Calgary Flames reveal new auto-tracking snack bar
Posted Sep 30, 2023 8:04 am.
Last Updated Sep 30, 2023 8:14 am.
The Calgary Flames are showcasing a brand new, high-tech drink stand and the idea is to scan your card, walk in, grab a drink, and walk out.
While the Scotiabank Saddledome sits as the oldest arena in Canada, the auto-tracking bar is the first of its kind in the country.
“Think about it as an online shopping experience, so when you scan your credit card, it creates you a shopping basket. So your credit card is associated with that basket and the cameras pick you up and associate you with that shopping basket,” said Ziad Mehio, the vice president of technology with the Calgary Sports and Entertainment.
The Amazon-powered snack and drink bar is designed to reduce wait times, creating more efficiency in the checkout process.
“You literally scan in, get what you want, walk out and the transaction is literally seconds versus maybe a couple of minutes in a traditional concession stand,” Mehio explained.
The stand will still utilize saddledome staff… serving as greeters who check I-ds and ensure fans are drinking responsibly. When it comes to the topic of potential thefts, Mehio isn’t showing concerns.
“It’s staffed. There’s 50 cameras, so anything you touch or see, there’s no angle that you can kind of sneak something away,” he said.
The Market 213 Tech Stand made its preseason debut on Sept. 29 when the Flames took on the Edmonton Oilers.
The Oilers rallied late to win 2-1 in overtime.
