Tortoise smart store will roam San Diego Convention Center, offering grab-and-go food and drink to enrich the fan experience

SAN DIEGO, Calif. (July 20, 2022) – Sodexo Live!, hospitality partner to the San Diego Convention Center, is teaming up with Tortoise to launch the first-ever mobile vending robot in a convention center. The custom-wrapped mobile smart store will be available to attendees during Comic-Con International: San Diego, taking place July 21-24 – the first in-person return of the celebrated event since 2019. As the world’s premier pop culture convention, past Comic-Con events have attracted more than 135,000 attendees. 

Entering into the convention center space is exciting, and we look forward to delighting attendees with our seamless new future-facing solution, said Dmitry Shevelenko, Co-Founder and President, Tortoise. With Sodexo Live!’s track record in providing hospitality for some of the best and biggest convention centers in the country, we knew we could form a strong relationship to ultimately provide a fun new experience for guests.

Tortoise’s forward-thinking technology paves a path for the future of live event and hospitality tech by allowing fans to instantly access food and beverage quickly and on-the-go, ensuring shorter lines and that fans don’t miss out on any of the action. Tortoise’s separate compartments will be stocked with California burritos (seasoned carne Asada, French fries, Pico de Gallo, sour cream and melted cheese in a flour tortilla) created by Sodexo Live! Executive Chef Sufi Karaien, as well as 20-ounce bottles of Gatorade. Additionally, Chef Sufi and the team at the San Diego Convention Center will aim to use locally sourced ingredients, often purchasing from area partners within a 150-mile radius of the convention center. The Tortoise robot boasts a vibrant design, making it eye-catching and easy for fans to spot in the crowd.  

We’re always looking to innovate the guest experience in a way that is both helpful and exciting, said Steve Pangburn, CEO, North America, Sodexo Live!. Tortoise gives us an opportunity to bring our fresh, chef-driven food directly to event goers in a way that is efficient and user-friendly. We know that fans are eager to attend this year’s in-person festivities, and we anticipate this innovative tech experience will be a big hit with those looking for high quality grab-and-go.

Convention guests can approach the roaming low-speed cart, tap to pay with a credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, take their item, and go. Transactions takes less than 15 seconds to complete. 

Sodexo Live!’s culinary team is also responsible for creating the popular limited-edition chocolate bars that are produced each year at Comic-Con. 1,000 of each of the four bars are sold per day, and this is the first time they will be back to purchase in-person since 2019.   

Media Contacts

Amy Procaccini, Strategic Brand Communications Manager, Sodexo Live!   

Dmitry Shevelenko, Co-Founder and President, Tortoise 

About the San Diego Convention Center

The San Diego Convention Center is the region’s premier gathering place, hosting conventions, trade shows, and community events that economically benefit the City of San Diego and advance the region's convention and tourism industry. The San Diego Convention Center Corporation is a public benefit corporation created by the City of San Diego to exclusively manage, market, and operate the 2.6 million sq. ft. waterfront facility. 

About Sodexo Live!

Sodexo Live! manages prestigious conference, cultural, and sporting venues and major events all over the world. With 40,000 employees and 500 sites, Sodexo Live! offers clients a range of bespoke catering, sales, and event management services, helping to transform the consumer experience into unforgettable memories. As strategic and responsible partners, Sodexo Live! commits to unlocking customers’ full potential while favoring local communities. Sodexo Live! contributes to the success of prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, the Tour de France, the Rugby World Cup and soon the Paris 2024 Games, and showcases exceptional venues such as the Eiffel Tower Restaurants, the Hard Rock Stadium, Bateaux Parisiens, Yachts de Paris, the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Prado museum in Madrid, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.

Back to the list