It’s no secret that the industry of live sporting events has been greatly affected in 2020 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. As venues and stadiums begin to reopen their doors (in limited-capacity and with enforced safety precautions) many wonder what the fan experience will look like in a socially-distanced world. Additionally, how might the actual stadiums and venues themselves adapt to fluctuating safety regulations and social-distancing measures? With this new normal, venues are expected to enforce crowd control, safely maneuver fans in-and-out of the venue at distance, and heavily regulate activity around the stadium– all with the commitment to deliver the very best fan experience. Undeniably, concessions are a vital part of this experience, and many wonder how venues will continue to serve the fans in a safe and efficient manner. The lines for food and beverage were already painfully long– but what will they look like when fans have to stand six feet apart from one another? (Hypothetically would be miles and miles long). The only logical solution to this challenge is in-seat delivery, making SEATSERVE not only just an optimal and proven premium service– but an essential one.
Social Distancing: Runners instead of fans speeding the concession lines
Having quickly identified and targeted this emerging market, SEATSERVE participated in the U.K Government’s “Returning Of Fans To Stadiums”, serving thousands of fans at two separate pilot events in September. For the first time in professional sports, fans placed 100% of their concession orders using their mobile device and received 100% of them in-seat. Our proprietary solution proved that the venues could seamlessly integrate our solution and successfully fulfill in-seat deliveries to every fan at the stadium. SEATSERVE is the leading company with the experience and track record working with Tier-1 venues and teams to spearhead this global shift of the industry.
video source: screen grab from BT Sports 1
Just last week, at the Leader’s Week Direct Conference, Harlequins CEO Laurie Dalrymple named SEATSERVE as a positive outcome of COVID-19. SEATSERVE goes beyond simply offering a solution, it offers the best solution. For example, our technology allows for Concession Load Balancing where vendors are able to pre-set the maximum amount of orders that can be handled in any particular time frame. This solution avoids the potential of an overwhelmed kitchen and stressful delivery delays. With our Guaranteed Delivery Tracking, vendors won’t have to worry about orders being lost, late, or mixed up with live updates and runner fulfillment confirmation. On the flip side, fans can follow their order along every step of the way (which we all know we love to do). Additionally, our technology includes Multi Vendor Ordering Capabilities, allowing fans browse and order items from multiple vendors in the same transaction. A ShakeShack Burger and a Nathan’s Hotdog together? Why not? This presents the potential to increase overall revenue as well as customer satisfaction. The SEATSERVE solution also offers Dynamic Delivery Time Slots that enable fans to select a time frame in which they will receive their order. Whether they want to order food and beverage in advance or get it as soon as possible, the control is in their hands. Our dynamic software will cap the amount of orders in any particular slot, easing the fulfillment flow and increasing overall vendor success and again, you guessed it: customer satisfaction. Now more than ever, the fan experience matters.
Of course, the fan experience always mattered. However, in a socially-distanced world, not as many people will realistically be able to attend a live sporting event; and even if they are lucky enough to, it will surely look and feel quite different. The novelty of “going out to the ball game” rightfully demands the experience to be enjoyable, memorable, and despite everything, worth it.
If the SEATSERVE solution can contribute to bettering the fan experience in this new socially-distant world (even if it’s just a bag of peanuts), just know it’s worth it for us too.
Contact SEATSERVE for more information and if interested, read more about our history-making UK pilot events here.
