The Cavaliers hope to make Cleveland-based Tap.in2’s technology "available to each of the 20,562 seats" at Quicken Loans Arena, according to Kevin Kleps of CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS. During a 22-game trial run last season, the Cavaliers "became big believers" in the in-venue app platform. Rather than "roll out the Cavs Eats program to every seat at The Q, the team quietly tested the technology with a limited amount of season-ticket holders in the lower bowl and VIP sections last season." Tap.in2, which last month announced a partnership with the team, said that fans in the lower bowl "received their orders in an average of fewer than six minutes, and the technology was used by 25% of the 5,000 potential customers to whom the 'Cavs Eats' function was available." Customers "spent an average of $32 per game and placed 1½ orders per contest," 80% of which were for beverages. Cavaliers VP/Digital Mike Conley said that the team "will again make the mobile ordering system available to about 5,000 seats" to begin the '15-16 season. But the goal "is to broaden it to the entire arena later in the campaign." This year, fans "will also have the chance to order merchandise and bid on such experiences as participating in a high-five tunnel with the players or getting to watch a postgame news conference." Conley said that all money raised from the fan experiences "will go to the Cavaliers Youth Fund." He added that a $3.50 delivery fee for fans who order food, drinks and gear from their seats "goes to Tap.in2." The Cavaliers "also are exploring ways to get corporate partners involved, which could reduce or eliminate the delivery fee on certain occasions" (CRAIN'S CLEVELAND BUSINESS, 8/31 issue).
