#SBS26 Preview: A blueprint for scalable Intelligent Connected Stadiums & Arenas

What happens when fan expectations move faster than stadium infrastructure?

At TheStadiumBusiness Summit 2026, Dani Stern, Snr. Global Product Director for Sports and Entertainment at Honeywell Building Solutions, will be joined by Ronnie Bryant, Chief Information Officer at the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets, to explore how venues can move from fragmented systems to scalable, intelligent connected stadiums.

In this session, Dani & Ronnie will draw on lessons from 70+ major venue implementations worldwide to present a proven, outcome-first framework for smart venue transformation. They will explore how this framework was used to modernize the NBA’s Charlotte Hornets Spectrum Center and the new Novant Health Performance Center. They will discuss how the world’s most forward-thinking venues are aligning stakeholders, resolving the tension between fan comfort and sustainability, and deploying AI-powered connected systems that deliver measurable ROI.

Attendees will leave with a practical understanding of the four mega trends reshaping venue economics, a structured consultative roadmap they can apply immediately, and a clear picture of what separates truly integrated smart venues from expensive technology patchwork. Whether building new, retrofitting, or planning, this session will provide a framework for making decisions that deliver real value.

Dani leads global strategy and product management for the Sports and Entertainment vertical at Honeywell Building Automation. He works closely with venue operators, facility managers and technology leaders to develop AI driven solutions that enhance fan experiences, optimise operations and drive revenue growth. With a background in IoT and smart buildings across sectors including airports, education and commercial real estate, he brings practical insight from working directly with leading venues worldwide.

Ronnie Bryant is concluding his 22nd year with Hornets Sports & Entertainment and his seventh as Chief Information Officer. In this role, he is responsible for all information and broadcast technology infrastructure for the organisation, including the Charlotte Hornets, Greensboro Swarm and Spectrum Center. He oversees the implementation, management and support of the organisation’s computer hardware and software, networking, internet, telecommunication, broadcast technology and digital technology.

Understand what to prioritise, what to avoid, and how to build a connected stadium strategy that delivers measurable outcomes at #SBS26 in Manchester.

[Sign me up for #SBS26]

#SBS26 – Operations. Technology. Sustainability.
2–4 June 2026 | Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester