My Super Bowl Diary

David Schroeder, Partner- QuintEvents

As all subscribers to The MASCOT should understand, QuintEvents is an Official Hospitality Partner to NFL On Location.  In addition to providing access to the Official NFL On Location Super Bowl Packages to our clients, QuintEvents supports clients with transportation, sponsorship, onsite staffing, party tickets, and more.  Given our breadth of services and exposure to this one of a kind event, I thought I’d share my day-by-day highlights to show what makes Super Bowl week so special and how QuintEvents can enhance the experience.

Wednesday
I flew in Wednesday morning to Phoenix, Arizona where the rush of Super Bowl week had already started. The airport was decorated with a Super Bowl XLII theme and NFL-sponsored support seemed to be everywhere to help people find their way. The rental car agency was out of GPS devices.  The service representative told me traffic had already started to backup throughout the city as Super Bowl related events had taken over the area. It became immediately clear how efficient the NFL is at hosting a world class event like this year in and year out AND how the energy was already palpable days before the teams take to the gridiron.

That night I was fortunate to attend a house party where Troy Aikman, Daryl Johnston, Chris Myers, and more were just “hanging out”.  As a lifelong Cowboy fan, I spent most of the night periodically pinching myself to make sure it was really happening…and struggling to find something more interesting than “Long time fan, first time stalker” as an intro line….  Make no doubt about it- if you’re looking to plan an event with a huge WOW factor, you can not go wrong here.

Thursday
When I arrived at the QuintEvents Command Center at 8 am (a converted ballroom at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs), there was already a buzz of activity as QuintEvents had begun delivering thousands of gift bags, parking passes, tickets, and transportation throughout The Valley.  QuintEvents clients were enjoying the kind of customer intimacy, attention to detail, and execution that has earned the confidence of hundreds of clients, NFL On Location, and, most recently, Churchill Downs. 

Throughout most of the next three days, QuintEvents was supporting last minute client needs for packages, party tickets, transportation, and more.  Thursday night I was working until 11 pm on a package for a Sentient Jet Member (The Preferred Private Aviation Partner to QuintEvents) who had decided he wanted to attend the game.  I worked with our support staff and the Sentient team to secure the best NFL On Location package, limo transportation, private aviation accommodation, and more.  All in a day’s work!

Friday
For most of the day, I was out delivering gift bags and the like to some of my personal clients or guests of theirs.  I was fortunate to meet up with one man that had won a client’s contest and I took some pictures for the client that provided this one of a kind experience.  It was very moving to see the impact these travel rewards can have on people.

Yet another reason to buy through QuintEvents and NFL On Location was revealed on Friday afternoon.  A client had his Super Bowl tickets stolen from his bag. Because of the official nature of our product and relationship, we had the tickets reissued by the end of the day.  Two things to take from this tale: (a)  Dealing with QuintEvents and NFL On Location, you’ve got piece of mind that you’ll be supported throughout the event, and (b)  Beware of the alternative to NFL On Location.  The thief likely resold those tickets to unsuspecting buyers who were met by law enforcement at the gate when the stolen bar code was scanned – Ouch!  Imagine your client’s reaction to that scenario on game day.

Saturday
In the morning, I was at the Legend Trail Golf Club where Quint had purchased all tee times for the day.  It’s a terrific venue and having total coordination with the course pro created a smooth experience for all.  One of the groups had Phil Simms playing three holes with each flight of the group.  As he arrived, the course pro provided some counsel that this is a desert course, but Phil was confident in his links prowess.  Support staff was back within 40 minutes to get more balls for Phil.  I was concerned there was bad karma here for the Giants, but I was holding out hope for a good game.

Saturday night was THE party night before the game:  Sports Illustrated, Saturday Night Spectacular with John Travolta, Playboy, Maxim, and more.  By midnight it seemed every restaurant and club was filled to capacity.  I was fairly confident that every stretch Hummer in the contiguous United States had made its way to Scottsdale.  The diversity of visitors for Super Bowl week is incredible – athletes, music entertainers, corporate groups, “super fans”, all coalesce in this unique microcosm of Americana.

Sunday
Ok, if you put a 10X production requirement on your company for a focused period of five hours, how would that impact your execution?  That was the situation of the Phoenix transportation companies on the morning of the Super Bowl.  Everyone wanted to be picked up at the same time. Transportation companies were dealing with temp drivers, bad traffic, MIA guests- it was pretty crazy.  Quint had dedicated staff at our designated transportation company to make sure delays were minimized and cars were arriving on time.  Good thing for QuintEvents clients - as we heard other event companies were waiting 30 minutes just to get a status on their transportation. 

The NFL On Location parking worked like a charm- I drove straight to my lot and parked without incident.  Through the exclusive NFL On Location security entrance, I briskly walked into the stadium to sample the IN STADIUM HOSPITALITY – and it didn’t disappoint.  Beautifully appointed design, great food, no waiting at the bar, lots of activities.  I almost felt sorry for all those folks sitting in the parking lot or waiting in line….nah, these are the rewards of NFL On Location and dealing with QuintEvents.

So, now the part you’ve really been waiting for – the game.  It was AWESOME to be a part of.  Tom Petty was great- although I question how many of the preteens that were rushing the stage at halftime actually knew who he was….but the crowd sure loved it!  My seats were right in the corner of endzone where Plaxico caught the winning touchdown – and where Brady absorbed his last few shots.  The childlike joy of Giants fans was great, and I have to say the Pat fans reaction was pretty noteworthy as well.  I swear most just stood there and looked in blank horror for 20 minutes after that final, agonizing tick of the clock.  The ecstasy and agony of sport perfectly balanced in a moment of time.  With no dog in the fight, I really couldn’t have been treated to a better game, a better spectacle of sport.

After the game it was back to NFL On Location in stadium hospitality to relax and recap the game while others fought the parking and traffic. The perfect ending to an exceptional Super Bowl week.

So, with all that said, you’re saying “Well, how do I sign up for Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa?”  Glad you asked – you can learn all about it by talking to your Quint Sales Executive or visiting us online at www.quintevents.com/sb43.

Order now to get first pass at the seating blocks and accommodations you most covet for your group’s “Super Event” of 2009!

QuintEverywhere with Sports Travel Certificates

As a leader in loyalty solution development, Quint supports clients through a variety of tactics and strategies – points programs, group travel events, and individual travel vouchers being three primary levers.  All have great power in their appropriate targets of audience, budget, and goals.  In this article, we’ll cover the opportunity presented by Quint Sports Travel vouchers.

Leveraging our loyalty and travel expertise the Sports Travel certificates creates a synergy of Quint specialties which in turn delivers terrific results for clients. 

What It Is:

Quint Sports Travel vouchers provide the flexibility for a wide range of MLB, NHL, NASCAR, and PGA tour events along with accommodations and flex cash.  The offering is provided as private label certificates to attend the event of their choice.  The pricing is preset with Quint client providing budgetary confidence for incentive. 

How It Is Used By Quint Clients:

Say you want to have a contest with your national sales team for 1Q quotas.  Winners will receive tickets, hotel, breakfast, and $100 spending cash.  Quint clients can purchase ten of these in advance and lock in the price of the promotion, while guaranteeing it’s an exciting, cost effective (no costly travel required) and relevant incentive for all regions and sporting appetites. The approach works for operations staff, consumer promotions, and any strategy that involves driving behavior through travel rewards.

The Participant Experience:

The “winners” receive a private labeled certificate with unique identification code. This certificate contains the 1-800 number for Quint Concierge who will support the participant in securing qualified tickets and accommodations.  Quint can also work with clients to provide a room drop at the participant hotel to further reinforce the value and brand affiliation between client and participant.

Package prices begin at $750 and can be purchased one at a time or in large blocks.  If you’re interested in learning more about this exciting, turnkey offering with Quint, contact your Sales Executive today.

Fun Facts (Valentine’s Day):

As a means to keep our loyalty platform relevant and “fresh” with new redemption options, this month we feature Valentine’s Day.  To that end, a few facts on this

1. 73% of people who buy flowers for Valentine's Day are men, while only 27 percent are women.  Yes, Flowerstore.com is a retailer on the Quint Loyalty Platform.
2. Hallmark has over 1330 different cards specifically for Valentine's Day.  Quint has over 300 online retailers to match a gift with that perfect card....
3. Alexander Graham Bell applied for his patent on the telephone, an "Improvement in Telegraphy", on Valentine's Day, 1876.  Call your Quint Representative today to learn how to get more “love” from your employees and customers today!