Amalie Arena has become the first arena in the world to partner with financial technology startup Fast in a continued push to make purchasing easier for fans.
The arena already has several technology partners, including mobile tech company Venuetize and cybersecurity company ReliaQuest. And Fast — which recently moved from Silicon Valley to Tampa — is hopeful to round out the offerings.
"For sports fans who are passionate supporters of a team, it's actually hard to support your team," Domm Holland, CEO of Fast, said in an exclusive interview with the Tampa Bay Business Journal. "It's hard to buy merch, hard to buy food and beverage, hard to buy tickets. The whole time fans want it to be easier, they want it to be faster, and there's not much faster than lightning fast."
Fast is a fintech firm backed by industry giant Stripe and nearing the coveted "unicorn" status, or a private company worth over $1 billion. In early August, Holland said the company had 11 local employees with plans to balloon to 200 in the coming years.
Holland said he is in talks with roughly 20 arenas and expects with the Amalie kickoff, he will soon have "dozens" of stadiums and arenas with Fast technology.
Holland and Jarrod Dillon, the Tampa Bay Lightning's chief revenue and marketing officer, joked their partnership would be for "at least" the next century. But Dillon more seriously spoke on the opportunities the partnership could bring beyond an easier way to buy a jersey.
"We have conversations with ticketing, there's an opportunity for the 50/50 raffle with our community foundation, there are opportunities for youth hockey," he said. "The ways to use this technology are countless. And this is not just a Lightning partnership — it's an Amalie Arena, year-round thing."
The duo has rolled out QR codes throughout the arena, mainly on cup holders for event attendees to scan and purchase merchandise. There are plans to eventually put the same treatment on Amalie's social media pages and videos.
"Think of how many millions-plus are engaging with us that aren't here — so how are we extending it?" Dillon said. "We're looking to engage with social media and broadcasting to reach them and get the same offers. I think you'll continue to see us lean in on our technology partners for fan engagement opportunities."
