robin henson / experience
A ticket to a sporting event has existed for more than a century largely unchanged in its basic proposition of access to a venue. Now, thanks to companies like Experience, a ticket is a much more fluid concept that includes a variety of real-time seat and amenity upgrades and even access to multiple teams. Junior Gaspard, Experience’s president and CEO, has been a key figure in that historic transition.
One of the original employees for the Atlanta-based company, Gaspard played a key role in helping grow Experience from a mere startup just five years ago. Now an established force with more than 350 sports and entertainment partners, Experience and Gaspard have essentially invented the notion of mobile-based upgrades.
But for Gaspard, whose career background is in online marketing, it’s simply about removing barriers to live entertainment.
“I love early-stage companies and early-stage technology. I love live experiences. And I love sports,” Gaspard said. “Following my passions has always served me well, and what we’re doing here is really a confluence of all of them.”
Gaspard is continuing to follow that passion with the ongoing development of Inwego, a subscription-based product that pools together live events for multiple teams in a given market for a flat monthly rate. Inwego is currently in Atlanta and Phoenix, with a broader rollout being prepped.
“We’re in a very powerful position being able to help teams learn the evolution of the ticket to a more subscription-based model,” Gaspard said. “We think there is a way to sell tickets in a completely new and different way.”
— Eric Fisher
Age: 39
Where born: St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Education: Georgia State, B.B.A., marketing
Family: Wife, Shayna; children, Ava (6), Jenna (1.5)
What do you wish you could tell yourself 10 years ago? Be open to taking on new challenges that make you a little uncomfortable.
Something your friends would consider “so you”: Creating an elaborate Spotify playlist with a lot of reggae and soca music for any social function, including children’s birthday parties.
Cause supported: Shepherd Center, an Atlanta-based spinal cord and brain injury rehab center.
Person in the industry you’d most like to meet: Magic Johnson.
Ideal day off: Relaxing on Ha’penny Beach in St. Croix.
Forty Under 40 class members would be surprised to know that I … : Survived Hurricane Hugo.
