Super Bowl XLIX, the 2015 Pro Bowl, and related events produced a gross economic impact of $719.4 million in the region, according to a study by the L. William Seidman Research Institute at the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. The 2015 Super Bowl and Pro Bowl were held at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

“This is tremendous news for our economy and a strong testament to the exceptional work of everyone involved,” said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. “The eyes of the world were on Arizona, and we delivered in a big way. I look forward to our state hosting many more successful championship games and major events in the future.”

The study focused nine days (Jan. 24-Feb. 1, 2015) and measured the direct amount of spending by visitors and organizations from out of state, including indirect and induced impacts from the spending. Resident and local business spending was not included.

Here are some of the findings from the study:

• An estimated 121,775 visitors came to Arizona for Super Bowl XLIX and/or the 2015 Pro Bowl; those visitors stayed an average of 3.99 nights.
• An estimated 5,033 out-of-town media members came to Arizona and stayed an average of 7.1 nights (up from 4.1 nights for Super Bowl XLII in 2008).
• The $719.4 million economic impact for Super Bowl XLIX represents an increase of 30.8 percent over Super Bowl XLII in Arizona (adjusted using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index, or BLS CPI, inflation calculator which expressed that the 2008 economic impact dollars have the same buying power as $550.1 million in 2015).

Previously released data relative to the success of the events include

• Broadcast by NBC, Super Bowl XLIX was the most-watched program in the history of U.S. TV and averaged 114.4 million viewers.
• More than one million people visited Verizon Super Bowl Central in downtown Phoenix and 500,000 people enjoyed events in downtown Scottsdale during the week.
• Verizon Super Bowl Central was the first reduced waste event of its size at a Super Bowl; the Kick the Waste Initiative resulted in 73 percent diversion rate from landfill to recycling.
• 177,000 people attended the NFL Experience, a record attendance at the Phoenix Convention Center.
• On the day before Super Bowl XLIX, 126,000 people rode Valley Metro Light Rail, doubling the previous single-day high. Throughout the week, Light Rail ridership totaled 389,500 (also a record).
• Sky Harbor Airport served 175,000 passengers the day after Super Bowl, a single day record for Sky Harbor.
• Super Bowl XLIX was televised live in more than 170 countries and territories. More than 23 countries provided onsite coverage from Arizona and the game was broadcast in nine languages from University of Phoenix Stadium (Mandarin Chinese, Danish, English, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Portuguese, and Spanish).
• Arizona was the first host community to offer a website and social media in Spanish and to create cross-border partnerships with Mexico business and tourism entities.
• More than 100 stations broadcast live from Radio Row at the Super Bowl Media Center in downtown Phoenix.
• Legacy Grant Funds in excess of $2 million were awarded to 27 Arizona non-profits to benefit over 400,000 kids; this was made possible by sponsors of the Super Bowl Host Committee, the Arizona Cardinals and the NFL.

(Image: Super Bowl 50/Creative Commons)

The Mobile Sports Report recently published a story about how Levi’s Stadium San Francisco, California, received $802,791 in revenue from having a mobile app for in-seat food and beverage delivery. Over in Oakland, Golden State Warriors go-owner Peter Guber is working on way to put millions of people courtside at a basketball game via virtual reality.

“It doesn’t replace being here,” Guber told CNBC. “That’s still a different experience. But it is a phenomenally new and exciting method to bring basketball to disparate communities all over the country.”

We could then talk about drones, live streaming, or any number of new technological advancements that are currently—or will—affecting venues and the guest experience. And that’s just what we’ll do at this year’s VenueConnect in Baltimore, August 1-4.

For example, there will a technology showcase during the conference trade show where companies will present seven-minute quick demos of a new or existing product. Companies participating in the showcase include Daktronics, Eventbooking, and Sherpa Solutions, among others.

We’re offering several sessions, too, on new technologies and trends. Here are some of the highlights:

Understanding the Right Mobile Mix for Your Venue
This session will cover the differences between DAS, Wi-Fi, microcells, picocells, other small cells, and which technology is best suited for your venue environment.

Wi-Fi Expectations, Bandwidth, and Regulations
IAVM, IAEE, and the IAVM Wi-Fi Coalition dive into current issues centering on high-density Wi-Fi environments and how recent collaborative efforts to standardize how Wi-Fi performance can be effectively measured and maintained by venues.

Tweets From the Top: How Venue Executives Are Excelling in the Social Stream
Learn the 101 of not just sending a tweet, but leveraging your role in the organization in creative ways that builds new audiences and helps grow your business.

Revenue Generating Technology for Convention Centers
Understand how business strategy and technology can best sync with each other, and review new technologies, with a focus on venue-wide geolocation, iBeacon, and location analytics.

Big Data: How to Measure Success
Explore the world of big data as it applies to more effectively managing venues—everything from marketing and ticketing to risk management, human resources, and HVAC maintenance.

We hope to see you at VenueConnect, where we call experience new technologies together and consider how they will influence the venue management industry.

The annual Green Sports Alliance Summit quickly approaching. This year, the wonderful McCormick Place in Chicago, Illinois, plays host to the event, June 29-July 1.

In addition to all the great speakers and sessions offered, attendees are provided the opportunity to tour some of the city’s iconic sports venues. This year’s tours include

• Soldier Field
• DePaul University
• Allstate Arena
• Toyota Park
• The University of Illinois at Chicago
• Loyola University Chicago – Lake Shore Campus
• U.S. Cellular Field

Please visit the Green Sports Alliance Summit’s tours page to learn more about the tours.

Voting is now open and will remain so through July 20, 2015. The complete slate, including biographical information and photos, can now be viewed through the ballot site.

All voting members should have received an email titled “2015-2016 Board of Directors Election-login information below.” The email contains a generated user name and password to use when logging in to submit votes.  If you haven’t received the email, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or by calling 972.538.1025.

Once again, the ballot is available through Survey & Ballot Systems, allowing complete confidentiality and security to our members.

The results of the voting will be posted following the closing of the ballot on July 20. However, join us in Baltimore for VenueConnect, Aug. 1-4 and have the opportunity to meet the new board members in person. Every minute of this year’s program is distinct, offering new dynamic sessions, topic round-tables, and the largest industry trade show and networking events only possible in a city like Baltimore!

Our next recipient spotlight of the IAVM Foundation’s inaugural class of 30|UNDER|30 is Matthew Boring, marketing and sales manager at the Lied Center for the Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska.

“You have to have a great experience for your patrons,” Boring said when asked what he deems necessary for success in the industry. “When they come to the venue, it’s not just the performance—it’s their ticket buying experience, it’s the concessions you provide, it’s your lounge areas, what type of premium services you’re able to offer. You have to constantly be evolving and using patron feedback, otherwise you end up with a stagnant venue”

Please watch the video above to learn more about Boring, and thank you to SearchWide and Ungerboeck Software International for their generous support of the IAVM Foundation’s 30|UNDER|30 program.