ALSD forms new Technology Division to help members navigate the current Digital Revolution

The Association of Luxury Suite Directors’ Sports Venue Design & Build Forum has created a new technology division to meet the agile needs of its members in 1,300 sports and entertainment venues and affiliates throughout the world. The formation of this group is in direct response to the demand for trustworthy tech insights – a trend even before the COVID-19 pandemic that has greatly accelerated in the past year.

Bill Dorsey, Founder and Chairman of the ALSD, explained:

The focus on technology in venues has morphed from being a cost to a revenue centre. The most profitable facilities leverage technology now to both monetise their investments and create operational efficiencies. The digital age is here to stay.

The ALSD recognises technology infrastructure to be the critical point of convergence for any enterprise and the enabler of all aspects of business, from legacy systems to emerging applications. From custom fan journeys, to fan safety and security, to smart queueing, to crowd intelligence, to cashless concessions, to 5G wireless connectivity, to machine-generated data, to literally everything in between, technology is the backbone for it all in sports venues.

Dorsey added:

The ALSD Technology Division will serve to improve all manner of activity for the Association’s core audience of premium seat professionals, but it will also optimise operations and revenue generation for leaders at all levels in stadiums and arenas. Technology is the engine that powers everything else.

To inform the technology track of educational sessions at its annual conference and throughout the year, the ALSD has enlisted a board of advisors representing all industry categories. This roster of team leaders and technologists consists of:

• Mike Beteag, EVP and Chief Technology Officer, ocV!BE / Honda Center
• Mike Bullock, VP of Information Technology, Texas Rangers
• Tod Caflisch, Smart Solutions SME, Lumen Technologies
• Mike Conley, SVP and Chief Information Officer, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Robert Cordova, Chief Technology & Strategy Officer, Milwaukee Bucks
• Chris Dill, VP of Business Development, Armored Things
• Juan Iraola, Chief Innovation Officer, Real Sociedad SAD & Sport Innovation Alliance
• Costa Kladianos, VP of Innovation and Technology, Canlan Ice Sports
• Christian Lau, Chief Technology Officer, LAFC
• Jaimie Leonoff, Director, New York Hockey Holdings
• Jeff Lutes, SVP of Technology, Orlando Magic
• Matt Pasco, VP of Information Technology, Las Vegas Raiders
• Kim Rometo, VP and Chief Information Officer, Miami Dolphins
• Franco Segarra, Chief Innovation Officer, Valencia CF
• Erik Watts, Chief Technology Officer, Pittsburgh Penguins

Dorsey confirmed:

The board members are highly-placed executives in the world of sports. They will direct the programming of the tech division almost entirely. These are leaders who know how to scrutinise technology solutions and create a next-generation program that all ALSD members will benefit from.

About The ALSD

The ALSD was established in 1990 to provide our member teams and venues with accurate and timely information from across stadiums and arenas throughout North America with a growing global reach. Our team is committed to organising, supporting and developing a network for team executives to share information, ideas and values with one another in order to ensure profit and quality for all. With our integrated marketing programs, the ALSD is also committed to connecting buyers and sellers while serving as a trusted gatekeeper for accredited vendors, suppliers and their success stories that bring life to our industry.

The 31st Annual ALSD Conference and Tradeshow is scheduled for August 15-17, 2021 at the ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

For further information, go to: www.ALSD.com

About The Sports Venue Design & Build Forum

The 8th Annual Sports Venue Design & Build Forum will again be held in conjunction with the ALSD Conference and Tradeshow in 2021. This yearly gathering of sports architects, development firms, general contractors, owners reps, stadium authorities, foodservice professionals, technology providers and facility operators celebrates and shares best practices from recently completed new builds, major renovations, and simple refreshes, as well as facilitates networking to promote conversation amongst attendees around the future projects filling the pipeline of the sports venue marketplace.

For further information, go to: www.ALSD.com/design-build-forum