Hospitality Doctor
Max Hitchins
Football Finals Fever: Score Big in September
where patrons can take photos and share them on social media. Every shared photo becomes free advertising for your venue. Use AI to Help Artificial Intelligence is becoming a valuable marketing assistant. Ask ChatGPT to create:
Every September, Australia comes alive with football finals. Whether it’s the NRL or AFL, millions of passionate fans gather to cheer on their teams. For hospitality businesses, the finals series isn’t just about sport – it’s one of the year’s biggest opportunities to attract new customers, increase revenue and create memorable experiences. Here are some practical ideas to help your venue make the most of football finals season. Turn Every Match into an Event Rather than simply showing the game on television, create an occasion. Decorate your venue with team colours, encourage patrons to wear jerseys and build excitement from the moment they walk through the door. A lively atmosphere is something streaming at home can never replicate. Offer Finals Food and Drink Specials Create themed food platters, “try scorer” burgers, half-time snack packs or signature cocktails named after famous players or clubs. Limited-time menu items create urgency and give customers another reason to visit.
Daily social media posts. • Match previews
• Funny football memes • Customer email campaigns. • Trivia questions • Promotional posters
AI can produce quality content in minutes, allowing busy venue managers to spend more time with customers. Celebrate Both Codes If your local area supports both AFL and NRL, embrace them equally. Promote whichever matches are being played that weekend. Every supporter represents a potential customer. Create Family-Friendly Events Not everyone watching football wants to sit at the bar. Consider family meal packages, children’s colouring competitions or junior footy tipping contests. Parents appreciate venues that cater for the whole family. Plan for Grand Final Day Early Grand Final day is often booked weeks in advance. Promote your venue now through social media, newsletters, posters and your website. Offer reserved seating packages where appropriate. Keep the Momentum Going The football season may end, but the customers don’t have to disappear. Collect email addresses (with permission), promote upcoming events and invite finals visitors back for other sporting occasions such as the Spring Racing Carnival, cricket, rugby internationals or the Melbourne Cup.
Run Competitions People love free competitions. Consider: • Predict the first try scorer • Guess the winning margin • Pick the player of the match • Half-time lucky seat draws • Grand Final tipping competitions
The prizes don’t need to be expensive. Gift vouchers, meal packages or merchandise often generate terrific participation. Start Earlier Encourage customers to arrive well before kick-off by offering happy hour specials, live music or sports trivia before the game. An extra hour of patronage can make a significant difference to takings. Think Beyond the Television Set up a “selfie wall” featuring football memorabilia
E: max@hitchins.com.au
61 Tasmanian Hospitality Review August/September Edition
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