SEAT Winter 2012

SEAT Winter 2012

FEATURES:

ALSD 2012 CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
2012 has arrived, and with it, the preliminary lineup for the 22nd Annual ALSD Conference and Tradeshow. This year’s show, themed "The Community," will bring attendees sessions, roundtables, events, interactivity, participatory learning, and tours and receptions at three of the most top-notch venues in the country. Begin planning your experience in Minneapolis.

WHY SOCCER? WHY SALES?
As part of its mission to grow a soccer nation, Major League Soccer is shaking out of the grassroots its own sales talent at its National Sales Center in Blaine, Minnesota.
BY RYAN MIRABEDINI

PREMIUM SEAT SALES STRATEGIES AND BEST PRACTICES FROM A TEAM PERSPECTIVE
Last year, an ALSD survey was completed by 48 teams from MLB, the NBA, the NFL and the NHL to better understand today’s sales best practices. Is your organization following the industry standards?
By DR. PETER TITLEBAUM AND TODD C. KOESTERS, MSA, JD

CONCESSIONS, CATERING & HOSPITALITY TRENDS
New concessions and catering solutions and products support the leading stadium and arena concessionaires, caterers and consultants to increase revenue for teams, clubs and venues.
By STEVE TRAIMAN

SPORTS TECHNOLOGY CORNER:

GILLETTE STADIUM'S PUTNAM CLUB INDULGES GUESTS IN HIGH-PERFORMANCE WI-FI
At the home of the New England Patriots, a new wireless architecture is enabling the creation and delivery of video content to mobile devices exclusively to members of the Putnam Club.

IT COLLABORATES WITH THE WORLD
The ALSD has officially formed the Venue Technology Group (VTG). This year’s VTG program trains all the areas of the premium and general facility markets to better understand technology and to collaborate with IT Departments.

IPTV: THE INTERSECTION OF FAN EXPERIENCE AND SPONSOR EXCLUSIVITY
Whether installed in an aging facility or a brand new, state-of-the-art venue, IPTV technology adds value to both corporate partnerships and the fan experience.
BY BOB ROBLE

DEPARTMENTS:

NEW ALSD MEMBERS

ALSD STAFF EDITORIAL
Editor’s Note 
BY JARED FRANK

State of the Association 
BY AMANDA VERHOFF

Trends in the Venue Marketplace from 2011: Changes You Can Believe In? 
BY BILL DORSEY

ALSD MEMBER Q&A

INDUSTRY AND ASSOCIATION NEWS
Ticketmaster Facebook feature enhances fan experience
ALSD evaluates FanVision in Cleveland’s Dawg Pound
Feature Recipe: TD Garden chef has championship taste

THE ALSD ONLINE

MEMBER HIGHLIGHT
SEAT visits with: Andrew Silverman
Senior Vice President of Sales & Service
Miami Marlins
By Jared Frank

COMING ATTRACTIIONS

About the Cover: The new Marlins Park in Miami showcases many of the trends reported in this issue, including Sales, Technology, F&B, Design and Customer Service innovations.