GuestAssist Lets NFL Fans Text Stadium Personnel

By Andrew Lippe

GuestAssist, a new text messaging application developed by qtags, is being deployed at 10 NFL stadiums this season and allows fans to communicate directly with the stadium if they have an emergency or a security or medical problem that requires the stadium’s immediate assistance.

GuestAssist debuted last season at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Leonard Bonacci, director of event operations at Lincoln Financial, contacted qtags and pushed to have GuestAssist implemented to improve communication with the Eagles fans.

“The NFL has been the most advanced in looking at ways to manage their fan experience,” says Jeremy Konko, qtags’ COO. “They are very adapt in integrating a number of different technologies including text messaging and paging systems to improve communication with their fans.”

Solutions from the company include GuestAssist, SimplyPush and SimplyAlert and its services have been implemented across the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean.

Fans who want to use GuestAssist text a five-digit control code that connects to the stadium’s control center. This preseason the service assisted in ejecting disruptive fans, helping fans with broken seats, and receiving medical attention. The service works on any mobile phone.

“After the Eagles it expanded to a variety of sports venues as well as festivals events and concerts,” says Konko. This NFL season the technology will be used at Lincoln Financial Field, the Georgia Dome, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Heinz Field, the University of Pittsburgh, M & T Bank Stadium, Giants Stadium, FedExField and Ford Field.

“We improved the interface and added archiving and a variety of control features,” says Konko. “We are learning a lot and want to make sure everyone has a top experience.”