By Amy Procaccini

Sodexo Live!, hospitality partner to the San Diego Convention Center, teamed up with Tortoise to launch the first-ever mobile vending robot in a convention center. The custom-wrapped mobile smart store was available to an estimated crowd of 135,000 attendees during Comic-Con International held July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center and marking the first in-person return of the celebrated event since 2019. As the world’s premier pop culture convention, past Comic-Con events have attracted more than 135,000 attendees.

“Entering into the convention center space is exciting, and we look forward to delighting attendees with our seamless new future-facing solution,” said Dmitry Shevelenko, Co-Founder and President, Tortoise, in advance of Comic-Con. “With Sodexo Live!’s track record in providing hospitality for some of the best and biggest convention centers in the country, we knew we could form a strong relationship to ultimately provide a fun new experience for guests.”

Tortoise’s forward-thinking technology paves a path for the future of live event and hospitality tech by allowing fans to instantly access food and beverage quickly and on-the-go, ensuring shorter lines and that fans don’t miss out on any of the action. Tortoise’s separate compartments will be stocked with California burritos (seasoned carne Asada, French fries, Pico de Gallo, sour cream and melted cheese in a flour tortilla) created by Sodexo Live! Executive Chef Sufi Karaien, as well as 20-ounce bottles of Gatorade. Additionally, Chef Sufi and the team at the San Diego Convention Center will aim to use locally sourced ingredients, often purchasing from area partners within a 150-mile radius of the convention center. The Tortoise robot boasts a vibrant design, making it eye-catching and easy for fans to spot in the crowd.

“We’re always looking to innovate the guest experience in a way that is both helpful and exciting,” said Steve Pangburn, CEO, North America, Sodexo Live!. “Tortoise gives us an opportunity to bring our fresh, chef-driven food directly to event goers in a way that is efficient and user-friendly. We know that fans are eager to attend this year’s in-person festivities, and we anticipate this innovative tech experience will be a big hit with those looking for high quality grab-and-go.”

Convention guests were able to approach the roaming low-speed cart, tap to pay with a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, take their item, and go. Transactions takes less than 15 seconds to complete.

Sodexo Live!’s culinary team is also responsible for creating the popular limited-edition chocolate bars that are produced each year at Comic-Con. 1,000 of each of the four bars are sold per day, and this is the first time they will be back to purchase in-person since 2019.

Amy Procaccini is Strategic Brand Communications Manager, Sodexo Live!

By si.com

Kimberly Rometo has been hired as senior vice-president and chief innovation and technology officer for the Atlanta Hawks NBA team and its State Farm Arena home.

Rometo will oversee the technology department of the Hawks and State Farm Arena with a focus on its staff, technology infrastructure, and information systems. She will also focus on helping the organization identify and execute impactful technology category partnerships and will report to executive vice-president and chief financial officer Joel Browning.

Rometo joins the Hawks after three seasons with the NFL’s Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, where she served as senior vice-president and chief information officer. She led the technology efforts for the inaugural staging of Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium earlier this year.

“Returning to Atlanta to work for the Hawks and State Farm Arena is an incredible opportunity,” said Rometo. “I am thrilled to lead this team who prioritizes its southern hospitality, inclusivity and customer centricity to help us deliver a world-class experience for our fans and our partners.”

Prior to the Miami Dolphins, Rometo was with AmericasMart Atlanta for 14 years holding various technology positions during her tenure. She was responsible for developing and activating tools that enabled AmericasMart’s digital transformation. For this work, she was recognized as a 2018 Women in Technology (WIT) Women of the Year Awards Honoree. Rometo started her career with AT&T in the reputable management training solution sales program.

“We are excited to welcome Kim Rometo to our organization,” said Joel Browning, EVP and CFO for the Hawks and State Farm Arena. “We believe that Kim will strengthen the organization’s technology strategy to ensure that we continue to deliver industry-leading experience for our fans both locally and around the globe.”

In Oct. 2021, Rometo was a founding member of Chief in Miami, a private network built to drive more women into positions of power and keep them there. Chief is the only organization specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries and effect change from the top down.

Rometo earned her master’s degree in information and telecommunication systems at Ohio University and Bachelor of Science in Communication. She serves on the Ohio University J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies Advisory Board.

By R.V. Baugus

Last year Venue Professional magazine included a feature article on Capital One Arena becoming the first U.S. public assembly venue to offer sports betting. Since then, others have joined the game.

Now, Caesars Entertainment has announced plans to expand its sportsbook at Capital One Arena, home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals and the NBA’s Washington Wizards.

The William Hill sportsbook opened in May last year, becoming the first sports betting venue to open within a US professional sports facility. William Hill is part of Caesars Entertainment and holds a partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which owns the arena.

The 18,000-square-foot retail sportsbook features 17 betting windows and 12 self-service betting kiosks. Following the expansion, it will feature an additional 700 square feet of betting space and 13 additional self-service sports betting kiosks, as well as a brand-new entrance leading directly to the concourse of the arena and a new culinary offering.

The sportsbook will also introduce celebrity chef Guy Fieri’s first full-service restaurant to Washington DC. The kitchen and bar space will feature scratch-made food, signature and classic drinks, and a large selection of beer and wine.

The two-story sportsbook facility features Verizon 5G Wi-Fi capability to allow fans to place bets on mobile devices.

The sportsbook also features more than 100 television screens, including four positioned on all sides of a jumbotron that hangs from the ceiling in the center of the venue that is a replica of the one inside the arena itself. A custom, 1,500-square-foot LED screen wraps the entire facility and shows multiple games across various sports simultaneously.

Additionally, the sportsbook features a broadcast studio that is used to host live television and radio shows, as well as two VIP areas and a private dining and entertainment space. The design of the space pays homage to the history of sports and local teams.

Last month, Caesars Entertainment officially opened its new sportsbook facility at Chase Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks.

According to Caesars, the 22,300-square-foot entertainment destination is the largest freestanding sportsbook in Arizona and the largest retail sportsbook to open in partnership with a major sports stadium nationwide. The space also includes a kitchen and bar space from Fieri.

Caesars has partnerships with the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB, as well as several individual teams.

By Ed Sanderson and Gail Sawyer

ASM Global has partnered with the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports via Perbadanan Stadium Malaysia (PSM) to enhance existing operations and event activity at the Kuala Lumpur Sports City precinct, the largest sports complex in the country.

The announcement is a further step forward in the Malaysian Government’s ambition to see the National Sports Precinct at Bukit Jalil develop a world-class reputation as the host of leading sports, entertainment, and community events.

The move further expands ASM Global’s footprint in Asia with the addition of an iconic sports and events precinct, including the 87,400 Malaysia National Stadium.

ASM Global brings its vast industry knowledge redefining the guest experience, implementing the latest technology, elevating food and beverage offerings, the advantage of a regionally based team, together with its commercial venue know-how, wide ranging event network and technical capabilities. Of significant benefit to the local Malaysian industry will be the knowledge sharing, staff development, and training opportunities ASM Global will provide to the staff and industry with connections to the Kuala Lumpur Sports City precinct.

Chairman and Chief Executive of ASM Global Asia Pacific and Gulf Region, Harvey Lister AM, said the group was delighted to be partnering with the management team at the iconic Kuala Lumpur Sports City in a joint endeavor to further establish the precinct as a vibrant community and event hub for the people of Malaysia.

“This is further indication of the robust growth of the region and endorsement of the expansion of our regional business activities following the establishment of locally based headquarters.

“We firmly believe the Malaysia National Stadium and the Axiata Arena have the potential expressed by the Malaysia Sports Ministry and we are proud to welcome the local teams and venues into our ASM Global family and support the precinct in helping deliver more events for the people of Malaysia and the region.”

ASM Global will partner with local Malaysian company Sportswork Sdn Bhd in delivering services for Kuala Lumpur Sports City.

Malaysia Sports Minister, Y.B. Dato’ Seri Ahmad Faizal bin Dato’ Azumu, said, “We see this MOU as a great opportunity for PSM and ASM Global to enhance Kuala Lumpur Sports City to a premier destination in the global sports and event industry. Both National Stadium Bukit Jalil and Axiata Arena are iconic properties owned by the Malaysian people, and we owe them a responsibility to ensure these venues make us proud.”

Ed Sanderson is Executive Vice President, Venue Development – Asia, ASM Global (APAC). Gail Sawyer is Group Communications Manager – ASM Global (APAC).

AEG Global Partnerships announced the promotion of longtime AEG team member Kate Sheets to the newly created post of Senior Vice President, Strategy and Business Affairs.

In her new role at AGP, Sheets will identify and maintain relationships with key partners and will provide input on strategy for the branding and sponsorship division. She will also help AGP’s partners develop strategies for campaigns and content, the company said.

“Kate has been an invaluable asset to our company having provided strategic insight and legal counsel across virtually every facet of AEG’s global business, including having led legal negotiations on behalf of our Global Partnerships division for some of the largest revenue-generating assets within our company’s portfolio,” said Nick Baker, Chief Operating Officer of AEG Global Partnerships. “A gifted dealmaker and business strategist, she has been instrumental in helping us bring our strategic vision for key partnerships to life and we know that her leadership, integrity, and work ethic combined with her ability to successfully navigate our multi-faceted global business landscape will make her a priceless addition to our Global Partnerships team.”

“AEG Global Partnerships has continually proven itself as an industry leader. I look forward to working with the rest of our team to drive growth through innovative and purposeful partnerships that both deliver value to our clients and meet their strategic goals,” added Sheets.

Sheets joined AEG in 2016 as a member of the company’s Legal Department, starting as Legal Counsel and later moving up to the position of Vice President, Legal Counsel.

During her tenure at AEG, she was responsible for advising management on business and legal affairs and played a key role in securing deals for AEG owned franchises (Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Galaxy), events (Nike 3on3 Basketball Tournament, All-Star Chef Classic) and arenas (Crypto.com Arena, L.A. LIVE, Dignity Health Sports Park), including multi-million-dollar founding partnerships and naming rights arrangements with major brands.

Those deals included the record-breaking $700 million 20-year naming rights deal that saw Staples Center renamed as Crypto.com Arena, which AEG Global Partnerships brokered on behalf of AEG, the largest such deal in the history of the sports industry.

Before she joined AEG, Sheets worked for three years as an associate at Proskauer Rose LLP in Los Angeles, where she focused on M&A and other securities matters for the corporate world. She began her career at Foley & Lardner LLP in Los Angeles.

“Kate has demonstrated excellence and leadership in every project and initiative she’s overseen since joining AEG six years ago,” said Russell Silvers, Chief Operating Officer, AEG Global Partnerships. “She has consistently applied her legal expertise and strategic insight to drive innovation as well as new business opportunities for the company and we are thrilled to have her expand both her role and impact on Global Partnerships with this new position.”