MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND
DIRIYAH ARENA
GEORGE VAUGHAN
VIDEO FOCUS
A complete audio revamp at MCG, with Auditoria and Rutledge AV providing a d&b audiotechnik system.
A groundbreaking temporary 15,000seat stadium delivered by Arena Group for the Clash on the Dunes.
Ascot Racecourse’s Head of Technology discusses the Smart City project at the historic venue.
We take a closer look at the impressive products and eye-catching projects from the world of video.
ISSUE 10 - FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020
THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTING VENUES
ISSUE 10 - FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020 WWW.MONDOSTADIA.COM
Enterprise Center – St. Louis, MO, USA
RAPID ROI
SOUND SOLUTION FOR SPORTS VENUES
L-Acoustics systems are renowned for their uniform, full-range, natural sound. Our flexible, lightweight systems project crystal clear sound onto your audience. From top to bottom, your fans will hear great sound that puts them into the heart of your sports action. Their flexibility allows your venue to alternate seating configurations and event types and still achieve flawless sound. Let our systems help you achieve maximum ROI for your sports venue. l-acoustics.com
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10 WELCOME
t’s been over 10 years since the AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, first opened its doors - and it has certainly proved to be one of the most impressive venues in the NFL over the past decade. However, that hasn’t stopped the team from continually looking to improve, with Electro-Voice and ChyronHego providing new, state-of-the-art audiovisual technology to keep the Arlington-based stadium ahead of the curve. We’ve also focussed on the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), which has undergone a complete audio transformation, with a new d&b audiotechnik system now in place, courtesy of Auditoria and Rutledge AV. After the much-anticipated rematch between Anthony Joshua and Andy Ruiz Jr., we’ve also taken a closer look at the groundbreaking Diriyah Arena - the temporary venue that hosted the event in Saudi Arabia. Issue 10’s main interview is with George Vaughan, Head of Technology at Ascot Racecourse, who gave us a fascinating insight into the venuewide project that will see Ascot develop its Smart City aspirations with the introduction of some key, high-end technology. George will be presenting the Ascot Racecourse project at our AGORA conference in Amsterdam on 13 February at ISE, with a Q&A panel session following the talk, too, featuring representatives from Bose Professional, UtterBerry, Kappture and Looking Glass. The AGORA programme also includes speakers from FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, Wolverhampton Wanderers, KSS Architects, Johan Cruijff ArenA, Norway Football Federation and many more. See you there!
I
Sam Hughes Editor
CONFERENCE: JUNE 13-19 EXHIBITS: JUNE 17-19 LAS VEGAS CONVENTION CENTER LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
“The long flight from Europe is well worth it. InfoComm has a different atmosphere to ISE and the education programme is outstanding.” Kevin McLoughlin AV Manager 1 Wimpole Street
Register for InfoComm 2020 today at infocommshow.org.
MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND
DIRIYAH ARENA
GEORGE VAUGHAN
VIDEO FOCUS
A complete audio revamp at MCG, with Auditoria and Rutledge AV providing a d&b audiotechnik system.
A groundbreaking temporary 15,000seat stadium delivered by Arena Group for the Clash on the Dunes.
Ascot Racecourse’s Head of Technology discusses the Smart City project at the historic venue.
We take a closer look at the impressive products and eye-catching projects from the world of video.
ISSUE 10 - FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020
THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTING VENUES
ISSUE 10 - FEBRUARY | MARCH 2020 WWW.MONDOSTADIA.COM
Cover image courtesy of Electro-Voice Editor Sam Hughes s.hughes@mondiale.co.uk
Deputy Editor Emma Bilardi e.bilardi@mondiale.co.uk
Editorial Assistant Emma Davidson e.davidson@mondiale.co.uk
Digital Editorial Assistant James Robertson j.robertson@mondiale.co.uk
Senior Account Manager Jamie Dixon j.dixon@mondiale.co.uk
Account Manager Laura Iles l.iles@mondiale.co.uk
TEAM TALK
006 Rafael Pérez-Esparza, Daplast
Design & Production Zoe Willcox z.willcox@mondiale.co.uk
10 INSIDE…
VENUE FOCUS
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
070 Diriyah Arena | Diriyah, Saudi Arabia LIGHTING
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076 Signal Iduna Park | Dortmund, Germany
Mel Capper
010 Forest Green Rovers Stadium | Gloucestershire,
AUDIO
m.capper@mondiale.co.uk
England
080 FirstEnergy Stadium | Ohio, USA
012 Everton Stadium | Liverpool, England
BROADCAST
014 Emirates Old Trafford | Manchester, England
082 FINA Aquatics Championships | Gwangju, South
Managing Editor Rachael Rogerson-Thorley r.rogerson-thorley@mondiale.co.uk
Korea SECURITY
CEO Justin Gawne
KICK OFF
086 3D Simulation for Stadium Security | Dallmeier
j.gawne@mondiale.co.uk
016 Video
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
Finance Director Amanda Giles a.giles@mondiale.co.uk
Credit Control ar@mondiale.co.uk
Group Chairman Damian Walsh MONDO | STADIA is published by Mondiale Media Limited, Strawberry Studios, Watson Square, Stockport, SK1 3AZ, UK Tel: +44 161 476 8340
092 Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center | Detroit, USA
INTERVIEW
COMMUNICATIONS
032 George Vaughan | Ascot Racecourse
098 German Racing | Riedel
042 Jonas Djian, Marios Christodoulou | STSI
EXTRA TIME 102 GL events
THE FULL PITCH
104 Pliant Technologies
048 Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne, Australia
106 NEXO
060 AT&T Stadium | Texas, USA
108 disguise 110 WFS Africa 112 Event Diary 114 Full Time
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RAFAEL PÉREZ-ESPARZA, DAPLAST Innovative seating solutions in sport stadia.
Images: Daplast aplast is one of the most
wide-range of seating solutions available.
line, in order to harmoniously combine
established companies in the sector
Nowadays, seats are far more important than
different areas in the same venue.
of seating for sports and leisure
furniture providing comfort to spectators, or
Our R&D department is constantly working
facilities. Through its dedicated
security elements that define and organise
on new product development, including new
brand, Insitual, the Spanish manufacturer
a venue capacity. They differentiate areas,
production techniques and materials, to
proposes a wide range of backless and
spread messages and communicate the club’s
cover all the market trends we identify. Our
backrest shell seats, tip-up seats, VIP seats
identity.
last launched model, ‘Sitwood’, made with
and bleachers suitable for all its customers’
Besides the distribution of coloured seats
the ultimate noble material, was specifically
needs and projects. After more than 40 years
creating spectacular visuals, our customers
developed for the Narbonne Arena, France,
supplying and installing stadium seats across
are looking for a complete line of dimensions,
that opened last December. It has already been
the five continents, the company is still
finishes and accessories. For example, our
requested for other European projects, and the
committed to innovation. MONDO | STADIA
Avatar Seat Family proposes four tip-up
trend is likely to become stronger.
spoke to its General Manager, Rafael Pérez-
models. Firstly, basic seating for main areas,
Esparza, about the impact of good stadium
compact seating for narrow bleachers, and
Flexible seating solutions for the challenging
seating.
then the upholstered premium and suite
world of sport
versions for preferenced areas. Numbering,
In 30 years, Daplast has installed more than
Creating an identity through personalised
armrests, logo and coasters are also available
three million seats worldwide, in 2,000 unique
stadia seating
to improve the fan experience. The Avatar
venues across the world. We have learned
The seating in sport stadia has become
is true to our seats’ general characteristics
that for big projects, we need to go beyond
increasingly demanding in design and
(security, ergonomic and quality requirements)
the seat production itself, and I believe that
functionalities, and we are now seeing a
and all the versions follow the same design
the business decisions we have made in the
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TEAM TALK
007
TEAM TALK
last decade took us there. Today we integrate
spectator vision, to working in different
worldwide. Our brand, Insitual, is ready to
and develop every phase of each seating
phases in a two-year project, to hand in hand
continue wining international projects, and
project with our own resources; design and
progression with construction. We also spent
we are currently working on several venues
development, engineering, plastic and metal
a lot of time reconfiguring areas during the
including the Fez Stadium in Morocco, Saint
manufacturing, logistics and installation. That
project, covering areas like the capacity of
Michel Ice Arena in Canada, Sadar Stadium in
specialisation allows us to meet and resolve
VIP sections and modifying grandstands’
Pamplona, Spain, and the National Stadium
the specific needs of a project.
sectors. Developing ourselves across all areas
of Luxembourg. We have always worked while
Last September we finished the installation
of our seating solution has definitely been
looking forward, committed to innovation, and
of 40,000 Avatar seats in the Anoeta Stadium,
key in providing satisfactory solutions. We
2020 won’t be any different, with the expected
recently named Reale Arena, Spain. This is
have constantly adjusted our production and
release of interesting new seating solutions.
the perfect example of the flexibility our
installation planning in order to meet the
company can display - obviously in products
deadlines.
as the Avatar family speaks for itself, but
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also in processes and human resources. We
The future of Daplast and enhanced seating
had to overcome different challenges: from
solutions
the adaptation and creation of seat supports,
After some difficult years for the sector,
to the existing bleachers to allow optimum
fortunately, many projects are underway
WWW.MONDOSTADIA.COM
www.insitual.com
Recording Formats See recording formats, resolution and frame rate.
Mounting Points Standard ¼ inch mount points on top and bottom.
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The 12G-SDI and HDMI connections are multi-rate which means they automatically switch speeds, making them compatible with all SD, HD, Ultra HD, 2K and 4K DCI equipment and formats. Formats such as 720p, 1080i, 1080p and Ultra HD are all supported at up to 60 frames per second. You can even record 2K and 4K DCI formats at up to 25 frames per second for digital film work!
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If your camera records compressed H.264 or uses expensive, proprietary media, then adding a Video Assist will let you record better looking images! You get industry standard ProRes and DNx recording, along with Blackmagic RAW for select cameras. Plus, the larger display and focus assist tools make it easier to frame and focus shots. Images are recorded onto inexpensive SD cards or you can even record to external USB-C disks.
Built In Scopes Ensure Compliance to Standards Blackmagic Video Assist 12G HDR features professional SDR and HDR scopes for technical monitoring so you can ensure compliance to broadcast standards. You get a traditional waveform monitor, vectorscope, RGB parade and histogram for checking levels and clipping. The scopes can be overlaid on live video or the picture can be viewed in a small window at the top right of the scope!
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FOREST GREEN ROVERS STADIUM Gloucestershire, England Renderings: Zaha Hadid Architects orest Green Rovers FC has been given planning consent for an all new wooden stadium. Set to be the ‘greenest football stadium in the world’, the new 5,000-seater, fully timber residence will house a landscaped car park with 1,700 spaces, two grass training pitches, and, of course, Forest Green Rovers, who became the world’s first fully vegan football team back in 2017. Focussing predominantly on sustainability and the impact of a stadium’s carbon footprint, it is planned that the new space will see 500 new trees planted, as well as 1,500km of hedge put in around the grounds. Following on from the team’s introduction of bamboo shin pads and ‘eco-kits’, the build aims to be as low carbon and low impact as possible. A number of measures have been introduced to minimise energy use, water use, waste and pollution, including the recycling of rainwater and the serving of vegan food to players, staff and fans. The stadium’s roof is covered with a transparent membrane, which contributes to turf growth, minimises stark shadows for players and fans, and reduces the volumetric impact of the stadium from distant views in the surrounding landscape. Fans will be as close as five-metres from the pitch and the position of every seat has been calculated to provide excellent, unrestricted views of the entire field of play. The stadium’s continuous spectator bowl surrounding the pitch will maximise matchday atmosphere. The new ‘Eco Park’ stadium will be situated eight miles away from the current build at New Lawn Ground, Nailsworth, England. There are also plans to create affordable, green housing in place of the demolished old stadium, this will consist of around 80 zero-carbon homes. Despite initial fears that the stadium could be detrimental to the local area, the granting of planning permission has confirmed a new era for Forest Green Rovers and the architectural developments of sporting stadia in the future.
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EVERTON STADIUM Liverpool, England Renderings: Meis Architects he final designs for Everton Football Club’s new stadium have recently been submitted. The 52,000-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, Liverpool, England, is set to have a transformational impact on North Liverpool. At the heart of the proposal is a stunning brick, steel and glass façade, which takes inspiration from the historic maritime and industrial buildings nearby. Following feedback from the club’s public consultation, the design has evolved to include a standalone multi-storey car park, while additional environmental measures, including wind baffles, have been incorporated in the final proposals. The plans also include an extensive public space, featuring a fan plaza east of the stadium, that can be used on both matchdays and non-matchdays for pre and post-match entertainment. The design of both the North and South stand’s lower tiers will make it easier to adopt rail seating and, depending on future legislation, could also be converted into areas for safe standing. Fans will also be seated as close to the action as possible, with all stands offering unobstructed sightlines. A water channel is also set to be maintained to the west of the stadium to ensure the visual continuity of the dock system – a key feature of the outstanding universal value of the World Heritage site – with the historic dock wall on the western side of the channel exposed. The site’s grade II Listed hydraulic tower will also be restored to create a unique visitor attraction, attracting tourists on non-matchdays, and a range of Bramley-Moore Dock’s historic features, including capstones, mooring posts and old railway tracks, will be restored. The overall design of the stadium will also help amplify the noise within the walls to capture the intensity and intimacy of a football match, while also limiting the amount of noise pollution in the surrounding area. Working closely with Liverpool City Council and heritage bodies throughout the entire design process, the stadium will respect and preserve the rich heritage of the area, while also bringing a derelict dockland back to life.
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EMIRATES OLD TRAFFORD Manchester, England Renderings: BDP Architects lans for a new cricket stadium at Emirates Old Trafford have been granted approval, seeing a 4,850-seat extension to the current venue in Manchester, England, making it the largest ground outside of London, with a 26,700 capacity. The plans include the construction of a new stand that will replace the original ‘Red Rose’ suite, containing members’ facilities, a new museum, a ticket office and a shop. The redevelopment coincides with the transformation of the suburb, including the town hall and surrounding areas, in a new ‘Civic Quarter’, which will cover 120-acres. The proposals also include a new leisure centre, new homes and offices, and
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improved pedestrian and cycle routes. With the extension of a nearby Hilton hotel proposed too, which will see a sixstorey block built on the eastern side of Brian Statham Way and a glazed link pedestrian bridge that will connect with the existing hotel, Emirates Old Trafford is looking to become an unrivalled venue for business, sport and leisure. The new stadium has been designed by BDP architects, which previously designed the grounds popular ‘The Point’ events venue, which opened in 2010. Costing £60m, the redevelopment is welcomed by the club and fans as it looks to continue a future hosting major competitions and matches.
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KICK OFF | VIDEO A closer look at products and projects from the world of video.
ALLIANZ ARENA LEDCON Allianz Arena, home to FC Bayern Munich, is widely known for its unique exterior of inflated ETFE plastic panels. The first stadium in the world with a full colour-changing exterior, Allianz Arena can now add the largest stadium displays in Europe to its extensive resume. The biggest project for LEDCON Systems GmbH to date, the video wall was commissioned during the arena’s 2017 refurbishment and completed, at the end of February the same year. 016
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In 2019, the arena added a 200-metre sq LEDCON UPix6 LED, 4K video wall to both curves in the arena. The rear sides of the displays were additionally equipped with a 40-metre sq video wall so that the fans standing behind the displays don’t miss anything. The new displays double the video area compared to the previous installation. www.ledcon.de
KICK OFF
SATELLITE MODULAR LASER SYSTEM DIGITAL PROJECTION The projector head is fundamentally compact, quiet, lightweight and consumes very little power. This simplifies and improves every stage of a system design, from transportation and installation to serviceability and lifespan. By separating the projection head from the light source and linking the two by robust and flexible fibre-optic cables up to 100m long, Digital Projection offers the installer true flexibility, particularly where space and access are restricted. Compare the installation and rigging of heads weighing in at between 10kg and 35kg, with that of more traditional integrated projectors, which can weigh as much as 150kg and the difference is clear. The projector market is now widely converted to solid-state illumination, most projectors are now ‘lasers’, but in the majority of cases this means that blue lasers are used to stimulate phosphor, which in turn emits broadspectrum light. This has great benefits over traditional lamps in terms of life, stability and reliability, and some amazing Laser Phosphor projectors are now available, however, this technology is becoming mature and has certain practical limitations. In a large venue space, as laser phosphor projectors get brighter, they are inevitably becoming larger, heavier, and more power-hungry; factors which together can create challenges for many installations and applications. Laser phosphor technology has transformed the projector market and will continue
to be a cost-effective solution for many applications; however, we should consider what other approaches can complement and perhaps in the longer term, replace it. In parallel with further improving its laser phosphor illumination, Digital Projection has been exploring direct RGB Laser Illumination, which offers the same benefits as Laser Phosphor in terms of life and stability but adds truly amazing colour and contrast. In addition to the on-screen benefits that RGB laser illumination offers, the nature of the emitted light from these direct lasers facilitates its efficient coupling into fibre optic cables. This fundamental characteristic of direct RGB lasers is the basis of Digital Projections new approach: separating the light source, with its associated power and thermal management, to a remote location, thus enabling a small, compact projection head that only contains the minimal optical and video processing. The company’s new approach is called Satellite MLS. Satellite MLS offers a small number of simple building blocks that allow users to address a wide range of applications, from single projector installs to complex, multi-channel domes, caves and simulators. www.digitalprojection.com 017
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EIDSIVA ARENA INFILED Eidsiva Arena is the home venue for the Lillehammer Ice Hockey Club, one of the top clubs in the major league in Norway. Installers, Bright Norway, chose a media cube from Infiled with a pixel pitch of 3.9mm and custom curved corners. With a high-resolution screen and curved corners, it constitutes a flexible screen, where graphics can be seamless and a great viewing experience is achieved from all angles. Besides serving the needs of the ice hockey club, the attending spectators and sponsors, it can be used for concerts and live events in the venue. The corners are made up of standard curved modules to get the correct radius and are made from the same production series as the other modules. This is to ensure the uniform colours of the whole screen. The screen has a specific gravity of 2,990kg. In addition, comes the weight of the suspension structure as well as cabling, etc. This is estimated at 200-250kg. The total weight of the cube is 3,250kg. Primary support was provided with truss between four glulam arches by Bright. Two chain hoists were mounted in each of these trusses. “The new media cube will give the club an opportunity to attract more sponsors and advertisers and thereby create more revenue through promotional sales, as well as providing a better experience during the matches,” said Alexander Stalsberg, Media Producer for Eidsiva Arena. “We want to run interviews, live streams and we will be able to have graphic animations and run interactive competitions. The hall will also be used for concerts and other large events, again to create revenue for the club. The possibilities seem endless. www.infiled.com
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T: + 44 (0)20 7608 7900 info@wilkinsoneyre.com www.wilkinsoneyre.com
Architecture by
@wilkinsoneyre wilkinsoneyre wilkinsoneyre
Lord’s Cricket Ground The new Compton and Edrich Stands, designed by WilkinsonEyre, will be ready for use in the 2020 season
INTERACTIVE OVERLAY PLATFORM PROMETHEAN As sports media broadcast and consumption transforms from linear to digital, fan expectations are changing too - empowered to choose and with plenty of options, they are demanding more and more from the matches they watch. Sports fans are no longer bound by broadcast tradition or glued to the gogglebox in the corner of the room, they are informed by technology, following personally curated tastes and trends. To date, this has been largely achieved through second screen applications, but those can be distracting - or downright disruptive to the main event. Learning from the esports space, the Promethean team determined that the ultimate offering needed to be on one screen, a consistent and immersive experience that keeps the fans focused on the action - and allows sports operators and brands to reach their audience when they are most engaged. Promethean offers an online solution for dynamically programming interactive video overlays across live and video content on the web, mobile and OTT platforms. The tool allows sports broadcasters to place contextual and relevant overlays in real-time, delivering engaging customer interactions and driving measurable ROI. Broadcasters can also create and manage overlays remotely, with scheduled activation programming for VOD and real-time publishing for live streams. Promethean’s overlay platform includes four key elements. The first is the Promethean Broadcast Centre online suite, which allows easy and real-time operation of interactive overlays for live and VOD, on desktop, mobile and Smart TV devices. Sports broadcasters can also use Promethean Insights to access a 360° overview of their overlay campaigns performance, with analytics reporting down to individual overlays and activation data. Thirdly, Promethean AI Autodrive automates overlay operations for live and VOD. Broadcasters 020
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can define criteria for the automation engine, schedule overlay activations in advance or set event-based trigger conditions. Finally, Promethean TurnKey Solutions provide tailored creative and consulting assistance for specific overlay campaigns and business objectives. Sports broadcasters can pick their video topic and get started with full overlay templates and preset schedules serving their exact needs. These templates can be used in multiple layers depending on the broadcasters value proposition. Some of the key pillars include contextual and tailored e-commerce experiences that maximise revenue returns from shoppable moments throughout the sports video streams, branded overlay experiences within sponsorship campaigns to maximise ROI and up-selling related broadcast services such as SVOD subscriptions or loyalty programs. This even works in-stadium, allowing venues to manage concession queues with timely discounts or drive merchandise sales for the MVP. With Promethean overlays, sports broadcasters can add a layer of interactivity to their live and on-demand videos that will enhance and contextually augment content. This will offer true differentiation for their audience with an entirely new interactive viewing experience. These overlays also represent effective opportunities to increase ROI on video content costs. Broadcasters can support on-stream transactions with HTML iFrame web overlays, deploy email or phone number subscription campaigns, incentivise mobile app downloads, sell clickable advertising or sponsorship placements. By matching video content with contextual overlays, sports viewers are met with offers at just the right moment, driving unprecedented conversion rates. www.promethean.tv
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TWICKENHAM STOOP STADIUM CONCEPT GROUP Premiership Rugby club Harlequins has partnered with Concept Group for the design and installation of four new LED displays. The new screens come as part of the clubs’ move to increase fan engagement and modernise their current technology. The specified Daktronics LED display technology is renowned for unmatched colour contrast, technical reliability and excellent viewing angles. The two smaller horizontal stand displays mounted above the East and West stands measure one-metre by 5.5-metres and are designed for displaying match scores and club branding. The larger displays measure four-metres by seven-metres and are located at Northwestern and Southeastern corners of the pitch. These full-motion video displays will be used for sponsor advertising and club updates as well as engaging the audience with player profiles and match announcements. Concept has also provided the club with the powerful Show Control platform
from Daktronics, allowing for dynamic control of display content. Feedback from the club has been positive as Head of Operations, Jen Motet, stated: “We have been considering upgrading our scoreboards and installing permanent big screens for some time, and we decided to move forward having had detailed discussions with Daktronics. Concept Group were the systems integrator, and from the start, we were impressed with how they took on the project and drove it forward – especially given an in-season install which presented timeline challenges. “The team were adaptable throughout the process and worked with us to ensure minimal impact in a live stadium environment. The screens themselves have had nothing but positive feedback – they are bigger, more impactful and help drive our aspirations on providing an improved experience for our match day and non-match day customers.” www.conceptsigns.co.uk 021
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LAMBEAU FIELD STADIUM DAKTRONICS While fans are already enjoying live events as they see their favourite teams compete right before their eyes, stadiums and arena’s are looking to add to the experience in a positive way. Installing LED video displays in gathering areas allows for fans to come together to enjoy an atmosphere they can’t get at home. And this experience is constantly evolving and improving. In today’s live event environment, fans are showing up earlier than ever before, even hours before the event begins to soak in a larger experience. They’re grabbing food and drinks near the stadium and gathering with other fans prior to the doors opening. Their enthusiasm and anticipation for the upcoming event grows as more people start showing up. After the event, fans are staying longer. They don’t want that adrenaline rush of their team’s hard-fought battle to end. They celebrate the victory with other fans and linger near the stadium to extend the overall experience. The areas in which fans gather in around the stadium are called entertainment districts, and venues are capitalising on these areas by providing fans with more to do before and after events. Constructing these adjacent and sometimes attached entertainment locations creates a complete entertainment destination which encourages fans to extend their experience while also providing a means for additional revenue generation. A fixture of entertainment districts includes LED video technology. Displays in these areas draw fans in, capture their attention and show them the content they want to see. Before games, they can air pre-game shows or rival games currently taking place. They can build excitement for the upcoming game by 022
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showing historical and highlight footage of the home team’s past successes. The Green Bay Packers recently added Daktronics LED displays to their stadium, Lambeau Field, and their entertainment district, Titletown. Six video walls measuring 7ft high by 12ft wide feature 1.9mm line spacing inside the stadium and three video walls measuring 4.5ft high by 8ft wide feature 1.5mm line spacing inside Titletown. These displays bring a focal point and additional energy to the space as fans come together to enjoy the live event. They share live feeds of the game as well as additional revenue-generating advertising for the captive audience in the venue. As this entertainment district trend grows, more teams and venues are capitalising on the opportunity to create a greater experience for their fans, while increasing their revenue at the same time. They are creating shared experiences that fans crave and encouraging them to come to their venue to re-experience those emotions again and again. Every moment of an event - before, during and after - creates the full experience for the fans, and LED displays in entertainment districts are there to provide that experience for every event. www.daktronics.com
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CV380-CS Experience Performance, Portability, And Versatility Packed Into A Remarkably Small And Lightweight Frame. The New Marshall CV380’s 8.5 Megapixel sensor captures stunning progressive or interlaced video up to 4K, with professional adjustment settings made locally or from the convenience of the truck. Full-Sized 6G-SDI and HDMI Outputs 8.5 Megapixel (1/2.5”) Sensor (4:2:2) Up to True 4K or UHD 4096x2160 at 30fps
All Full-HD (Progressive or Interlaced) Formats Up to 60fps Remote Adjust and Match White Balance, Pedestal, Gain, and More (RS-485 or OSD Joystick) and Interchangeable Lens Options Lightweight and Durable build with Convenient 1/4-20” Mounts For more information, visit www.marshall-usa.com
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Dispersion characteristics can be changed in seconds through the addition of optional magnetic flanges (P12) or horns (P8/P10) to optimise cabinets for a wide range of fixed installations and touring applications, including wedge monitor.
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Thinking. Inside the box. 13/01/2020 09:16
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IPTV AND DIGITAL SIGNAGE SOLUTION FOR SPORTS VENUES VITEC
VITEC’s IPTV and Digital Signage Solution for Sports Venues combines broadcast-quality IPTV distribution with powerful digital signage, video wall, and menu board capabilities into an all-in-one integrated solution. The platform is the ideal solution for sports stadiums and arenas - of any size - that need a secure, scalable, cost-effective way to distribute video, display dynamic signs, drive video walls, and manage menu boards using their existing IP network, including LAN, WAN and wireless. It offers the most advanced IPTV experience with live streaming, on-demand video, digital recording, mosaic player, time-shifted TV, and a customisable look-and-feel designed to raise the bar on video engagement for fans and management staff alike. The system’s content security and user-access controls are certified by military users and broadcasters for local and multi-site applications. The digital signage module uses hardware-based powerful endpoints to deliver eye-catching digital content with dynamic data and full HD IPTV content - all managed from a centralised server. The Platform was engineered to affordably extend the game action onto concourses and all guest areas to keep fans immersed in the live experience. It can also drive multiple video walls, digital signage, and menu boards with rich tools and capabilities that simplify the deployment, management, content creation, and integration of these systems. VITEC’s IPTV and Digital Signage Solution for Sports Venues is recognised as a leading solution for streaming video and signage with the latest compression standard HEVC (H.265) up to 4K, in addition to HD and SD live, and on-demand streams in MPEG-1/2/4 and H.264 formats. The solution also drives video wall content down to the individual screen level and can intelligently manage menu boards. The dynamic video wall capabilities differ from other video wall solutions available on the market. Rather than stretch a single image across multiple screens, the platform offers the flexibility to scale the image to the precise format and size needed for each screen. Users can also manipulate image objects around the video wall canvas. The result is a polished, professional-looking video wall attraction, free of artifacts and distortions. For menu boards, the system offers dynamic control of content. Prices can be updated in real-time, even during events, allowing venues to optimise prices based on food inventory throughout the game. This on-demand capability gives organisations the advantage of driving sales and maximising revenue opportunities. To further food sales and customer satisfaction, the solution also integrates with concession cashier and ordering systems. Using a tablet
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to enter the customer’s name, the platform will display the name and the estimated time of completion for the order on the screens in the concession area. This workflow is automated, requiring no input or monitoring from busy concession staff. Because this functionality is integrated into the digital signage capabilities, it’s simple and straightforward to manage and operate. VITEC’s platform was engineered with scalability and customisation in mind. Not only is it ideal for the most state-of-the art professional sports facilities in the world, but it’s perfectly suited for small-scale professional and collegiate deployments that have a smaller inventory of screens that still require a live, high-quality feed of the game. Organisations can add more displays into the display network by leveraging the powerful scalability of the platform. In addition, when new facilities are built, such as an athletic centre or practice facility, organisations can further expand the display network to those buildings. VITEC continues to rapidly advance the platform by adding innovative functionalities that allow customers to continually enhance the video experience provided to their users. This gives organisations a platform that’s just as ready for today’s technology requirements as it is tomorrow’s evolution. VITEC’s IPTV and Digital Signage Solution for Sports Venues has been deployed in a multitude of professional and collegiate sports complexes, including Sacramento Kings’ Golden 1 Arena, the Minnesota United FC soccer stadium, Notre Dame, and others. Inside the arenas and stadiums, fans are treated to an eye-catching visual experience in- and-out of their seats, allowing them to watch the game no matter where they are in the facility. In Golden 1, for example, guests won’t go more than six-metres without looking at a monitor, whether on the concourse or at the concession stand. The organisation was able to leverage the unique and powerful streaming and digital signage capabilities across more than 700 screens within the facility. This comprehensive and dynamic offering has allowed Golden 1 to improve the visibility and effectiveness of its sponsorship campaigns beyond static signage. VITEC backs the completely customisable solution with unprecedented support, which includes sending technical staff onsite throughout each phase of the installation. Once finalised, VITEC sits in on sporting events to ensure reliability. In addition to a hands-on sales and support team that ensure successful deployment and operation after installation, VITEC continues to expand the feature set of the system. Paired with lifetime support, this future-proof system reimagines the fan and facility management experience. www.vitec.com
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www. das audi o. com
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REESE STADIUM NEVCO Yale University in New Haven, CT collaborated with Nevco to bring a brand new video display, scoring and audio solution to Reese Stadium, which houses four of the Bulldog’s teams including the 2018 NCAA DI Men’s Lacrosse National Champions. Reese Stadium is one of the finest multi-purpose athletic venues in collegiate athletics, and has been further enhanced by a new Nevco full colour, 10mm LED Video Display and Stadium Pro 1000 Sound System. The video display stretches over 44-inches wide and stands more than 19-inches high, offering over 774,000 vibrant pixels to grab the attention of fans and get them on their feet. At the top of the structure, covertly hidden behind a mesh sound scrim prominently displaying REESE STADIUM sits the Stadium Pro 1000 Sound System. The sound system brings the noise, delivering fans a concert-like audio experience audible from every seat in the stadium. From pre-game music, player introductions, and complementary HYPE graphics to support the announcer’s commentary, the new video display, scoring and audio solution will provide an experience not soon to be forgotten by fans. “We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with Yale to provide such an exceptional upgrade to Reese Stadium,” said Eric Light, Nevco Vice President of Sports Video. “The new video display, Stadium Pro Sound System, and scoring upgrades will completely revamp the stadium, bringing a renewed energy to fans attending Bulldogs games.” Yale University worked with Nevco’s HYPE Creative Services to develop and create numerous custom branded graphics and fan prompts to showcase on 026
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the new video display, including logo animations, fan prompts, and more. The Bulldogs will control their video display with the MotionRocket Sports Video Control System Software, allowing for any combination of thrilling live in-game action, instant replays, fan prompts, sponsorship messages, and animated graphics to engage fans and enhance the game-day atmosphere at Reese Stadium. Rounding out the Bulldogs’ upgrades are a Model 3680 scoreboard featuring Intelligent Captions, which automatically changes sports between lacrosse, soccer, football, baseball, or softball, a Model 5633 with additional penalty timers, and LED Shot Clocks with 24-inch Digits and 14-inch Game Timers. Reese Stadium’s new additions all call for attention with Nevco’s new translucent white digits. “Coming off of the 2018 Men’s Lacrosse National Championship, we wanted to make enhancements to the stadium that match the quality of play from our four varsity teams who compete there.” said Kevin Discepolo, Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities, Operations, and Events at Yale University. “Nevco has been a great partner in bringing that vision to a reality. With the lacrosse seasons starting, we’re excited to see the new dynamic that the new Nevco video board and sound system will bring to our fans and players at Reese Stadium.” The project was completed in anticipation of the men’s and women’s lacrosse seasons, debuting on February 16 in a men’s lacrosse match up against Villanova. www.nevco.com
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ENHANCING FAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH VIDEO EXTERITY Stadiums and venues around the world recognise that success hinges on more than just what happens on the pitch. More than ever, fan engagement within each facility is a critical part of the overall experience as well as return on investment – and video is playing an increasingly vital role. Audiovisual is a crucial element that can span every facet of the fan experience. Starting from the venue entrance, IP video-driven screens are used to reinforce branding, engage with arriving supporters and create a buzz. In central areas, displays provide visitors with information about seating, other facilities, services and amenities. These signs are often dynamically managed to cater for unique events or special offers, as well as for contingencies such as seating section or exit changes. In bars and restaurants, digital signage screens help to entice spending – alongside live video that ensures fans don’t miss a second of the action. Stadium networks are increasingly merging with broadcast TV elements. One notable example is The Open, Britain’s major annual golf tournament where, in venues like St Andrews, the existing fibre-based network runs in parallel with IP video solutions – enabling fans to watch crisp, high-quality video in real time from any location around the hospitality village. This set-up also ensures lossless streaming from AV encoders straight to a 36m LED video wall situated in the media centre, which delivers live feeds to on-site broadcasters. Leveraging over 600 Exterity media players, HD-SDI and HDMI encoders and satellite and Freeview TV gateways at The Open as backup, the distribution of content from capture to delivery to every screen is controlled centrally 028
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from the single AV management system. Broadcast coverage includes feeds from the main broadcasters, which are encoded and distributed through the IP video system. This enables fans to watch golf news and live commentary during the quieter periods, adding value to the overall experience. For venues aiming to deliver the highest levels of video fidelity along with extremely low latency, Exterity’s AvediaStream Transcoders, 4K Encoders and ArtioPortal Desktop all support NDI, NewTek’s AVoIP standard. In a typical scenario, cameras positioned around a stadium capture the live action. An NDI Tricaster Studio on premise enables production of these live feeds. An Exterity Transcoder then transcodes the AVoIP feeds into IPTV feeds, so they can be shared and viewed across the entire concourse as part of digital signage, ensuring that fans feel immersed in the action wherever they are within the stadium. Video distribution within stadiums is relatively mature and the biggest driver is the shift towards an all IP infrastructure, with the challenge of a more broadly connected ‘campus’ that might comprise a stadium, conference facilities, press room, on-site restaurants and a hotel. For older venues, this can mean installation of new structured cabling and switching to accommodate IP networks. However, once this initial retrofit is complete, AV options increase in flexibility and provide potential for new and innovative deployments. www.exterity.com
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SIXWAYS STADIUM ADI Worcester Warriors wanted to transform the appearance of their Sixways Stadium in order to improve the fan experience and attract new commercial partners. They had an existing LED screen which was failing and not suited to delivering the club’s vision. Warriors approached ADI to present some new concepts for how they could transform their stadium using display technology and understand how best to commercialise the new platform. ADI helped Worcester Warriors, transform their matchday experience by installing new digital display technology at the Sixways Stadium. The entire length of the South Stand was given a digital makeover thanks to the installation of 260sq.m of integrated LED display technology. The new display provides a high impact platform through which to engage fans and create value for sponsors. ADI installed three new giant LED screens and digital ribbon, which are controlled by a content management system which gives the club the flexibility to deliver separate content across each display, or synchronise the output in order for a brand or message to take over the entire platform. As well as designing and manufacturing the new displays, ADI assumed the role of Principle Contractor, managing the installation of the new infrastructure over a two week period. As well as installing the new display technology, ADI connected the stadium to its remote production facility in Preston where a team of producers, editors and graphics operators create and manage the live matchday content delivered into the stadium. The digital infrastructure was designed to offer new opportunities for Warriors’ commercial partners, who are able to interact with fans in a far more creative and dynamic way. Warriors launched a range of new commercial opportunities to help regional and national partners utilise the new digital infrastructure, and worked with
ADI to develop a new Business Club scheme which offers opportunities for businesses large and small. ADI’s team of engineers installed the new digital display platform in time for the start of the 2019/20 Guinness Premiership season. The resulting installation provides Worcester Warriors with a new high impact digital platform that has offers much greater flexibility than a traditional LED screen. The scale and layout of the digital platform offers the ability to engage and inform fans by displaying match data, scores and statistics, alongside interactive social media content, whilst simultaneously delivering the live match feed, highlights or refereeing decisions. Another key benefit of the new platform is its ability to synchronise content across every display – delivering powerful fan rousing content, or sponsor messaging which takes over the entire South Stand. “The new display infrastructure doesn’t just transform the appearance of the stadium, it revolutionises the way fans experience the game,” said Worcester Warriors’ Operations Director, Peter Kelly. “We want to create one of the best experiences in live sport - not just in rugby. So it’s important to us that the new displays are used to create a highly interactive experience for fans. That means bringing together the best of social media, match stats, and creative video content to create a meaningful experience that feels new and exciting every week. “The team at ADI have helped us at every stage of the process – they’ve provided the answers to every technical, commercial and content question we’ve had to define a really strong solution. The end result won’t just look incredible but, thanks to ADI’s guidance, we’re confident it will deliver on key fan engagement and commercial goals.” www.adi.tv
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10 INTERVIEW
“I think it’s really important to not just deliver technology, but deliver technology that is going to be useful for the business and consumer – and it has to be technology that they understand.”
“It’s such a dynamic, exciting industry to be involved in and I want STSI to be a vehicle that encourages others to enter the industry and gain the knowledge to have a real impact.”
George Vaughan Head of Technology Ascot Racecourse
Jonas Djian Founder STSI
GEORGE VAUGHAN Head of Technology, Ascot Racecourse
How has it gone at Ascot Racecourse so far?
“This is a very prestigious venue with a lot of history, hosting one of the world’s biggest events in Royal Ascot every year, so it demands global attention. But I thought there was an opportunity to enhance that experience with technology.”
So, in my first few months at Ascot, I took a great deal of time to assess the environment, but, since the Autumn of 2018, we’ve done quite a lot of work here. I think it’s important not to deliver technology for the sake of it but deliver technology that is going to be useful to the business and the customer. That has been a key driver in all the upgrades we’re doing at Ascot, as it was for those I did at Twickenham. I never went to visit too many other stadiums – I wasn’t particularly interested in what other venues were doing. I’ve always been more interested in what the people who inhabit these spaces are doing in other areas when they’re not with us. Unless you work in a stadium, you probably spend relatively little time there so understanding how your customer engages with technology in areas they visit more frequently - airports, supermarkets, restaurants or gyms – can help to deliver initiatives that people are already familiar with. Were you brought on board at Ascot Racecourse with this technology upgrade in mind? Not completely. When I was brought in, I obviously had a vision of what I thought could be done and it was aligned with where the business wanted to go, but I needed to assess the venue first. I did come on
First of all, can you give us some background to your career?
board with the idea of identifying these opportunities. This is a very
I’ve been involved in technology and sport for over 20 years. I spent a
prestigious venue with a lot of history, hosting one of the world’s
lot of time working at Twickenham Stadium, where I was responsible
biggest events in Royal Ascot every year, so it demands global attention.
for initiating high-profile projects there, including making the venue
But I thought there was an opportunity to enhance that experience with
fully contactless ahead of the Rugby World Cup. There were several
technology. Obviously, there is 300 years of tradition behind Ascot – and
other revenue savings initiatives implemented, too, which delivered
this needs to be protected – but we also need to recognise as a business
operational improvements and together with my team, helped the venue
that in this modern age, tradition doesn’t necessarily provide safe refuge
win seven major industry awards between 2015 and 2018.
any longer. Everything is changing so quickly; you need to constantly
I’ve also been called upon to provide advice for other supporting
keep an eye on that evolving horizon. Fortunately, I have a very engaged
organisations including football, the Olympic committee and the Rugby
and forward thinking board of directors who understand the needs of the
World Cup as well venues in the UK and around the world. I have a
modern consumer.
broad range of experience, so outside of sport, I have been involved in key international projects around health, education, travel and
When was the last time there was an upgrade at Ascot Racecourse prior
entertainment – and I see this as crucial to understanding the true
to the recent project?
nature of the customer.
Ascot had a big overhaul back in 2006 as part of the stand rebuild, so
In early 2018, I joined Ascot to take up the exciting new challenge as
about 12 years before my arrival. Going into this project, I was conscious
Head of Technology for the racecourse.
that when one considers the pace of change the next 12 years was likely
INTERVIEW
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to be three. The business was very open to the vision of looking at Ascot
who attend than other sports such as football, rugby or cricket. These
not just as a venue, but also as a Smart City.
companies see something in our venue that they don’t necessarily see in many stadiums. In a stadium, you enter – often at the last minute
Tell us more about the Smart City idea…
– take your seat and, outside of half time, that is where you’ll be
We have a really interesting template for a Smart City. A lot of other
positioned for the duration of your stay. Our customers are more likely
stadiums and venues will promote that message, but I think we can
to move around and explore the racecourse.
justify it better than most. If you think about a race day at Royal Ascot, you could have up to 75,000 people here, spending seven hours as our
It’s quite interesting that such a historic venue like Ascot Racecourse
guests – sometimes longer – but they only get to see around 24 minutes
has a lot in common with the US sporting venues and what they do
of sport. So, for the rest of the time, what are they doing?
outside of the sport itself…
Customers may not watch any two races from the same location, they
Yes, there are definitely similarities. Another comparison would be
visit different places around the venue to eat, drink and bet throughout
a theme park – we share a lot of common ground. If you look at
the day. Plus, a lot of people might not come here just for the racing –
something like Disney World, you’re unlikely to go every week, you’re
it’s quite a big fashion event as well. There’s a lot of picture taking and
unlikely to go every year and, when you’re there, you spend a lot of
selfies!
time just negotiating the environment. Your key moments – the rides –
We have a unique gender split, which makes it quite attractive when
require you to queue up, you’ll have the two or three minute explosion
engaging with technology companies. We have a lot more women
of excitement until the next one. And that is similar to the number
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INTERVIEW
of races that we have here, so, for us, there is a lot that we can learn
brands of audio anywhere in the world. So, for us, I think there was a
sharing comparable experiences.
good synergy and we see this as the first step in a growing relationship between two like-minded brands seeking to build on the opportunities
Moving onto the project at Ascot Racecourse, can we discuss the new
both have to offer.
audio setup? Why did you choose Bose?
I was actually at the ISE (Integrated Systems Europe) tradeshow last year
Audio is extremely important to us throughout the duration of an event.
when Bose launched their ArenaMatch system. I heard them in action
A football stadium, for example, may use it to play some music or make
and I was really impressed – and I have to say, since the project began
an announcement, but, generally, during the 90 minutes of the game,
– and it’s due to finish at the end of March – we’ve been delighted with
they won’t be using that system outside of announcing the goalscorer or
the way it’s been delivered. It’s not just Bose, of course, we have SSE,
an emergency request. But, for us, the racing commentary is all played
who are implementing the system. The two companies work brilliantly
through the audio system. We also have music and sing-a-long sessions
together. We’re talking almost 1200 loudspeakers for the venue overall
that take place at the end of each day at Ascot Royal; we’ll get up to
that are being put in, so it’s a big deployment.
25,000 people congregating around the bandstand for a sing-a-long.
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When it came to looking for partners, we had to make sure we chose one
So, are they doing the wider audio system for commentary, as well as
that could really deliver on the audio enhancement. We came down to
other areas, such as the corporate boxes, for example?
two in the end, but when you look at us as a brand and you look at Bose,
Yes, everything. So, for those corporate boxes, we’re looking to bring
we both inhabit that sweet spot in the lifestyle space. I think Bose were
in individual loudspeakers that will run PA/VA, as well as allowing
immediately drawn to that and they could see their potential customer
customers to be able to connect to those speakers with their own
base here at Ascot. They are arguably one of the most recognisable
devices. It’s completely changed what we’re listening to now and the
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INTERVIEW
way we are listening to it, as we’ve already got a large proportion of the
Kappture are a supplier I was already familiar with from my time at
loudspeakers in place.
Twickenham. They are a versatile business – they offer traditional POS, but they also deliver that on tablets and mobile devices. What has been
Moving onto the visual element, is it Samsung that have provided the
very exciting is seeing that deployment here at Ascot; we have close to
technology there?
400 POS units and around 50 tablets across the business.
We worked with Samsung on the 4K television upgrade – and that’s
We also launched mobile payments across retail with Kappture and
still ongoing. We have around 800 television but this number increases
Ingenico, utilising the PAX mobile, handheld device and turning it into a
to over 1300 screens for Royal Ascot. We made a decision to utilise the
fully functioning POS. We ran that last year and it proved successful, so
“on-chip” technology in the new panels which meant we were able to
we have plans to expand on that for 2020.
dispense with the amino boxes for the distribution of the signal. That’s
I have good relationships with WorldPay, MasterCard and Visa, so we’re
worked really well – we ran it live for the first time across all boxes
working with those payment partners to deliver new initiatives. One
and open areas of the venue for Royal Ascot last year and are currently
specific application we are very excited about is MasterCard’s Pay by
continuing that upgrade.
Bank solution, which goes live here at the racecourse later this month;
When the stand was rebuilt, a deal at the time was done with Sony.
we’ve done the first ever deployment of Pay by Bank from a tablet and a
Believe it or not, those televisions had been in place since 2006 or 2007
till. It’s been integrated with Kappture, so that we can roll it out across
– and they were still going in 2018! It’s not just been a surface chance,
the entire estate and that’s never been done anywhere else before.
it’s a full upgrade of all of those screens to allow us the future capability to deliver 4K content via technologies such as Sky’s Brightbox system.
Has that had a big impact in terms of fan experience? What we’re trying to do is drive more people to pay by card as you then
You’ve also gone with Kappture for the POS system, too?
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whereas a contactless transaction can take five or six seconds. So, thinking about the turnover of customers, moving them over from cash to card has given us some real improvements. Operationally, we’re now looking at the development of a new system for the boxes, which will allow us to deliver a solution for our corporate customers, once again based around the Kappture architecture. Have you introduced NFC ticketing also? Yes, that’s been a really exciting programme of work. I’d worked with Apple first at Twickenham, but we never realised digital ticketing at the time as Samsung were a sponsor and they weren’t comfortable with us pushing Apple tickets. But we’ve been on it here with my team for the last year and it’s now available to customers if they wish to purchase a digital ticket. They can now scan in via their phone or Apple watch. Also,
“We have a really interesting template for a Smart City. A lot of other stadiums and venues will promote that message, but I think we can justify it better than most.”
as we accept Apple Pay everywhere across the venue, that is another bonus as it means we can deliver a pretty seamless experience via mobile. Order your ticket online and have it delivered directly to your handset; you come to the venue with your device, scan in and then use the same device to pay for everything. We’ve also been working with Google, so we’ve got Google Tickets, which we’re testing now and that should be ready for the next race event
the US and Bayern Munich are doing it in Germany, but we’re certainly
in March. In terms of having both Apple and Google tickets, we’re one of
the first racecourses.
the very few venues in the world that is offering that – there’s a few in
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INTERVIEW I just wanted to ask about the corporate boxes – there’s obviously a lot at Ascot Racecourse, so is there a lot of work on those in terms of technology upgrades, too? Absolutely. Liz Pattinson has headed up the corporate box refurb programme at Ascot. We have 230 boxes in total – that’s more than any other venue in Europe. We’ve put new Samsung 4K screens in each of these boxes and are rolling out wireless charging points with specialist brand Chargifi as well as the Bose audio system I’ve already mentioned. Finally, we’ve also been exploring smart sensors in the boxes to allow for the monitoring of things like climate control and we are looking at additional systems to manage box security and people movement for the future. Augmented Reality is something you’ve also implemented – how is AR being used at Ascot Racecourse? We’re using it for key events at the moment, working with a company called Looking Glass who I’d heard about via MasterCard. It’s effectively activating certain experiences, so we did something for Royal Ascot where if you held the app over the Royal Ascot poster, it would activate a video – and then you were entered into a competition at the end by entering your e-mail address. We also did something for a couple of other events throughout the year. The Frankel race, for example, as you walked up to a stand with your phone, it would play back a video. It doesn’t need WiFi as the video sits in the app, so you don’t actually need connectivity to view it, which makes it quite appealing. We’ve also been trialling some other initiatives on race days around the Looking Glass platform. It’s a really good way to engage with people – again using technology that is familiar to all people. Can you give me a little bit more insight into the work you’ve done with UtterBerry? We have been trialling smart badges and people movement solutions with Utterberry. Their CEO, Heba Bevan OBE, is a Royal Enclosure member so she provided some interesting insights to these pilots from a customer perspective. This was a great example of how working with a leading edge technology company and its talented team of young minds can help to provide unique and innovative solutions. The prototypes looked incredible and were indistinguishable from the standard race day swing badges. You would never know they had some of the most advanced AI driven technology inside them! Finally, how do you seen the sporting venue industry developing over the next few years? From my point of view, IT Directors and Heads of Technology need to take a much more broad and modern approach to their roles. The world is changing dramatically and we also need to be mindful of delivering something that has sustainability as part of its initiative as well. Look beyond your comfort zones. Understanding the customer is as much about knowing what they do when they’re not in our venues. We shouldn’t be afraid to learn from other sectors. Just like Netflix has changed movies, Spotify has changed music and the likes of Amazon has changed retail, we’d be naïve to think that our sector won’t be impacted by the same kind of change. The new generation prefer to have everything come to them as opposed to going out and seeking it and I believe we will see the impact of that in stadiums and sporting venues over the next 10 years. We shouldn’t be afraid to take risks. After all, where is the innovation in being just like everybody else?
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JONAS DJIAN & MARIOS CHRISTODOULOU Sports Tours & Speakers International Can you give us some background in terms of your journey in the
Event Management in Australia. I started in APOEL in April 2013 as the
industry – and explain your current role?
Operations Manager of the club - APOEL is a multisport club with two entities in regards to management and administration. APOEL FC for
Jonas: I have had a range of roles within the sporting industry, notably
football and the club for the rest of the sports. I was responsible for
at Stade de France, where I was the Venue Manager. I’ve also worked
the everyday operations for nine sports including futsal, basketball and
as the Venue Marketing Manager for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019
volleyball.
in France. As well as these roles, I am a successful speaker, having
In November 2014, I was asked to become the Operations Manager for
covered numerous topics within the sporting venue industry at various
the football department. I’m responsible for the organisation of all
conferences across the world.
APOEL matches, home and away, local and international. That entails communication and cooperation with all involved parties, such as
Marios: I am currently the Operations Manager for APOEL FC in Cyprus.
opponents, fan groups, stadia, police, the Cyprus Football Association
After a short career in Supply Chain and Logistics, I studied Sports and
and UEFA. At the same time, due to the size of the club, I am the
Ticketing Manager and the Safety Officer of the team – I represent APOEL in draws and conferences. Moving onto STSI - can you give us some insight in terms of what gave you the idea to set that up? Jonas: In 2017, I created a group called ‘Stadium Tours’, with the main idea being to bring the sporting venue industry – in fact, anyone working in a sporting environment – together, allowing the exchange of knowledge and ideas across the world. So, the group has organically grown to the point where it now contains a lot of talented people who, I believe, can not only help each other greatly, but also those making their way in the industry. The industry itself is growing every day – the technology used in sporting venues is incredible. I mean, it’s moving at
“The industry itself is growing every day – the technology used in sporting venues is incredible. I mean, it’s moving at such a fast pace that it really can be difficult to follow.”
such a fast pace that it really can be difficult to follow. All this led to me speaking with schools, colleges and universities and putting together a team to create a catalogue of expert speakers. I really believe in this project, particularly as some areas in terms of sporting venues and facilities are not as developed as Europe, for example. We can provide students’ access to experts in a whole range of areas, whether that is stadium management, security, ticketing, fan experience
for fans.
and so on. It’s important that those at the heart of the industry can share their experience and provide for fellow professionals and the
What areas of expertise are covered by STSI’s speakers?
future generation. Marios: Each speaker usually brings their own expertise and we try Marios: There is a big market for speakers around the world, especially
to cover the whole spectrum of the sports industry. Just to mention a
in the sports sector as it is becoming more professional day-by-day.
few areas: women’s football, fan engagement, ticketing, sponsorship,
There are several schools and conference organisers that have to
sports marketing, digital in sports, venue management, club and match
approach every single speaker individually to create their programme.
operations, leadership and inspirational speakers, too.
STSI serves as a single-point reference to book your speakers for a course or a conference. In the same way, we also have our Tours
Jonas: Adding to that, there’s even an introduction to journalism,
department, which can create custom-made tours for any entity in the
connectivity, stadium economics – we’ve got all angles covered!
industry.
All of our speakers have worked closely on events, going back to World Cup 1998 in France, so we have seen the evolution of the sector. As
Which speakers are already part of the STSI project?
well as that, there have been professionals involved in UEFA and FIFA tournaments and the Olympic Games, all while being a huge part of
Marios: We cooperate with a variety of speakers from Europe and the
clubs or federations.
Americas, but we are constantly adding speakers from around the world. We look for experienced professionals with hands-on experience in their
What are the aims for STSI – what do you hope to achieve in the
field. Clubs are not involved directly with STSI, but we have speakers in
future?
the catalogue that are currently working or have worked for big clubs like PSG, OGC Nice, AZ Alkmaar, Corinthians, FC Dallas, Real Sociedad,
Marios: The main aims are to enter the European market dynamically
SC Internacional, Girodins de Bordeaux, Fluminense and, of course,
and establish our name as the main provider of sports speakers in
APOEL FC!
schools and conferences. Concurrently, we want to be able to provide sports tours to our clients. A bit further the road, we want to tap to the
Jonas: We have many ex-professionals from the world for sport, too,
rapidly growing Asian market.
such as Marcelo Hargreaves da Costa, the former volleyball player, and Mbo Mpenza, the former Belgium international footballer. As well as
Jonas: The likes of Asia and the Americas are definitely long-term
professional athletes, who can offer some incredible insight, we have
targets for STSI, however, we are very confident in what we’re doing.
some high-level experts like Bas Schnater, formerly of AZ Alkmaar and
We believe we have an enviable catalogue of speakers already – and
one of the best around in terms of fan experience knowledge. There’s
I’m sure that’s only going to improve in time. It’s such a dynamic,
Guillaume Lairloupe, too, who did an amazing job at AccorHotels Arena
exciting industry to be involved in and I want STSI to be a vehicle that
in Paris. Obviously, I could go on and on – it’s impossible to mention
encourages others to enter the industry and gain the knowledge to have
everybody, but the main focus is that is from pros to pros and from fans
a real impact.
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048 Melbourne Cricket Ground | Melbourne, Australia 060 AT&T Stadium | Texas, USA
MELBOURNE CRICKET GROUND Melbourne, Australia Words: Christopher Holder | Images: Auditoria, MCC
THE FULL PITCH
T
he Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) has spent A$25m on a new
decision. This wasn’t empty PR-speak, it was a consistent theme in
audio system and there’s no direct return on investment.
every meeting, and at every decision point through the project.”
The MCC, which managers the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), puts the fans first, and a large capital
SMART STADIUM STRATEGY
investment such as this is all about the fan experience - the key
Fan engagement and fan experience has led the MCC’s Smart Stadium
tenants, broadcasters and the advertisers are all given consideration, but
strategy for some seven years now. The push was precipitated by the
ultimately the MCC is in the business of being crowd pleasers.
urgent need to address the fans’ desire to stay connected. High-density
The audio and EWIS upgrade encompasses the bowl PA, as well the vast
Wi-Fi was quickly rolled out. LED was then the main focus - firstly
areas within the stands - the concourses, bars and entry/exit points. In
the LED ribbons around the ground and then the huge (326 sq metres
all, some 3,500+ loudspeakers were installed.
apiece) Daktronics vision boards. Some 2,000 IPTV displays were also part of the mix.
RESULTS NOT NUMBERS
The audio upgrade leads Phase 2 of the technology push. MCC’s Rey
Running point on the audio upgrade was the MCC’s General Manager
explained: “The fan feedback made it clear to us that the 10-year-old
of IT & Innovation, Rey Sumaru. After an exhaustive submission and
sound system didn’t meet expectations - it was too loud in certain
interview process, the MCC selected Auditoria as its audio consultant,
places or you couldn’t hear it in other places.
while Rutledge AV, A Diversified Company won the job to install and
“We had three options: a hybrid solution, where we could attempt to
integrate the technology. In fact, Rutledge AV was the head contractor
fix and improve the current systems; to only replace the loudspeakers
on the job, subcontracting all the electrical, building and mechanical
in the seating bowl; or to upgrade the whole stadium’s audio. Our
HVAC work.
recommendation was for a totally new, custom-designed solution.”
Right from the first meeting, Auditoria - headed by Scott Willsallen -
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became aware that this was no ordinary upgrade. The directive, from
THE CONTENDERS
the MCC board down, was for the audio to help provide the fans with an
Auditoria quickly got to work modelling various PAs in the bowl. Scott
exceptional game day experience. This was to be far more than simply
picks up the story: “The message to us was clear: ‘we want this to be the
reaching a desired SPL or acceptable STI figure, this upgrade was about
best it can possibly be. Don’t let anything interfere with the early design
connecting fans with the on-field excitement and drama.
process. If we get to a point where we have a design for the absolute best
“Those early discussions were about how engaging, how interesting
but the best is beyond the capacity of the structure of the roof or beyond
and how exciting we could make the entire journey of the fans’ day,”
the budget, then we’ll come back from that point if necessary. But the
recalled Scott. “And using that as an overarching philosophy to every
goal here is to design something that is as good as it can possibly be
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THE FULL PITCH
within the constraints of the building architecture.’”
systems are the ones that are pointing at your face. As you exit, a
The Auditoria design for the bowl PA was whittled from some 10 or 12
completely different set of loudspeakers point at your face.” As you
possibilities down to two, with consideration not only given to weight,
exit there will be some 12 or 16 d&b audiotechnik 5S surfacemount
cabling requirements, output and coverage, but to manufacturer and
loudspeakers pointing at your face, assisting with public transport
regional distributor support, too.
information and more.
After a tender process, d&b audiotechnik won the day via its Australian
These are high-quality, high-performance, relatively high-cost public
distributor, NAS, based on a V-Series and Y-Series bowl PA design.
announcement loudspeakers and go some way to exemplifying the customer-focussed approach to this upgrade. “It’s about intelligibility
STRAIGHT OUT OF THE GATE
and listener comfort,” noted Scott. “Plus it provides more options down
The headline is no doubt the massive d&b audiotechnik V-Series and
the track if the MCC decides to use those loudspeakers for entertainment
Y-Series bowl PA and the equally massive undertaking it was to get the
content - the system is up to the task.”
arrays into position. But what makes this MCG story more than a ‘big PA
The other hero of the messaging and wayfinding PA systems is QSC’s
in a big stadium’ is the thought, care and investment that has gone into
Q-SYS. Few will be surprised to hear that Q-SYS was given the job
the entire fan experience; an experience that starts the moment fans
of routing digital audio to and fro around the stadium, but it also
enter the giant sports coliseum’s orbit.
distinguished itself in many of its control roles. In this case, the matrix
As Auditoria’s Scott and Senior Consultant, Luis Miranda spent time
of matching the right recorded message to the right zone on the correct
with the MCC project team, they developed a strong sense of how
game day was deceptively complex, but Rutledge AV provided the MCC
great audio could assist in helping fans get to their seats and navigate
with a deceptively easy Q-SYS-based control interface to ensure smooth
ticketing and security. An understanding of the fans’ journey led to
sailing. The entry/exit systems also allow messages to be recorded and
Auditoria designing two entry systems and one exit system.
played on the fly, if necessary, along with the ability for MCC spruikers
The first is a longer-throw system above the entry gates. From about
to wander with a Shure wireless mic and take over the messaging.
60-metres away, the PA begins to help direct fans to the right gate. As
“Rutledge did a great job building that control interface,” noted Scott.
you approach the gate a row of 12 or 16 - depending on the gate - d&b
“It’s super easy to use and all done in Q-SYS.”
audiotechnik 5S loudspeakers provide less frequent and more specific messaging, such as ‘have your ticket out’, or ‘have your bags ready for
FEEDING THE BOWL
inspection’.
Once through the turnstiles you’re part of the game day experience and
After the game is over an entirely separate set of loudspeakers takes
the focus of all the fan-facing technology is about engagement and
care of exit messaging. As Scott put it: “If you’re entering, then those
entertainment. Leading the charge is the prodigious d&b audiotechnik
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THE FULL PITCH
bowl PA.
we went from embarking on a task of almost insurmountable difficulty,
The line source bowl PA comprises 72 hangs. Each hang comprises
to something that may not have been ‘routine’, necessarily, but at least
various combinations of V-Series and Y-Series elements, and V-SUBs.
was highly manageable. The guys we were working with were excellent.
Each loudspeaker element is addressed by a d&b audiotechnik amplifier.
They were all willing to make it work,” recalled Matt.
Designing a system for optimal coverage is one thing; designing it to
“The aesthetics of the array are worth noting,” observed Rey. “We didn’t
reside in the roof structure of an existing grandstand is another entirely.
want something that looked like a bolt-on. The arrays blend in with the
The MCG comprises two main grandstands (north and south), each an
stadium architecture.”
entirely different structure.
“In the case of the Northern Stand, the shape of each frame was
It was Rutledge AV’s task to attach the PA to the roof. The design went
different because of the arc of the roof,” furthered Scott. “We had
through a number of iterations in order to keep weight down, as well
the architectural drawings validated with a survey but you only have
a refinement of the approach to allow Rutledge AV and its specialist
to be out by a degree or two to really notice it when you’re throwing
sub-contractors time to install the PA between the venue’s existing
45-metres to the first row of the seating. Thankfully, the installation
event schedule, and in a way that had minimal impact on the hallowed
matched the drawings and then, switching it on, the reality matched the
turf. Able Engineering took care of the specialist fabrication work, ITE
plan, which was a very pleasing outcome.”
Engineering was engaged for its hoist and fly gear experience, and
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Vertigo provided the specialist high-altitude rigging expertise.
EVEN COVERAGE
The frames and arrays were fabricated and assembled off site. Each array
Audio priority number one was even coverage - every seat in the house
was then transported onto the ground and raised to a higher stand level
needed to be the best seat in the house. The d&b audiotechnik range is
whereupon Vertigo took care of the final stage of winching it into place.
engineered to assist system designers in this regard.
At this stage Rutledge AV, headed by Project Director Matt Edgcumbe
d&b audiotechnik V-Series takes care of the long throw of the arrays and
and Project Manager Daniel Woodward, could only look on with all
Y-Series the shorter throw requirements for the upper bowl.
fingers and toes crossed.
“Electronically, the gain difference between the two is minimal because
“The beauty of the preliminary meetings and refining the approach was
the V-Series is a more efficient loudspeaker,” explained Scott. “So we
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use the more efficient box for the longer throw. The same philosophy
the bowl and you will covered by a pair of E8’s and a cardioid subwoofer.
applies to the under balcony systems, where we run d&b audiotechnik
Another four or five rows back and the last row of E8’s takes over, which
E8’s and the xS-Series 5S loudspeakers and subwoofers. The whole
continue to provide coverage up into the standing room areas.
system balances. Select the right product in terms of sensitivity and coverage, and the system as a whole isn’t choked by one poorly chosen
TAMING THE ACOUSTICS
product.”
Stadia are almost by definition, acoustically hostile. They are huge
This is an important factor when designing a huge PA ecosystem. If
concrete edifices with an endless array of reflective surfaces only
all the loudspeaker components of the stadium system are correctly
ameliorated somewhat by the soft, squidgy human occupants come game
selected, positioned and commissioned then no single enclosure or
day. Stick a roof on and things only get worse.
amplifier will red line before another. Turning up the MCG PA is a
Any attempt to soften the acoustics of a stadium feels futile. Acoustic
like pushing the stick on an A380 rather than co-ordinating a flying
treatment might be routinely applied to other performance venues where
sculpture of 3,500 drones.
you pump sound reinforcement, but a stadium is seen as a lost cause. Not so the MCG, which installed an extraordinary amount of sound
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UNDER BALCONY
absorbing acoustic material - 3,000 sq metres, in fact.
With an official capacity of 100,024, the Melbourne Cricket Ground
There are two main areas benefitting from the Megasorber acoustic
stands at number 10 on the global list of stadium heavyweights. Both
treatment: in the under-balcony seating which is now covered by so
the Northern and Southern MCG stands have vast under-balcony areas,
much more PA; and the vast atrium areas at the top of the Northern
shadowed from the main PA. Previously, the under-balcony areas were
Stand, home to bars, concession stands and other cacophonous public
under-serviced, while the new design would ensure the 10s of thousands
areas.
of under-balcony fans would enjoy uncompromised sound.
“I don’t think we’ve ever previously been given the chance to specify
“You shouldn’t be disadvantaged if you’re two rows further forward
acoustic panelling in a stadium,” noted Auditoria’s Luis. “The reason for
as opposed to two rows behind,” said Scott. “A lot of effort went into
that is the cost, as well as durability concerns in the weather, and the
delivering the same kind of energy - sound pressure level, bandwidth
panels’ ability to absorb broadband noise.”
and excitement - in those under-balcony areas.”
Luis had experience working with the Australian-made Megasorber
Each of the 58 under-balcony bays packs a hefty PA punch: a cardioid
product in industrial applications where it proved to be hard wearing.
subwoofer, four d&b audiotechnik E8 eight-inch two-ways, and
The fact that Megasorber produces a 100mm-thick panel was also a big
four d&b audiotechnik 5S five-inch two-way loudspeakers. As you
drawcard: “It’s twice as thick as most other panels and means we get a
walk from the field of play and as soon as you can’t see a V-Series
fuller-frequency attenuation,” he noted.
array loudspeaker you’re on axis of the primary coverage of the d&b
The Rutledge AV team installed the acoustic panels by gluing it to the
audiotechnik xS-Series 5S coaxial loudspeakers. Move a little further up
ceiling of the atria and around the under-balcony areas. The results have
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been remarkable, taming the reverb time of the atria from 3.5 seconds
for broadcast sound. So Scott was keen to take the quality of the piped
down to 2.5 seconds. The Megasorber panels have also helped to restrict
crowd noise up a few notches.
the extra energy going into the under-balcony areas from leaking back
He said: “It would have been very easy to stick an SM58 mic on the
out, maintaining a higher intelligibility for those in the coverage of the
catwalk and go with that. But we also thought this would be a good
main arrays.
opportunity for us to provide the broadcaster with a more interesting
“The difference is quite amazing,” observed Rutledge AV’s Daniel. “If
crowd sound. We located 20 microphones around the stadium. These
you walk between Level 1 of the Northern Stand and Level 1 of Southern
are mid-side, dual-element shotgun mics, which allow us to blend
Stand [without the acoustic treatment], you can instantly hear the
how much mid versus how much side we want on a mic-by-mic basis.
difference. The background noise is so much more controlled in the
This means you can fine tune your crowd mic sound depending on the
North. It’s made a huge difference.”
size of the event, and create presets based around how the audience is dispersed and how full the bowl is. Those presets create a stereo mix
ROAR OF THE CROWD
that’s distributed to all of the media areas. What’s more, it appears as a
It’s always been a paradox: some of the most expensive seats in a
fader on the touchscreens in all of the bars and function rooms so they
stadium are often the most disconnected from the atmosphere of the
can choose to have that audience feed or not.”
game. Sure, the catering might be amazing but often the atmosphere in
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corporate suites and function rooms is sterile.
CONVERGED NETWORK
A new feature of the MCG audio upgrade sees crowd atmosphere being
The MCG is committed to running all its AV and IT traffic on one
fed back into the bars via the loudspeaker systems. Stadia may be one
converged network: everything from the IPTV, the corporate networks,
of Auditoria’s strong suits but so are large-scale opening and closing
the Wi-Fi, the LED ribbon boards and now the PA digital audio
ceremonies, which require sophisticated ambience microphone setups
distribution run on the one converged IP network.
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Q-SYS is renowned for playing nicely on the network which was a big
with their own pair of Q-SYS Cores.
selling point for the MCG. “With Q-SYS on our network we can integrate it into our building
PRODUCTION CAPABILITY
management system, which is now integrated to the EWIS,” said
The MCG’s game-day production capabilities have been beefed up
Rey. “From an operational perspective - ease of operation, ease of
considerably. At its heart is a new DiGiCo SD9 mixing console (with dual
management and maintenance - it’s been a huge improvement. We’ve
redundant 4REA4 mix engines) stationed in the MCG’s system control
got visibility of the whole network.”
room. The MCC’s AV & Broadcast Lead, Tim Phypers, and his team now
Rutledge AV has had the audiovisual maintenance contract for the MCG
have access to more audio sources and inputs around the ground that
for some time now and getting the audio and EWIS on the network has
can feed back into the system. And with the new console’s companion
been a huge boon for its on-site team.
Waves SoundGrid plug-in platform, the team has all the processing
“We didn’t have monitoring of the old EWIS,” explained Daniel. “We
power it needs.
relied on a monthly test to determine if a zone wasn’t working, and a
The MCC has also invested in sufficient gear to cater to most live
yearly test of every loudspeaker. Now it’s all completely monitored.”
production challenges, such as live bands and events. The longer-term
“EWIS compliance was a key reason for using Q-SYS,” concurred Matt.
savings from owning, rather than hiring, the gear will quickly repay the
“We had to demonstrate to the building surveyor that we are using
initial investment.
EWIS-compliant components throughout the whole stadium.”
The armoury now includes high-spec Shure Axient wireless equipment
Rutledge AV has designed the signal transport network to be dual
and the Shure Frequency Manager.
redundant, with two Q-SYS Cores each running AES digital audio and an
The results Tim and his team are now achieving are like night and day.
analogue audio backup to the amplifiers. The venue is broken up into
“No matter where you’re sitting, you’re getting the highest possible
VLANs - main bowl, bars, function rooms, production suite, EWIS - each
audio,” he noted.
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TECHNICAL INFORMATION AUDIO: d&b audiotechnik Y-Series, V-Series loudspeakers | d&b audiotechnik E-Series, xS-Series loudspeakers | d&b audiotechnik amplifiers | QSC Q-SYS Core processors | QSC Q-SYS CXD Series networked amplifiers | QSC Acoustic Design Series loudspeakers | QSC Q-SYS touchscreen controllers | DiGiCo SD9 digital mixing console | Shure Axient Digital Wireless System
The difference isn’t limited to the attention of audiovisual techs and audio boffins. Opera singer, Greta Bradman (The Don’s granddaughter), sang the national anthem on day one of the 2019 Boxing Day Test in front of some 80,000 fans. It was a stunning performance, but the positive response wasn’t limited to those listening in the stands. “The feedback we received from Greta was really gratifying,” said Rey. “She really noticed the change in the sound quality - there wasn’t any disconcerting echo on the field of play and she said she felt very comfortable with the system, which was reflected in her amazing performance.” ICONIC STADIUM The Melbourne Cricket Club is more than a stadium manager. The club is the custodian of Australia’s home of sport and takes its responsibility to improve and enhance the icon very seriously. But as a venue, at the end of the day a key element to the MCG’s success is hosting events and attracting audiences. “One of the biggest challenge stadiums have these days is getting fans out of their living rooms and sports bars,” reflected Rey. Melbourne can
KEY PERSONNEL Melbourne Cricket Club General Manager IT & Innovation: Rey Sumaru | Project Manager: Susi Schroeder | AV & Broadcast Lead: Timothy Phypers Rutledge AV, A Diversified Company Project Manager: Dan Woodward | Project Director: Matt Edgcumbe | Project Coordination: Susanna Salmi, Tegan Collier, Jacinta Smith, Chris Collier | Site Supervisor: Tim Lesich | Design Engineers: Paul Jamieson, Menaka Gunawardana, Tim Arrell | CAD: Mehak Bansal, Jarryd Edgcumbe | Field Engineers: Victor Laubscher, Jesse Widgery | Network Engineer: Alex Bollom | Bid Manager: Shane Cannon Auditoria Principal: Scott Willsallen | Senior Consultant: Luis Miranda Case Meallin Project Manager: Emma Pearce
be wet and miserable in football season and oppressively hot in cricket season, so it’s our job to provide an experience that encourages fans to return - to provide an atmosphere they can’t get anywhere else. That’s a key reason for the investment.
ITE Project Manager: Frank Agosta | Engineers: Martin Clenick, Frank Hall | Supervisor: Andrew Agosta
“In addition, we want to be known as one of the most iconic stadiums in the world, not just because of our size, but because of what we do – the experiences that we deliver. We want to be at the forefront, so we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. This extensive upgrade to the stadium’s audio system it at the heart of that desire. We are leading the way and investing in new technology to ensure that all visitors to the
Vertigo Project Manager: Daniel Hutchinson | Supervisor: James Kiely Able Industries Project Manager: Michael Martyn | Engineer: Andrew Briggs
MCG have an incredible experience, no matter where they sit!”
MAIN CONTRACTOR: Rutledge AV, A Diversified Company | AUDIO CONSULTANT: Auditoria | SUB CONTRACTORS: Able Engineering, ITE Engineering, Vertigo, AE Smith, Nilsen Electric, Van Pelt Builders | SERVICES CONSULTANT: IRWIN Consult | DISTRIBUTORS: NAS Solutions, Group Technologies, Technical Audio Group, Jands | BRANDS: d&b audiotechnik, QSC, DiGiCo, Shure, Megasorber | WEBSITES: www.rutledge.com.au, www.auditoria.systems, www.ableengineering.com.au, www.ite.net.au, www.vertigo.net.au, www.aesmith. com.au, www.nilsen.com.au, www.irwinconsult.com.au, www.nas.solutions, www.grouptechnologies.com.au, www.tag.com.au, www.jands.com.au, www.dbaudio.com, www.qsc. com, digico.biz, www.shure.com, www.megasorber.com 058
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AT&T STADIUM Arlington, Texas
Images: Electro-Voice, ChyronHego
T
The AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas, is home to the famous Dallas Cowboys of the NFL. Renowned for its retractable roof and ramped up rivalry matches, the stadium has recently been embracing
the benefits of its new Chyron-Hego based arena graphics system, as well as an expansion of its audio system from Electro-Voice. With the stadium holding events including the Superbowl, and also the most valuable team in the NFL, the new video and audio upgrade now has the ability to enhance even the smallest games. Headlining the video project was Click Effects PRIME, ChyronHego’s integrated graphics toolset for delivering live arena and stadium based audiovisual presentations to any canvas size, with any number of outputs, in any resolution. Click Effects PRIME - together with the latest versions of ChyronHego’s Paint, and Virtual 1st - is ushering in a new era
062
of 4K production on the LiveFX Endzone board at AT&T
Eventually, Click Effects PRIME will drive 4K graphics to
Stadium.
every display in AT&T Stadium, including the huge centre-
“We have one of the most complex shows in in-arena
hung LED, two levels of ribbon boards, gap boards over
sports, so we don’t have one machine that fits all of our
the four entrances, and more than 3,000 smaller screens
needs, we look for different specialists. We link remotes
located throughout the stadium.
all throughout our Click Effects systems to create those
The new native GPU-based technologies in Click Effects
immersive moments in games,” said Jake Kelso, Manager
PRIME give the Cowboys the power to deliver HD and
of Events Presentation for the Dallas Cowboys. “The paint
UHD content to multiple screens simultaneously, and
telestration tool, especially, has brought a new dynamic
synchronise multiple outputs in native resolutions. This
that we can use for sponsorship, highlights and live
capability makes ‘moments of exclusivity’ or MOEs
playback, and that versatility is huge.”
possible, in which the team is able to trigger multiple
The Cowboys’ first LED to display 4K content, and the
displays throughout the stadium network and display
team’s first Click Effects PRIME installation is the largest
a single, exciting graphic on each, for example, a large
LiveFX Endzone board. Used primarily for game support
“Touchdown!” graphic when the Cowboys score or an
graphics such as replay videos and fan entertainment
eye-catching image of a key player as they reach a lifetime
during breaks, the board went live with 4K video clips and
career record.
graphics driven by Click Effects PRIME.
In addition to Click Effects PRIME, the Dallas Cowboys have
“ChyronHego systems have been our mainstay since
utilised the latest versions of the Paint telestration tool,
day one. Personally, I’ve been using its products for the
and Virtual 1st ‘down and distance’ football graphics tool.
better part of my 40-year career, which gives me a keen
The Cowboys’ deployment of Paint and Virtual 1st is unique,
perspective on how well these technologies have improved
with inputs from two separate cameras delivering north and
and evolved,” said Dwin Towell, Director of Broadcast
south views to the centre-hung screen to give each fan the
Engineering for the Dallas Cowboys. “Our migration to
best possible viewing angle. Paint and Virtual 1st are able to
4K will eventually require replacement of every screen
calibrate both inputs quickly and automatically to show the
and system in this stadium, but we’ve never questioned
virtual first down line and enable telestrated explanations
whether ChyronHego was the right graphics provider in
of replays from any vantage point on the field.
this huge undertaking. With Click Effects PRIME being the
When the Dallas Cowboys opened AT&T Stadium in
perfect example, these solutions are mature, dependable,
2009, it boasted the world’s largest Electro-Voice sound
and very well-supported. Also, since ChyronHego is an
system in a permanent installation, including over 240
industry-standard for graphics production, it’s easy to find
line-array loudspeakers from the X-Line family. Gary
technicians who are well-versed in the systems.”
French, Audio Engineer in charge of the Dallas Cowboys,
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the AT&T Stadium wanted to ‘improve coverage, loudspeaker
real-world experience hand-in-hand with predictive computer
delay management and evaluate the performance possibilities
models to improve a system,” he said. “By listening to the
inside the venue’ with the recently updated audio system.
customer, we find ways to improve a system that already
The design team, spearheaded by Kevin Day of WJHW, selected
sounds great. We’re all extraordinarily pleased at the increased
Electro-Voice systems for their audio quality, reliability and depth
intelligibility we’ve achieved.”
of control provided by the IRIS-Net processing and monitoring
The upgrade includes two added XLC arrays on each side of the
platform. After enthusiastic approval from team owner Jerry
stadium, plus the addition of one more loudspeaker element to
Jones, Pro Media Audio Video was enlisted to help coordinate the
the 14 existing arrays serving the 400 level, for a total of 54 added
challenging installation.
boxes. The system is also bolstered with 20 additional Electro-
Fast-forward to 2019, noting that the many touring concert
Voice TG series amplifiers, each equipped with RCM-26 remote
acts coming through the world’s largest domed stadium simply
control DSP modules. One additional NetMax N8000 digital
do not carry enough PA to provide adequate coverage for the
matrix controller was also added. The IRIS-Net platform’s proven
upper seating areas, the audio team decided to take advantage of
stability and scalability was a key factor in the expansion.
Electro-Voice’s scalability to address the challenge.
“Having used this system for every type of event, it’s amazing
“We’re always working to improve the fan experience for all
how flexible it is,” added Gary. “We’ve had no real issues with it
events, not just on game days,” said Gary. “Most concert tours
this whole time, and Electro-Voice is there for us whenever we
augment their traveling systems with our Electro-Voice arrays
decide to tweak something. After 10 years, everything still looks
as the delay system for the upper levels. We decided a little extra
and sounds new and I’ve been really happy with it. You can’t ask
coverage would be a big upgrade for those events.”
for more than that. Our stadium is, and continues to be, one of
The Cowboys’ audio team worked with System Programmer,
the most technically up to date for live sports and entertainment
Richard Bratcher, along with original design and installation
in the world,” he concluded.
partners including Kevin Day of WJHW, Head Engineer, Demetrius
As the AT&T stadium is one of the most expensive stadiums ever
Palavos, and COO, Ted Leamy of Pro Media Audio Video, and the
built, the new video and audio systems have added to the further
Electro-Voice engineering team. Together, they determined that
finer things this venue has to offer. Fans will never miss the
the 14 XLCi127DVX compact three-way delay systems covering the
action, whether they’re watching a home game or The Rolling
upper level could be scaled up to produce smoother coverage with
Stones in roaring concert alongside 100,000 other fans. The AT&T
improved intelligibility.
stadium can now continue its legacy and look forward to a new
Ted Leamy of Pro Media Audio Video reports that the upgrade
age of HD, sonic sounding sport, in a venue that is looking to be
went very smoothly: “This project is a great example of using
one of the best the USA has to offer.
SYSTEM INTEGRATOR: Pro Media Audio Video, WJHW | BRANDS: Electro-Voice, ChyronHego | WEBSITES: www.promediaaudiovideo.com, www.wjhw.com, www.electrovoice.com, www.chyronhego.com 064
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11:00 CASE STUDY: How the Allianz Arena has evolved as a connected stadium
Benjamin Steen - Head of Customer Care, Digital Licencing & Stadium, FC Bayern Munich
11:30 PANEL: How technology is enhancing Johan Cruijff ArenA’s ambition to be one of the most innovative and sustainable stadiums in the world Chair: Sam Hughes - Editor, MONDO | STADIA magazine Speakers: Jeroen van Iersel - Marketing Manager, Johan Cruijff ArenA Stephen Hogg - Head of Sports Projects, d&b audiotechnik
12:30 Lunch
Take a moment to network with other delegates and visit our sponsors.
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Dan Goldstein Senior VP, Content & Communications, AVIXA
13:15 PANEL: How state-of-the-art audiovisual technology makes Tottenham Hotspur Stadium more than just a football ground Chair: Sam Hughes - Editor, MONDO | STADIA magazine Speakers: Ewan Prentice - Business Development Manager, Daktronics Ryan Penny - Business Development Manager Large Venues, Harman
14:00 PANEL: Understanding the value of eSports for clubs and stadiums
Chair: Trevor Keane – Head of Sport & eSports, Fansly Ventures Speakers: Scott Millar - Technical Director, Longer Days Ltd Mats Theie Bretvik - Head of eFootball & Gaming, Football Association of Norway Russell Jones - Snr Commercial Advisor & Head of Marketing, Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
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15:30 KEYNOTE: with guest Q&A: How key technology upgrades are developing Ascot Racecourse’s Smart City aspirations Speaker: George Vaughan - Head of Technology, Ascot Racecourse Guests: Andrew Motley – Commercial Director, Kappture Andrew Rigler - Manager UK & IRL, Bose Professional Iain Case - Director, Looking Glass Heba Bevan OBE - CEO & Founder, UtterBerry
16:15 PANEL: From stadium rock to opening ceremonies – exploring the technical requirements for a true multipurpose venue Chair: Stew Hume - Editor, TPi Magazine Speakers: Bob Boster - President, Clear-Com Julien Laval - Application Manager, L-Acoustics
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10 VENUE FOCUS
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
SECURITY
070 Diriyah Arena | Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
086 3D Simulation for Stadium Security | Dallmeier
LIGHTING 076 Signal Iduna Park | Dortmund, Germany
AUDIO 080 FirstEnergy Stadium | Ohio, USA
BROADCAST 082 FINA Aquatics Championships | Gwangju, South Korea
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE 092 Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center | Detroit, USA
COMMUNICATIONS 098 German Racing | Riedel
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
DIRIYAH ARENA Diriyah, Saudi Arabia
Images: Arena Group & MediaPro International
F
rom the moment Andy Ruiz knocked out Anthony Joshua and caused one of the biggest upsets in boxing history, speculation was rife as to when and, more importantly, where the rematch would take place.
As soon as it was announced that Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, had beaten both New York’s Maddison Square Garden and Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium to the rights to host the event, the race was on to ensure that everything would be in place for the first-ever World Heavyweight Title fight to take place in the Middle East. In order to do justice to the momentous event, it was decided that an entirely new purpose-built arena would be constructed for the occasion. With just a six-week lead time, international event solutions company, Arena, took on the mammoth task of designing and installing the 15,000-seat Diriyah Arena and hospitality structure – all in time for fight night on 7 December. “The timeframe was very dynamic,” commented Elaine O’Dwyer, Design Director. “We had just two weeks to develop the design concept before production started. This meant we had to really rely on our extensive knowledge of local material finishes and supplier capability to ensure that we were designing something that was deliverable in procurement and production timeframes.” Elaine explained that, despite the tight deadline, Arena’s close relationship with the client made everything run smoothly. “Luckily, the client was aligned with our aesthetic and trusted our judgement, so we were on the same page regarding the finishes from the beginning,” she said. “There are a lot of detailed decisions to be made on a design and build a project like this, so we worked very closely with suppliers to keep on top of that.”
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
072
While Arena’s original role was the construction of the
being accommodated.”
stadium and the build of the hospitality structure, due to a
Maram explained how the team catered to last-minute
third-party design supplier pulling out of the project, the
requests for “two structures to house the athletes and
company also completed a total redesign of the interiors
the media”. She commented: “The athletes’ structure
of the hospitality structure. Maram Al Dagher, Account
(20-metre by 55-metre) included showers, bathrooms,
Manager at Arena, explained how the team rose to the
changing rooms, offices and a full fit-out including
challenge. “Initially, the majority of the Arena team was
furniture. The 20-metre by 75-metre media structure
based in Dubai, so we spent a significant amount of time
comprised a press room and working space. We also
travelling back and forth to Saudi,” she began. “After
supported the client with supplementary structures such as
receiving confirmation of the project, the amount of time
prayer tents, offices and staff catering tents.”
that we spent on-site in Saudi increased significantly, and I
Also, in addition to the usual health and safety
more or less relocated for the duration.”
requirements, Arena had to ensure that the work was
Arena created a double-storey, double aspect royal
signed off by the Royal Guard, due to an expected visit
hospitality structure for over 2,000 guests, with its own
from Saudi’s Crown Prince, Mohammad bin Salman bin
roof terrace giving great views to all the action. The
Abdulaziz Al Saud.
material finishes were inspired by the local Ad Dhiriyah
Logistically, the project represented a huge challenge, as
‘mud’ architecture, with natural organic colours and
not only did Arena have to transport 8,000 of its proprietary
textures to the finishes. The interior housed, luxurious
Clearview seats from Dubai, but it also had to bring over
lounge, dining and food presentation areas for VIP guests,
the remaining 7,000 seats and special kit from the UK.
as well as The Royal Box.
Terry Smith, Managing Director, Seating, was delighted
As well as supporting the appointed groundworks supplier
at how the teams worked together to meet the deadline.
in order to ensure that the works were completed “to a high
“I’m thrilled that our international teams worked so well
enough standard to support our structures”, Arena also
together, this was a real team effort between Arena Middle
“undertook multiple meetings with each of the different
East & Asia, and Arena UK.”
suppliers to ensure that the client’s requirements were
Paul Barger, CEO of Arena Middle East & Asia, was proud of
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the project. “It’s incredible what we’ve managed to achieve
The extensive video requirements saw CT deliver more
in such a short space of time,” he commented. “We’re
than 750 sq metres of LED for the groundbreaking event.
really proud of our UK and Middle East divisions, who
The impressive over-ring display consisted of four 63 sq
have spent the past six weeks working with a team of 175
metres outdoor LED screens and was designed to ensure all
people to deliver a project of such scale and specification.
spectators never missed a second of the action, as it created
We are one of the few companies that can offer a full
a 360° visual spectacular that was visible from anywhere
turnkey solution for events of this size, from design and
within the arena.
construction through to the luxurious high-quality interiors
To further enhance the spectator experience, 336 sq metre
and the solution we have delivered has been described as
of LED was used to wrap around the truss tower legs, with
utterly breath-taking.”
each tower leg making up of 84 sq metre outdoor LED. The
Terry was also delighted at the positive media coverage of
content interacted with the over-ring LED and displayed
the event, pointing out “the fact that there was so much
sponsorship logos, rounds and point scores.
emphasis placed on the whole venue being a temporary
All front row and VIP attendees had the luxury of seeing
build in Saudi – something never done before”. He added:
four 36 sq metre LED screens, which were situated inside
“We have received a huge amount of positive feedback.”
the over-ring LED, showing live content throughout the
Elaine concurred: “We have received the most tremendous
event. CT also supplied 13 sq metres of LED and four 84-
response,” she said. “This event has captured the attention
inch Samsung TVs for the media centre, as well as 43, 43-
of media and sports fans worldwide and the client is very
inch TVs for the premium hospitality area.
appreciative of what we achieved in a very challenging
For content management and playback, CT utilised two
timeframe. We are very happy to have been part of the team
active Green Hippo Boreal media servers with two as
putting KSA on the international sporting map.”
backup. Control was managed from a linked Barco E2 and
With the arena in place, Blink Experience, on behalf of
S3 system. Dhyaan Parikh, CT’s Project Manager, explained
Saudi Arabia’s General Sports Authority, called upon
the system: “Barco E2 and S3 were used due to the reliable
Creative Technology (CT) to deliver the eye-catching video
screen management interface,” he commented. “The whole
elements of the event.
workflow was in 4K, which consisted of our Lightware
073
TEMPORARY STRUCTURES
UBEX 4K fibre, Lightware 2.0 matrix, Novastar 4K LED
such a high-profile and huge production.”
processors and 2.1km of quad core fibre.”
Shaam was keen to pay tribute to the hardworking “team of
Chad Smith, Head of Technical onsite added: “CT did a
professionals” who “delivered flawlessly yet again”. Project
fantastic job and should be exceptionally proud of their
Manager, Sheldon Alphonso; Senior Audio System Engineer,
efforts. There was never an issue with the changing scope
Nithin Simone; Senior Lighting Operator/Crew Chief,
and last-minute additions, and CT were always on hand
Gregory Angelo; Senior Rigger, Brian Salvana; and MediaPro
to assist and get stuck in – even if it wasn’t within their
International Head of Department Rigging, Colin Silvers
remit.”
were all key to the successful delivery of the event.
The lighting, audio, trussing and rigging elements of the
Rainy conditions in the build-up to fight night presented
event were handled by MediaPro International. The main
something of a test, but Shaam commended his crew on
lighting rig comprised 60 Claypaky Mythos 2s, 36 Claypaky
overcoming the challenge. “Our team is used to handling
Sharpys, 60 Robe Spiiders, 70 SGM P10s and 30 SGM P5s.
such situations,” he commented. “Client expectations
An MA Lighting grandMA2 full size was used for control,
are always met 100%.” On the subject of client relations,
with two NPUs. Meanwhile, on the audio front, MediaPro
Shaam noted that MediaPro’s relationship with Blink
supplied 24 L-Acoustics Karas accompanied by 16 SB18s.
Experience has always been a positive one.
MediaPro’s COO, Shaam Pudaruth, described the show
“We have been working with Blink Experience for quite
as “a great success”. He elaborated: “The client, Blink
some time now, and it’s always a real pleasure interacting
Experience, and their end client were extremely pleased
with their whole team,” he concluded.
with the overall delivery. This event was televised to millions live on TV, and we were really proud to be part of
INSTALLER: Arena | BRANDS: Claypaky, Robe, SGM, MA Lighting, L-Acoustics, Green Hippo, Samsung, Barco, NovaStar | WEBSITES: www.arenagroup.com, www.ct-group.com, www.mediapro-av.com 074
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LIGHTING
SIGNAL IDUNA PARK Dortmund, Germany
Images: Zumtobel Group
Z
umtobel Group recently illuminated Borussia Dortmund’s home venue, supplying the Signal Iduna Park, Germany’s largest football stadium, with a new LED floodlight solution ready for international
tournaments. The brand-new modern light installation has been implemented as a state-of-the-art turnkey solution that will work to enhance the matches that pass through the stadium, as well as giving the venue a polished well-lit look for it’s next exciting season. The new lighting solution from the Zumtobel Group’s Thorn brand was recently implemented for the first time and fulfils all of the requirements for the German Bundesliga, as well as for the upcoming UEFA EURO 2024. Borussia Dortmund benefited from the Zumtobel Group’s turnkey service – an all-inclusive package ranging from lighting planning and project management during implementation, to commissioning. “With its Thorn brand, the Zumtobel Group offers many years of expertise in the lighting of sports facilities, especially field of play,” said Alfred Felder, CEO at Zumtobel Group. “For the LED floodlight system, which meets the highest international standards, we have contributed our competence as a full-service provider. We are delighted that the legendary Borussia Dortmund stadium is now equipped with state-of-the-art lighting technology and lighting quality for the field of play.” With a capacity of more than 81,000 spectators, and an atmosphere that has been hailed as ‘out of this world’, Signal Iduna Park is the largest and most successful football stadium in Germany. The new floodlight solution includes 252 Thorn ALTIS LED floodlights that ensure flicker-free operation to support HDTV-broadcasting and super-slow-motion with their superior colour rendering. The new lighting design achieves the illuminance level requirements stipulated by the German Bundesliga and the UEFA. All 252
floodlights are connected to a common IP-based system
sustainably invested in the basic technical equipment
that allows flexible controllability and dynamic lighting
of the stadium. For the implementation, we chose our
effects in real time.
long-standing partner, the Zumtobel Group,” explained
The Zumtobel Group’s brand, Thorn, is a competent
Dr. Christian Hockenjos, of Borussia Dortmund’s Director
lighting partner for field of play, and has a long and
Organisation. “With 2,100 lux in the direction of the
successful track record as a trusted global supplier of
cameras, we now clearly exceed the DFL minimum
professional, as well as recreational sports lighting
requirements and already meet the UEFA requirements for
solutions, both for indoor and outdoor facilities. It has
the EURO 2024.”
extensive experience in designing tailored illumination
As the stadium was also equipped with a new augmented
systems for special sports applications, including field
reality solution recently, the lighting system has become
of play lighting, using solutions that optimally combine
another welcome addition to Signal Iduna Park. Last year,
aesthetics, optical performance, energy consumption,
saw the stadium use Supponor’s Digital Board Replacement
durability and easy maintenance.
virtual advertising technology to target fans and audiences
Zumtobel Group are no strangers to the world of sports
through advanced technologies that replace physical
stadiums. The new floodlight system is the latest in a series
advertising to maximise advertising opportunities in live
of lighting projects that the group has already realised for
sports. The new lighting system will allow this technology
the BVB: The Zumtobel brand previously implemented the
to reach its full potential through the use of HDTV
LED shop concept for the new ‘BVB FanWorld’ in 2014,
broadcasting.
as well as other fan shops of the club. In 2017, Zumtobel
Borussia Dortmund is looking towards a bright future with
redesigned Signal Iduna Park’s lighting in the main
a stadium that sparkles in a splendour of new technology.
grandstand and the VIP entrance, area west, as well as the
For the UEFA EURO 2024, Signal Iduna Park can confidently
training centre Dortmund-Brackel. As of now, the Zumtobel
say its stadium is looking to be one of the best included in
Group has completely redesigned the entire interior lighting
the championship – thanks to the Zumtobel Group and its
experience of the stadium, also adding the LED floodlight
new lighting solution.
system. “With the new highly modern floodlight, we have
BRAND: Zumtobel Group | WEBSITES: www.zumtobelgroup.com 078
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BROADCAST
079
FIRSTENERGY STADIUM Cleveland, Ohio Images: ATK Audiotek
F
080
irstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio has been
Powersoft’s M-Force drivers and X4 power amplifiers to
the home of the Cleveland Browns football team
bring the necessary kick to the FirstEnergy project.
since it was originally built twenty years ago in
When Kirk was approached to help the stadium deliver
1999. Currently seating almost 70,000 fans, the
more impact to the fans, several solutions were discussed.
stadium has spent the last few years incrementally building
As with most outdoor sports arenas, FirstEnergy has a large
up its live sound capacity with large renovations in 2014
distributed system intended to have as wide of a spread as
and 2015 to accommodate its robust turnouts. Realising
possible.
that its existing sound system was inadequate to achieve
Unfortunately, this can have the effect of diminishing
the desired energy and impact, the management hired
the impact of sound as opposed to just hearing it. “They
Californian firm ATK Audiotek to address the problem.
wanted the sound system to bring a more exciting energy
ATK Audiotek Senior Design Engineer, Kirk Powell, has
into the stands,” Kirk explained. “Any time you have an
designed live sound solutions for sports stadiums for
outdoor stadium you have to move a lot of air, and in this
years and has prior NFL experience, working on the last 18
case, it wasn’t able to go as low as it needed to give that
Super Bowls. This included Super Bowl 50 where, the firm
nice punch to the audience.”
M-Force drivers were utilised, Kirk once again turned to
Kirk’s immediate recommendation to stadium management
WWW.MONDOSTADIA.COM
AUDIO
was to implement Powersoft’s M-Force drivers in each
effective in these types of installs.”
quadrant of the stadium to provide the needed push. Kirk
Kirk worked with the stadium integrator Pro Media Audio
had tested M-Force previously at Superbowl 50 after
& Video to install and maintain the system, ultimately
Powersoft had sent him units to try out and found himself
using two M-Force boxes and two Powersoft X4 power
immediately impressed with the results. Commenting
amplifiers in each quadrant of the stadium to provide the
on the setup he noted how efficient the M-Force was
desired push. Once the setup was installed, the reaction was
compared to other drivers of similar size. “I’m blown away
immediately positive from the stadium sound crew. “The
by how efficient it is. It’s a lot of power in a very small
stadium operations people were really excited when they
package,” he said. “In a stadium side-line, space is at a
started hearing it,” Kirk said. “It made a dramatic impact
premium, so if we can save space, while still having that
on the system and they are very happy with the results.”
powerful impact, it makes a big difference.”
The system has currently been in action since the pre-
ATK Audiotek has had a long history with Powersoft, using
season, with the full impact of it felt at the opening game
its amplifiers in many systems and installs. When it came
back in early September. Although the install is currently a
to the M-Force subwoofer boxes that the company uses,
rental, Kirk said that if the proof of concept works as well
they worked directly with Powersoft to develop them,
as it has been, that the stadium has the option of making
ensuring that they would have the best subwoofer for any
the M-Force subwoofers permanent. “It totally achieved
application. “We wanted a box that we could use at live
the effect that they were looking for and when you fire up
events, so Claudio and the team at Powersoft brought us
M-Force with the music between plays you can really feel
a prototype that we’re still currently using,” Kirk said. “It
it as an audience member,” he said. “It rocked the stadium
goes incredibly low, but we’ve found that it’s incredibly
and it really keeps you in the game.”
SYSTEM INTEGRATOR: Pro Media Audio Video | BRAND: Powersoft | WEBSITES: www.powersoft-audio.com, www.atkaudiotek.com 081
BROADCAST
FINA AQUATICS CHAMPIONSHIPS Gwangju, South Korea
Images: Movicom
T
he FINA World Aquatic Championships 2019 were held in Gwangju, South Korea, across five separate venues. A championship that every two years sees a host of agile, aquatic athletes compete in a long course 50-metre pool to
win established titles, the event was recently deployed with a number of Movicom camera systems to capture every detail of the occasion and help FINA advance its coverage. Now celebrating its 18th year, Movicom, a leading provider of robotic and mechatronic speciality camera systems worldwide, supplied the games with two separate Robycam 3D cable camera systems, across two of the five venues. This particular system provided the ability to move a camera seamlessly in almost any way needed, in 3D. The model uses a specially developed mathematical system as a base for real time control of four automated winches, advanced gyro-stabilisation and motion control techniques. The championships were also equipped with Movicom’s cutting-edge Robyrail, a high speed, flexible camera system that can be remotely controlled across tracks. At the large Nambu University Municipal Aquatics Center, where close to 11,000 spectators watched swimming and diving, the original Robycam 3D cable camera system was installed to take advantage of its large operational area of 200-metre by 200-metre, and flexible installation options. The Aquatics centre’s domed roof presented a challenge for installation but the Robycam 3D system worked flawlessly, providing continuous coverage
BROADCAST
084
WWW.MONDOSTADIA.COM
during the event and broadcast.
software is designed to set safety zones which can easily
In the smaller Yeomju Gymnasium, which first opened in
exclude physical objects from the Robycam’s working area,
1987, the FINA organising committee built two temporary
this guarantees the system’s safety and eliminates human
pools that were used for the artistic swimming events
error in the heat of the broadcast moment.
during the championships. The Robycam 3D Compact
At the Doha FINA Swimming World Cup 2019, Qatar,
system was placed here to cover all angles of the event.
another solution by Movicom - the Robyrail track camera
The lighter and smaller profile Compact system has an
system with a Gyro-stabilised R3 Head was used to cover
operational area of 80-metres by 80-metres and is perfect
competitive swimming events. Movicom also provided
for venues where space is tight and time for rigging is
several POV cameras at the start and finish positions to fill
limited.
out the broadcast coverage.
“Our wide portfolio of equipment and technical flexibility
The Robyrail system uses a monorail system which keeps
was a key factor in our success in Korea,” said Oganes
its working footprint minimal, a critical feature, yet it
Gevorkyan, Head of Operations for Movicom. “All aspects
achieves staggering speeds of 13-metres per second to
of the project were considered from ceiling height, stadium
match peak athletic performance. Fibre-optic cable is used
size, installation time and location limitations, but our
for video and power to keep the system light and fast. The
team was able to come up with and implement plans to
system software allows for maximum customisation of
provide two full 3D cable camera systems with different
speed, safety areas and even automated move operation.
rigging methods, specifically addressing each venue’s
The Robyrail system was deployed alongside the 50-metre
unique requirements.”
pool at the Hamad Aquatic Center in Doha, covering every
Both Robycam models offer gyro-stabilised heads and are
race and keeping track of all the action.
equipped with integrated Compass AR Tracking, which
Last year, over 2,500 athletes competed in the
allows the use of complex AR graphics as provided by many
championships and the event was seamlessly broadcast
major broadcast graphics companies. The Motion Control
worldwide.
System software that runs the Robycom models allows
Thanks to Movicom, the coverage and quality of the
operators to record camera movements, then reproduce
broadcast content was unique, showing the real-time
and even adjust these recorded flying paths. Replicating
adrenaline of the games and placing the viewer right there,
desired trajectories is of great benefit for AR and graphics
poolside, with the athletes, making waves in the future of
integration, or while working in close proximity to physical
world sport coverage.
objects. System safety is a priority, so the operational
BRAND: Movicom | WEBSITE: www.movicom.tv
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SECURITY
VIDEO SECURITY IN STADIA DALLMEIER & 3D SIMULATION Images: Dallmeier
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any stadiums all over the world have placed their confidence in video security equipment from Dallmeier. In addition to the technical advantages of the patented Panomera technology, the decisive factor in the award
of a project is often something else entirely: the new, innovative approach the German manufacturer has adopted for project planning and implementation. Like many national football leagues, the teams of the English Premier League also suffer from unacceptable incidents such as lighting of pyrotechnics and throwing projectiles, hate crime and vandalism. That is why, as early as 2013, Everton opted for a video security solution from Dallmeier. Today, 14 of 20 clubs of the 2019–20 Premier League have implemented Dallmeier Panomera multifocal sensor systems – including the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. Teams in the top flight of English football are also involved in the Champions League and Europa League, so it is also extremely important for them to satisfy the safety regulations imposed internationally by UEFA and similar bodies. For this purpose, Dallmeier solutions enable high-resolution capture of expansive areas, such as the stands, with a minimum number of camera systems. With Panomera cameras, multiple operators have the capability to zoom in on suspicious activities independently of each other, while the system continues recording the entire scene. This combination of the advantages of PTZ and megapixel cameras, an optimum overview of the situation is obtained, which can also be searched in the required minimum resolution at any time afterwards. This enables the clubs to achieve continuity of video evidence, get instant ID of people and events, and so reduce potential penalty payments.
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Many video installations these days are extremely complex,
photographs and Google Maps information are sufficient
large-scale projects. Reliability and flexibility therefore
to create models that are usable for planning. The entire
have the highest priority, particularly in the planning
solution including cameras, sensors and other components
phase as well. How is it possible to ensure that a new video
is then simulated in the finished 3D model of the customer
security system will indeed satisfy all of the customer’s
environment. This procedure is very important for detecting
requirements? What happens if unexpected changes have to
adumbrations, for example, that is to say areas that are not
be made while the project is in progress? How can the costs
captured by a camera because other objects are in the way.
and labour associated with on-site installation be kept as
With 3D project simulation, the problem can be addressed
low as possible? When designing its solutions, Dallmeier
immediately and eliminated either by repositioning the
relies on an ingenious 3D simulation which not only offers
cameras or adding further components. In this way, the
the highest degree of planning reliability for its solutions,
customer has an exact plan of the future layout, in which
but is also able to adapt rapidly and flexibly to changes.
all details have been taken into account.
“Throughout our selection procedure, the Panomera
Before the 3D model is prepared, workshops are held jointly
cameras from Dallmeier were able to deliver images of the
with the customer to define the security objectives and
highest quality time after time, not only in normal daylight
compile a product requirements document and a scope
conditions, but also under weaker floodlighting, that is to
statement. One specification may be for example that
say not only live but also in the recording with the highest
a pixel density of at least 250 pixels per metre (px/m)
resolution quality in all regions of the images,” said David
or higher is achieved in all areas of a stadium that are
Lewis, Head of Security & Stadium Safety, Everton F.C.
accessible to the public. This key parameter is defined
“Moreover, with the Panomera cameras we can capture
in a DIN rule and ensures that the recording quality is
large expanses, the entire area of the stands, for example,
sufficient to enable unknown individuals to be identified
with just a small number of systems. Ultimately, these
with certainty in the event of an investigation. Thus, with
considerations were the critical factor in our decision to
the 3D simulation it is child’s play to ensure that the 250
award Dallmeier the contract for video security at Goodison
px/m specification is achieved literally in every last corner:
Park.”
Colour coding in the 3D simulation makes it possible to
An entire team of experts is dedicated to 3D simulation
say exactly where the value has been reached, and where it
and planning at Dallmeier. The customer delivers
needs to be improved, possibly by changing the position of
plans in two- or three dimensions, in DWG format for
a camera or replacing it with a different model.
example, from which the engineers and graphic designers
The outstanding benefit of this method for the
build precise, three-dimensional simulations of the
customer was demonstrated quite convincingly during
customer’s environment. If there is no other solution, even
a project involving several large stadiums, in which the
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SECURITY
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SECURITY
announcement was made at an on-site inspection as the
install the total solution, since the approach minimises
installation was already in progress that the upper tiers
imponderables.
of the spectators’ stands in all stadiums were to be roofed
The problem is a familiar one particularly to the decision
over. Naturally, a sudden modification of this magnitude
makers in the IT department - complex systems are
represents an enormous challenge for any planner, since
implemented, and only then does the real integration work
it would entail extensive changes in the positioning of the
start, with the associated plethora of variables. This is
cameras, the selection of camera models and indeed of
why Dallmeier has chosen another way, with the Factory
the overall concept. And of course no more time could be
Acceptance Test (FAT). All components of the total solution
made available for it. But the Dallmeier 3D project planning
are set up on the Dallmeier FAT Centre, and the final
team was able to plan and implement all of the necessary
environment is tested in live operation until everything
changes in less than two days.
functions flawlessly. Optionally, individuals or even entire
From the product database linked with a system developed
departments of the customer’s employees can receive
by Dallmeier itself, just a few clicks are needed to choose
training on the systems in Regensburg before they are
from an extensive range of camera models and put together
installed.
the optimum configuration. Once the overall environment
An equally important factor in the decision by stadium
has been finalised, the system generates a complete parts
operators to work with Dallmeier is the company’s patented
list containing all components, which then serves as
Panomera camera technology. Panomera cameras were
the basis for a purchase order. A particular bonus is the
first introduced onto the market in 2011 and are equipped
automatic generation of CamCards – precise configuration
with up to eight sensors per system, thus enabling coverage
documents for each individual camera. With this
of immense expanses at a precisely defined pixel density
information, the person tasked with building the system on
and with considerably fewer cameras. This in turn reduces
site knows exactly which camera must be mounted where,
management effort while increasing operating convenience
at what height and at what angle. Besides the dramatic
and thus also security. Both are responsible for a significant
time savings, the major advantage lies in the stability of
reduction in total operating costs.
the planning – it can be predicted with a very high degree of accuracy how much time and labour it will take to
BRAND: Dallmeier | WEBSITES: www.dallmeier.com 090
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T24i | T12i United players for the games. TWAUDiO.COM
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NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
HENRY FORD DETROIT PISTONS PERFORMANCE CENTER Detroit, USA Images: Rocket Fiber
S
ince their arrival in 1957, the Detroit Pistons have become one of the most storied franchises in the NBA. With over 2,300 regular-season and playoff victories, the club has celebrated three NBA Championships (1989,
1990, 2004), five NBA Finals appearances (1988, 1989, 1990, 2004, 2005) and 11 Eastern Conference Finals appearances. The club made its return to Detroit in 2017, playing games at the new, state-ofthe-art Little Caesars Arena. Away from game day, the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center, opened in October 2019 is a new, comprehensive sports medicine, treatment and rehabilitation facility. The 100,000 sq ft facility, designed by ROSSETTI, is also the new training facility and HQ for the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons’ move to the new building completes their return to downtown Detroit. State-of-the-art amenities include an innovative player locker room and lounge, full-service kitchen/dining facilities, spacious weight room, hydro and cryogenic treatment systems, green space and courtyard locations for outside access, private and public parking structures, and a dedicated Henry Ford Health System Sports Medicine Building that will be connected to the performance centre via a covered walkway. Located two miles north of Little Caesars Arena in the New Center area, the dense urban neighbourhood currently lacks robust community services and amenities. An overarching goal of the Pistons was to make the facility welcoming to the neighbourhood and Detroit community. This strategy is leading the trend toward performance centres emerging as community assets and catalysts for development. Twenty-five thousand square feet of leasable, ground level space is available for community businesses. Blink Fitness and Plum Market have signed on as tenants. In addition, a variety of spaces are available for community events, youth
NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
basketball clinics, and wellness programming.
of their network infrastructure, and a state-of-the-art broadcast
As part of the plan to make the Performance Center a state-of-
set, incorporating a fully integrated control room for seamless
the-art facility for Detroit Pistons, a partnership with Rocket Fiber
broadcast and editing capabilities.”
has been announced, with the Detroit-based technology company
“The Network infrastructure includes diverse and redundant
serving as the official internet and network services partner.
connectivity with ability to scale up to unlimited bandwidth, the
“Our organisation was looking to build a scalable network
fiber network was built on a dedicated Carrier Fiber Optic Ring
infrastructure that will allow us to quickly assimilate new
to support high security, capacity and connection volume within
technologies for our basketball operations team as well as support
the network of the facility. This dedicated Ring provides a secure
our existing requirements for a robust multi-media department
connection for all business and basketball IT functions, data
and a demanding business operations environment. To that end,
collection recording services and cloud access. The geographically
we needed to ensure that bandwidth and security would never
diverse Cloud Pod Platform can assist with workload and
be an issue,” explained Chris Pittenturf, Senior Vice President,
migration assistance for future Pistons technology partners, while
Information Technology and Analytics at Detroit Pistons.
the WIFI network that covers every inch of the facility.”
“It was imperative to partner with a company who could pivot
During the design phase, the Rocket Fiber team met with the
quickly when objectives change, or mature, and innovate with
Pistons to understand their technology requirements.
us as we strive to use technology as a competitive advantage.
Edi explained: “Our goal was to bring their technology dreams
With the organisation’s move to the New Center area of city,
to life. Given that the Performance Center is their corporate
coupled with our owner Tom Gores’ desire that the new facility
headquarters and state-of-the-art practice facility, we needed
serve as a catalyst for economic growth, the partnership with a
to make sure we were providing the best technology both in the
Detroit-based technology firm like Rocket Fiber achieves multiple
office and courtside.
objectives.”
“We made sure to design the Pistons network to optimise the
Edi Demaj, Co-Founder & COO, Rocket Fiber, takes up the story:
different applications in the building, ranging from AV and
“After 29 years of playing at The Palace of Auburn Hills, the
security to the analytics cameras and sensors that the players
Detroit Pistons announced plans to move the team and basketball
rely on for live feedback on performance. Most importantly, we
operations 31 miles back to Detroit. A Detroit start-up itself,
designed and built a network that is scalable, future proof and
we knew this would be the perfect opportunity to combine our
won’t require investment outside of equipment upgrades to
networking technology and infrastructure with one of the city’s
handle whatever the future needs will be.”
most beloved teams.
Pistons’ Vice Chairman, Arn Tellem, lauded the partnership as one
“The Pistons originally issued an RFP for its networking and
094
that provides great value for the organisation from an information
technology buildout, and we eagerly responded - with the goal
technology perspective while also continuing investment in
of becoming the official network services provider for the Detroit
Detroit and the surrounding business community.
Pistons. The overall buildout included a full design and building
“We are pleased to work with Rocket Fiber as the official internet
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Renkus-Heinz, beyerdynamic, Biamp, LEA Professional, Radial Engineering, WorkPRO, MC², XTA & Australian Monitor EXCLUSIVE UK DISTRIBUTOR Integrated Solutions | Professional Audio | Music & Performance
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NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE
and network services partner on the new Henry Ford
phone applications.
Detroit Pistons Performance Center,” said Arn. “Rocket
“From a team standpoint, the Rocket Fiber infrastructure
Fiber is a Detroit-based company that provides outstanding
will allow business operations to manage communications,
technology and customer service while looking beyond its
databases, file storage and retention with high capacity and
business interests to be a great partner in the community.”
high security. From a basketball operations standpoint, the
The multi-gigabit speed internet will be available to
platform supports performance data systems, health and
Pistons’ staff, players, fans and guests throughout the
wellness initiatives and other integral analytical systems.”
facility. Fans will be able to enjoy a streamlined, digital
Rocket Fiber also hold the naming rights to the
experience, and receive instantaneous access to player stats
Performance Center’s broadcast studio. The Rocket Fiber
and highlights through scoreboards, television broadcasts
Studio contains seven unique broadcast sets along with
and phone applications – allowing for unprecedented
windows from ceiling to floor that give fans and the general
insight into the sport.
public an opportunity to look directly at the playing court
The Rocket Fiber platform is a first-of-its-kind in
from street level. A fully integrated control room allows for
professional sports and provides the Pistons with a platform
seamless broadcast and editing capabilities.
that will not only take full advantage of current cutting
Although it’s in its early stages, the new platform from
edge technologies, but will also allow them to rapidly
Rocket Fiber has been a huge success.
integrate future technologies. The infrastructure in place
“We are still in the break-in period of our network and are
allows business operations to manage communications,
in the process of optimising the wireless infrastructure, but
databases, file storage and retention with high capacity and
we have only met or exceeded our expectations to date,”
high security. From a basketball operations standpoint, the
concluded Chris.
Rocket Fiber platform supports performance data systems, health and wellness initiatives and other analytical systems. “The overall networking infrastructure will benefit the team, and its fans,” Edi added. “From a fan standpoint, the multi-gigabit internet will allow them to enjoy a streamlined, digital experience, and receive instantaneous access to player stats and highlights - broadcast through a variety of mediums, including television, scoreboards and
BRANDS: Rocket Fiber | WEBSITES: www.rocketfiber.com 096
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A-Series
Assume nothing. It takes very little time for the A-Series to reveal its true colors: Coverage options to spare. Extra clever acoustic control. More flexibility. Fewer compromises. Approach sound reinforcement from a different angle: dbaudio.com/a-series
More art. Less noise.
A-Serie_245x318_4.indd 1
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COMMUNICATIONS
GERMAN RACING | RIEDEL COMMUNICATIONS Germany
Images: Riedel
R
iedel Communications has teamed up with
video streams, as well as direct playout for live streams on
horse racing organisations German Racing and
social media outlets.
German Tote to create future-oriented formats
The Riedel service includes a MediorNet media
for broadcasts of German horse racing. Through
infrastructure to control all camera signals and processed
the partnership, the three organisations are committed
world feed signals, as well as centralised and decentralised
to delivering significant added value for both viewers and
intercom systems to ensure smooth production processes.
broadcasters. One result will be new camera solutions and
“A focus on innovation, with an eye to the technical
high-end equipment for more effectively capturing the
possibilities, has been a Riedel trademark from day one,”
fast-paced action of the horse races, with real-time visuals
said Thomas Riedel, CEO, Riedel Communications. “Our
that explain and illuminate the action for viewers. With this
new partnership with German Racing and German Tote
visual and editorial redesign, broadcast coverage of horse
is a prime example. The future of German horse racing
racing will become even more attractive and accessible to
starts now, as we work together to create a unique viewer
broader audiences.
experience and pave the way for entirely new production
As an integrator of innovative technologies, Riedel will
formats.”
enable state-of-the-art production and program formats,
Jan Pommer, Managing Director of German Racing, was just
assuming responsibility for all aspects of video production
as enthusiastic about partnering with the communications
in close cooperation with its partners and content agencies.
company: “In Riedel, we have found an excellent partner
To this end, Riedel developed a comprehensive, IP-based
for cutting-edge sports broadcasts that leverage the
premium service for horse race production. A central
best aspects of thousands of sports productions. Riedel’s
element of this new technical infrastructure is the Riedel
pioneering technical solutions will bring new perspectives
Atmosphere Media Cloud, which combines digital content
to horse racing. In cooperation with our partners from
management and internal production systems in a single
German Tote, we can now take the transmission of our
OTT platform. The powerful and intuitive platform enables
telegenic sport to a new level.”
convenient management of all data, graphics content, and
BRAND: Riedel | WEBSITE: www.riedel.net 099
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www.mondostadia.com/register-your-interest
10 EXTRA TIME
PRODUCT FOCUS
EVENT DIARY
102 GL events
112 Conferences & Exhibitions
104 Pliant Technologies 106 NEXO 108 disguise
EXPO 110 WFS Africa
FULL TIME 114 Guillaume Lairloup | Event Venue Experts
EXTRA TIME
GL EVENTS | RAPTOR he Raptor, is a cost-effective, safe standing seat unit with an integrated continuous guardrail, designed to allow safe standing as well as comfortable seating for spectators. Originally developed to complement GL Events’ range of stadium seats, the Raptor will appeal to a wide range of clubs because it can be retrofitted - with minimal cost, commitment or disruption to any existing stadium seating product, quickly and cost-effectively transforming all-seater stands or sections into safe standing areas. The stadium construction and seating specialist’s latest offering was developed in partnership with its long-term stadium seating partner, KH Seating, with input from GL Events’ clients throughout the world of football, as well as fan groups that have called for designated safe standing areas at football clubs. The Raptor allows stadium managers to incorporate safe standing into their existing permanent, semi-permanent and temporary grandstands. It is custom-made according to tread or riser mount, with variable seat-width and rail height, offering a variety of custom-retrofitting and refurbishment options. The product also allows for colour-matching,
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making this innovative launch a versatile and cost-effective rail seating solution on the market. The Raptor features an all-steel, galvanised guardrail that creates a robust personal safety barrier between rows of standing spectators and is integrated into every tip-up seat. This horizontal rail provides a personal safety barrier for fans, allowing them to stand in a safe environment, with the option to lean against the rail of the row in front, while offering protection from crowd surges and other potentially dangerous behaviour. Its design meets and supports capacity regulations, complying with SGSA Green Guide specifications for spectator accommodation – section 12. Tested by the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), it exceeds the minimum imposed load of 2.0 kN/m length. GL events’ many satisfied customers within the Football League include Boreham Wood, Blackpool, Watford, Exeter City, Barnet and Plymouth Argyle. www.glevents.co.uk
VISUALIZE
a proven wireless intercom FreeSpeak II is the market leader, delivering proven performance across six continents and outer space.
EXTRA TIME
PLIANT TECHNOLOGIES | MICROCOM he newly released MicroCom systems offer a simple to operate and affordable intercom solution where solid wireless performance is required. Available in 2.4GHz and 900MHz (where legal), MicroCom M and MicroCom XR provide full-duplex, multi-user intercom for applications where highquality audio, excellent range, and low-cost are essential. MicroCom M is an economical single-channel system that features a 10-hour lithium ion battery operation and has the ability to have up to five full-duplex users. MicroCom M is compact and water-resistant and provides quality communications at an attractive price point. MicroCom XR is a robust two-channel intercom system that provides extended range and a 15-hour field-replaceable battery, as well as the ability to have up to 10 full-duplex users. MicroCom XR features an easy-to-read OLED display, and an optional I/O feature for connection to existing intercom systems, drop-in charger and is IP67-rated. Both of these lightweight beltpacks are built to endure the wear and tear of everyday use. Additionally, both the M and XR versions provide for unlimited listening users in addition to duplex users, all without the need for a base station, providing flexibility for a range of applications. “At ISE 2020, alongside the latest CrewCom system, we are excited
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to showcase our new digital intercom solutions, MicroCom M and MicroCom XR, to audiovisual and system integration professionals,” said Gary Rosen, Vice President, Global Sales, Pliant Technologies. “The MicroCom system has already generated a great deal of interest in the market. We can now provide solutions for even modest wireless intercom applications and budgets, and serve the needs of customers that have been looking for an intercom solution with the quality, features, and price of MicroCom M and MicroCom XR.” The company’s wide variety of professional SmartBoom headsets have now also been expanded to include versions for use with MicroCom M and MicroCom XR beltpacks. Pliant’s enhanced line of communications headsets, including its recently updated SmartBoom LITE and SmartBoom PRO headsets, incorporates a convenient flip up microphone muting feature and are specifically designed for exceptional comfort, flexibility, and durability as needed in the most demanding professional environments. Pliant Technologies will feature its latest digital wireless intercom systems, MicroCom M and MicroCom XR, at ISE 2020 (Booth 7-V229). www.plianttechnologies.com
EXTRA TIME
NEXO | P8 & P10 he P8 and P10 are true multi-purpose performers that have serious ambitions to become just as ubiquitous in the audio marketplace as their predecessors, the classic PS Series cabinets that made NEXO’s global reputation. The P8 arrives exactly 20 years after the launch of the PS8, a supercompact stage monitor and PA loudspeaker which, together with the larger PS10, became a staple product in rental inventory for audiovisual and audio production companies, and a common sight in fixed installations. At its manufacturing HQ just north of Paris, France, NEXO has invested in a new tooling and assembly plant to produce the curvy modern enclosures that are the signature of its new P+ Series. Re-imagined for the 2020s, the P8 and P10 models will put entirely new possibilities into the hands of the sound designer and engineer. They offer an exceptional performance-to-size ratio, precise polar control and outstanding sonic quality, as well as innovative features, the kind already seen in the first P+ Series model, the P12, launched six months ago. Inside custom birch and poplar plywood shells, the P8 features a coaxial eight-inch low frequency driver with 1.5-inch diaphragm high frequency driver, and the P10 has a coaxial 10-inch Neodymium low frequency driver and 1.7-inch diaphragm high frequency driver. The horn driver can be rotated in both cabinets, something of a NEXO trademark after it was innovated in the PS Series. However, in the new P+ Series, the quick-release Magnelis steel grille can be quickly removed, allowing the horn to be swapped out, changing the standard 100º by 100º dispersion for a 110º by 60º alternative. The ability to achieve such wide dispersion and power will appeal to corporate audiovisual users, keen to make small cabinets perform like big cabinets. The custom-designed coaxial drivers are at the heart of these loudspeakers, responsible for smooth, clean sound and impressive SPL
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output: 129dB peak for the P8 and 136dB peak for the P10. Special attention has been given to the design of the cooling system of the low frequency driver, ensuring outstanding power handling. Frequency response is 66Hz-20kHz for P8, and 63Hz-20kHz for P10. Such specifications position the new P+ Series cabinets at the top of the point source category in today’s market. The footprints of the two new P+ cabinets are very compact, and the enclosures are light in weight. The P10 measures 497mm high x 384mm wide x 274mm deep, and weighs 15kg. The P8 is just 423mm x 276mm x 250mm, weighing 12kg. Both P+ Series models are available in touring and installation versions. In the Touring version, two large handles on each side hold a 35mm pole stand adaptor and Speakon connector for discrete connection when the cabinets are used on pole stands or in wedge monitor applications. Two other Speakon connectors are included on the back plate. In the Installation version of the cabinets, a cable gland with a two core cable for audio input ensures IP54 protection when it is used outdoors. The new P+ Series models are accompanied by a comprehensive range of accessories, enabling them to be used in a wide variety of touring and installed applications. NEXO has applied the same design principles to the accessories, so that there is an element of interchangeability within the range, which will be an advantage to holders of rental inventory. P10 and P8 have a choice of power sources, with the NXAMP4x2Mk2 and NXAMP4x1Mk2, as well as the affordable NEXO DTDcontroller and DTDAMP4x1.3, which can drive one P10 or two P8 per channel. NXAMPs offer a dedicated set-up for each horn to ensure perfect coverage at any frequency. www.nexo-sa.com
Retractable roof over No.1 Court at Wimbledon (c)AELTC/Bob Martin
A winning double at Wimbledon Retractable pitch at Tottenham Hotspur (c)THFC
We are proud to have worked alongside the All England Lawn Tennis Club to engineer and install our second retractable roof at Wimbledon, this time over the iconic No.1 Court. May play continue, whatever the weather. We also created and installed the world-first dividing retractable pitch – and grow lights – at Tottenham Hotspur’s stunning new stadium, the pivoting seats at Wembley, the removable crossing at Ascot, and much more besides…
Pivoting seats at Wembley
Find out more at scxspecialprojects.co.uk Removable course crossing at Ascot
EXTRA TIME
DISGUISE | R17 isguise, the solution for creative and technical professionals to imagine, create and deliver the world’s most spectacular live experiences recently launched r17, the latest update to its award-winning software. Designed in response to feedback gathered from disguise’s community of artists and technicians, r17 dramatically enhances the experience of building projects, unlocks better ways to work, and saves time and effort when producing incredible live visuals. disguise software enables users to ‘previsualise’ every pixel of a project before an event or installation. Doing this helps users align and delight every stakeholder ahead of time and deliver on schedule. r17 introduces to previsualisation powerful ‘Manipulators’ that give users the ability to select multiple objects on a 3D stage and offset, rotate and scale them at the click of a mouse. The feature dramatically improves efficiency and usability, reducing the time and effort needed to set up a project. In r17, disguise has also taken compositing to the next level with ‘PreComps’. Using the flexible timeline, users can now route video content between different layers, enabling them to blend and mix content sources to create a complete look. This new workflow allows users to create a pre-composition of layers which can be reused in multiple locations, making
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timelines cleaner and more flexible. Also SockPuppet projects which allow users to control disguise via a lighting desk, iPad or networked device - now perform better and need less complex setups. r17 also includes ‘NDI support’. Users can now stream an NDI source from content tools to the disguise stage, all in realtime, unlocking new workflows for esports, fixed installations, and TV productions. Integration with NDI can also be used as a streaming preview from content tools, such as 3DSMax or AfterEffects that enable users to finesse content accurately insitu, saving time and speeding up workflows. disguise’s latest release r17 has already tested positively with select users that took part in the beta programme. According to Zach Peletz, Video Programmer and founder of Turning Point Studio, “Probably one of the more exciting things about r17 is PreComps going gold. I’ve been using PreComps in their various forms for a year now and it’s great to see how far they’ve come and the new possibilities they provide. This is actually the core of what we’ve developed for an upcoming show. It’s a major step forward.” www.disguise.one
PROFESSIONAL
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Learn more at PRO.BOSE.COM
NEXT-GENERATION ARRAY TECHNOLOGY
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weather rating, ArenaMatch DeltaQ modules make it easy to create
WORLD FOOTBALL SUMMIT AFRICA ollowing the successful expansion into Asia, World Football Summit, a MONDO | STADIA partner, is branching out further and landing in Africa, perhaps the most football-passionate region on the planet and home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Different reports estimate that around 2.2 billion people could be added to the global population by 2050 and more than half of that growth will occur in the African continent. That, together with Africa’s unmatchable capacity for generating talent, makes the continent a potential international football hub. That’s why this event will mark the beginning of a long-term relationship between WFS and Africa. While the speakers at this platform for discussion and networking come from all corners of the world, there is a distinct and explicit African focus and some of the biggest names in the African football industry will be on the stages of the Durban International Convention Centre on March 17th and 18th to share their insight into the major topics of the day. The headline name is Fatma Samoura, the FIFA Secretary General. Since the
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summer of 2019, she has also worked as FIFA General Delegate for Africa and is the most influential figure in African sport. With two decades of experience in the United Nations, and having served as a country representative and Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator in the Republic of Djibouti, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, Niger, Madagascar and Nigeria, Fatma’s experience is unmatchable and her insight will be a star attraction at WFS Africa. Fatma is regularly referred to as the most powerful woman in sport, and there are several other important women who will be speaking at this conference. In addition to the FIFA Secretary General, another big voice at FIFA will be in attendance; Isha Johansen, the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, has also been confirmed. She has been touted as potentially being the first female leader of FIFA and has been president of her nation’s federation since 2013. She is also the founder of FC Johansen, a Sierra Leone club that started out in 2004 with the objective of using sport to support young people that made it to the country’s top division. Desiree Ellis, the Head Coach of South Africa’s women’s national team
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and the current Confederation of African Football Women’s Coach of the Year, is another confirmed speaker, along with other women making a difference in sport, such as Sports Connect Af- rica CEO Cynthia Mumbo, Malaika founder, Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, Afro Visionary Legacy founder, Lebogang Chaka, Zambia Football Association Board Member, Brenda Kunda, Aseanchi Director of Sports Business, Yvonne Namai, SuperSport Sportscaster, Carol Tshabalala, and Journalists, Angela Akua Asante and Usher Komugisha. With the event being held in South Africa and with various South African topics on the agenda, there will be several voices from the host country, including Desiree. She will speak about the South Africa women’s national team’s first ever trip to the World Cup in 2019. Other local experts include South Africa Football Association President, Danny Jordaan, LaLiga’s Managing Director for South Africa, Marcos Pelegrin, Africaid CEO, Marcus McGilvray, South Africa’s first licensed FIFA agent Michael Makaab, Goal. com’s Africa Managing Editor, Steve Blues, and former Bafana Bafana player Sibusiso Zuma. There’s also a very international feel to the inaugural WFS Africa, as there is at every WFS event. This is epitomised through speakers such as LaLiga President, Javier Te- bas, Marseille General Director Laurent Colette, World League Forum General Secretary, Jerome Perlemuter, Facebook Strategic Partnership Manager, Kike Levy, Sevilla Marketing, Commercial and Retail Officer, Ramón Loarte, and former Argentina International and Estudiantes Chairman Juan Sebastián Verón. With the summit’s experts hailing from the fields of sponsorship, retail, politics, football governance, technology, journalism, charity work, consultancy, marketing, social media and more, there is insight to be had for every kind of professional in the football industry. Of course, there will be a focus on stadia as well, as there has been at previous WFS events, and as there will be at future ones. With professionals involved in the hosting of football tournaments, and with representatives from some of the clubs and leagues with the most modern facilities in the world, infrastructure will be a significant theme over the course of these two days. Some of the speakers have very specific experiences in the launching and redevelopment of stadia to share. For example, there’s the case of Juan Sebastián Verón, the Chairman of Argentine side Estudiantes. They recently reopened their Estadio Jorge Luis Hirschi, which has the EDGE Environmental
Certification of sustainable construction, granted by the International Financial Corporation of the World Bank. It’s the first stadium in the world to receive this special certification. With this convention taking place in 2020, a full decade on from South Africa’s World Cup, the legacy of that 2010 tournament will be one of the key conference concepts. The organisation of that tournament will be evaluated and there will be significant reflection on and evaluation of the infrastructure decisions that were made at the time. South Africa has recently pulled out of the running for the hosting of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and that decision will be discussed in depth too, especially as the country could decide to put their case forward to host the 2027 event. The women’s game as a whole will be a major theme, especially considering how many influential female speakers are in the WFS Africa line-up. Discussions of technology always feature prominently at WFS events and that’ll be the case once more. General advancements will be analysed and discussed, but there will also be specific discussion of how African football can embrace new systems and products. That includes technology for stadia and the implementation of VAR in African football’s top venues and competitions. Among the other debates set to be had at the conference, there’s the issue of sponsorship and ROI in African football, there’s the idea of ‘sportainment’ and making a trip to the stadium is about more than just the 90 minutes, there’s the topic of youth football development and how to bring along the next generation. There’s also the prospect of a new broadcasting landscape with the rise of OTT and there’s the subject of the reshaping of tournament structures. Plus, there will be discussions and talks about philanthropy in football and some of the amazing charity work carried out across the continent. Clubs, governing bodies, leagues, organisations and players are becoming increasingly involved in humanitarian activities, and some of the success stories will be told on the stages of the Durban International Convention Centre on March 17th and 18th. africa.worldfootballsummit.com
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EVENT DIARY 2020
Integrated Systems Europe 11th - 14th February, Amsterdam, Netherlands www.iseurope.org
The Stadium Business Summit 21st - 22nd April, Manchester, England www.stadiumbusinesssummit.com
ALSD Conference 21st - 24th June, Dallas, Texas www.alsd.com
International Federations Summit 12th - 13th February, Lausanne, Switzerland www.majoreventsinternational.com
Coliseum APAC May 2020, Beijing, China www.coliseum-online.com
WFS Asia 1st - 2nd July, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia asia.worldfootballsummit.com
MONDO | STADIA presents AGORA 13th February, Amsterdam, Netherlands www.mondostadia-agora.com
Football Innovation Forum 29th May, Istanbul, Turkey fif.worldfootballsummit.com
PLASA Show 6th - 8th September, London, England www.plasashow.com
WFS Africa 17th - 18th March, Durban, South Africa africa.worldfootballsummit.com
Major Events Summit 10th - 11th June, Birmingham, England www.majoreventsinternational.com
IBC 11th - 15th September, Amsterdam, Netherlands show.ibc.org
Coliseum Summit Europe 18th - 19th March, London, England www.coliseum-online.com
InfoComm 13th - 19th June, Las Vegas, USA www.infocommshow.org
Prolight+Sound 31st March - 3rd April, Frankfurt, Germany www.pls.messefrankfurt.com
MONDO | STADIA presents AGORA June 2020, Las Vegas, USA www.mondostadia-agora.com
NAB Show 18th - 22nd April, Las Vegas, USA www.nabshow.com
International Sports Convention 17th - 18th June, London, England www.internationalsportsconvention.com
WFS 2020 23rd - 24th September, Madrid, Spain www.worldfootballsummit.com ALSD International 12th - 13th October, TBC www.alsdinternational.com
17 JUNE 2020 LAS VEGAS ENTER YOUR STADIUM OR ARENA PROJECT NOW M O N D O D R AWA R D S . C O M
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F ULL TIME GUILLAUME LAIRLOUP | EVENT VENUE EXPERTS Tell us more about Event Venue Experts... Event Venue Experts was founded by a team of likeminded entrepreneurs who are passionate about sport and entertainment. For the last 20 years, our experts have been pivotal in the launch or refurbishment of the largest facilities in France, including Stade de France, Roland Garros, AccorHotels Arena, Groupama Stadium, Allianz Riviera Stadium, Paris La Défense Arena, Vélodrome National, Orange Vélodrome, as well as several international projects in Asia, Africa or Australia.
Bolloré Média: Managed IT/Broadcast projects for two DTT channels. M&A by Canal+ and building relocation. Mediatvcom: Managed several projects in the TV and digital content management industries. TV5Monde: Managed the convergence between IT and broadcast. Design and implementation of a new IT system during the relocation of the company, overseeing operations in a 24/7 environment.
What do you do in your role? I manage end-to-end, ICT, broadcast and digital transformation projects; specialising in the sports, entertainment, media and culture industries. I have led multimillion euro, high-profile transformation projects, integrating and standardising processes and platforms across multiple locations.
Next big thing in terms of sporting venue technology? The 5G networks will be a game changer, as it will enable a new generation of digital services. For the venue owners, it will help them operate as smart buildings - industrial IoT – AI-driven energy analytics. It will also give the media a low-latency distribution network, enabling UHD 8K and will bring a completely new viewing experience, with the introduction of immersive 360 video with data-driven AR, for example.
What venues have you worked on? AccorHotels Arena: Led the digital transformation of the largest sports and concert arena in France. Complete revamp of the building, its technology, business model and strategy.
Favourite sporting venue? Paris La Défense Arena - the best rugby experience in the world. It’s a hybrid venue; an indoor rugby stadium and concert hall, with a capacity of up to 40k. You always feel close to the action, no matter where you are in the stadium. It has the unusual quality of making every show feel like an intimate gig, even though it’s in a stadium. Roger Waters and Rammstein shows were particularly awesome!
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INTERESTED IN AGORA VEGAS? CONTACT: SAM (S.HUGHES@MONDIALE.CO.UK) SPONSORSHIP: JAMIE (J.DIXON@MONDIALE.CO.UK) OR LAURA (L.ILES@MONDIALE.CO.UK)