NSF Recap: Best Practices for The Ultimate Sports and Entertainment Experiences

Thanks to all who joined us at the Innovations Showcase at the National Sports Forum (NSF) Summit 2021. We enjoyed sharing key findings and learnings about the use of peer-to-peer text and video messaging. As discussed, in the wake of COVID-19, the current landscape for sports fans and customer experiences is continually shifting. The effect on event production, fan outreach, seasonal employees, and ultimately the communication tools used to facilitate the engagement magic has been challenging. Enter conversational peer-to-peer text and video messaging. In case you missed our session discussion led by Hustle Account Executives Ajia Maximillian Minnis, Eric Clark, and Erica Halvorson you can watch here.

Although the sports customer experience anchored this conference, we believe many of the core takeaways from the conference panels are applicable to other industries. Whether you were able to attend the event or not, we want to share with you a summary of the main takeaways from this year’s NSF. Enjoy the “snack-sized” conference breakdown below:

What is NSF?

NSF is one of the largest seasonal gatherings for business professionals in or related to the sports industry. Coming together from organizations like the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, and many more, they discuss new ideas, strategies, and tools for unlocking the ultimate fan and entertainment experiences.

NSF Key Takeaways

• Future Tech: Technology is evolving, and consumers are changing rapidly. Panel leaders suggest implementing more virtual spaces to connect with customers, including apps or less complicated channels like peer-to-peer text. This can help with: troubleshooting, sponsor offerings, facility updates, food and beverage, merchandise announcements, and more. Peer-to-peer text and video help future-proof organizations when it comes to leveraging tech to drive one-to-one connection, engagement, and action at scale.
• Continuous Communication: Fan and follower engagement have no days off. Community development hinges on an organization’s ability (and in some cases willingness) to communicate about facility or safety updates, new programs or partnerships, social impact initiatives and what this means for fans. Members, supporters, or ticket holders alike appreciate more information to make well-informed decisions for themselves, family, and friends. Communication through the right channel for your target audience is key to building trust and ultimately growing fanships.
• Representation Matters: The world’s only getting more diverse. Organizations need to make decisions around how to attract, cultivate and encourage conversations with diverse groups. Representation matters, in converting your mission in addition to who’s the face of your organization. It’s important that people see themselves in your organization. It matters in your community-social responsible aspects like advocating the needs of people from underserved communities or creating more educational opportunities within your brand’s ecosystem.

Achieve The Ultimate Fan and Entertainment Experience with Hustle

In conclusion, sports and entertainment organizations of all sizes must accept two truths. The first is nothing replaces a live experience — sports, shopping, dining, traveling, you name it. The second is COVID-19 is not dropping off society’s radar anytime soon. Combined, these truths have shifted what a fan experience is to some degree. Technology for personalized, continuous communication is a necessity for trailblazing communication strategies. Authentic conversations lead to authentic experiences, and those experiences are what keep fans and customers coming back for more.

If you have any questions regarding our Innovation Showcase or Hustle for peer-to-peer text and video messaging, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

Until next time, NSF!