COLIN FARQUHAR SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES VITEC How outdoor AV could be a turning point for in-person events in 2021 and beyond. Images: Exterity, a VITEC company ith the vaccination program rolling
play and replays of all the live action around
the screens erected across all the multiple
out worldwide, live outdoor event
the venue or site. But, prior to last year, no
courses from which the tournament is played.
restrictions are starting to ease.
one could have predicted that the screens
Over 172,000 spectators make the trip for
As crowds begin to flurry back
would turn into a crucial player in enabling the
the one-week event, and over 600 screens
to stands and venues, event organisers must
return to normality for live events in 2021.
across the site deliver high-quality gameplay
be prepared to accommodate updated rules
As of March this year, the latest advice from
content. Although in today’s climate, 172,000
and regulations needed to provide a safe
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
spectators would be advised against, this
experience. According to Indy Star, the outdoor
(CDC) recommends prioritising attending
year’s event at Royal St. George’s is still
venue for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
outdoor events only to lower the risk of
expecting a significant number of fans in July
held capacity at 50% for the Indy 500, that
spreading COVID-19. As some outdoor sports
2021, according to The Independent. With a
took place May 30th 2021. Whereas, across
events often occur across a large space, it
professional IP video system and high-quality
the pond, for the English Premier League,
can be challenging for fans to watch the live
signage across the course, The Open spectators
stadium capacity is limited to 25% of its usual
physical action happening without the aid of
will feel assured that screens and signage
pre-COVID total, according to The Athletic.
screens and displays. To avoid mass crowds
throughout the venue provide the latest
Meanwhile, Sky Stadium in New Zealand
swarming on top of each other to see their
information on COVID safety measures.
has announced that there are no restrictions
favourite sports player take the field, broadcast
Not only is the use of digital signage extremely
on mass gatherings at all. These examples
coverage of the event distributed through
beneficial to spectators, but it can also be an
demonstrate the wide-ranging rules from
IP video systems can be a huge advantage.
essential tool to display branding across the
country to country, yet worldwide it is clear
Golf is an excellent example of a live event
venue. For example, Goodwood’s 12,000-
that visitors want to return to live events, and
taking place over a large site and utilises
acre estate deploys audio and visual elements
to do so they require event spaces that are
screens to the benefit of coverage and safety
supporting many of the events held on-site
equipped to create safe and COVID-friendly
measure updates. The Open Championship,
each year. These include video feeds displayed
environments. For many sporting events,
held in different venues across Scotland
onto 11 large LED screens and hospitality
large-scale screens and displays are crucial
each year, boasts a ‘pop-up’ IP video system
areas for the Festival of Speed, one of the
to the fans’ experience by showing up close
so fans can see live video action shown on
world’s greatest motorsport and car culture
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