Day two at the National Sports Safety and Security Conference (NCS4) in New Orleans features pervasive and persistent video to both enhance the fan experience, improve safety and security and drive new revenue.
David Holland of the Sports and Entertainment Group of Cisco demonstrated the company's Stadium Venue solution that is currently deployed in the new Yankee Stadium. "Technology is altering the fan experience landscape by delivering advertising, services and live video," explained Holland. Directly related to safety and security, the solution also provides threat detection and situational awareness to the venue's operational command center by both collecting and analyzing data as well as communicating to security personnel and customers during potential emergencies.
The conference continues to break new ground with insightful information for security and safety at spectator events. A key panel earlier today focused on the role of social media in managing spectator events. Wendy Harman, Director of Social Strategy for the American Red Cross, presented the agency's monitoring of social media that mentions the Red Cross and helps it to make operational decisions. The organization responds and addresses emergencies as a result of social media information, she said, stressing that any organization can leverage social media to communicate immediately about emergencies and events.
In a recent survey, she noted, 75% of respondents expect organizations to monitor and communicate via social media during emergencies.
Later today NCS4 conference attendees will tour the New Orleans Superdome to see the facility's $360 million renovation that includes many new security and safety solutions.