Cleveland Cavaliers to deploy crowd intelligence solution as part of Reopening Strategy

Armored Things and the Cavaliers have announced a new technology collaboration to help ensure the safe return of fans and staff to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The team will deploy the crowd intelligence solution to manage fan density at key entry and gathering points, and enable smarter decisions related to staffing, security and sanitation at the venue. 

Just before the New Year, the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse received approval from the State of Ohio to host up to 10% of the venue’s seating capacity, or nearly 2,000 fans per game. This is an increase from the State-restricted 300 fan limit to begin the season. The larger capacity for fans will commence as of January 11th, when the team opens a three-game homestand.

Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is home to both the Cavaliers and the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League (AHL), as well as more than 200 diverse ticketed events and 1,400 private events that draw over two million patrons to downtown Cleveland each year. The venue is well recognised for its progressive initiatives and certifications to assure the health and safety of visitors and for its use of technology to optimise the fan experience.

With Armored Things’ AI-powered Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, the venue’s facilities and security teams will be able to leverage the venue’s existing Wi-Fi and security systems to gain an accurate, real-time understanding of how many people are gathering and moving around specific locations in the FieldHouse. The information will be available in the venue’s command centre and via mobile devices to alert staff to potential congestion and make better decisions related to fan and staff health safety and experience. FieldHouse staff will also have access to valuable data trends to assist in planning.

The software will also be deployed in the team’s business offices at the FieldHouse to help maintain safe spacing in common areas.

Armored Things announced a similar partnership with Major League Soccer’s LAFC as part of its reopen strategy at the Banc of California Stadium in Southern California.

Michael Conley, Chief Information Officer for the Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, said:

As we continue to welcome additional fans back to live events at the FieldHouse, Armored Things can help us provide a safer experience for fans as well as our staff, no matter the number. COVID is a pressing issue right now, but this is also an important investment in our long-term security and operations infrastructure. The ability to understand the flow of people in the venue equips us to stay one step ahead of their needs, deploy resources more intelligently, and optimise the event environment.

Julie Johnson Roberts, Armored Things Co-founder & CEO, said:

The Cavaliers organisation is leveraging all the tools at their disposal to bring people back to live events safely. Working in concert with the security systems already in place at the FieldHouse, we are able to help their team understand patterns and trends, and alert them to sudden changes so they can respond accordingly. The end result is safer, more informed operations and a better fan experience.

About Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse

The newly transformed Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is Northeast Ohio’s premier sports and entertainment facility and major attraction for top-tier concert tours and family shows, as well as home to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Monsters and the annual MAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournament. Each year, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse hosts more than 200 diverse ticketed events and 1,400 private events that draw over 2 million patrons to downtown Cleveland. The venue is established as a successful host site for high profile events of international and national scope, including the 2016 Republican National Convention, the 2007, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 NBA Finals and the 2020 NCAA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Tournament, 2022 NBA All-Star Game and 2024 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Final Four. In Pollstar magazine’s 2019 Mid-Year Report of Top 200 Arena Venues Worldwide for Entertainment Ticket Sales, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse ranked No. 11 in the United States and No. 27 worldwide in ticket sales for top touring attractions. For further information, visit: RocketMortgageFieldHouse.com

About Armored Things

Armored Things provides Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions for crowd intelligence. By combining data from existing security and IT systems with predictive analytics, the organisation provides facility management teams with a real-time visual representation of people and flow within any campus or venue space. Easy-to-use dashboards equip clients to anticipate changes and inform decisions to improve service, operations, staffing and security. Since its formation in 2016, Armored Things has built a team of security and technology experts to deliver world-class solutions to sports venues, stadiums, corporations and campuses. For more information, visit: https://www.armoredthings.com/

Images, courtesy: Trepal Photography / Cleveland Cavaliers

The upcoming ‘hybrid’ edition of ALSD International will focus on increasing revenue via new builds, renovations, service expansions & technology, and reopening with confidence.

The event, which will be delivered as both an in-person and virtual affair, will feature the usual high-level conference, exhibition and networking events, as well as technical tours of Liverpool FC’s Anfield, Everton’s Goodison Park and M&S Bank Arena Liverpool. NB: With the microsite now live, attendees are able to start engaging, knowledge-sharing and networking.

#ALSDInternational – Europe’s leading event for the Premium Seat & Sports Hospitality sector

#ALSD – Leading the Premium Seat sector for the last 30 years

#sportsvenuebiz 

#sportsvenuebusiness – The leading platform for sector news, views & developments