By Stadium Business

The Sodexo Live! division of catering and facilities management provider Sodexo has signed a new agreement with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) to serve as the exclusive marketing partner for the hospitality programmes of the French Open and Paris Masters tournaments.

The multi-year agreement will begin in 2023, with Sodexo Live! working in association with existing FFT partners, French agencies Factory Sport & Entertainment and Quarterback, to deliver the contract.

Sodexo Live! said landing the contact is testament to its dedicated sports travel and hospitality

division, which has expertise in designing and marketing hospitality programs for leading sporting events such as the French Open’s fellow grand slam, the Australian Open, and the last five Rugby World Cups.

Through the new deal, the three parties will seek to enhance the international reputation, especially as it pertains to the live experience, of both Paris-based tournaments.

Tennis fans will have the option to extend their experience outside the Roland Garros grounds with easier access to venues like Le Jules Verne and Madame Brasserie at the Eiffel Tower as well as the Yachts de Paris and the Bateaux Parisiens on the Seine, all also served by Sodexo Live!

The FFT deal comes after Sodexo last year rebranded its Centerplate hospitality services unit as Sodexo Live! as part of a plan to accelerate growth in Spain and the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

Nathalie Bellon-Szabo, worldwide CEO of Sodexo Live!, said: “I would like to thank the FFT for its trust as it backs our strategy through which we serve our customers from the sports industry.

“Our ambition is to develop our ticketing and hospitality services and to attract new customers thanks to a full experience designed from end-to-end within sports venues around the world in addition to the services we already offer. This will enable them to offer their audiences a more immersive and memorable experience.”

Factory is co-owned by former French tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who retired from the professional game at this year’s French Open.

Tsonga, CEO of Factory, and Bruno Balaire, CEO of Quarterback, said in a joint statement: “Factory and Quarterback are honored to have been the historical hospitality partners of the French Tennis Federation for over 25 years.

“Aware of the commitment and confidence shown once again by all the FFT teams and its president Gilles Moretton, we are very pleased to be able to offer French and international company’s exceptional moments of emotion and to contribute to the success and influence of the French Open and the Rolex Paris Masters.”

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).