Venue Innovation Day 2008

Technology is now driving every aspect of today’s sports and entertainment business. From the web-based delivery of event tickets, through to interactive visitor services, venue operators are embracing technology as never before. A range of new technologies now exist that can improve customer service, increase the financial returns and also create a more compelling visitor experience.

We invite you to join us at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry – one of the UK’s most advanced sports and entertainment facilities – for a day of innovations that could change your business forever.

Why Ricoh Arena?

Ricoh Arena – the world-class multipurpose business sports and entertainment destination that is home to Coventry City FC and a host of international concert events each year – is the first cashless venue in the UK. Since the start of the 08/09 football season, visitors to Ricoh Arena have experienced the speed and convenience of cashless payment – and the venue’s management is recording reduced queue times, increased transaction levels and greater spend per head.

“When I arrived here, fans would be waiting over 25 minutes at half-time to get served and many simply didn’t bother. My personal Everest has been to enable fans to get served at half-time. I achieved this goal within just four matches of ‘going cashless’. But what has been more striking is the added benefit of significantly increased transaction volumes as a consequence of reduced queue times.”
Ricoh Arena's CEO, Daniel Gidney.