IN THE MEDIA
Making NY Islanders Fans Feel at Home in New UBS Arena
The latest in-venue technology helps production, operations and game-presentation crews build up to club’s 50th anniversary
Nicknamed “The Old Barn,” Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY was home to the four-time Stanley Cup winning New York Islanders since 1972. After more than four decades in Uniondale, the team’s fans became accustomed to a passionate game-day atmosphere, and anyone who knows the NHL knows that an Islanders game is a unique experience.
Every home game features a pregame show with captivating content from the on-ice projection system.
Over time, though, the Coliseum gradually became an antiquated relic of the organization’s glory days, and when it was time to say goodbye, most of the in-venue technology was obsolete and substandard to the game-day show the team wanted to put on. Still, even with a move to UBS Arena, its new $1.1 billion home next to the iconic Belmont Park in Elmont, NY, the bar was set pretty high for delivering a next-level fan experience. “It comes down to the fan feeling at home,” says Ryan Halkett, SVP, Event Presentation and Production Experience, New York Islanders. “We’re not changing our traditions and production model even though we’re in a new building.”
Diversified provided UBS Arena in-venue technology including an IP HDR control room.
Entrusted with ensuring this vision was fulfilled, Diversified provided in-venue technology integration of a high-quality IP HDR production control room that allows the run of the show to be streamlined as well as an IPTV infrastructure that keeps fans informed via updated messaging throughout the venue. The Diversified team also delivered the overall sound and AV needs for not just New York Islanders home games but concerts by The Eagles and events like All Elite Wrestling. And aside from elements of the main videoboard show, all these technologies play a role in displays by the on-ice projection system.
“[The showpiece, entertainment driven sound system] has really impressed ownership and patrons alike” – Justo Gutierrez, Diversified
“Diversified was great with integrating so many different entities that weren’t necessarily created to mesh together,” says Brian Jones, UBS Arena. “We’re in that mode where we’re trying to figure out where we’re running at our best. It’s great to be a part of the Islanders’ future.”
Read more with SVG’s UBS Arena Spotlights, Part 1 and Part 2.
