Published on the 10/05/2016 | Written by Newsdesk
Spark Arena to be a showcase for new tech…
Spark has announced that from April 2017 the Vector Arena will be known as the Spark Arena when the telco company becomes the new naming rights, brand and technology partner.
It’s all part of Spark’s firm focus on the New Zealand market and on maximising growth opportunities with its existing customers, says Spark managing director, Simon Moutter – not to mention the side bonus of promoting the importance of connectivity to modern-day experiences.
As the country’s biggest multi-purpose entertainment venue, Vector Arena has played host to a wide array of top international acts over the years. Moutter says the partnership is an opportunity to “deliver some truly amazing and unforgettable experiences to New Zealanders using innovative technologies in new ways”.
When iStart asked what these technologies might be, however, Spark was reluctant to reveal any details. “We have only just signed the deal and we don’t want to overpromise,” said a spokesperson, adding that the company is in the process of looking at technology options for the venue.
The entertainment arena is not a new focus for the telco. Eden Park was a somewhat larger undertaking for Spark Digital, who under its former guise of Gen-i, implemented the systems infrastructure for the stadium rebuild prior to the World Cup. The lessons from that will no doubt come into play at Spark.
“We’re really excited at the prospect of using new technologies within the arena to allow New Zealanders to capture and share every experience they have at the venue and to make every visit seamless. It’s too early to say exactly what this will look like but we’ll have more information on this as we get closer to April 2017,” they said.
Operator of Vector Arena, Live Nation Australasia President & CEO, Michael Coppel, says, “We are pleased to partner with Spark from April 2017, who share our ambitions to always deliver the best possible guest experience in New Zealand and beyond. The possibilities to do so across digital platforms, through creative collaborations and new technology innovations is what makes this most exciting.”
For our part, iStart would love to see smart-ticketing and reservation options, an in-house app that makes ordering refreshments a cinch, superior free high speed wi-fi connectivity and augmented reality offerings that put you right next to your favourite star. Whatever the results, the arena will provide an excellent test bed for new technologies. Should be entertaining stuff.
