Discover the technologies defining the next generation of convention centers and what venue leaders need to prioritize to stay ahead.
The AI Revolution
New ROI Frameworks
Hybrid Events at Scale
The 2035+ Timeline
After decades of popularity, professional and collegiate football games keep drawing massive crowds. While football is a timeless sport, technological advances have slowly taken football to an even greater level.
Within the multi-billion-dollar live music industry, innovation is key. Exciting new technology is powering concert experiences in diverse new ways, energizing crowds and leaving less connected venues in the dust. With so much transformation at play, how can venue owners start meeting the latest trends?
Sustainability initiatives have become essential factors within business decisions across industries; according to TravelPerk, almost two-thirds of business leaders (61%) said climate change would have a high or very high impact on their business’s strategy and operations over the next three years.
Despite getting hit hard during the pandemic, the convention center industry has valiantly rebounded; research from Rider Levett Bucknall found that FY2022/23 saw a return to near pre-pandemic levels for both convention center attendance and event numbers.
As the volume of trade shows increases, so too does industry competition. Here are ten of the most essential trade show trends to stay on top of in your convention center — helping to ensure your venue is at the forefront of industry advancement.
A focus on renewable, green technology has enveloped almost every industry, and trade shows are no exception. Sustainability in convention centers comes in many unique forms, including:
Whether using these solutions or others, sustainable technology can help serve as a massive boon to event attendance and guest engagement; Capitol One Research found that 89% of global consumers have changed their shopping habits to be more eco-friendly.
One key way to lower waste in convention centers is through the adoption of mobile ticketing — a tentpole example of contactless technology in trade shows. Contactless technology includes any sort of software or device that enables trade show activity without making physical contact, from mobile tickets that scan via smart devices to touch-free submission of contact information using tap-enabled kiosks. These solutions provide diverse benefits to trade shows, including reduced waste, lowered chance of illness, and higher-efficiency event operations.
Contactless solutions require devices to carry information — one such umbrella of devices being wearable technology. Wearable technology offers holistic integration opportunities across diverse convention center experiences. Devices such as smartwatches can become a hub for mobile ticketing and networking, allowing users to share information without so much as taking their phone out of their pockets. Convention centers can also design event apps catered to wearable technology, allowing users to navigate venues and access schedules in an instant.
| With Hospitality Network HSIA | Without Hospitality Network HSIA |
|---|---|
| Wearable Concert Technology Bluetooth devices connect to phones to transmit reliable signals via wireless networks. | Restricted Connective Options Limited options for wearable technology with potential for conenctivity issues. |
| Live Music Augmented Reality Phones, smart glasses, and other pieces of technology layer exciting augmented visuals over live concerts. | Poor AR Integration Inconsistent or non-existent access to augmented visuals, limiting attendee experiences and creative avenues for artists. |
| Concert Ticketing Insights Consolidated data about demographics, time of purchase, and more provide insights into consumer experiences. | Lack of Data Analytics Lack of insights leads to uninformed decision-making surrounding targeted marketing and campaign success. |
| Mobile Tech Integration Diverse technology integration — including real-time social media sharing across platforms, leading to free marketing. | Frustrating Mobile Experience Disappointed fans struggle to connect via mobile devices, spurring wasted conversion opportinities and poor experiences. |
| Hybrid Concert Events Internet-connected cameras, audio, and streaming software transmit events across the globe for additional revenue. | Non-Existent Online Streaming Concerts remain venue-locked, squandering online fan experiences and revenue from online event sales. |
| Sustainable Concerts Increase sustainability and get certifications through connected tracking of renewable energy usage, water efficiency, and water reduction. | Wasteful Event Practices Lose key sustainability certifications and opportunities for marketing without holistic, accurate knowledge base. |
Much like sustainability, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become a dominant buzz-phrase across trades. Convention centers can integrate IoT technology in several ways, including to support aforementioned sustainability solutions. One of the most notable uses of IoT technology in convention centers, however, is interactive booth design. Leveraging IoT, exhibitors can blow away attendees using:
Altogether, IoT booth design creates customizable, immersive experiences that allow brands to make unique, lasting impacts.
Today’s trade shows can extend their reach beyond the confines of convention center walls. Mixing exciting in-person events with online integration, hybrid conferences allow trade shows to become worldwide events. To enable these events, convention centers have to install hybrid infrastructure including online conference platforms, HD webcasting equipment, and high-capacity internet access. These investments, however, pay dividends; attendees frequently leave hybrid trade shows with connections and perspectives inaccessible via traditional events.
An essential aspect of many hybrid trade shows, conference webcasting refers to the practice of filming and simultaneously live-streaming conference events. Event organizers can leverage software, cameras, audio equipment, and WiFi networks equipped with the bandwidth for high-quality streaming to transmit speakers, panelists, and demonstrations to hundreds of online viewers at once. Like so many notable trade show trends, webcasting expands the reach of events, maximizing investments in notable speakers.
With staggering rises in mass shootings and increasingly devious methods of cyber-crimes, security is a paramount concern for trade show attendees. In turn, convention centers need to bolster their security for trade shows — both online and in-person. Modern technology provides immense utility in preventing modern security concerns; online-connected surveillance systems can pinpoint active threats at a moment’s notice, while secure, restricted WiFi networks help ensure your network supports only qualified users partaking in safe online activities.
FURTHER READING
Discover Emerging Technology Trends in Convention Centers
Just as crucial to implementing cybersecurity protocols is having a team that can support networks if they do get attacked. The most effective modern trade shows leverage responsive, dynamic tech support teams so that when disaster strikes, events can carry on without interruption. While some convention centers opt to hire external cybersecurity teams, many holistic providers of convention center WiFi offer an in-house team with 24/7 support.
Ultimately, convention centers install renovations and improvement for one reason — to increase revenue via expanded trade show participation. Higher vendor attendance at trade shows inherently leads to more people attending events, including the vendors themselves and guests attending specifically for those vendors. Increasing vendor attendance, however, is easier said than done; increasing trade show vendor attendance requires essential changes in network architecture to ensure networks can handle vendor bandwidth.
High-capacity WiFi at convention centers can unlock increased trade show attendance and helps ensure convention centers have the network infrastructure needed to support all trends. Unlike some traditional networks, high-capacity WiFi networks are built to withstand the heavy traffic associated with high-attendance events. Ways that high-capacity WiFi networks can resolve barriers to increased trade show attendance include:
Not all WiFi providers can install networks durable enough to bring along these benefits. Choosing a provider with experience designing reliable, high-density WiFi infrastructure for convention centers is essential.
Our team leverages years of hands-on experiences to build networks curated specifically for your venue’s unique quirks. Request a consultation today and learn how our team can reshape what trade shows your convention center is capable of hosting.
As technology keeps evolving, stadiums remain at the forefront of technological innovation; Deloitte predicts that over 300 global sports stadiums will have begun renovations or new builds in 2025. Even without full renovations, stadium-owners must stay up on trends to keep fans satisfied. We’ve gathered some of the most essential stadium trends — for both 2025 and beyond.
Sports and social media have become inherently, increasingly entwined. Take, for example, the 2024 Paris Olympics; the event boasted more than 12 billion engagements across Olympics social media handles, over double the number of engagements of Tokyo 2020.
With so many eyes online, stadiums need to comprehensively integrate social media — within both marketing and their venues.
Stadiums should maintain active social media accounts across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and X. Accounts can feature all kinds of content — from showcases of specific stadium features to real-time game updates.
Then, during events, stadiums can feature opportunities for fan social media engagement throughout their venue, leading to real-time online engagement and increases in impressions.
Concession apps streamline food ordering during events to help ensure fans maximize their stadium experience. Stadiums can leverage different services within these apps depending on their resources and operability; while one venue may opt to implement a full food delivery service, others may focus on solutions such as online ordering or contactless menu access.
However they’re implemented, stadium concession apps significantly cut down on time spent ordering food — enhancing fan experiences both at concession stands and in their seats.
Mobile ticketing is increasingly becoming the rule, rather than the exception. According to Arival, 34% of U.S. travelers book events via their smartphone or tablet — more than any other individual form of booking. As event attendees continue to adopt the technology, stadiums need to prepare their infrastructure for holistic mobile ticket integration. This technology comes with substantial benefits for varied members of a stadium’s ecosystem.
Attendees nearly always have access to a mobile device, minimizing the risk of arriving at an event without their ticket. Plus, once they arrive, mobile ticketing makes stadium entry more efficient — leading to less lines and more time for stadium experiences.
Smaller lines means fewer necessary staff for ticketing; combined with automated sales tracking & analytics, mobile ticketing optimizes events for stadium employees and fans alike. With so many benefits and such widespread acceptance, mobile ticketing isn’t a trend — it’s a necessity.
Whether permanent or disposable, wearable devices make fans themselves feel like part of the stadium experience. Disposable LED wristbands can be implemented across diverse events — from stunning visuals during emotional concerts to vibrant clusters of light to amping up players as they storm the field.
More permanent wearable devices — such as smartwatches and smart glasses — can even be implemented with other notable technology trends such as mobile ticketing, social media, and stadium concessions apps.
Eco-friendly solutions have become a priority across all industries — with the green technology and sustainability market size valued at USD 20.9 billion in 2024 — and stadiums are no exception. Sustainable stadium technology can take disparate forms; some of the most effective solutions include:
By implementing these and other sustainable solutions, stadiums can both entice guests with eco-friendly marketing and waste less money on unnecessary, wasteful expenditure.
Stadium technology doesn’t just benefit fans and staff; coaches and players alike can leverage IoT technology to create integral efficiencies during a game. Via IoT technology integration, teams can access:
Real-time digital cameras for instant analysis of on-field strategy and execution.
Integrated injury treatment using high-tech databases of electronic medical records.
Wearable fitness technology to track individual player performance and health during games.
Better performance from teams leads to better event enjoyment for attendees and greater stadium revenue — meaning these in-game IoT integrations provide value to teams, employees, and fans alike.
For as long as stadiums have existed, recording sporting events has been an integral part of stadium infrastructure. From radio broadcasts to modern live-streaming, fans at home are always looking for ways to enjoy their teams even if they can’t make it in person. Modern live-streaming technology makes delivering these experiences to fans even easier.
Modern streaming technology includes internet-connected cameras, high-quality audio equipment, and intuitive streaming software. Depending on the event, stadiums can opt to leverage a free stream with ads, or have users pay for stream access. Either way, live-streaming is an excellent way to increase supplemental stadium revenue with technology.
One thing all of these smart stadium solutions have in common? A need for responsive, reliable connectivity to keep them functional. Stadium WiFi installation helps ensure venue-wide access across diverse devices such as smartphones, employee computers, and high-speed cameras. Such comprehensive WiFi access, however, is easier conceptualized than implemented; working with a trusted provider is key.
We provide dynamic WiFi networks to venues across the hospitality industry — including some of the world’s most cutting-edge stadiums. Our networks provide a backbone for supporting the latest and greatest in stadium trends, while establishing a foundation for future solutions. Contact us today and learn how we can foster exciting new experiences in your stadium.
Las Vegas has become a major hub in sports entertainment, with the city’s influence only growing. With looming rumors of upcoming NBA expansion, sports venues in the city need to make sure they’re at the top of their game — especially amidst rapid changes in fan expectations for stadium internet connectivity.
One current example of technological advancement at a venue in Las Vegas is the Las Vegas Ballpark. How?
Read on to learn more about the facility, the technology installed within the venue, and how our WiFi is supporting modern solutions.
The Las Vegas Ballpark is a baseball stadium located in Summerlin South, Nevada. With a total capacity of 15,000, this ballpark hosts a variety of events — from minor league baseball games to community fundraisers. Guests can choose from a wide variety of seating options based on their party’s unique needs, including 22 suites, club suites, picnic tables, and a party zone. There’s not a bad seat in the venue; even upper-level seats offer a gorgeous view of Red Rocks and the Las Vegas Strip.
The Las Vegas Ballpark is located in Downtown Summerlin, Nevada. Littered with local shops, restaurants, and other event venues, Summerlin’s vibrant downtown is a natural home for a next-generation sports venue like the Las Vegas Ballpark. City National Arena — known as the practice facility of the Vegas Golden Knights — is also located just north of the ballpark.
The Las Vegas Ballpark hosts a wide variety of events and teams — primarily serving as home to the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the Athletics. Because the Triple-A schedule lasts 150 games, fans have plenty of opportunities to see the Aviators in action. Boasting a talented roster, the Aviators had five players represented in the 2024 Triple-A League Awards & All-Star Teams.
Beyond the Aviators, the Las Vegas Ballpark hosts a busy events schedule featuring several other teams. Highlights include:
The Las Vegas Ballpark opened in 2019 — with the official opening coming with a 10-2 Aviators win over the Sacramento River Cats on April 9th, 2019. Opening times for different events vary based on start times; the Las Vegas Ballpark hosts both afternoon and nighttime events. If attending an event at the ballpark, check the online event listing for specific details.
The Las Vegas Ballpark incorporates innovative stadium technologies designed to create a wholly engrossing ballpark experience. Here are just a few of the innovations that make this stadium so innovative.
While stadium screens have been staples in sporting venues for decades, modern solutions have optimized their functionality and frequency. The Las Vegas Ballpark hosts over 100 digital screens throughout its facility — including a large outfield display providing varied, targeted digital signage for navigational, transactional, and informational purposes.
The park’s digital crown jewel is its massive outfield display. This screen is:
Mobile applications have become staples in sporting venues, from basketball arenas and football stadiums to ballparks. The Las Vegas Ballpark is no exception, featuring a comprehensive app with several useful features for event attendees. This app includes features such as:
From arrival through securing tickets for their next event, the Las Vegas Ballpark app streamlines fan experiences through every step of the process.
Both solutions above — alongside other modern innovations in sports stadiums — rely on internet connectivity to achieve high-level functionality. Las Vegas Ballpark’s innovative WiFi access helps ensure seamless connectivity and enhanced experiences for stadium staff and attendees alike.
Logging on to guest WiFi is an accessible, seamless, and speedy process. All attendees need to do is:
Once connected, guests can access internet connectivity throughout the venue for no additional cost — allowing interactivity with mobile devices, including the ballpark’s integrated app.
Looking to support new technology in your ballpark, stadium, or arena? We’ve worked extensively on stadium WiFi design — from implementing internet access at the Las Vegas Ballpark to helping connect fans at football stadiums across the country.
Our team builds networks from the ground up, designed specifically for your facility’s unique needs and budget. Request a consultation today to learn how our team can help supercharge fan experiences with venue-wide internet access.
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