Latest version of program tested at Climate Pledge Arena, UBS Arena
Digital health company Sharecare on Wednesday announced it had enhanced its Health Security Verified solution for sports and live entertainment venues with the support of CAA Icon, a division of entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency, and Oak View Group. Tailored to help public assembly venues restore fan confidence and mitigate risks associated with COVID-19 and other public health events, Sharecare Verified for stadiums, arenas and public assembly venues aligns with the unique attributes of large-capacity venues, including people movement, player/performer protocols, and up-to-date public health recommendations and protocols.
“Whether resuming activities or building next-generation event experiences, we’re proud to deliver stadiums and arenas a flexible solution precisely designed to align with their operational needs, yet easily configured to best practices as well as league and public health protocols as they evolve,” said Hermann Elger, executive vice president of travel, entertainment, and health security at Sharecare.
To achieve health security verification from Sharecare, venue operators undergo a multistep process that begins by self-attesting to more than 140 expert-validated standards across more than 600 venue checkpoints — including building preparation, the fan journey, sanitization and cleaning and air circulation — to ensure the right public health protocols are in place throughout the venue. The process is navigated through a chatbot-enabled screener, which also updates as professional league requirements, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations, and other relevant guidance evolve.
Once that is completed by the operations team, a Forbes Travel Guide-certified hospitality inspector reviews compliance across health security checkpoints in the facility. Forbes Travel Guide also assesses and recommends opportunities to drive positive fan engagement.
After successful completion of the verification process, stadium, arena and public assembly venues earn the Sharecare Verified badge, which signals to fans and visitors the venue’s commitment to health security as they return to live events. State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, in January became the first venue to achieve this designation.
Sharecare Verified for sports and live entertainment venues was developed with support from CAA Icon and OVG and through an intensive research and development process to integrate facility best practices with clinically validated public health guidance. The enhanced version of the verification platform also was refined and tested with the NHL’s newest arenas: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which will be the home of the Seattle Kraken and the Seattle Storm, and UBS Arena, which is set to become the home of the New York Islanders, in Belmont Park, N.Y. OVG is a developer of both arenas, which are scheduled to open in the fall and have adopted the enhanced Verified solution to support their facility operations. (OVG is also the owner of VenuesNow.)
“We were drawn to Sharecare because of their ability to customize their verification platform for this unique building type and their willingness to commit the time to do so,” said Tim Romani, chairman of CAA Icon. “This allowed us to interactively collaborate on the technology so that it is flexible for changing protocols, league requirements, and clinical recommendations.”
“As we begin to see the industry reopen, bringing innovation to the sports and entertainment industry that sets a new standard for the health and safety of fans, artists, and staff must be a top priority,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of OVG. “We’re pleased to align ourselves with Sharecare as we prioritize safety so all who enter live entertainment venues can feel comfortable and confident in attending sporting events and concerts once again.”
