We take a closer look at the partnership between the multipurpose venue and turf protection experts, TERRAPLAS.
VITEC INTERVIEW
VITEC’s Eli Garten discussed the gamechanging launch of SignSync, and how it will impact stadiums and arenas.
TEAM TALK - ASB GLASSFLOOR
The evolution of sponsorship in sporting venues and how ASB GlassFloor are leading the charge with real innovation.
FULL TIME - JONES SPORTS
We
THE INTERNATIONAL PUBLICATION FOR TECHNOLOGY IN SPORTING VENUES
spoke to Rich Ongirski and Jack Wellman about Jones Sports’ spectacular work in stadium and arenas.
WELCOME
e’re back with ISSUE 37 and ready to take it around the world with us, with trips to London, Amsterdam, Madrid, and Dublin all on the agenda over the next couple of months. We’re certainly looking forward to catching up with everyone in the industry after the summer break.
Our Team Talk column comes from ASB GlassFloor, with Marketing Manager, Stephanie Pfeffer, discussing the evolutuion of sponsorship in sporting venues.
We’ve also interviewed Logan Meier from PMY Group about the incredible project his team completed at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with one new, temporary venue completed and two others renovated in just under six months.
We also had a chat with VITEC’s Eli Garten about the game-changing launch of SignSync technology, and the impact it’ll have at numerous stadiums and arenas moving foward.
Our cover story is the spectacular Ross Video project at Swiss Life Arena in Zürich, and we’ve also taken a closer look at the partnership between London Stadium and turf protection experts, TERRAPLAS.
We’re also thrilled to announce the official date for STADIA | SESSIONS #02...
We’ll be heading back to Mykonos on 13-16 May 2025!
Our inaugural event was a resounding success, drawing key decision makers from clubs and venues, as well as architects, consultants, and suppliers. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register your interest here as soon as possible: tinyurl.com/stadiasessions
Sam Hughes Editorial Director
Editorial Director
Sam Hughes s.hughes@mondiale.co.uk
Commercial Director Jamie Dixon
j.dixon@mondiale.co.uk
Design & Production
Dan Seaton d.seaton@mondiale.co.uk
Dave Bell d.bell@mondiale.co.uk
Finance Director Amanda Giles a.giles@mondiale.co.uk
Credit Control ar@mondiale.co.uk
Group Chairman Damian Walsh
Stockport, SK1 3AZ, UK Tel: +44 161 476 8340
052
Cover Image: Ross Video
THE EVOLUTION OF SPONSORSHIP: HOW TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING SPORTS VENUES
ponsorship has long been a cornerstone of the sports industry, providing critical financial support to venues and teams while offering brands a platform to reach passionate and engaged audiences. Traditionally, sponsorship in sports venues has involved static banners, naming rights, and product placements. However, the advent of new technologies is transforming this dynamic, creating more interactive and personalized sponsorship opportunities. Companies like ASB GlassFloor are leading the charge, introducing innovations that enhance the way sponsors connect with fans and provide unlimited sponsoring inventory.
The Old Guard: Traditional Sponsorship Methods in Sports Venues
For decades, traditional sponsorship models have dominated the sports venue landscape. This typically involved static banners around
the stadium, naming rights for venues, and in-game product placements. These methods, while effective in creating brand visibility, had significant limitations. They often lacked the ability to engage fans actively and provide measurable outcomes for sponsors. Static ads are easily overlooked, and the impact of such sponsorships can be hard to quantify. Traditional methods were also less adaptable to real-time changes, making it difficult to customize messages based on the evolving dynamics of a game.
The Digital Revolution: How Technology is Transforming Sports Venues
The landscape of sports sponsorship began to change with the introduction of technological advancements in venues. From high-speed Wi-Fi to mobile apps and IoT devices, these innovations have revolutionized the way fans interact with their environment. A standout innovation in this arena is the interactive
LED glass floor, pioneered by ASB GlassFloor. This technology transforms the venue floor into a dynamic display, capable of showcasing real-time statistics, replays, advertisements, and even interactive games. Unlike traditional static banners, these floors offer unlimited sponsorship slots, ensuring sponsors always have opportunities to connect with fans.
Engaging the Modern Fan: Interactive and Real-Time Sponsorships
The digital court represent a significant leap forward in sponsorship opportunities. It can display tailored content in real-time, such as player statistics, animated brand messages, or targeted advertisements during timeouts. This immediacy captures the audience’s attention far more effectively than static ads. For example, during a basketball game, the floor can highlight a sponsor’s message when a team scores a three-pointer or display a special promotion during intermissions. This
flexibility allows sponsors to create timely, relevant messages that resonate deeply with fans, enhancing engagement at crucial moments.
From Spectators to Participants: Boosting Engagement Through Technology
Technology not only enhances sponsorship visibility but also significantly boosts fan engagement and brand activation. Interactive elements allow fans to engage directly with sponsor content. For example, fans can participate in floor-based games or polls sponsored by brands, blending entertainment with advertisement. This type of engagement increases brand visibility and creates a more memorable association for fans. Those brand activations further deepen the connection between fans and sponsors, turning passive spectators into active participants.
Tailored Experiences: Leveraging Data for Customized Sponsorships
One of the most transformative aspects of technological innovation in sponsorship is the ability to personalize experiences through data analytics. Modern venues collect vast amounts of data on fan behavior and preferences, which can be used to tailor sponsorship messages. For instance, a fan who frequently attends games and purchases specific merchandise can
receive targeted offers and promotions that match their interests.
ASB GlassFloor’s technology enhances the visual and interactive aspects of sponsorships by integrating game data into its system. This allows the floor to highlight real-time game statistics, player achievements, and other dynamic content that captivates fans. It can connect with other data collection tools within the venue to provide a seamless, engaging experience. This integration ensures that sponsors can deliver timely and relevant messages based on the live game context, enhancing fan engagement and maximizing the impact of sponsorships. By leveraging these insights, brands can create more relevant and impactful sponsorships that truly connect with the audience.
Looking Ahead: Emerging Trends and Innovations in Sponsorship
Looking to the future, the prospects for technology-enhanced sponsorships in sports venues are incredibly promising. As technology continues to evolve, so too will the opportunities to enhance fan engagement. We can expect to see even more innovative uses of interactive floors, VR, AR, and data analytics in the coming years. Companies like ASB GlassFloor are well-positioned to continue leading this evolution, developing new
solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible in sports venues. The flexibility and dynamism of this digital court means that sponsorship slots are endless, accommodating an increasing number of sponsors without cluttering the fan experience.
The Bright Future of Technological Sponsorships
The evolution of sponsorship in sports venues is a testament to the power of technological innovation. From static banners to dynamic, interactive displays, the way sponsors connect with fans has been transformed. Companies like ASB GlassFloor are at the forefront of this revolution, providing the tools and technologies needed to create more engaging and personalized sponsorship experiences. As we look to the future, the integration of advanced technologies will continue to reshape the fan experience, offering even more immersive and interactive opportunities. The challenge for venue operators and technology providers will be to stay ahead of the curve, continually innovating to meet the ever-increasing expectations of fans. With a commitment to innovation and a focus on enhancing fan engagement, the future of sponsorship in sports venues looks brighter than ever.
asbglassfloor.com
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INTERVIEW
“I think you’re going to see more and more temporary venues... The ability to efficiently set up temporary venues for major global events is gaining a lot of traction.”
Logan Meier Vice President, Executive General Manager, USA PMY Group
“It’s really been one of most exciting technologies that we’ve launched... SignSync stands out as one of the most anticipated advancements.”
Eli Garten Senior Vice President, Global IPTV and Partner Solutions
VITEC
LOGAN MEIER, VICE PRESIDENT, EXECUTIVE GENERAL MANAGER, USA, PMY GROUP
PMY Group deliver a spectacular, groundbreaking project across three venues for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
First of all, can you introduce yourself and explain your role at PMY Group?
My name is Logan Meier, and I’m the Vice President and Executive General Manager for PMY’s US business. My role is multifaceted, but primarily, I’m responsible for driving our business forward in the United States. This involves ensuring that the projects we secure are delivered effectively and on time, as well as identifying and securing new opportunities. I wear both a sales hat, finding and closing deals, and an operations hat, making sure we deliver projects according to the agreements and profitably. Additionally, I focus on continuously growing and building our business in the US.
Can you give us brief overview of PMY’s work on the project for the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup?
This all started when we learned about the ICC’s intention to hold the Cricket World Cup in the United States and the West Indies a few years ago. Given our extensive experience in cricket in both Australia and the UK, we saw this as a perfect opportunity to leverage our global expertise in the growing US market.
We connected with some key people at the ICC and local organisers responsible for the event. They mentioned their plans to build a new venue from scratch in Nassau County, New York, to host some of the World Cup games. This venue, a 34,000-seat stadium, was to be built in a public park just an hour outside New York City within an incredibly tight timeframe of less than six months.
As we discussed the project, it became clear that there was no one overseeing the technology aspect comprehensively for this venue. So, around October or November of last year, we started conversations about helping them create a technology master plan. This plan would serve as a blueprint for executing and delivering all the necessary technology.
We began by sitting down with them to understand their existing venue standards and identify the unique characteristics of the Nassau County location. Within 30 to 45 days, we developed the initial technology
master plan specifically for the Nassau County Stadium.
When did you also get involved in the projects at Broward County Stadium and Grand Prairie Stadium?
After delivering the technology masterplan in early January, we presented it to the organisers. They were impressed and mentioned they had two additional venues in Florida and Texas, which were already existing cricket venues. They didn’t need a full technology masterplan, but rather a hybrid approach to supplement what was already in place.
They asked if we could deliver the necessary technology for all three venues, and we agreed. This initial engagement led to us being responsible for implementing the technology across all three locations.
In terms of putting together a technology masterplan for venues, where do PMY begin – and how does that differ from new builds through to existing stadiums?
In terms of technology implementation, where do we begin!? Well, we have decades of experience in running and planning technology for major events globally.
We’ve developed a framework and methodology that helps us identify all the core and critical areas requiring technology infrastructure. For every event we handle, we go through a detailed process, examining each aspect page by page.
We began with basic questions like, “Is there telecommunications connectivity in this area?” From establishing basic internet connectivity to operational aspects like running the scoreboard and ensuring ticket scanners have proper connectivity, we cover everything down to point-of-sale machines.
We use our playbook to ensure we meet existing standards, identify gaps, and work with clients to establish new standards where needed. Local factors play a significant role, too. For example, in Nassau County’s public park, there was no internet circuit readily available, so we had to address those unique challenges. We also had to consider local labour unions and laws when running cabling and other infrastructure.
Regarding the existing venues in Florida and Texas, cricket in the US isn’t as developed as other sports. These venues lacked the capabilities of typical US sports venues. We identified the gaps between the current state and the ICC and T20 requirements, and then devised a plan to deliver the necessary technology, whether with local teams, outside contractors, or our own personnel.
Each venue required a bespoke approach, but we consistently applied our framework: every venue needs connectivity, security and video surveillance, Wi-Fi, end-user devices, and more. We adjusted our playbook to fit the unique needs of each venue, ensuring everything was covered comprehensively.
Can you give us some insight into PMY’s work on the network infrastructure at Nassau County Stadium?
From a network infrastructure perspective, our initial task was to identify all the core services needed for the venue. This includes areas like the back of house, production trailers, broadcast trailers, and working trailers for power and water. There are so many support vendors required for a venue like this, so we needed to ensure connectivity for all of them. First, we focused on getting the site, which was initially an empty field, connected so the initial working team had a baseline set of connectivity. We have some creative ways to provide early connectivity, such as WiFi for trailers and other immediate needs. Once we had the early needs identified, we moved on to designing the network infrastructure. This design process involved evaluating the needs for both operational WiFi for vendors and operations teams, and public WiFi for attendees. We assessed how much public WiFi was necessary, if at all. After identifying the core connectivity needs for both back of house and front of house, we determined where all our stakeholders would be located and estimated the bandwidth and access points required.
With this information, we began designing the network. We calculated how many access points and physical hardline connections were needed in each area, ensuring the network could support both operational needs and public connectivity. This methodical approach allowed us to build a network capable of handling all aspects of the venue’s connectivity requirements.
How did you approach the AV solutions at the venue?
To tackle a variety of tasks, we coordinated with existing vendors who support the on-field LED products visible to the broadcast audience. These vendors were already contracted, but we needed to ensure connectivity and content distribution to these displays from a control room we were responsible for enabling and staffing. There were two main components: the on-field LEDs and the game presentation LEDs on the scoreboard.
First, we identified the size and number of screens needed for the video replay and game presentations. We discussed different options and conducted a quick RFP process to bring in trusted LED vendors experienced with large temporary events in the US. After vetting the options, we helped select a vendor that met the requirements.
Coordinating all this involved ensuring the LEDs had power and connectivity, and that the game presentation LEDs were in sync with the on-field LEDs. This led to the design and installation process to get the LEDs up and running. For audio, the challenge was unique because there were no rafters to hang line array speakers from. We had to get creative to provide proper sound amplification for a venue of that size. We worked with The Parker Company, a major partner for the ICC, who had identified Maryland Sound International as an experienced audio vendor. They proposed a design, and we managed and coordinated both the in-bowl audio distribution and the back of house audio needs.
Our role was to ensure that all the technology needs were well-coordinated with other components. Our team of audio designers and acousticians reviewed Maryland Sound’s design to ensure it met the venue’s needs. It was a significant coordination effort to get the sound system right.
How did PMY assist with the safety and security element of the stadium?
Early on, the ICC asked us to help identify and procure all safety and security items. Our main focus was on electronic security design, coordinating closely with local and state law enforcement. We helped define the minimum security standards and identified video surveillance requirements, including those for anti-doping and cricket-specific needs.
We brought in a group to support us in designing and operating the security system, coordinating access to all camera feeds. Most access control was managed through physical locks, keys, and credentialing, but we ensured all electronic security components were integrated with ICC requirements and local law enforcement.
With a tight deadline, as well as working across three different sites, how did the team manage what had the potential to be a chaotic project?
We ultimately decided that this event was too compelling and noteworthy not to put our best team on it. To handle the chaotic five and a half months of preparation and delivery, we assembled our top experts - people who have worked on major events like the Olympics and with FIFA.
Our goal was to deliver the technology masterplan, implement it, and manage it operationally once the games started. We brought in a team of around 15 people across all three venues, drawing from both our local US and global talent pool of event technology specialists. We assigned specific areas of responsibility to subject matter experts. For example, one person oversaw network
infrastructure, another handled large format video boards, and another managed host broadcast content distribution and IPTV throughout the stadium. Each expert was responsible for their specific event technology service.
To ensure success, we held daily meetings to track our internal and external milestones. This coordinated effort allowed us to meet all our goals efficiently.
I want to acknowledge that there were several trusted partners that PMY brought into the engagement. We couldn’t have done it without their help. These partners supplemented our own resources, assets, and capabilities. It wasn’t just a PMY show; it was a collective effort involving our group of vendors and trusted partners. Together, we delivered at the highest level.
What kind of impact and legacy will this monumental project have moving forward? Do you think this is now a blueprint of a new approach to venues and events?
I think you’re going to see more and more temporary venues. It’s becoming increasingly clear, especially with the recurring discussions around the high cost of building permanent stadiums for major events. The ability to efficiently set up temporary venues for major global events is gaining a lot of traction.
With this trend, there will be a growing need for groups like ours to support these temporary setups. And it’s not just us—there are many vendors, contractors, and parties involved. The fact that we could design and build a venue of this magnitude in less than a year is really compelling. I believe more organizing committees, federations, and groups responsible for large-scale global events will adopt this approach. This will increase the demand for vendors who can address various needs, from construction and scaffolding to ensuring every venue has functional point-of-sale and ticket scanning machines with proper connectivity. The rise of temporary venues for major events is only going to grow.
ELI GARTEN, SENIOR VP, GLOBAL IPTV AND PARTNER SOLUTIONS, VITEC
Can you introduce yourself and your role at VITEC? I’ve been in the video and networking streaming business for about 25 years. I started initially on the engineering side of things, and transitioned to the product management and, up until this year, I led our Product Management and Customer Success teams. But today I run Vitec’s strategic alliances and partnerships, and I’m responsible for identifying collaboration opportunities on the go-to-market side, as well as engagement that will increase the depth and breadth of our offerings.
SignSync™ has been implemented on VITEC’s EZ TV platform, for IPTV and Digital Signage deployments. EZ TV is something I incepted back in 2007, so it goes a long way back to the past and a platform I have worked with for a long time.
Can you tell us more about SignSync?
So, SignSync is about content synchronisation across displays. The digital signage world continues to evolve rapidly, and especially in projects where there is a large number of displays, such as multipurpose, entertainment and sports venues, but even in other domains, too, the digital signage is becoming more dynamic.
We also see that a lot of venues are really evolving quickly in terms of their corporate sponsorship offerings. The packages that they offer, for example, have become much more granular and focussed. It now includes many more content zones, which means different unique content and playlists in different areas of the buildings. So, all of those trends are basically calling for more sophistication in the way you manage and orchestrate content.
With the rising number of displays being installed in venues to monetise further, fans and guests can see numerous screens from almost any spot in the building. This proliferation of displays means that viewers expect a seamless experience, with content transitioning smoothly and synchronously across all screens. As the number of displays grows, ensuring this synchronised experience becomes increasingly complex.
Why do you think SignSync is needed in large venues?
For a long time, there have been signage solutions that don’t have any capacity to sync content - and that’s a challenge for them. There’s companies that have traditionally done it by upstreaming - encoding the full layout back in the
server room and, basically, broadcast that as a complete stream with all the elements. This can achieve fairly good synchronisation, but it requires a lot of footprint, not to mention expense, for something that isn’t particularly scalable.
This led to another approach, which involves locally storing all content on media players’ storage devices - a common practice among many signage companies. To synchronise a playlist across dozens or hundreds of displays, you must cache and copy all elements of the playlist to each media player. Ensuring that the playlist launches and plays back in sync requires meticulous configuration, using protocols like NTP or PTP. This network configuration can be cumbersome, and the time from publishing a playlist to it being ready to stream across all displays is often lengthy. Venues frequently experience last-minute changes in logos, advertisers, and playlists, making this solution less than ideal for quick updates.
With SignSync, our goal was to achieve seamless synchronisation without relying on specific network protocols like PTP. We wanted to avoid the complications of syncing after power losses, reboots, and other disaster recovery
scenarios. Our focus was on minimising time to market, allowing venues to quickly trigger synchronised zones and make last-minute changes, even during playback. We aimed to reduce the need for human intervention in case of issues. Traditional methods of resuming synchronisation after power loss or hardware failure were cumbersome. Our patented technology introduces a novel workflow: while we still copy all content to media players within a given zone, it isn’t necessary for every media player to receive the content. Instead, our server or CMS identifies the first media player that has received all necessary elements for the playlist and designates it as the sender, or streamer. This approach simplifies the process and ensures smoother synchronisation. When a media player in a designated zone is ready to act as a sender, we automatically notify the other media players in the zone without any operator intervention. These media players, while still copying the content in the background, can begin listening to the broadcast from the sender immediately without waiting for the entire content to arrive. The sender activates the zone and starts broadcasting the necessary elements in sync, such as sports or multicast broadcasts for that group. This approach allows for infinite
scalability, as users can create as many groups as needed. The synchronised playlist is decoded using our silicon or ASIC technology, eliminating variance in latency and disk reading. In fact, no disk is involved at all. This ensures a finite, predictable behaviour that maintains synchronisation indefinitely.
As part of it, we also implemented the automatic logic for error, recovery and resilience. So, if that sender goes down for any reason, or there’s a network connection problem with the sender, our CMS will discover that automatically and, within a second or two, will designate another media player. This media player will start sending the contents to the same group of listeners automatically, which means that the recovery is immediate and there is no loss of synchronisation in that group.
If a media player was to go down and power back up, it will join that multicast stream and immediately resume its membership in the synchronised playback. So, we really focussed on all of those pain points that happen in other venues and with other solutions. And we believe that SignSync solves those problems that arise, such as time-tomarket, recovery, and scalability.
What kind of impact will SignSync have on stadiums and arenas?
SignSync will have a significant impact on stadiums and arenas in several ways. First, venues currently face challenges in creating and rendering timelines and playlists for sponsorship campaigns for events. Typically, they have a freeze period of four to eight hours during which no updates from corporate sponsors or sales teams can be made. With
SignSync, venues can now incorporate last-minute updates and even make changes during the event. If any elements are updated, our CMS will push those changes to the center media player in each zone on the fly, dramatically reducing the time required to prepare and render campaigns for sports or other events. This leads to less overhead, reduced preparation time, and easier management of changes. Secondly, SignSync significantly lowers both capital and operational expenses. There is no longer a need for extensive infrastructure and computing power in the server room to encode and multicast layouts individually. This streamlined process results in improved efficiency and cost savings for stadiums and arenas.
Lastly, SignSync enhances scalability. Venues can now create many more unique content zones, aligning with the trend towards more granular and sophisticated campaigns. Sponsors can target specific areas such as concourses, travel paths, elevators, and suites, each with unique content. This granularity allows venues to optimise their monetisation potential by offering more tailored advertising opportunities.
Can marketing teams access reports on what is shown on the screens?
Absolutely. This is a key differentiator for our CMS. We offer real-time airtime and proof-of-play reports that go beyond merely tracking what content has been shown and for how long. Our system monitors and analyses every element within a playlist, allowing us to identify and report any issues with individual elements on any screen. We utilise a big data database to collect this information in real time, enabling the immediate production of reports
without the need for extensive computation. This capability is increasingly in demand by our users, who leverage our proof-of-play and airtime reports to integrate with their monetisation and sponsorship software. This ensures advertisers receive confirmation that their content has been displayed as promised and helps optimise sponsorship packages. Analytics is indeed a significant component of our solution.
How quickly can the SignSync technology be installed and ready to use?
One of our key objectives with SignSync was ensuring backward compatibility. This means we’re not only deploying it in new projects, but it’s also compatible with our existing set-top boxes and media players already in the field, including both our HD and 4K generations.
In the next few months, we will start rolling it out to our existing customer base. We also designed SignSync to be licensable, which opens up interesting possibilities, particularly for SoC displays. Manufacturers of SoC displays that are signage-capable currently lack a way to synchronise content across multiple TVs.
Has SignSync been received well by your existing partners?
They love it and can’t wait to get it into the venues. It’s really been one of most exciting technologies that we’ve launched -
and the demos at NAB and InfoComm prove that.
For both end users, integrators, partners, and technology collaborators like display vendors, our commitment remains steadfast in delivering roadmap innovations and upgrades. Among these, SignSync stands out as one of the most anticipated advancements. We are preparing to roll out this technology to venues in the coming weeks and months, ready for the upcoming season.
We’ve ensured a seamless transition for our users migrating from existing workflows to the new SignSync-based workflow. So, they can easily activate SignSync technology under their programmed CMS signage, minimising the effort required to transition their campaigns as they prepare for the new season. And, of course, VITEC will be there to support the whole way.
WOLTOSZ FOOTBALL PERFORMANCE CENTER
Auburn, USA
Images: Henderson Engineers
Few teams are as revered within the American college football landscape as Auburn University’s Auburn Tigers, a storied program founded in 1892 that’s a regular fixture among the top championship contenders year-to-year. So, when the university ventured to build a new training facility at its Auburn, Alabama campus, it was only right to match the prestige of its beloved team. Bringing this ambitious vision to life would involve a distinguished roster of design and construction partners, of which the selection included Henderson Engineers as Engineer of Record. The result is the stunning $92 million Woltosz Football Performance Center, the largest athletics project in the history of the university.
The 12-acre performance center features two full-sized outdoor practice fields alongside a 233,428 square foot main building that houses an indoor practice facility, an equipment development lab, a player development lab with top-of-theline training equipment, sports medicine facilities offering hydrotherapy and rehabilitation, and workspaces. Perhaps the most visually engrossing feature are the high-definition videoboards hanging across all corners of the facility, from
the grand entrance to the weight room and everything in between. The embrace of technology, of which Henderson was responsible for designing the infrastructure, doesn’t stop there. Other highlights include a Perch system that uses sensors to track weightlifting performance and a 360-degree full-body scanner used to track player performance, as well as help design personalized equipment.
“With the quantity of videoboards and other state-of-the-art technology within the facility, there was an intimate level of coordination required to make sure our designs on the front end were translated accurately on site,” says Tyler Johnson, sports practice director at Henderson, whose scope included audio-video, architectural lighting, electrical, fire and life safety, mechanical, plumbing, security, and telecom. “Many of the specialized systems that the athletics department was interested in were not finalized until the latter stages of the construction process, so we worked closely with the team from Rabren General Contractors to essentially future proof the building to support any and all possibilities once selections were made.”
When they’re not busy training, players have access to several
lounge areas to take a breather. In addition to a standard locker room designated for equipment storage and changing, the performance center offers a “huddle” locker room that’s equipped with a plush seating akin to a business class flight experience, gaming systems, a barber shop, and a lounge. At the center of the space is Toomer’s chandelier, a suspended fabric element with automated pan, tilt, and custom gobo fixtures above to push light through the chandelier as an interactive experience. The feature is a special nod to a unique Auburn University tradition where Toomer’s Corner on campus is flooded with toilet paper after every home game win.
Lighting plays a key role in making the performance center stand out, with physical and mental well-being at the forefront of how Henderson approached the lighting design together with project architects Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) and HOK. This is especially evident in the “huddle” locker room, where color temperature tuning is used to
achieve a more energetic 6,500k prior to daytime practice. After practice, the space warms to 2,700K to physiologically manipulate the eye to aid in recovery. To help build cohesion, lighting elements resembling an eagle in flight allude to the team’s War Eagle mascot throughout the building. These touches helped earn the project a National Award of Merit at the 2024 IES (Illuminating Engineering Society) Illumination Awards.
“American college training facilities, especially within Division I, are not only about providing an efficient training environment to keep the teams performing at the highest levels,” says Johnson. “These spaces are also meant to be a home away from home for athletes, which requires thinking outside the box and providing amenities that inspire you to linger and spend time beyond practice. Additionally, they play a major role in recruiting prospective athletes so there’s a wow factor that’s an important piece of the design. Woltosz Football Performance Center exemplifies all these aspects.”
VENUE FOCUS
LONDON STADIUM
London, England
Images: London Stadium / TERRAPLAS
In the world of large-scale event hosting, the ability to adapt and remain flexible is crucial for venues catering to diverse audiences.
TERRAPLAS, a leading provider of temporary flooring solutions, and London Stadium, a versatile, multifunctional venue that hosts events ranging from Premier League football to international concerts and athletic competitions, epitomise these qualities.
In December 2023, TERRAPLAS was awarded the contract to supply London Stadium with market-leading turf protection. London Stadium acquired 9,00o sq metres of TerraTrak Plus, a drivable turf protection system renowned for its robustness and ease of installation. Boasting the highest load-bearing capacity of all TERRAPLAS products, TerraTrak Plus is designed to accommodate the immense weight and stresses
of heavy machinery and 100+ tonne cranes, crucial for setting up major events in stadiums and arenas. The large panels interlock seamlessly, creating a monolithic floor that can be installed quickly and efficiently, significantly reducing labour costs and setup time without compromising safety. Meanwhile, the translucent design of the panels allows sunlight to penetrate, ensuring that the grass continues to photosynthesise and remain healthy. This makes TerraTrak Plus an invaluable asset for venues that regularly host highprofile events without endangering their primary asset—the turf.
In April 2024, the stadium further invested in bespoke steel stillages, specially designed for storing TERRAPLAS tiles. These stillages streamline the storage and handling process while ensuring the tiles’ longevity and integrity, thereby
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YOUR PITCH INTO A PROFIT CENTRE
As the ultimate turf and ice protection for arenas, stadiums, and sports facilities, TERRAPLAS® allows venues to become truly multipurpose. Our solutions make it possible to host concerts, sports events, and more, maximising your revenue potential while protecting your greatest asset - your original turf or ice surface.
maximising London Stadium’s return on investment.
Darren Raczkowski, Director of Operations at London Stadium, explained why TERRAPLAS was chosen for the venue: “As with all products on the market, we evaluate a number of key metrics, from value for money, performance, longevity and lifecycle within a multi-use environment.
“We went through an extensive review for a solution for pitch protection, and through this process TerraTrak Plus was assessed to be the best product currently in the marketplace that met all our key requirement for the main pitch area.”
The hallmark of both TERRAPLAS and London Stadium is their flexibility. Built as the centrepiece for the London 2012 Olympics, the stadium at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park has evolved into a multi-purpose venue. It is home to West Ham United and UK Athletics, with a history of hosting a diverse range of events such as the Rugby World Cup, The Race of Champions, and Europe’s first Major League Baseball games. The stadium boasts a flexible seating capacity—from 60,000 for football matches to 80,000 for concerts—complemented by extensive catering facilities, accessible viewing spaces, and premium hospitality lounges.
TERRAPLAS turf protection systems can be quickly and easily installed or removed, allowing venues to switch seamlessly between events. This flexibility is essential for venues that host a variety of events, from concerts and exhibitions to sports and community gatherings. Since purchasing TERRAPLAS turf protection, London Stadium has successfully hosted a diverse series of major events, including Monster Jam, Burna Boy, Foo Fighters, and the MLB London series featuring the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. These events showcase the stadium’s ability to transition seamlessly between different event types, maintaining highquality experiences for both organisers and attendees.
Darren explained further: “Some of the key benefits which meant TerraTrak Plus worked well within our specific environment, is dealing with different gradients of pitch areas, which makes for a smoother transition when you have varying levels of the protected area.
“We know that plastic products can expand and contract in the changing temperature environments of a stadium, the design of TerraTrak Plus enabled us to deal and compensate with this fluctuation extremely well.
“In addition, the interlocking system of the floor tiles helped with ease of install and quick identification of the flooring being in its complete and locked position. This is a benefit when we overlay with additional protection for more complex builds, such as MLB and Monster Jam, where thousands of tons of earth and / or aggregate is built on top of the flooring surface.”
Both London Stadium and TERRAPLAS share a commitment to creating unforgettable experiences and maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. London Stadium prides itself on being a venue where memories are made, providing exceptional experiences through a combination of world-class facilities and a passionate team. This aligns perfectly with TERRAPLAS’s ethos of delivering bespoke turf protection solutions that respect and enhance the venues they serve.
Specialists for real-time video manipulation and 3D mapping
Hippotizer at core of immersive installation at Bieszczady Cultural Heritage Center
Sixty million pixels of content is being driven to 18x projectors and three LED screens as part of an immersive installation at Poland’s Bieszczady Cultural Heritage Center, with Hippotizer Boreal+ MK2 Media Servers at the core of the visuals. More than 200GB of animated graphics are being handled by the Boreal+ MK2s in a show designed to educate, inform and entertain.
SWISS LIFE ARENA
Zürich, Switzerland
Images: Ross Video
The Zürcher Schlittschuh Club Lions (ZSC Lions), a professional ice hockey team from Zürich, Switzerland, have been a key player in the National League (NL) since 1930.
Their dedication to excellence encompasses not just their performance on the ice, but also the entire fan experience. This commitment inspired them to embark on a groundbreaking project: the construction of the cuttingedge Swiss Life Arena, aimed at setting new standards for ice hockey venues throughout Europe.
The ZSC Lions’ ambitious vision of creating an unparalleled ice hockey arena experience came with a host of complex challenges. However, the aim was to set a new benchmark.
To create an immersive and dynamic environment for fans, they needed an advanced but user-friendly system that was versatile enough to cater to various sports events beyond ice hockey and could facilitate advertising opportunities during game days.
“It’s not just about the games played here, it’s about the entertainment around the game, it’s the surroundings and how we create an atmosphere for fans where they feel central to the action,” said Roger Gemperle Chief Marketing Officer, ZSC Lions.
To help ZSC Lions draw fans deeper into the action, Ross partnered with AVC Group to design an end-to-end solution for the Zürich-based arena.
The solution includes Carbonite Ultra, Mira, Ultrix, open Gear, XPression, XPression Tessera, and DashBoard (Custom Control Panels). This combination offera a versatile approach to video production and control, allowing for unified content management across the arena’s LED displays, including the impressive LED Cube—the largest in Europe.
Collaboration and clear vision were key. ZSC Lions knew from the offset what they wanted to achieve. The strong partnership between AVC and Ross enabled the project’s execution to be streamlined and efficient.
“The Lions have unlocked the power of an end-to-end Ross solution. XPression real-time graphics feed all the LEDs in the arena, with the additional XPression Tessera to serve the scale of the arena,” explained Steffen Buschman Senior Sales
Manager, Central Europe.
“In addition, the ZSC Lions use a Carbonite video switcher, our Hyperconverged production platform Ultrix and the Mira replay server. All of that is controlled through a unified and very simplified DashBoard custom control panel.”
The integration of Ross Video’s solutions has had a significant impact on the ZSC Lions and the Swiss Life Arena, delivering tangible results. Following the implementation of the technology, Ross and AVC teams offered on-site support and training, ensuring a seamless transition for the ZSC Lions team. Client feedback has been exceptionally positive, emphasising the user-friendly nature and adaptability of Ross Video’s solutions.
The ZSC Lions now enjoy a world-class arena equipped
with advanced live video production capabilities that enhance the fan experience. Ross Video’s technology has created a dynamic and immersive atmosphere, boosting fan engagement and unlocking new revenue streams through increased advertising opportunities. The collaboration between Ross Video and the ZSC Lions has surpassed expectations, establishing a new benchmark for innovation and excellence in European arena entertainment.
Sabrina Fraticelli Team Lead, Technical Venue Operations, ZSC Lions, concluded: “We are only using 15% of the possibilities that Ross solutions open for us. We are just getting started. I am interested in seeing where we are in 5or 10-years’ time.”
PIXMOB
NOVA
The NOVA Armrest is a powerfully-bright LED installation technology that is integrated directly into each arena seat. This vibrant LED turns every seat in the house into an interactive pixel of light, turning the arena into one giant canvas of live effects that super charge every moment of the game or show.
Designed to seamlessly integrate into every seat, the NOVA Armrest features customisable lighting effects that can synchronise with music, game highlights, and on court action, as well as to the cheers and reactions of the crowd. Whether waves of team colours crash across the venue during player introductions, or numbers count down in real time across the crowd, the NOVA Armrest turns passive spectators into active participants. It deepens their emotional connection to the game.
The NOVA Armrest, PixMob’s most advanced permanent LED installation product to date, is part of LA Clippers’ new home, Intuit Dome, which features groundbreaking architecture and technology designed for the next era of entertainment, allowing fans to immerse and engage in the live experience in unprecedented ways.
The seats at Intuit Dome - designed by industry-favourite, Dreamseatare equipped with the NOVA Armrest technology. What makes the technology so innovative is its ability to transform the typically dark space of the crowd into a vibrant “screen” of light.
Collaborating with Dreamseat and PixMob to merge comfort and fan experience, the Intuit Dome leverages this new dimension of audience participation to create an atmosphere where fans feel intrinsically linked to the event.
The armrests include four-button game controllers and eye-safe LED laser pointers, to let fans engage in live Halo Board competitions like
predictive guessing games, trivia, and other challenges. As fans get eliminated, their LED lights go dark, and the last fan with their light still shining wins, so the whole arena knows who they are.
“Seeing the stadium fully light up for the first time was nothing short of breathtaking. It was a proud moment to witness our vision come to life, showcasing the potential of immersive technology in sports entertainment,” said Annick Ferland, Project Manager, PixMob.
Additionally, each seat includes USB charging ports for mobile devices, so no fan has to worry about missing those unforgettable moments.
An NFC reader within each armrest connects fans to event, venue, and sponsor content, landing pages, and apps.
The NOVA Armrest is part of the future of live experiences that both the PixMob team, and other key players in entertainment, are striving towards. Live events continue to evolve toward immersive storytelling, as well as sustainable solutions, with venues aiming to reduce the resources required to power the fan experience. The NOVA Armrest was designed to achieve this, creating a permanent, forever-use LED installation that enables endless immersion, and experiences that last a lifetime without leaving an impact.
“We always want to make PixMob’s immersive activations feel like magic, you don’t know it’s right in front of you. When the venue lights up, it makes the moment unexpected - that’s shared with others around you. A unique in-venue emotion we call ‘collective joy’” added
J-O Dalphond, Partner and Chief Commercial Officer, PixMob.
pixmob.com
Armrest
Entertainment DESIGNED FOR THE FUTURE OF LIVE
As seen at Intuit Dome, the NOVA Armrest is a powerfully-bright LED installation technology that is integrated directly into each seat of your venue. Compatible with a variety of Dreamseat’s industry-favorite models, this bright LED turns every seat in the house into an interactive pixel of light. Together, these pixels transform the venue into a canvas of live effects that super charge every moment of the game or show.
UNIGUEST
Onelan 24.2
niguest, a global leader in digital engagement technology, announces the release of Onelan 24.2, the latest software update for its popular digital signage software CMS. This update brings significant enhancements, including the addition of Node.js support for BrightSign devices and the introduction of a powerful new API for streamlined content scheduling via third-party applications. Node.js is an industry-standard technology that allows developers to build rich, interactive, and dynamic web applications. This new capability allows Node.js applications to be uploaded to the CMS; these are then downloaded, installed, and run locally on the BrightSign player. This addition enables Onelan customers who utilize BrightSign devices to create sophisticated HTML content that creates more engaging and interactive customer experiences. This enhancement will enable a variety of applications such as product selection kiosks or on-demand information displays, where customers are able to manually input their requirements, and the application provides suitable products and information.
This update also introduces a new API for automating content management and playlist scheduling from third-party applications, enabling customers to leverage their existing schedule management tools to deploy content automatically across their Onelan signage network.
Uniguest’s Chief Technical Officer, Jeff Stonebrook commented, “Onelan has always had a strong interactive digital signage offering. By adding Node.js support we have opened the door for our customers to take advantage of more advanced technology that will, in turn, help them deliver even more engaging content to further enhance their customer journey.”
For further information on Uniguest’s Onelan 24.2 software release or to discuss upgrade options, contact your local Uniguest representative, visit www.uniguest.com, or email hello@uniguest.com.
uniguest.com
Utilize the latest Uniguest solutions to connect and entertain thousands of spectators at the touch of a button. Our powerful CMS and Low Latency Encoders are designed to take your stadiums and arenas to the next level. Streamline operations with industry leading technology from Uniguest.
Find out more about Uniguest's world-leading stadium and arena solutions at:
JBL PROFESSIONAL
Your Venue’s Audio Partner
BL Professional offers a diverse range of speakers designed to meet the needs of different venues and applications. Whether you’re outfitting large stadiums with powerful main speakers, setting up smaller distributed audio systems, or addressing back-of-house needs, JBL has a solution that delivers exceptional sound quality and reliability. Their products are versatile enough to cater to a variety of environments and audio demands, ensuring that every space, from expansive arenas to intimate settings, is equipped with the best possible sound.
Main Bowl
JBL Professional’s VLA-C Series offers a solution for high-performance stadium sound, with a rugged weatherised enclosure and hidden rigging it delivers power in a versatile package. Designed to reduce system costs, these speakers feature a greater vertical coverage angle per cabinet, requiring fewer units for the same coverage, and can be driven by fewer amplifier channels, further reducing equipment needs.
The VLA-C Series is weather-treated for outdoor use without additional protection, making it highly adaptable. Available in two coverage options—the VLA-C2100 for 100 degrees of horizontal coverage and the VLA-C265 for 65 degrees—the series also includes advanced FIR tunings, internal acoustic horn-loading, and up to 15 degrees of vertical coverage for superior phase response and array ability. For extended low-frequency performance, the VLA-C125S subwoofer integrates seamlessly with the series, and with the optional Cardioid Kit, it can be deployed in a cardioid configuration to focus bass output and minimize rear spillage.
The JBL ALL WEATHER Series offers a range of high-performance, weatherproof loudspeakers designed for extreme outdoor
environments. The AWC All Weather Compact models are built for clarity and versatility, delivering powerful sound in a compact design, ideal for both speech and music. These speakers are designed for ease of installation, making them an excellent choice for smaller stadiums and arenas where space and mounting options may be limited. Their weather-resistant construction guarantees long-lasting performance outdoors, while their advanced technology provides consistent audio coverage, ensuring that every seat in the stadium receives high-quality sound, even in challenging conditions.
Concourse & General Areas
Thinking beyond the main bowl, stadiums require seamless audio coverage across concourses, lobbies, bars, restaurants, shops and other amenities. JBL Professional loudspeakers, including the Control Contractor and CBT series, are ideal for delivering high-quality audio in these general areas. Engineered for clear, balanced sound over wide spaces, these speakers excel in environments where background music, announcements, and ambient audio play a key role in enhancing the overall atmosphere. With their sleek design, reliable performance, and flexible mounting options, JBL’s Control Contractor and CBT Series effortlessly integrate into any setting, ensuring consistent, superior sound throughout the entire venue.
jblpro.com
LET’S GET PHYSICAL - THE CASE FOR WEARABLE TECH
George R Vaughan
IIn an age of smartphones and social media, we could all be forgiven for thinking that the digital revolution has relegated most physical mediums to the big hardware graveyard in the attic. After all, when was the last time someone listened to their favourite tracks on a CD or watched a movie on a DVD player. Traditions change, systems evolve and in today’s world that happens more frequently and faster than ever.
Less than a decade ago, as part of a tech team preparing Twickenham Stadium for the forthcoming 2015 Rugby World Cup, we launched a series of initiatives that would introduce alternatives to physical cash in favour of contactless payments, mobile wallet and QR code driven apps. It was an exciting time and the world already felt like it was changing and technology was driving that change. Fans were arriving at the stadium having used public transport,
where they were paying for their travel with Oyster or contactless and then we were asking them to pay with cash when they wanted to purchase anything. It seemed counter-intuitive. If they could pay for their weekly shop or a meal out with their card, why were we not offering them that same option at all of our outlets. Still, moving 500 predominantly cash only tills towards cashless alternatives felt like a big thing for the venue but in truth, even at that point, the hospitality industry had already been losing ground to the much more innovative transitions taking place in travel and general retail.
Jump forward to 2024 and as AI finally comes of age, so the hospitality industry has found a greater confidence to place its foot on the pedal of change and accelerate its move away from anything physical in favour of digital alternatives, with varying degrees of success. Digital tickets, digital vouchers, digital loyalty, voice-driven hospitality, facial recognition,
frictionless payments – anything the physical world had traditionally satisfied was now equally and arguably even more capably being managed through algorithms and dispatched to us via our smartphones. Anyone that knows me will be familiar with my consistent assertion that deploying cross sector technology can often save a lot of operational and customer experience headaches for venues. If people are already aware of a concept in one sector, they will more easily adopt it in another. I’ve seen it work particularly well in systems I have deployed in healthcare and senior living, where groups of people not traditionally associated with tech engagement have adopted platforms with a minimum of fuss because those systems fundamentally followed processes they were already used to and understood. You can be pretty confident that if a 95-year-old can use an application then the majority of Gen Z or Millennials will be able to.
A Place for Physical
According to recent reports, the market size for wearable technology in 2024 is estimated to be around $186.48 billion and this is expected to grow by another $166 billion by 2028. What we can probably say quite confidentially is that this kind of technology is here to stay.
One of the key drivers behind the success of digital wearables was people’s growing curiosity to understand their bodies and general levels of personal fitness. Things like Apple Watch and fitness trackers offered consumers insights into their daily steps, blood pressure and a broad overview of their physical condition and widespread adoption followed. However, the popularity of digital wearables has transcended from mere fitness trackers to sophisticated gadgets integrating advanced technologies and now even finds itself involved in diverse sectors such as fashion and payments. As we move deeper into the digital age, card schemes and banks are seeing some of the opportunities offered by these solutions as new ways of engagement through payments and loyalty.
A select group of companies are at the forefront of these collaborations, innovating and working with major brands to enhance user experiences through their activations. Market leaders, Digiseq initiated campaigns with brands like MasterCard for the Champions League 2024 and collaborations with
fashion giant Hugo Boss as mechanisms to highlight the growing importance and potential of digital wearables.
The Evolution of Digital Wearables
Digital wearables have evolved significantly over the past decade and this evolution is driven by the increasing demand for seamless integration of technology into everyday life, making wearables almost indispensable in the modern world.
One of the best examples of wearables being used to enhance the live experience was Digiseq’s notable collaboration with MasterCard for the UEFA Champions League 2024 Final. This activation showcased the potential of wearables in providing enhanced fan experiences.
For the Champions League, Digiseq and MasterCard introduced wearables that offered a wide range of features:
• Contactless Payments: Fans were able to use their wearable devices to make purchases within the stadium, from food and beverages to merchandise, reducing the need for cash or cards.
• Access Control: The wearables were also used as digital tickets, allowing for seamless entry into the stadium. This not only helped with security but also reduced waiting times at entry points.
• Personalized Engagements: Fans received real-time updates, exclusive content, and offers directly on their devices, enhancing their overall match-day experience.
• Scavenger Hunt: A unique and engaging scavenger hunt that leveraged wearable technology to enhance fan experiences. Participants in the scavenger hunt tapped their key fobs on mobile readers to receive clues and updates about their progress and crucially it did not restrict the experience to just the venue.
Perhaps most importantly, the digital wearables could also be connected to a user’s card, allowing them to utilise the device post event. People still like mementos to remind them of an experience and in this instance, the blending of digital and physical worked to offer something meaningful, both during the match and also beyond it.
Fashion Meets Functionality
As another example of cross-sector tech, Digiseq took the same concept it used in sport to form a partnership with Hugo Boss, exemplifying how technology could be seamlessly integrated into highend fashion. The collaboration focused on blending style with functionality, making wearables an essential part of how we might dress.
The Hugo Boss wearables offered several features, many of which could easily migrate over to a music arena or sports stadium, including:
• Discrete Integration: The technology was embedded in stylish accessories, such as watches and bracelets, maintaining the brand’s aesthetic while adding functionality.
• Health Monitoring: These wearables could track fitness metrics, providing users with valuable health insights without compromising on style.
• Smart Notifications: Users received notifications and alerts directly on their devices, ensuring they stayed connected without needing to check their phones constantly.
This collaboration positioned Hugo Boss as a forward-thinking brand that embraces technology without sacrificing its identity. It also broadened the appeal of wearables beyond tech enthusiasts to fashion-conscious consumers.
The Wider Impact of Digital Wearables
The innovations by Digiseq, MasterCard, and Hugo Boss reflect a broader trend in the digital wearables market. These devices are not just gadgets; they are becoming integral parts of our lifestyle and identity.
• Contactless Payments Revolution: Wearables are revolutionising the way we handle transactions. Contactless payments through wearables are becoming increasingly popular due to their convenience and security. The ability to make payments with a simple tap of a wrist or ring adds a layer of ease to everyday transactions, reducing the need to carry physical wallets.
• Health and Wellness: Health monitoring remains one of the most significant applications of wearables. Devices that can track heart rates, sleep patterns, and physical activity help users maintain a healthier lifestyle. Advanced models can even detect irregularities and alert users to potential health issues, acting as early warning systems.
• Fashion Integration: The integration of technology into fashion is making wearables more appealing. Collaborations like that of Digiseq and Hugo Boss demonstrate that wearables can be stylish and functional. This integration is crucial for broader acceptance and adoption, as it addresses the aesthetic concerns that many consumers have.
• Enhanced User Experience: Wearables are enhancing user
experiences in various sectors. In sports and entertainment, they offer personalized content and seamless interactions. In retail, they provide new ways to engage with customers through loyalty programs and personalized offers. For festivals and one-off events they can deliver a solution that many other technologies are unable to satisfy in the same way.
Made for Tomorrow
Digital wearables are poised to become an integral part of our daily lives, offering convenience, connectivity and enhanced experiences. That experience element has become a key requirement for most people when they spend money on anything today but particularly when it comes to attending an event. A quick glance through the social media posts of most under 40s will reveal that they are not talking about what they own but what they are doing. Experience is everything and venues need to start addressing that point in more creative ways. Digital wearables have a place in that experience and their future is not just about staying connected; it’s about integrating technology seamlessly into our lives, enhancing the things we do and paving the way for a smarter, more connected world. They represent something that is different, something that is tangible, with tactile expressions that all help to extend the memory of an event. The competition for consumer’s hard earned money has never been greater and they are more likely to spend that money in areas and on things where they can expect the best value and the greatest return. In a world where everything is about delivery to the individual, it takes something special to bring that person to your space. If you succeed in getting them there, you also need to ensure they feel the visit was worth their while and crucially, that it left enough of an impression upon them to ensure they will want to come back again.
X6i
X8i
JONES SPORTS
MONDO
| STADIA speaks to Jones Sports’ Senior Vice President, Rich Ongirski, and Jack Wellman, Sports Business
Development Executive...
Can you introduce Jones Sports to our readers?
Certainly, thanks for asking! Jones Sports is a multidisciplinary team specializing in the fabrication and construction of iconic architectural elements, signage, and sponsorship activations for legendary venues across North America. We build the unique, bold, and fan experience enhancing items; helping take these venue defining features from their planning stages all the way through to substantial completion. We currently operate in North America and welcome the opportunity to showcase our work to your global audience.
What does the Jones Sports team specifically deliver for stadiums and arenas?
Great question. The scopes of work we generally work on are architectural façades including fins, perforated metal panels or mesh screening - some of which include LED lighting. We engineer, fabricate, and construct custom shading structures and canopies that are either freestanding or on a wall. We create
logos, mascots, artwork and other memorable “Instagrammable moments” that are included in most venues today. We also produce a ton of naming rights, sponsorship, wayfinding, and concession signage for every size stadium out there.
At what point are you engaged in your projects?
That is one of those “it depends” answers as we are engaged at various stages of a product. As a designassist contractor, we provide optimal support as soon as schematics are developed. The designer consults with us on the constructability of their design, cost projections, quality considerations and projected schedules. Sometimes we are engaged as early as napkin drawings. The early collaboration pays off in the end and is an extremely rewarding approach to accomplishing some of the unique features we get to build.
Naming Rights is another example of our early engagement in projects. Teams or venues hire us to ensure venues are prepared for new Naming Rights partners. Clients hire us well before they sign their new sponsor agreement to ensure signage is ready
for the partners’ announcement. Many times, the new sponsor wants their branding installed quickly to get the most ROI out of their investment. The preplanning and/ early engagement of our team prior to announcement allows us to mobilize quickly and expedite the project efficiently and effectively.
Can you tell us about some of your past projects?
We have been a part of the major renovations or ground up construction of forty-three professional or collegiate stadiums. We design-engineered, fabricated, and installed the architectural façades for two MLS Stadiums – TQL Stadium and Lower.com Field. We were the signage contractor when buildings like Climate Pledge Arena, Allianz Field, Fiserv Forum, Chase Center, and Little Caesars Arena were built and when places like Daytona International Speedway, Dodger Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium or Wells Fargo Center were renovated. Naming Rights is one of our specialties having completed 21 Naming rights projects since 2016.
Our most recent project was working alongside SCI
architects and Comcast Spectator to deliver a new aluminum and LED decorative façade, covering the existing brick façade at each corner of the exterior of the Wells Fargo Center. Our customer has been receiving so many compliments for this project.
Do you have any exciting stadium or arena projects coming up?
We sure do. We were honored to be selected to fabricate and install the entry portals at the fabulous new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA. Every fan will walk though our portals to get to their seats, go to the restroom, or buy their food and beverage at the concession stands. We are also under NDA with two projects that we hope to share soon. Our scope on those will be fun to share with you when the time is right.
How has sport signage developed over the years - and how do you see it changing in the future?
The advancements in static sports signage lies in the technology inside the signs and fabrication techniques used to build them. New LED lighting products are released to us monthly by our suppliers. New equipment is purchased annually as our owner reinvests in our business. With digital signage, we are seeing a rapid adoption of pixel-controlled LED strips and pucks as a price friendly replacement for traditional large format displays.
jonessportsvenues.com
UNLEASH THE Excitement
Daktronics, in partnership with the Detroit Tigers, delivered the new second-largest display in baseball in the United States, replacing the outfield display at Comerica Park and featuring more than 15,000 square feet of digital canvas with 14.1 million pixels.
Listen Watch
to the podcast episode to hear firsthand from the Tigers’ team to learn more and see the displays in action
