TheStadiumBusiness Awards are delighted to reveal the final shortlists for 2017.
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.
Public voting is now open in selected categories. Please follow the links provided to support your industry favourites.
Proudly presenting our 2017 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.
- Golden 1 Center, USA
- Liverpool FC’s Anfield, UK
- MetLife Stadium, USA
- Vodafone Arena, Turkey
- Stade Pierre-Mauroy, France
- U.S. Bank Stadium, USA
- Parc Olympique Lyonnais, France
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.
- Ron VanDeVeen, President & CEO, MetLife Stadium, USA
- Ian Ayre, Managing Director, TSV 1860 (former CEO, Liverpool FC), Germany
- Vivek Ranadive, Owner & Chairman, Sacramento Kings, USA
- Donna-Maria Cullen, Executive Director, Tottenham Hotspur FC, UK
- Robin Buchanan, General Manager, Celtic Park, UK
- Paul Doorn, Chief Executive Officer, Venues NSW, 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’.
- Lian Tetley, Membership Manager, Eden Park, New Zealand
- Dr Kimberly Mahoney, Assist Professor, University of New Haven, USA
- Paul Cuttill, General Manager – Conference & Events, Liverpool FC, UK
- Andy Fraser, Safety Officer & Paul Lazarus, Chief Steward at Allianz Park (Saracens RFC), UK
- Sue Channells, Exec Assistant to CEO, Sydney Cricket Ground & Sports Trust, Australia
- Nico Briskorn, Head of CSR, VfL Wolfsburg, 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.
- Access Control and Security Platform at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico (CONI/Zucchetti), Italy
- Retractable Roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium (USTA), USA
- Audio Installation at OBO Stadium-Libreville (DAS Audio), Gabon
- My One Buffalo app for Bills, Sabres, Bandits and HarborCenter (SkiData/Experience LLC), USA
- Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings), USA
- Connected Stadium installation at Camp Nou (FC Barcelona), Spain
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
COMMUNITY AWARD
Awarded to the individual, team or venue that has achieved success in the pursuit of community-driven venue management.
- Fort Bragg Field ballpark for Independence Day and beyond (MLB/US Military/Populous), US
- Albion in the Community (AITC) at AmEx Stadium (Brighton & Hove Albion FC), UK
- Sons of the West Men’s Health Program (Western Bulldogs Community Foundation), Australia
- Augmented Reality for Disabled Supporters at Allianz Arena (Bayern Munich FC), Germany
- Community Events at Everbank Field (Jacksonville Jaguars), USA
- Open Camp at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Spain
- Bespoke tours and visitor experiences for the Chinese market at Old Trafford (Manchester United FC), UK
- #ClubGOTM community video programme (Cardiff City FC), UK
- Community Teams on 3G Pitch at Park Avenue Stadium (Aberystwyth Town FC), UK
Winner decided by: Decision by Judging Panel
SALES & MARKETING AWARD
For the individual/organisation with the most effective sales or marketing initiative which has delivered new audiences, new revenues and new partnerships.
- Cityzens Weekend at Etihad Stadium (Manchester City FC), UK
- Seeing is Believing – SPVRS Stadium Project Virtual Reality Suite (Tottenham Hotspur FC), UK
- Cinema at the ‘G presented by Bank of Melbourne (Melbourne Cricket Ground), Australia
- Half-Season Ticket Campaign (Bolton Wanderers FC), UK
- Commercialising under-utilised assets / New Partnerships at Eden Park, New Zealand
- Nothing Will Be The Same 2016/17 Season Ticket Campaign (Everton FC), UK
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.
- 2016 Carling Black Label Champion Cup at FNB Stadium, South Africa
- Touchpoint-driven Red Thread Team at Anfield (Liverpool FC), UK
- Safe Standing / Rail Seating at Celtic Park (Celtic FC), UK
- Matchday at Etihad Stadium (Manchester City FC), UK
- Integrated fan experience at Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings), USA
- Fan Engagement Platforms at Vivint Smart Home Arena (Utah Jazz/Vivint/Boingo), USA
Winner decided by: Online ballot of the global stadium industry
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. This award recognises the event’s host venue, and thus entries should reference why the venue’s management/operational team deserves special recognition for their delivery.
- A-League Grand Final (National Football Federation) at Adelaide Oval, Australia
- Bellew v Makabu WBC World Title Fight at Goodison Park (Everton FC), UK
- Copa America Centenario USA 2016 at Levi’s Stadium, USA
- Harlequins’ Big Game at Twickenham Stadium, UK
- Sydney 7s at Allianz Stadium, Australia
- NFL Monday Night Football (Raiders v Texans) at Estadio Azteca, Mexico
Winner decided by: Online ballot of the global stadium industry
PRODUCT INNOVATION AWARD
Awarded for a product or service that has uniquely transformed and improved the way stadiums, arenas and sports venues do business. Entries should state the organisation/vendor responsible for the product/service, and how the product/service has improved operations at a specific stadium/venue.
- First Responder Communications at Vivint Smart Home Arena (Utah Jazz/Vivint/Boingo), USA
- Commonwealth Bank RoofClimb at Adelaide Oval (SMA), Australia
- Vantage Labour Management Solution at Etihad Stadium (Verteda), UK
- Clean Cube Bins at Sydney Cricket Ground (Smart City Solutions), Australia
- Hospitality Sales and Operations Management platform at RSC Anderlecht (iXpole), Belgium
- PSG Stadium App at Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain), France
Winner decided by: Online ballot of the global stadium industry
NEW VENUE / VENUE PROJECT AWARD
For a new stadium, arena or major sports venue that opened (or re-opened after renovations) to great success between 1 January 2016 and close of entries (27 January 2017).
- Golden 1 Center (Sacramento Kings), USA
- The Main Stand at Anfield (Liverpool FC), UK
- Ashton Gate Stadium (Bristol Sport), UK
- Allianz Stadion (SK Rapid Wien), Austria
- Parc des Princes (Paris St Germain), France
- National Football Stadium at Windsor Park, UK
- US Bank Stadium (Minnesota Vikings), USA
Winner decided by: Online ballot of the global stadium industry
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD
Awarded to the individual, team or venue that has achieved success in the pursuit of sustainable venue management.
- CSR & Community Programme at Telia 5G -Areena, Finland
- CSR Management and Reporting (GRI) at Volkswagen Arena (VfL Wolfsburg), Germany
- Environmental Responsibility at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Club), Australia
- Reds Going Green programme at Anfield (Liverpool FC), UK
- Sustainability and Community-Driven Venue Management at Avaya Stadium (San Jose Earthquakes), USA
- Sustainable Stadium for Sustainable Citizens at Levi’s Stadium (San Francisco 49ers), USA
Winner decided by: Online ballot of the global stadium industry
PREMIUM & HOSPITALITY AWARD
For the stadium, arena or major sports venue that has delivered exceptional service or innovation to their premium seat, suite or hospitality business.
- New Premium areas at Stadio Olimpico (CONI), Italy
- Red Thread Team’s customer experience training at Anfield (Liverpool FC), UK
- Seeing is Believing – SPVRS Stadium Project Virtual Reality Suite (Tottenham Hotspur FC), UK
- Hospitality Sales and Operations Management platform at RSC Anderlecht (iXpole), Belgium
- The Miami Dolphins Member Discount program and access control programme at Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Dolphins/SkiData), USA
- Qjacker food and drink pre-ordering solution at National Exhibition Centre (NEC) Birmingham ( NEC Group / Amadeus / Verteda ), UK
Winner decided by: Online ballot of the global stadium industry
INDUSTRY SUPPLIER AWARD
To recognise the consistent services and industry support by a product or service supplier.
- TimeTarget
- Legends Hospitality
- PMY Group
- Centerplate
- Cedar Packaging
- SeatGeek
- Two Circles
Winner decided by: On site ballot of the global stadium industry
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 2017 ceremony on 22 June
If you made the shortlists, we’ll be in touch shortly!
Winners will be announced at the Gala Awards evening at Croke Park, Dublin on 22 June 2017 during the Summit. Reserve your place here.
Share this