TheStadiumBusiness Awards are delighted to reveal the final shortlists for 2018.
We were inundated with submissions this year, seeing nominations flood in from around the world. We would like to sincerely congratulate all of our finalists for making the shortlists – we will be in touch shortly to advise the next steps of your nomination.
Proudly presenting our 2018 Shortlists:
VENUE OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the world’s best stadium, arena or sports venue. From the small local club venue to the mega-capacity national sports stadium, tell us which venue deserves recognition for its outstanding performance over the past 12 months, and why. Entries should refer to specific successes and achievements of the venue in the past year.
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA
- Optus Stadium, Perth, Australia
- CenturyLink Field, Seattle, USA
- Etihad Stadium, Manchester, UK
- AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia
- Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, USA
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the sports venue leader, pioneer or visionary that has over-delivered in the past 12 months.
- Al Guido, President, San Francisco 49ers, USA
- Javier Martinez, Vice President, Club Atlético de Madrid, Spain
- Jacques Grobbelaar, CEO, Stadium Management South Africa, South Africa
- Lee Zeidman, President, Staples Center, Microsoft Theater & L.A. LIVE, USA
- Tery Howard, VP of Information Technology, Miami Dolphins & Hard Rock Stadium, USA
- Dick Patrick, Vice Chairman, Monumental Sports & Entertainment/President, Washington Capitals, USA
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
For the best sports or non-sports event, guest event, concert or one-off spectacle held at a major sports venue in the last 12 months. We are looking for something out of the ordinary, something special, something that sets a future trend. The award recognises the event’s host venue, and thus entries should reference why the venue’s management/operational team deserves sepcial recognition for their delivery.
- First Day-Night Ashes Test at Adelaide Oval, Australia
- Wrestlemania at Camping World Stadium, City of Orlando Venues, USA
- #Game4Grenfell at Loftus Road, Queens Park Rangers, UK
- NatWest T20 Blast Finals Day at Warwickshire County Cricket Club, UK
- “Battle of Brisbane” – WBO Title Fight, Suncorp Stadium, Australia
- Arsenal FC in Sydney Tour, VenuesLive, Australia
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
For an individual (or team) that delivers consistently outstanding service to a particular stadium, arena or major sports venue… without recognition! Awarded to the quiet achiever(s), the rising stars, the ever-reliable ‘behind-the-scenes’ fixer(s) and the person(s) that ‘just gets on with the job’.
- Patrice Lafarge, Stadium Operations and Maintenance, Paris Saint-Germain FC, France
- Human Resource Team, Everton FC, UK
- Benjamin Steen, Head of Digital Projects, FC Bayern-Munich, Germany
- Rafael Mangabeira, Marketing Leader, Arena Corinthians, Brazil
- Sarah Smith, John Morton & Facilities Management Team at Wembley Stadium & St George’s Park, The FA, UK
- Thomas Franke, Head of Infrastructure & Organisation, VfL Wolfsburg, Germany
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
FAN EXPERIENCE AWARD
For the stadium, arena or major sports venue that has delivered consistently outstanding levels of service and fan experience at every stage of the customer journey.
- Looking After The Fans at Ashes Test, Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia
- The Junior Tigers Club and the JTC Takeover Day, Leicester Tigers, UK
- ‘Fans First’ design at Optus Stadium, Australia
- The Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s kids park at SunTrust Park/Atlanta Braves, USA
- Daily’s Place at EverBank Field, Jacksonville Jaguars, USA
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD
Awarded for a product or service that has uniquely transformed and improved the way stadiums, arenas and sports venues do business.
- “ASB G9” Stadium Golf at Eden Park (Eden Park), New Zealand
- The Tunnel Club at Etihad Stadium (Manchester City FC), UK
- CherryBot AI Chatbot at AFC Bournemouth (Greenwood Campbell, Microsoft & Bournemouth University), UK
- Virtual Hybrid LED digiBOARD (ADI.tv, Supponor), UK
- The District Detroit Mobile App (Olympia Entertainment, XFINITY), USA
- Wi-Fi Deployment Innovations at Notre Dame Stadium (AmpThink), USA
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
SUSTAINABILITY & COMMUNITY AWARD
To recognise achievement, success or leadership in the pursuit of sustainable and community-driven venue and event management.
- Rush2Recycle at Super Bowl LII, U.S. Bank Stadium/Minnesota Vikings, USA
- Reds Going Green at Anfield, Liverpool FC, UK
- Sustainability Programmes at CenturyLink Field/Seattle Seahawks, USA
- #ThisIsOurIce Campaign, NHL Minnesota Wild/Xcel Energy Center, USA
- Our Neighbourhood Initiative, Eden Park, New Zealand
- Cleveland Cavaliers’ Quiet Space Sensory Room at Quicken Loans Arena, USA
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
SPONSORSHIP, SALES & MARKETING AWARD
Recognising the sponsorship, sales or marketing initiative which has delivered new audiences, new revenues and new partnerships.
- Uber & AEG Global Partnerships Multi-Venue Deal, USA
- Predictive Seat Sales at Camp Nou, FC Barcelona, Spain
- ‘GAME Pods’ at Deepdale, Preston North End FC, UK
- Rebranding of “Ciutat de Valencia” Stadium, Levante UD, Spain
- US$1 billion Sponsorship Deals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium/Atlanta Falcons, USA
- Pitchside Bedroom at Audi Cup, Allianz Arena, Germany
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
VENUE TECHNOLOGY AWARD
For the stadium, arena or major sports venue that has delivered innovative technology to transform and improve the way it operates.
- Venue Operations Centre for Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, Australia
- Fan Experience Test Lab at SAP Arena, Germany
- Digital Ticketing & Fan CRM, Orlando City Soccer/Orlando Stadium, USA
- Aston Villa FC’s One Card, UK
- Jewel Skin Projection Mapping at Little Caesars Arena, USA
- The Inside Outside Multi-Use Design at U Arena, France
- Halo-Wrap Video Boards at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, USA
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
The Outstanding Achievement Award recognises an individual that has shown exceptional commitment, service and leadership to the stadium industry over a sustained period of time. (And no, they don’t have to be retiring any time soon!)
Winner to be announced during the TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2018 ceremony on 12 June
If you made the shortlists, we’ll be in touch shortly!
Winners will be announced at Emirates Old Trafford on 12 June 2018
Got a question about the Awards? Get in touch with the Awards team on +44 (0) 1903 74 11 23 or awards@thestadiumbusiness.com
