Elavon at the forefront of venue business

Article posted by Coliseum, September 13^th, 2023

Image: Elavon

The credit card service company Elavon (US) recently signed an exclusive deal with The Digital Line (TDL) to launch a new range of digital services in the hospitality industry.

A ‘LinkedIn Post by The Digital Line’ stated, “The solution – Audico -utilizes Amazon Alexa technology to deliver a variety of voice-driven services.”

Atlanta (US)-based Elavon Inc., formerly NOVA, is a processor of credit card transactions and a subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp. Elavon offers merchant processing in more than 30 countries and supports the payment needs of more than 1,000,000 merchant locations across the globe.

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Rohan Bloice, Head of Venue/Stadium, Elavon Payment Solutions, is a Member of Coliseum – Global Sports Venue Alliance.

Elavon Payment Solutions was also one of the sponsors of 2023 Coliseum Summit Europe.

Minneapolis (US)-based the U.S. Bancorp is an American bank holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and incorporated in Delaware. It is the parent company of the U.S. Bank National Association, and is the fifth largest banking institution in the United States.

London (UK)-based The Digital Line is a new online publication that seeks to bridge the ambiguity between the real world and the virtual one, communicating in a language that all of us can understand. They also offer a comprehensive consultancy service to help businesses deploy technology in a more cost-effective and innovative way.

The ‘LinkedIn Post by The Digital Line’ quoted George Vaughan, The Digital Line’s head honcho, as stating, “This partnership represents a unique opportunity for two recognized brands to collaborate on initiatives that revolutionize multiple business verticals, including hospitality, venues and healthcare, delivering a level of digital transformation not seen before.”

George Vaughan, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), The Digital Line, was a speaker at the Coliseum Online Week EUROPE Worldwide held in March 2021. He was then associated with the Ascot Racecourse, UK, as the Head of Technology.

Observed Hemlata Narasimhan, Elavon Merchant Services President in Europe, “Virtual assistant technology is the future of hospitality, and we’re thrilled to be powering the payments behind Audico.”

A ‘LinkedIn Post By George Vaughan’ stated, “Many thanks to the team at MONDO | STADIA (the international publication for technology and design in sporting venues) for allowing me to share my insights on the latest technologies in hospitality. This issue, I am focusing on voice, near-field communication (NFC) and the forthcoming, all-in-one point of sale (POS) system for corporate boxes and hotels, launching from Audico that includes full end-to-end, payment card industry (PCI)-compliant payments, powered by Elavon Europe.”

Smart Speaker Payments

‘Elavon’ stated that complete an order and pay with a few simple words to a smart speaker.

An ambitious concept that’s now a reality and will take one’s guest experience to the next level.

‘Elavon’ further stated that as well as being useful and increasingly intuitive to one’s customers, it makes things easier and more streamlined for one’s team.

Feel at Home – Anywhere

Elavon is the exclusive payments provider, globally, as the service expands into the hospitality sector.

Added Narasimhan, “This is all about improving the customer experience, and a large part of this is seamless payments.”

Audico is already being used at England’s world-famous Ascot Racecourse in United Kingdom to allow premium customers to call for betting services, order food and drinks and purchase merchandise from their private boxes – all through Alexa.

The 70,000-capacity Ascot Racecourse is a dual-purpose British racecourse located in Ascot, Berkshire, England (UK), which is used for thoroughbred horse racing. It hosts 13 of Britain’s 36 annual Flat Group 1 horse races and three Grade 1 Jumps races.

The audible command is relayed to staff as a Card Not Present transaction with payment made using a pre-determined account preference, such as a credit card.

The Audico is being explored to support room service in hotels and in premium hospitality areas at other venues and stadiums, as well as providing a potential landmark series of services in the healthcare industry and senior-living sector.

Cashless Experience

A ‘LinkedIn Post By Elavon Europe’ stated that Elavon Europe has entered into a partnership with Manchester’s newest – and the United Kingdom’s biggest and most sustainable arena – Co-op Live, ensuring an innovative, seamless #cashless experience for visitors when it opens next year.

The 23,500-capacity Co-op Live is an indoor arena currently under construction in Manchester, England (UK). Due to open in April 2024, it is planned to have the largest maximum capacity of any indoor arena in the United Kingdom, greater than the existing 21,000-capacity Manchester Arena, which is less than two miles away.

The Co-op Live is a joint venture between the City Football Group -the holding group which manages football clubs including Manchester City, under the majority ownership of Sheikh Mansour’s Abu Dhabi United Group – and the Oak View Group (OVG). Each party has 7,865 shares in Co-op Live’s holding company.

Sara Tomkins, Marketing & CSR Director, Co-op Live Arena, UK, is a Member of Coliseum – Global Sports Venue Alliance.

England (UK)-based the City Football Group Limited is a holding company that administers association football clubs. The group is owned by three organizations of which 81 percent is majority-owned by the Abu Dhabi United Group, 18 percent by the American firm Silver Lake and one percent by the Chinese firms China Media Capital and CITIC Capital.

The OVG Oak View Group, LLC is an American Global Advisory, Development and Investment Company for the Sports and Live Entertainment industries. Based in Los Angeles (US), it was formed on November 16^th, 2015 by Tim Leiweke and his business partner, Irving Azoff. Leiweke is the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Goodwood Festival of Speed (UK) hosted the Elavon Europe customers in 2023.

A ‘LinkedIn Post By Rohan Bloice’ stated, “Great first day at Goodwood Festival of Speed with the Bristol Street Motors Vertu Motors plc and Tonic Collective teams hosting Elavon Europe customers & partners. Thanks to Liz Cope (Vertu Motors) & Toni Sealey (Tonic Collective) for the collab and the EXCELR8 Motorsport (British racing team) champion drivers Tom Ingram, Tom Chilton & Ronan Pearson for hanging out with us.”

The 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed took place slightly later than its traditional June date, this year’s most famous hill climb was held from July 13^th-16^th.

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is an annual motorsports festival featuring modern and historic motor racing vehicles taking part in a hill climb and other events, held in Goodwood House, West Sussex, England (UK), in late June or early July.

The Bristol Street Motors was established from a single motor retail dealership in Bristol Street, Birmingham (UK). Now, Bristol Street Motors operate under the Vertu Motors Group (car dealership group established in 2006 in the United Kingdom) and has grown to become a national brand recognized for its honesty, integrity and quality customer service.

Portsmouth (UK)-based Tonic Collective is a refreshingly different marketing agency. With years of director level experience, it is a unique collective who know how to get results. They have worked with some of the world’s most recognized luxury and premium brands across automotive, lifestyle, travel, property, and venues.

Essex Rebels

The basketball club Essex Rebels entered into a partnership with Elavon.

‘Elavon’ stated that Elavon was the headline sponsor for Essex Rebels in 2021-2022.

The Essex Rebels are a basketball club from Colchester, Essex (UK). The Rebels’ women’s team compete in the Women’s British Basketball League (WBBL), the top-level women’s basketball league in Great Britain. After competing in the National Basketball League (NBL) as the Essex Blades, the Rebels moved into the professional ranks of the WBBL at the start of the 2018-2019 seasons. The 1,655-capacity Essex Sport Arena in Colchester, England (UK).

‘Elavon’ further quoted Dena Boyce, Senior New Business Manager, Education and Charity for Elavon Europe, as stating, “The Rebels are incredible role models, both on and off the basketball court. You just have to hear about the impact they’re making in the community to know they’re a truly special club, full of people who genuinely care. We couldn’t be any prouder to support the Essex Rebels in all the work they do.”

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