore Ravens)

•    Giants Stadium (New York Giants and New York Jets)

•    FedExField (Washington Redskins)

•    Ford Field (Detroit Lions)

 

GuestAssist provides a simple text message code that fans can send via their mobile phones to the venue's Command and Control Center. The number is communicated to fans via stadium signage, public address announcements and other means.

 

A single staff member can handle and respond to incoming requests through GuestAssist's customized software interface. The operator can send reply messages directly to the fan's phone to answer questions or obtain more information, and, if necessary, can quickly dispatch safety/security, medical or guest services staff to the appropriate location.

 

"GuestAssist is a simple and effective way to improve the ticket holder's experience at sports and entertainment events," said Jeremy Konko, qtags' chief operating officer. "But it is especially valuable in sports and entertainment venues where there are large, loud crowds. Since GuestAssist is real time and discrete, it allows ticket holders to quickly communicate any issues or concerns they may have. It also provides event staff with a tool that improves their ability to respond to an emergency or to the needs of a ticket holder both quickly and efficiently."

 

In addition, GuestAssist provides post-event reporting and analysis of guests' concerns to help operators improve staffing, polices and procedures. It can be implemented in a single day and staff training typically takes just an hour, Konko said.

 

The Philadelphia Eagles were the first NFL team to use GuestAssist when they implemented the system at Lincoln Financial Field during the 2006-2007 season. "GuestAssist enables us to have two-way communication with individual fans without them leaving their seats," says Leonard Bonacci, Director of Event Operations at Lincoln Financial Field. "By using the GuestAssist system, Eagles fans are able to report issues, ask for information and call for assistance in a fast, easy and convenient way. For us, it's important to provide our Guests with the highest quality sports and entertainment experience in a safe, clean and friendly environment. GuestAssist helps makes this possible."

 

Houston-based qtags is a member of the Stadium Managers Association and the International Association of Assembly Managers.

 

About qtags, llc (www.qtags.com)

qtags llc provides mobility-based programs in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Solutions include GuestAssist, SimplyPush and SimplyAlert as well as keyword based programs that power broadcast, marketing promotions, contests and recruiting efforts.