Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year's Eve Tickets Still Available

Looking for something to do tonight? Check out these great New Year's Eve events and get tickets now!

Boston New Year's Eve Events
Hyatt Regency Ballroom
RumoR Nightclub
Venu
Vinalia
Sanders Theatre - Harvard University
View more Boston New Year's Eve Events

Miami New Year's Eve Events
Hilton Miami
Dave and Busters
Let Loose Cruise
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
View more Miami New Year's Eve Events

Looking for another location? View more New Year's Eve Events.

Make your plans for New Year's Eve today! Get tickets to exciting New Year's Eve events at Tickets.com

Monday, December 29, 2008

New Year's Eve Event Tickets at Tickets.com

Got Plans for New Year's Eve?
It's not too late to get great New Year's Eve tickets!

Make your 2008-2009 New Year's memorable by getting New Year's Eve tickets to a New Year's event. Whether you're into the New Year's party scene or a quiet, reflective New Year's dinner at a posh restaurant, Tickets.com has the New Year's Eve event tickets for you.
  • Ring in the 2009 New Year with cocktails at a hot nightclub event.

  • Or, watch the New Year's ball drop in Times Square from the comfort of a nearby restaurant while enjoying a special New Year's Eve menu.

  • Dance the night away with your friends at a New Year's party.

  • Celebrate with New Year's Eve reservations for a special dinner with your sweetheart or your family.


New York New Year's Eve Events
Tavern on the Green
Bryant Park
Hotel Gansevoort
Amalia
Peter Jay Sharp Theater
View more New York New Year's Eve Events

Chicago New Year's Eve Events
Hilton Chicago
The Underground
The Drake Hotel
Rockit Bar and Grill
View more Chicago New Year's Eve Events

Las Vegas New Year's Eve Events
Prive Vegas
Pure
LAX Nightclub
Rain
GhostBar
View more Las Vegas New Year's Eve Events

Looking for another location? View more New Year's Eve Events.

Make your plans for New Year's Eve today! Get tickets to exciting New Year's Eve events at Tickets.com.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Happy Holidays from Tickets.com

Happy Holidays from the Tickets.com Team!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Sacramento Ballet

Ballet dancers hit the streets to sell 'Nutcracker' tickets
Rachel Leibrock

It's come to this: Sacramento ballet dancers will sell tickets to upcoming "Nutcracker" performances on the corner of 19th and J streets in Sacramento as part of an effort to raise public awareness about their company's dire financial circumstances.

The announcement comes in the wake of an emergency Wednesday board meeting in which Jill Kaiser Newcome, board president of the financially beleaguered dance company, said that the Sacramento Ballet is relying on ticket sales to this year's run of "The Nutcracker" to pull them through a financially uncertain time.

Ron Cunningham, the ballet's artistic co-director, said ticket sales make up 80 percent of the ballet's budget.

The dancers will be in front of the midtown Starbucks from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Tickets to "The Nutcracker" range in price from $14 to $63 and also are available through the Community Center Theater box office, (916) 808-5181 or via Tickets.com.

For more information, call (916) 552-5800 or visit www.sacballet.org.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Ticket Industry News: Ticket Summit NYC adds more expert speakers to panel sessions

Ticket News
By Alfred Branch Jr.


Ticket Summit NYC, the nation's largest ticket industry conference and trade show, has added several more speakers to its already impressive roster of experts participating in panel discussions. The three-day conference is scheduled for January 6-8 in New York City at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Jeff Kline, President of the ticketing solutions company Veritix, will join keynote panel entitled "Who’s On First? The New Paradigm in the Ticket Marketplace," which will take an overall look at the constantly evolving ticket industry. From the panel description: "Primary, Secondary and Future markets have fueled a New Paradigm of continuous change in the industry. Leaders in the industry will discuss these changes and the continual evolution of the market."

In addition to Kline, the other participants on the panel are Greg Bettinelli, Executive Vice President, Business Development and Strategy for Live Nation; Derek Palmer, Chief Commercial Officer at Tickets.com; Mark Wienkes, CFA and CPA at Goldman Sachs; Chuck LaValle, head of Music Business Development at StubHub; and Don Vaccaro, CEO and Founder of TicketNetwork, which created and hosts Ticket Summit.

The other new speakers are Peter Glaeser, Founder of the European mobile marketing and ticketing company Mobile Space Ltd., will join the Getting Global: Ticketing & International Expansion panel, and Frederick Vallaeys, Adwords Evangelist at Google will be the featured speaker of the "Be Googled" best-practice session.

Ticket Summit NYC is one of two conferences TicketNetwork will host in 2009; the second is Ticket Summit Las Vegas, scheduled for July 15-17 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Tickets.com ProVenue® Software Summit 2009 - Dates Announced!

Tickets.com 2009 ProVenue Software Summit
ProVenue® Software Summit 2009
SAVE THE DATES!
June 15 – 18, 2009
Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, CA


HAD ENOUGH OF WINTER WEATHER? START PLANNING FOR SUMMER!

Summit 2009 will have many exciting changes in store for you. We plan to improve on the success of 2008 by offering even more sessions relevant to you and your business needs.

Some conference session highlights include:
  • Innovative ProVenue Product Line Updates such as ProVenueMobile™ and ProVenueCRM™

  • Ticketing Trends – how to make the most of your ticketing solution now and in the future

  • Marketing Strategies – surefire tactics for tight marketing budgets

  • Incremental Revenue Opportunities in a down economy

  • Client Case Studies

  • Networking events and more!


NEW THIS YEAR! We will be offering a full-day of ProVenueMax™ training on Thursday, June 18th. Seating is limited so space will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information and programming updates, be sure to check out our Summit website

REGISTRATION OPENS EARLY JANUARY 2009!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Ticket Industry News: Ticket Summit 2009

With a full exhibition hall and an impressive attendee list, expect success at Ticket Summit 2009 NYC

By Crystal Astrachan
TicketNews


Even though the economy is struggling, Ticket Summit 2009, the ticketing industry’s leading biannual conference and tradeshow, has managed to beat the odds; with nearly 500 attendees already registered and only one booth left in the exhibition hall, conference organizers expect nothing but success for Ticket Summit 2009 NYC, which will take place at the Waldorf-Astoria from January 6-8.

The ticketing industry has seen brighter days. This year, TicketsNow and its parent company Ticketmaster reduced their workforces to stay competitive in the market. In October, Ticketmaster eliminated roughly 300 jobs, including 60 jobs at TicketsNow. Similarly, ticket brokers’ profits are becoming slimmer, as many tickets sell below face value, including tickets to Young Frankenstein and the Oscar De La Hoya-Manny Pacquiao fight. Ticket Summit’s ability to flourish during this economic downturn demonstrates the event’s value in the ticketing industry.

With only one booth remaining, the tradeshow’s exhibition hall has almost sold out. Registered exhibitors include Admit One, The Association of Secondary Ticket Agents UK, The Better Ticketing Association, Celebrity Access, FanFetch, FanSnap, Free Ticket Exchange, Global Collect, The New York Ticket Exchange, Suites & Seats, TicketNetwork, TicketNews, Travel Guard, Verizon Wireless, Worldwide Ticketcraft, and yoonew. A detailed floor plan, with booth assignments, can be found here.

Ticket Summit has been able to thrive because of its many supporters. CelebrityAccess (the operator of a state-of-the art database containing profiles on more than 35,000 performers, musicians, comedians, lecturers, agents, managers, record companies, talent buyers and venues) has been a proud supporter of the conference since Ticket Summit 2008 in Las Vegas. Shawn Garrity, senior account supervisor of CelebrityAccess told TicketNews that "Ticket Summit has opened a whole new mutually beneficial market to Celebrity Access." This year, CelebrityAccess did not hesitate to renew their contract with the conference, as it is clearly in their favor to sponsor of the conference as well set up a booth.

Attendees will also benefit from a wealth of panel sessions, training sessions, and product demonstrations. Industry professionals will educate attendees on legal issues, the differences between the primary and secondary ticket markets, PCI compliance, and a wide range of other topics. View the complete lineup of speakers and all panel descriptions on the event’s Web site.

The following distinguished companies have confirmed their attendance: Ticketmaster, LiveNation, StubHub, TicketNetwork, Tickets.com, GET ME IN, StubHub, eBay, AEG Live Northeast, Google, Association of Luxury Suite Directors, Goldman Sachs, INTIX, Celebrity Access, Chicago – The Musical, Federal Trade Commission, CNBC, NBA, NBC Universal, World Wrestling Entertainment, New Jersey Nets, New York Yankees, NFL, NHL, United States Tennis Association, New York Post, New York Times, Reuters, Venues Today, Sports Business Journal, Theatermania, Veritix, Control Scan, Verizon Center, SeatWave, Mondial Assistance, and The Berklee College of Music.

"We’re proud to have supported Ticket Summit since its first conference and every year since. Sponsoring helps support the industry’s activities, and it facilitates discussions with industry leaders which helps us stay abreast of ticketing trends and convey our unique value to clients," said Steve Utley of Mondial Assistance.

Ticket Summit NYC is one of two conferences scheduled for 2009; both were created and hosted by TicketNews's parent company TicketNetwork. The second event, Ticket Summit Las Vegas, will enter its fourth year July 15-17 at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. To register for Ticket Summit, visit www.ticketsummit.org or email info@ticketsummit.org. After 5pm today, December 15, the admission price for Ticket Summit NYC will go up to $499, and the amount for buying passes for both the New York and Las Vegas conferences (a combo pass) will be $599. A single admission pass to the Las Vegas conference will remain $249.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Mötley Crüe tour starts in Indio
By VANESSA FRANKO
The Press-Enterprise


Last year Mötley Crüe brought the inaugural edition of Crüe Fest to Devore and now the rock band is launching its Saints of Los Angeles tour in Indio at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino's Special Events Center on Jan. 31.

Mötley Crüe is one of the most notorious bands in rock 'n' roll, exploding from the Sunset Strip scene in LA in the early '80s and having celebrated a debauchery-filled lifestyle in its music and off the stage. Along the way, the band has sold millions of records.

Singer Vince Neil, bassist Nikki Sixx, guitarist Mick Mars and drummer Tommy Lee have had mega-hits with songs such as "Dr. Feelgood," "Home Sweet Home," "Girls, Girls, Girls" and "Kickstart My Heart."

Mötley Crüe will kick off its Saints of Los Angeles tour Jan. 31 in Indio.
The band released "Saints of Los Angeles," an album based on its best-selling book "The Dirt," earlier this year before kicking off what members promised to be an annual touring rock 'n' roll festival called Crüe Fest.

Tickets for the Fantasy Springs show are $69, $79, $89 and $109 and go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday.

They can be purchased at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino box office or by calling 760-342-5000. Tickets can also be bought online at www.tickets.com or www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

Monday, December 15, 2008

Phase 1 ticket inventory for 2010 Olympic Winter Games going, going, gone

Additional tickets to go on sale in mid 2009

(Canada Newswire English Via Acquire Media NewsEdge)

VANCOUVER, Dec. 12 /CNW/ - A mere five hours after they were re-released for sale today, the remaining available tickets to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Games in the Priority Access Period have been sold, reported the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games (VANOC) this afternoon. The next phase of Vancouver 2010 ticket sales will occur in mid-2009. VANOC will begin selling tickets to the Paralympic Winter Games on May 6, 2009. VANOC is continuing to work with tickets.com on an authorized ticket resale program where people will be able to offer their tickets for sale, and customers will be able to buy with confidence knowing tickets are legitimate. Further details will be announced later in 2009.

"Once again, we have been amazed by the interest and support shown by Canadians in tickets to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games," said Caley Denton, VANOC vice-president ticketing and consumer marketing. "Our website was overwhelmed today and we want to thank everyone for their enthusiasm and patience. We encourage anyone who wants tickets in the future to sign up for updates at www.vancouver2010.com."

The tickets today were only available to Canadians who requested tickets in Phase 1 of sales, which ended November 7. The Priority Access Period was originally scheduled to run from today to December 22. Earlier this week, VANOC invited ticket account holders to sign into their ticket account at www.vancouver2010.com to find out what tickets they had received from their earlier requests this fall.

Friday, December 12, 2008

Tickets.com Launches Singapore B2B Website

Tickets.com has launched a new Singapore business-to-business website to enable our clients, media, partners, and potential clients around the world to find the information they need.

The website features enhanced functionality including convenient access to:
  • Tickets.com product, feature, and service offerings

  • The latest news and information about Tickets.com

  • Training requests

  • And more


View the Tickets.com Singapore website >

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games

Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games tickets confirmed today for Canadians; ice hockey, curling and snowboard tickets still available

VANCOUVER, Dec. 10 /CNW/ - After five long weeks of patiently waiting, Canadians who requested 2010 Olympic Winter Games tickets in Phase 1 will find out today what tickets they have secured, and can start planning what additional tickets they'll look for when the Priority Access Period opens from December 12-22.

An e-mail sent today from the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC) will invite each account holder to log on to their ticket account at www.vancouver2010.com and view the result of their request. These same ticket buyers will also have the exclusive right to buy remaining tickets on a first-come, first-served basis beginning this Friday, December 12 at 9:00 am (Pacific Time). Any tickets remaining after this period, plus any tickets released from the contingency and any remaining Victory Ceremony tickets, will go on sale to the public in mid-2009. VANOC will begin selling tickets to the Paralympic Winter Games on May 6, 2009.

While demand for the majority of sports meant that many sessions were allocated by lottery, there are still tickets remaining, including tickets to preliminary sessions for high-demand sports such as ice hockey and curling. With competitions such as ice hockey, large-capacity venues such as Canada Hockey Place will allow a large number of fans to experience the thrill of seeing elite athletes compete at the highest level, as the shorter tournament competition format ensures every match holds particular significance as competitors vie to finish high in the standings to earn important rest days.

Along with the confirmation of ticket orders today, VANOC issued a reminder to fans to be wary of tickets offered for sale through channels other than www.vancouver2010.com (in partnership with VANOC's official ticketing services supplier tickets.com) and official 2010 Winter Games hospitality partners JetSet Sports and CoSport.

"We encourage everyone to be vigilant about individuals or companies offering "guaranteed" tickets for sale. For most people even a "money back" guarantee is little consolation for the disappointment, inconvenience and embarrassment they'll experience if they discover at the gate their ticket is invalid," said Caley Denton, VANOC vice-president ticketing and consumer marketing. "We are continuing to work with our partner tickets.com on an authorized ticket resale program where people will be able to offer their tickets for sale, and customers will be able to buy with confidence knowing our bar code technology has confirmed the tickets are legitimate."

Details on VANOC's official ticket resale market will be announced later in 2009; however, until then, VANOC's website www.vancouver2010.com or its official hospitality partners, JetSet Sports and CoSport, are the only Canadian sources where people can be confident their 2010 Winter Games tickets are authentic.

About VANOC

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and the X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010. Visit www.vancouver2010.com.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tickets.com and Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts Sign Long-Term Contract For Exclusive Ticketing Technologies and Services

COSTA MESA, CA – December 10, 2008 – Tickets.com, a leading worldwide provider of integrated ticketing solutions, announces an exclusive ticketing services agreement with Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts in Vienna, Virginia. Recognized as America’s only National Park for the performing arts, the non-profit entity includes the 7,028 seat Filene Center amphitheater, Children's Theatre-In-The-Woods, The Barns at Wolf Trap and Wolf Trap’s Center for Education. The park is managed through a public/private partnership between Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts and the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has been allied with Tickets.com since 1992 and was the first Tickets.com client located in the mid-Atlantic region, as well as the first performing arts organization to use the company’s Private Label, Shopping Cart, and Virtual Waiting Room features and functionality. Other Tickets.com patron experience enhancing products available for use by Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts include: Tickets@Phone, digital ticket delivery to a consumer’s mobile phone; and ProVenue® Automated Kiosks, offering 24/7 self-service stand-alone box office facilities. Additionally, in the fall of 2009, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts will upgrade their current ticketing system to the latest, most advanced ProVenue solution.

“We appreciate Tickets.com’s ongoing commitment to developing leading edge technologies and ensuring their ease of use,” said Beth Brummel, vice president for External Affairs, Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts. “This allows us to provide the best possible customer experience for everyone who attends concerts, events, and educational programs at Wolf Trap.”

Tickets for a number of 2009 Filene Center season events went on sale November 22, including A Prairie Home Companion – Garrison Keillor, Face of America – Glacier National Park, High School Musical, Riverdance, and pop/world acts Gordon Lightfoot; Peter, Paul & Mary; and Pink Martini.

“We are honored that Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts has continued to entrust Tickets.com with providing ticketing solutions and customer service for its facilities,” said Brian Roberts, vice president of sales, Tickets.com. “It is exciting to be part of the organization’s continued growth, and to offer its customers new breakthrough technologies that will further complement their patronage of Wolf Trap’s beautiful venues.”

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Fantasy Springs Resort Casino

Singer/songwriter John Legend will make his Coachella Valley debut at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 in the Special Events Center at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio.

From his multi-platinum debut album, “Get Lifted,” in 2004, Legend has continued to explore his musical range, including performances with rap artists Andre 3000, Fergie and T.I.

Legend’s current CD, “Evolver,” was released in October. “Green Light,” is the first single from the disc which has already topped Billboard’s R&B and hip-hop charts and reached the number 4 spot on the Billboard hot 200 list.

Tickets for the concert, priced at $29, $49 and $59, go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the casino box office and online. Find John Legend tickets >

Fantasy Springs Resort Casino is in Indio at 84245 Indio Springs Parkway. For tickets or information, call 342-5000 or go to tickets.com or fantasyspringsresort.com.

Monday, December 8, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Wolf Trap

Wolf Trap's Filene Center Receives Nomination for Best Small Outdoor Venue Award by Pollstar and Ranks # 3 in Ticket Sales

VIENNA, Va., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Filene Center, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts' outdoor amphitheater, recently received massive dual recognition from international concert industry resource Pollstar as one of the Top 100 Worldwide Amphitheater Venues for 2008. The Filene Center received nomination for a 2008 Pollstar Concert Industry Award in the category of Red Rocks Award/Best Small Outdoor Venue, resulting from the collective decision process of industry agents, managers, talent buyers, and record company executives. The Filene Center has enjoyed previous success in this category, taking home the award in 2003. Additionally, the weekly magazine listed the Filene Center as the No. 3 amphitheater for third quarter year-to-date tickets sales, surpassing sales of such nationally recognized venues as Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado; Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs, New York; and Nissan Pavilion in Bristow, Virginia.

Additional Washington D.C. area amphitheaters listed in the top 100 include Merriweather Post Pavilion (No. 26) and Nissan Pavilion (No. 7). Washington D.C.'s 9:30 Club was ranked No. 1 out of the top 100 club venues in the United States. Pollstar's latest ticket sales rankings are a testament to fans appreciation for the high-quality, diverse programming that Wolf Trap and other D.C. area venues continue to offer each year.

The Filene Center at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts was named after Wolf Trap's founder, Catherine Filene Shouse, who donated 100 acres of her land and related funds to the federal government in 1966 with the specific intent of constructing the nation's first and only National Park for the Performing Arts. Throughout the summer season, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts offers a broad representation of performance styles for all ages, including rock, pop, jazz, blues, zydeco, soul, funk, country, opera, and classical. To name a few, this past summer featured such legendary performers as James Taylor, Emmylou Harris, Al Green, Mark Knopfler, Herbie Hancock, Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby, and Ben Folds.

More information on Wolf Trap's Filene Center >

More information on the 2008 Pollstar Concert Industry Awards >

More information about Tickets.com ticketing solutions >

Friday, December 5, 2008

Dynamic Ticket Pricing: San Francisco Giants

The San Francisco Giants rethink ticket pricing and will offer dynamic pricing in 2009.

Dynamic Ticket Pricing at AT&T Park

Watch video >

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: San Jose Earthquakes

Mexico Open '09 U.S. Tour Against Sweden
Soccer365.com

The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol (FMF), together with Soccer United Marketing (SUM) and the San Jose Earthquakes, today announced the Mexican National Team’s 2009 U.S. Tour will kick off on Wednesday, January 28 against the Swedish National Team at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum at 7:30 pm PT (TV: Telemundo, Radio: Futbol de Primera), setting up an exciting match up between Mexico’s head coach Sven-Göran Eriksson and his native country where he enjoys superstar status.

The popular Mexican National Team will play five games on U.S. soil in 2009, which will mark the sixth edition of the annual tour. "After a successful first season for the San Jose Earthquakes we want to continue our efforts to bring international soccer matches to the Bay Area," stated David Alioto, Executive Vice President of the San Jose Earthquakes. "We are very excited to host the Mexican National team and show our efforts to serve the Hispanic community as well."

Tickets starting as low as $20 for the January 28 match at McAfee Coliseum go on sale today, December 3, 2008 in an exclusive Visa presale. Visa cardholders should visit Tickets.com to purchase tickets with their Visa cards. Tickets to the general public will go on sale on December 15 and will be available by visiting Tickets.com or calling 1-800-225-2277 and 1-877-QUAKE-01. The Federación Mexicana de Fútbol encourages its fans to use their Visa cards.

Mexico vs. Sweden – January 28

Mexico and Sweden have met on eight occasions all-time, with two wins and three ties for the “Tricolor.” The last match between the two on U.S. soil was played on January 26, 2004 in San Diego, California, ending in a 0-0 draw. The upcoming January match will mark Mexico’s return to Oakland where it has played many times, most recently in a 4-2 win over Ecuador on March 28, 2007 in front of a sold out crowd of 47,000 fans. More recently on March 2, 2008, the Under-23 teams of Mexico and Australia tied 1-1 at the then-named McAfee Coliseum once again in front of a sold-out crowd.

Following its qualification to the Final Round of World Cup Qualification in the CONCACAF region, Mexico will start its quest for a ticket to South Africa against its biggest rival the United States in a venue to be determined in the United States on February 2, 2008. The match against Sweden is the team’s only preparatory match before it starts the next round of Qualification.

Sweden, who has qualified for the last two World Cups and made the second round in both, is currently in 5th place with a 1-2-0 record in Group One of UEFA World Cup Qualifying. Prior to the match against Mexico, Sweden will face the United States on Saturday, January 24 at the Home Depot Center.

The Mexican National team’s U.S. tour not only allows its U.S.-based fans to witness team’s matches first hand, but also allows the team to play top class opponents while strengthening its player pool in preparation for major international tournaments.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Event Ticket Insurance

Event Ticket Insurance by Tickets.com: Get Protected
Purchasing tickets for your favorite show or sporting event can be an investment, especially when you want the best seats in the house. Sure, there's nothing better than being close to the action at a live event. And who knows? Maybe you'll be pulled on stage to sing a duet with U2's Bono or get tangled up with Boston Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek over a foul ball? Stranger things have happened.

So don't be afraid to buy those premium seats to the next All-Star Game, Tony Award-winning solo, or bench clearing brawl. For a worry-free transaction, choose Event Ticket Insurance and protect your financial investment when you make your next ticket purchase.

Learn more about Event Ticket Insurance >

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: San Francisco Giants

Giants plan aggressive dynamic-pricing effort

Published December 01, 2008
Sports Business Journal
By DON MURET
Staff writer


The San Francisco Giants have signed a deal with a software company that enables them to change single-game ticket prices at any time.

The club hired QCue to help find the right price for selling 2,000 seats in AT&T Park’s outfield bleachers and upper deck, the last ones to sell for Giants games, said Russ Stanley, managing vice president of ticket services and client relations. Stanley declined to disclose the financial terms, and as of last week the two parties were still negotiating the length of the contract.

QCue, a one-year-old firm based in Austin, Texas, connects its system with Tickets.com, the Giants’ ticket agent. QCue joins Stratbridge, Eloqua and other data managers that teams use to crunch sales numbers to determine the right price to sell those tickets in low demand.

QCue’s formula, similar to Stratbridge’s, plugs in factors such as team performance, opponent, starting pitchers, weather conditions, day of the week and gate giveaways. The Giants will use those results to raise or lower ticket prices as late as the morning of a game for tickets purchased online, at ticket kiosks, by phone and at the box office, Stanley said.

The plan early on is to adjust prices once a day for every home game. “We have the potential to change every price in those [seven] sections every day,” Stanley said. “We could go up or down. There may be a day we do multiple changes and we have that ability.”

The price change will most likely be 25 cents to $1. The Giants believe even a decrease that small will make a difference as they attempt to move slow-selling seats without alienating season-ticket holders who pay full price for their seats, Stanley said.

There are other clubs reducing ticket prices on game days to fill seats, said Matt Marolda, founder of Stratbridge. Marolda, whose company has deals with 40 teams and leaguewide contracts with the NBA and NHL, declined to identify specific clubs.

Stratbridge was among the first to develop computer programs to help pro teams implement dynamic-pricing strategies before and during the regular season. “No teams are as aggressive as the Giants,” Marolda acknowledged.

The Colorado Rockies, whom the Giants talked to before doing their deal with QCue, use a less analytical form of dynamic pricing to fill Coors Field’s 50,449 seats.

The team does not feed boutique software into its Paciolan system (soon to be known as Ticketmaster Irvine) but does rely on historical data and team performance before setting prices for single-game tickets, said Greg Feasel, the Rockies’ senior vice president of business operations.

“We have so many people who live and work downtown that wait longer to make a decision,” Feasel said. “A lot depends on the weather.”

Depending on day-of-game demand, the team lowers its price by about $1 for seats in the upper deck and $4 to $6 for other seats when the Rockpile, the popular family section above the batter’s eye in center field, sells out.

Kids younger than 12 and adults older than 55 can buy tickets for $1 in the 2,300-seat Rockpile and others pay $4 to sit there. “We don’t want to lose those fans waiting in line if they can’t get those tickets,” Feasel said.

In San Francisco, QCue tested its software without selling tickets at the end of the 2008 season, and identified a three-game series in early September against the Diamondbacks for which the team could have decreased prices slightly to move tickets.

“It gave us a good feel for how this would work,” Stanley said.

The Giants were out of the divisional playoff race and “there wasn’t a whole lot of demand” for those games, said QCue CEO Barry Kahn.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Tickets.com Client Spotlight: Dallas Stars

Modano's 3rd-period goal lifts Stars past Oilers
USA Today

Dallas Stars Tickets

DALLAS (AP) -Mike Modano's latest milestone gave the Dallas Stars yet another home victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Modano scored on a power play with 2:21 remaining in the Stars' 4-3 victory over the Oilers on Sunday night.

Modano broke a tie with his 537th career goal, beating rookie Jeff Drouin-Deslauriers from the left circle off a feed from Brad Richards to become the 31st NHL player with 1,300 points.

``That was a great shot there, especially on a milestone goal that was so meaningful for our group,'' Stars coach Dave Tippett said. ``You don't get 1,300 points without being a great player, and that was a great goal.''

Modano also had an assist and extended his lead among U.S.-born goal-scorers.

``(Richards) made a great pass, on the stick, and I found a seam,'' said Modano, playing in his 20th season - all with the Stars. ``I've been blessed to have been around this long.''

Toby Petersen scored his first goal in two seasons, and Mike Ribeiro added a power-play goal for Dallas. The Stars improved their regular-season home record against Edmonton to 23-4-2 since they moved from Minnesota in 1993.

The honors continue for Modano, the franchise's greatest player.

``When you think about all he's done, the milestones and the ceremonies, and one more creeps up on him,'' Stars goaltender Marty Turco said. ``At this juncture of the season we need him more than anyone.''

Modano, second on the team with nine goals, wasn't sure he would be healthy enough to play after overnight back spasms. But a pep talk from his father, Mike Sr., visiting for the holidays, convinced Modano to lace on the skates.

``It spasmed up in the middle of the night, but it felt better as the day went on,'' Modano said.

``Dad gave me a little lip service, told me not to sit this one out.''
Oilers coach Craig MacTavish said leaving Modano alone on a late-game power play was a major tactical error.

``It was missed execution on a pretty elementary part of our penalty kill,'' MacTavish said. ``The game was there for us. It was ripe for opportunity. We squandered a pretty good second and third (periods) with boneheaded mistakes.''

Sean Avery gave Dallas - last in the Western Conference - a 3-2 lead with 5:09 remaining off a centering pass from rookie James Neal, but the Oilers tied it with 3:22 left on Kyle Brodziak's goal off a rebound, his second goal of the game.

Ales Hemsky also scored for Edmonton. The Oilers were 4-2 winners at St. Louis on Saturday night, but Edmonton is 2-5-1 in its last eight.

Ribeiro put the Stars in front at 7:20 of the first period. Modano's shot from the right point was stopped by Drouin-Deslauriers, but the puck popped into the air, rolled down the goalie's arm and into the crease, where Ribeiro nudged it over the goal line.

``It was a bad bounce,'' said Drouin-Deslauriers, who hadn't played since Nov. 13. ``I batted the puck in the air. I needed to back up in my net. It was bad bounce off my pads. When you're lucky, that hits the top of the net.''

Petersen's tip-in of Matt Niskanen's shot pushed Dallas' edge to 2-0 at 14:01 of the opening period. The goal was Petersen's first for the Stars and first in the NHL since March 27, 2007, while a member of the Oilers.

Hemsky's power-play goal from the left circle at 12:11 of the second cut it to 2-1, and Brodziak's rebound goal tied it at 2 at 4:21 of the third.

Losing two leads in the third period caused doubt to creep in for the stumbling Stars, 3-5-2 in their last 10 games.

``It's a pattern, but finally our power play was something to get excited about,'' Modano said. ``It finally won us a game. It's been a while. It's been a real struggle at times, but you've got to brush yourself off and come to work.''