Verizon Center, an arena owned and managed by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, will enter the 2010-11 seasons with a technological edge. CrowdWave, a unique in-game system with Vision Interactive technology, will welcome fans at Verizon Center on Saturday, Oct. 9 at the NHL’s Washington Capitals home opener. As the first multi-team venue to incorporate CrowdWave’s system, fans will be able to interact with each other and compete against each other during the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the NBA’s Washington Wizards and the WNBA’s Washington Mystics games at Verizon Center based on crowd movement. Instructions will be posted on the arena’s high-definition scoreboard explaining how fans can interact with the technology. A new stage lighting system installed by Image Engineering will also debut at the NHL’s Washington Capitals home opener. The new lighting system will provide a precision light show using different colors, logos and patterns throughout the games for an added element of drama and excitement.
“I’m excited that we are able to enhance the in-game experience for our fans by adding CrowdWave technology at Verizon Center,” said Ted Leonsis, founder and chairman of Monumental Sports & Entertainment. “We have a tremendous atmosphere at our games, and CrowdWave is just another example of our commitment to improving the overall game experience for our fans. This is a unique, interactive opportunity that Capitals fans will enjoy during Saturday’s home opener, and it also will be utilized when the Wizards hit the hardwood November 2.”
CrowdWave’s unique in-game system and Vision Interactive™ technology analyzes the direction, intensity and timing of a crowd’s movement as a whole or section by section. Fans will be able to control games or answer poll questions displayed on the high-definition scoreboard by moving their arms. The interactive technology enables fans to either work in tandem or compete against each other.
Image Engineering’s stage lighting system features 24 Vari-Lite 3000 Intelligent Lights. Each light is programmed to provide a precision light show using various colors, logos and patterns usually seen in concert productions. The lighting system will be used during the NHL, NBA and WNBA games at Verizon Center.
The Patriot Center will mark its spot on the technological map as the venue incorporates a new web-based Text Messaging system for events. Provided by In Stadium Solutions, the texting platform will allow patrons to contact arena staff in real-time. Patrons simply text “69050,” with the keyword “Mason”, along with their question or concern, and a staff member will respond back to them immediately. The George Mason University Patriot Center joins Duke University, Marquette University, University of Denver, Troy University and University of Idaho as a select group of mid-sized, NCAA Division I schools using the web-based text messaging system.
"We decided to institute the ISS texting system in order to offer our patrons another way to reach out to our staff if they are having any issues with their event experience,” said general manager of the Patriot Center Barry Geisler. “At the end of the day our job is to make their experience the best that it can be and this allows our patrons an easy way to communicate directly to us using the latest in technology."
In Stadium Solutions Text Messaging system is found in use across the country at various stadiums and venues ranging from NCAA schools to professional sports leagues such as MLB, NASCAR, NBA, NFL and the NHL. The web-based system allows for anywhere access at anytime avoiding the need to download software and provides another avenue for communication between venue staff and patrons.