Press Releases

D.C. United, Guest Assist partner for game-day fan communication service

WASHINGTON, DC (March 20, 2009) - D.C. United announced today a partnership with feedback management experts GuestAssist to improve their fan’s game-day experience and to facilitate easy, safe communication between fans, staff, security personnel and the team at home games. GuestAssist uses text messaging through the customers’ own mobile phone at the time when it matters most, right then when they need it. The platform is versatile and can be used to inform, entertain, respond or enquire, which means you get engagement and your guests get another reason to stay.


“Our fans are valued customers, and providing them with a way to communicate with our staff will ensure that we quickly address any issues and keep them satisfied and focused on the game,” said Jon Radke, United Director of Operations. “GuestAssist is the clear industry leader in providing fan-based communication services, and we chose to work with them after reviewing the success of the service as used by the National Football League and Major League Baseball.”


Fans attending D.C. United home games will have use of a simple text message code that will permit them to send questions, concerns or requests via their mobile phones to the team’s Command and Control Center. The number will be 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 web-based 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.


“Attendees at any D.C. United home game will be able to immediately voice concerns, ask questions, get answers and then get back to watching the game” said Jeremy Konko, VP Operations for Qtags “and we’re excited to help D.C. United in support their fan base”


Houston-based Qtags is a member of the Stadium Managers Association and the International Association of Assembly Managers. GuestAssist is being used by Major League Soccer in staff and customer events throughout the season, and was recently featured at the Soccer Operations Seminar in January 2009.


About GuestAssist


GuestAssist is an Enterprise Feedback Management platform that gives your customers easy access to you, and gives you a vehicle to engage them. It is a text and web-based and allows stadiums, conferences, event managers and hoteliers to talk to their guests via text messages using their own mobile phones. GuestAssist is currently licensed for use at venues across the U.S. such as:


§ Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)


§ 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)


§ FedEx Field (Washington Redskins)


§ Ford Field (Detroit Lions)


§ MacAfee Coliseum (Oakland Raiders)


§ Texas Stadium (Dallas Cowboys)


§ Invesco Field (Denver Broncos)


§ Ralph Wilson Stadium (Buffalo Bills)


§ Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots)


§ Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)


§ D.C. United (RFK Stadium)


§ Major League Soccer (MLS)


About Qtags, llc


Qtags offers program solutions to stadiums, arenas, conference centers, government agencies, and corporations throughout the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Learn more at www.GuestAssist.net
.

Broadcasting and P.A. Request: When speaking of the organization, please refer to the team as either “D.C. United” or “United,” but not “the D.C. United” or “the United.” We appreciate your cooperation.


Doug Hicks,
dhicks@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5448,
Boris Flores,
bflores@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5452,
Kyle Sheldon,
ksheldon@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5450 or
Cristina Cruz,
ccruz@dcunited.com
, (202) 587-5440