Chalk Talk Episode #14: This is What It Really Takes to Ensure You Have the Ultimate Fan Experience

From concerts to chili cook-offs, Super Bowls to youth sports tournaments, monster truck shows to motorsport races, there’s a lot that must happen to ensure everything goes off without a hitch. Here’s how Zebra tech helps.

A New York Islanders hockey team fan makes a purchase at the team`s retail store in the arena
by Adam Petrus
August 08, 2023

Whether your favorite thing to do is going to the movies, concerts, festivals, or sporting events, I bet your least favorite thing is waiting in line…to park, get in the door, order food, grab a drink, buy some souvenirs, etc. Me too. That’s why I loved it when our local movie theater started offering “order ahead” for popcorn and delivering to our seats upon arrival. It’s also why I love my job at Zebra. 

I get to work with the people who run sports and entertainment venues around the world to help eliminate  wait times using technology that can essentially “fast pass” everything – from parking to ticket validation to food service and shopping, even sports betting and security responses. 

And, in the latest Chalk Talk episode, I got to talk a little (okay a lot) about what exactly I’m working on with these sports and entertainment clubs and venue managers to make sure you have the ultimate fan experience every time.

That’s right…Hale turned the tables a little bit and made me the “guest” for a day. So, tune in now to hear about how the magic happens at sporting events, concerts, festivals and the like – what it takes to ensure you have the best experience possible as an attendee, from the moment you arrive at the venue to the moment you pull away, and even after (if you’re a memorabilia collector). 

I also reveal:

  • How security teams know who to let into venues and who to turn away.

  • Why you won’t ever have to print a paper ticket or carry a loyalty card again as long as the venue staff are using Zebra devices. (Hint: It has something to do with Apple VAS and Google SmartTap.) 

  • How professional sports teams like the New York Islanders (hockey) are using technology to improve the fan experience, like making it possible for you to pay for all your fan gear/souvenirs in less than 30 seconds in their arena’s retail stores! 

  • What you should expect the next time you go to an event, whether big or small. (And why you should let someone, especially a Zebra, know if the experience didn’t live up to your expectations.)

LISTEN NOW

Chalk Talk with Zebra`s Adam Petrus and Hale Hentges

Missed Past Episodes? Catch Up Now:

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Adam Petrus
Adam Petrus is currently the Client Services Project Manager within Zebra Sports at Zebra Technologies where he is responsible for co-managing the game day operation of the NFL’s Next Gen Stats program. Adam has more than 10 years of experience within the sports and technology industry and has been working with Next Gen Stats since 2015. Previously, he worked in the front office of an NFL Football Club and then the United States Intelligence Community supporting business operations.
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