Red Sox Using Barcode Technology To Add Concessions To Tickets

A Red Sox "pilot program now underway uses barcode technology to add the cost of concessions to some tickets," according to Megan Woolhouse of the BOSTON GLOBE. Red Sox Senior VP/Ticketing Ron Bumgarner: "It's an easy and convenient way for fans not to have to carry cash or use a credit card. It's not so much a high-end premium type of corporate offering. This is more for fans." Woolhouse noted officials at Fenway Park are "experimenting with the program in two sections totaling about 500 seats -- the Budweiser Roof Deck and a reserved seating area of the Pavilion on the left field line." The program "requires people sitting on the Budweiser Roof Deck to pay $90 for seats and $25 for food, but those seats have always included the cost of a meal." The Red Sox have partnered with concessionaire Aramark to offer the program, which was "developed by Givex Corp., a technology company with offices in the United States, Hong Kong, and other locations." The Red Sox "will pay Givex an annual licensing fee of $50,000 for the next three seasons." Team officials next season "plan to allow anyone to add the cost of concessions to ticket barcodes, probably in $5 increments." But Bumgarner said that the club has "no immediate plans to make the add-ons mandatory" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/13).