STRATEGIC PARTNERS
February 25, 2002
PAOLI, Pa. -- ORGA Card Systems, the North American subsidiary of ORGA Kartensysteme GmbH Germany and a developer of microprocessor-based smart card technology since 1985, has been chosen by The Mark of the Quad Cities to implement a chip-based stored-value card for the 12,000-seat, all-purpose arena.
The six-year-old, $36 million facility serves the Quad Cities area, comprised of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa as well as Rock Island and Moline, Ill.
Using pre-loaded $20 disposable cards available in four designs, MARK customers will be able to make cashless purchases along the building's concessions concourse. The first series of new smart cards will be marketed to United Hockey League fans attending Quad City Mallard home games at the arena.
According to Andy Arriviello, Director of New Business Development for ORGA, entertainment arenas represent an excellent opportunity for smart card penetration and growth.
"One of the keys to The MARK's success is that we're not afraid to try new ideas here," said Steve Hyman, executive director of The MARK. The MARK has won Performance Magazine's "Arena of the Year" Award five straight years.
"Only a handful of other arenas throughout the country are testing the smart card loyalty concept. Our philosophy is that by staying on the leading edge of technology, we can deliver a better overall product to our customers," Hyman added.
