As Covid-19 restrictions ease and entertainment and sporting events resume across the US, a new solution for sports and live entertainment venues has been launched, tailored to help public assembly venues restore fan confidence and mitigate risks using people movement, player/performer protocols, and up-to-date public health recommendations and protocols.
Sharecare announced it has enhanced its Health Security VERIFIED solution for sports and live entertainment venues with the support of CAA ICON, a division of entertainment and sports agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA), and Oak View Group (OVG).
To achieve health security verification from Sharecare, venue operators undergo a multi-step process that begins by self-attesting to more than 140 expert-validated standards across more than 600 venue checkpoints – including building preparation, the fan journey, sanitization and cleaning, air circulation, and more – to ensure the right public health protocols are in place throughout the venue. The process is easily navigated through a chatbot-enabled screener, which also updates seamlessly as professional league requirements, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, and other relevant guidance evolve.
Once the verification and self-attestation is completed by the operations team, a Forbes Travel Guide-certified hospitality inspector reviews compliance across various health security checkpoints within the facility. To deliver additional value to venue management teams, Forbes Travel Guide – the global authority on luxury hospitality – also assesses and recommends opportunities to drive positive fan engagement.
After successful completion of the verification process, stadium, arena, and public assembly venues earn the Sharecare VERIFIED badge – an easily identifiable “seal of approval” – that signals to fans and visitors the venue’s commitment to health security as they return to live events. State Farm Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, became the first venue to achieve this designation in January 2021.
Sharecare VERIFIED for sports and live entertainment venues was developed with support from industry experts CAA ICON and OVG and through an intensive research and development process to integrate facility best practices with clinically validated public health guidance. The enhanced version of the verification platform also was refined and tested with two of the National Hockey League’s newest arenas – Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, which will be the future home of the Seattle Kraken and the Seattle Storm; and UBS Arena, which is set to become the new home of the New York Islanders, in Belmont Park, NY. Both arenas, which are under construction, have adopted the enhanced VERIFIED solution to support their facility operations.
“Whether resuming activities or building next-generation event experiences, we’re proud to deliver stadiums and arenas a flexible solution precisely designed to align with their operational needs, yet easily configured to best practices as well as league and public health protocols as they evolve,” said Hermann Elger, executive vice president of travel, entertainment, and health security at Sharecare. “We’re grateful for the support of CAA ICON and OVG in bringing this high-tech, high-touch solution to venues worldwide to enable visitors a safe and sustainable return to live event experiences.”
“We were drawn to Sharecare because of their ability to customize their verification platform for this unique building type and their willingness to commit the time to do so,” said Tim Romani, chairman of CAA ICON. “This allowed us to interactively collaborate on the technology so that it is flexible for changing protocols, league requirements, and clinical recommendations.”
“As we begin to see the industry reopen, bringing innovation to the sports and entertainment industry that sets a new standard for the health and safety of fans, artists, and staff must be a top priority,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of OVG. “We’re pleased to align ourselves with Sharecare as we prioritize safety so all who enter live entertainment venues can feel comfortable and confident in attending sporting events and concerts once again.”
