North-West autonomous technology innovators, GroundWOW, have been announced as the winners of TheStadiumBusiness Innovation Award 2021 at Emirates Old Trafford stadium in Manchester.
Now in their 12th year, TheStadiumBusiness Awards are the only awards to recognise a whole spectrum of achievements from across the global stadium industry. The awards are nominated by the industry, for the industry recognise leadership, innovation and achievement in the design, delivery and operation of sports and entertainment facilities globally.
“To be nominated by the industry in such an innovation rich environment was already incredible. To actually win is an enormous and hugely valuable recognition of our development of this point” said GroundWOW’s Chief Commercial Officer, David Pritchard.
The judging panel was made up of well-respected worldwide stadium professionals and the award was presented by David Manica of MANICA Architecture; the designers of the incredible Wynn Field Club at the Allegiant Stadium home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.
There is no better tribute to the work of GroundWOW’s talented team than to be featured on such a stellar list of organisations, projects and individuals as this one. Launched in 2019, the Stockport-based company took home their 10th innovation award for the AV/AI-driven ground printer which activates underutilised real estate.
“Congratulations to everyone who reached the podium,” commented Ian Nuttall, founder of TheStadiumBusiness Awards. “Winners included our industry’s leaders, achievers and stand-out venues, who should all be very proud of their achievements.”
JUDGES
Hundreds of nominations were whittled down to create the shortlist, judged by an independent panel of industry figures including:
- Jacque Holowaty, VP Employee & Guest Experience, Climate Pledge Arena
- Nick Sautner, Chief Executive Officer, The Eden Park Trust
- Dionna Widder, Chief Revenue Officer, Houston Dynamo
- Darren Burden, Executive Director, Kai Tak Sports Park
- Mel Raines, EVP of Corporate Comms, Community Engagement & Facility Operations, Pacers Sports & Entertainment
- Paul Fisher, Consultant (Former Chief Executive, Jockey Club Racecourses)
- Christian Lau, CTO, Los Angeles FC / Banc of California Stadium
- Andy O’Sullivan, Venue Director, Tottenham Hotspur FC
- Ian Nuttall, CEO & Co-Founder, TheStadiumBusiness
THE 2021 WINNERS
The Winners and Shortlisted Nominees in each category are as follows:
SUSTAINABILITY & COMMUNITY AWARD
Category Winner: BeAsOne Community Program – Cagliari Calcio
Shortlisted nominees:
- Aarhus. Ansvar. Fremtid: Strategic sustainability program – AGF Aarhus
- The Beacon: Community Hub – Foundation of Light, Sunderland FC
- SMISA Stadium – St Mirren FC
- Toronto Vaccine Day: Our Winning Shot – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment
- Wall of Honour: Ajax Fan Columbarium – PC Uitvaart/Ajax FC/Funeral Products
FAN EXPERIENCE AWARD (SPONSORED BY AVIXA)
Category Winner: Allegiant Stadium Tours – Las Vegas Raiders/BRC Imagination Arts
Shortlisted nominees:
- 5G Test Bed at Cegeka Arena – KRC Genk, Belgium
- Power Portal – Cleveland Cavaliers, USA
- AberDNA & Challenger Club strategy – Aberdeen FC, Scotland
- Warriors’ Dub Hub – Golden State Warriors, USA
INNOVATION AWARD
- Category Winner: AV/AI-driven Ground Printer– GroundWOW
- Shortlisted nominees:
- Social Distancing Seating Tool – 3D Digital Venue
- VenueShield™ Programme – ASM Global
- Venue Twin – OnePlan
- VfL Connect hospitality app – VfL Wolfsburg
- Covid Safety Hub – Realife Tech
INTERIOR & FIT-OUT AWARD
Category Winner: Wynn Field Club at Allegiant Stadium – Las Vegas Raiders
Shortlisted nominees:
- Cache Creek Club at Levi’s Stadium – San Francisco 49ers
- Field Cabanas and Bungalow Suites at SoFi Stadium – LA Rams
- Interior Preservation and Modernisation – Helsinki Olympic Stadium
- Westview at Stamford Bridge – Chelsea FC/KSS
VENUE TECHNOLOGY
Category Winner: LED Lighting System in Berlin’s Olympic Stadium – Olympiastadion Berlin GmbH
Shortlisted nominees:
- Infrastructure and Technology Services at Adams Park – Wycombe Wanderers FC / Landways Management
- Nationwide EPOS Implementation – ASM Global (UK)
- PAM Wayfinding & Touchpoints at SoFi Stadium – LA Rams/Hollywood Park
- Technology Partners Integration at Chase Center – Golden State Warriors
PROJECT OF THE YEAR
Category Winner: Leicester City FC Training Ground – Leicester City FC
Shortlisted nominees:
- Grand Palais Ephemere – Jean-Michel Wilmotte/GL Events/Paris2024
- Helsinki Olympic Stadium renovation – Helsinki, Finland
- Lynn Family Stadium – Soccer Holdings/Louisville City FC/HOK
- Compton & Edrich Stands at Lord’s – Marylebone Cricket Club/WilkinsonEyre
- Sahlen Field renovations – Toronto Blue Jays
SPONSORSHIP, SALES & MARKETING AWARD
Category Winner: Avicii Arena – Trygg-Hansa and Bauhaus/ASM Global/Tim Bergling Foundation
Shortlisted nominees:
- DRV PNK Stadium – Inter Miami CF
- The Hundred – England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)
- ‘New Lawn’ naming rights – Forest Green Rovers FC
- Virtual Pink Seat – Sydney Cricket Ground/McGrath Foundation/Cricket Australia
UNSUNG HERO AWARD
Category Winner: Jackie Ventura, Director of Facility Health and Hygiene, Golden State Warriors
Shortlisted nominees:
- Danielle Snyder, Senior Vice President, Guest Services & Security, STAPLES Center
- Lesley Spuhler, CEO, Foundation of Light (Sunderland AFC)
- Gary Storrie, Health and Safety Manager, Formula 1
- James Tagg, Executive Head Chef, Manchester United
- Guy Wickett, Development Manager (En Todo), Crystal Palace FC
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Category Winner: Al Guido, President, San Francisco 49ers
Shortlisted nominees:
- Vince Cicero, SVP of Corporate Partnerships, FC Cincinnati /TQL Stadium
- Eric Granger, General Manager, KFC Yum! Center
- Freyja Handy, General Counsel (Europe), ASM Global
- Joe Lacob, CEO & Co-Executive Chairman, Golden State Warriors
- Tim Shannahan, CEO, Orangetheory Stadium
VENUE OF THE YEAR AWARD
Category Winner: SoFi Stadium
Shortlisted nominees:
- Allegiant Stadium
- Anfield
- Brentford Community Stadium
- Chase Center
- Suncorp Stadium
- WiZink Center Madrid
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
- David Keirle, Chair, KSS