Author: James Zoltak

Pacnet ’20: As Real As It Gets

Josh Earl of NextVR, Jorge Angarita of The Walt Disney Co., Jeff Rubin of Sidearm Sports, Monal Chokshi of Lyft and moderator E.J. Liao of Paciolan. (Courtesy Paciolan) Role of augmented and virtual reality, connectivity increases in live sports and entertainment When it comes to “delighting” consumers of live sports and entertainment, augmented and even virtual reality can play an important role and connectivity at venues is an element of increasing importance, a panel of experts told attendees at Paciolan’s Pacnet ’20 conference in Newport Beach, Calif., in early February. Jeff Rubin, founder and CEO of Sidearm Sports, a Learfield IMG College company (like Paciolan) whose software powers the websites, apps, stat integration, live audio, video streaming and e-commerce platforms of more than 1,000 college athletics departments, said the company put AR to use for 36 hours in New Orleans during the College Football Playoff. During a panel discussion on… Continue Reading Pacnet ’20: As Real As It Gets

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Pacnet ’20: Data Does It All

DATA DUMP: Kip Levin, FanDuel; Adam Landsman, Clear;  Parker Duffey, Tailgate Guys; Mike Lorenc, Google; and moderator Christian Lewis. (Courtesy Paciolan) How companies are using behavioral information to elevate the fan experience Technological innovation continues to alter the way companies in the live event space interact with consumers and partners, allowing for enhanced experiences that are often based on behavioral data, some in a panel of industry leaders said. In the case of Clear, which uses biometrics to move customers more quickly into sporting events, through airports, at Hertz rental car locations (and soon medical offices), maintaining consumers’ trust is of utmost importance, but there is a way of using captured data in a way that benefits both them and sports teams and venues, said the company’s vice president of product development, Adam Landsman.  Fans who get into venues more quickly are more likely to spend more on concessions and merchandise,… Continue Reading Pacnet ’20: Data Does It All

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Virus-Related Closures Leave Uncertainty

The effort to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus has shut down all public assembly facilities in China, including exhibition and convention centers, arenas and stadiums, leaving managers in limbo. In China it’s unclear when they will reopen, while in Hong Kong, where the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre remains open for business, there remains the difficult task of rescheduling events where possible. The numbers keep rising, but as of Feb. 17, the World Health Organization had reported 70,635 cases of COVID-19 infection in China, with 1,772 deaths, compared with 795 cases outside China and three deaths. More than 40 cases have been reported in the U.S. The economic effect of trade show and convention cancellations can’t be understated both within and outside the industry, as worldwide annual business sales at exhibitions total billions of dollars annually, according to Cliff Wallace, president of Atlanta-based CW Venue Advisory Services… Continue Reading Virus-Related Closures Leave Uncertainty

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How Staples Center Became Kobe’s House

SHOW OF EMOTION: The makeshift memorial to Kobe Bryant grew next to Staples Center and L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles. (Courtesy Staples Center) The scene surrounding Staples Center on the night of Jan. 26 felt almost like a surrealist film. Patrons dressed in gowns and tuxedos made their way through a maze of barricades down Figueroa Street, West Olympic Boulevard and Chick Hearn Court surrounding the entirety of the L.A. Live complex for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards. There was a heavy police and media presence, heavier than usual as this Grammys had a taste of controversy tied to it. In the 10 days leading up to “Music’s Greatest Night,” the Recording Academy’s first female CEO was placed on administrative leave following accusations of misconduct, which resulted in countercomplaints of alleged misconduct. Earlier that day, though, something of far greater impact suddenly eclipsed all else, and throngs of despondent sports… Continue Reading How Staples Center Became Kobe’s House

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Tester Settles In at Orange County Complex

ORANGE JUICED: Mark Tester began work as executive director in Orlando on Feb. 17. (Courtesy Orange County Convention Center) Move brings him to second-largest U.S. convention center “Drinking from a fire hose” is how new Orange County Convention Center Executive Director Mark Tester described his first days on the job after starting Feb. 17 after departing his post as director of the Austin (Texas) Convention Center. Tester, a Purdue University alum, came to Orlando, Fla., from his job as director of the Austin (Texas) Convention Center. He had been in Austin since 2008 and before that was senior director of sales and marketing at Chicago’s McCormick Place, the country’s largest convention center, which he joined in 2005. Prior to that he had been with the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau for 10 years.  Tester is the OCCC’S first permanent director since 2018, when Kathie Canning retired after 32 years. He spoke… Continue Reading Tester Settles In at Orange County Complex

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