Two Weeks Away: Three Reasons to Get Excited for the 2022 SVG Venue Summit at SoFi Stadium & NFL Media

It has nearly been three full years since the last in-person SVG Venue Summit, which was held at Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena in June 2019. Taking a step away from our virtual environment, the Sports Video Group is two weeks away from hosting its first in-person gathering of 2022: the SVG Venue Summit at SoFi Stadium and NFL Media on March 29-30. Since there are only 14 days left to go before heading out to Los Angeles, here are three reasons to get excited for the upcoming two-day event.

Reason No. 1: Tour NFL Media and SoFi Stadium and Hear From Individuals Involved at Both Facilities

Highlighting the program will be tours of two adjacent buildings that have captured the attention of the sports broadcasting industry: SoFi Stadium and NFL Media. Starting at 12:30 p.m. PT on Tuesday, March 29, SoFi Stadium will open its doors to registered attendees. Coming off the recent Super Bowl LVI in February and its first full season hosting Los Angeles Chargers and Rams fans, the venue is equipped with the largest LED display in the world and is stacked with high-quality production technologies in a new IP-based control room. Across the way, the NFL Media building will also host a tour. The 450,000-sq.-ft. home to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and many other departments supporting the league’s media and business operations, the new offices is one of the most technologically advanced IP facilities in existence.

After tours have concluded, members from SoFi Stadium, Chargers, and Rams will provide a deeper, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the control room equipment and workflows that have powered videoboard shows. This presentation will include:

• Jason Cothern, SoFi Stadium, VP of Broadcast Operations & Productions
• Calvin Spencer, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park, Director of Broadcast and Technical Facilities
• Sarah Schuler, Los Angeles Rams, Senior Director of Game Presentation and Brand Experience
• Chadwick Richardson, Los Angeles Rams, Director of Game Production
• Pete Soto, Los Angeles Chargers, VP and EP of Fan Experience & Production
• Sean Tabler, Los Angeles Chargers, Director of Game Presentation

The following day, Wednesday, March 30, will be concluded by a presentation on NFL Media. Headlined by VP, Head of Media Operations Dave Shaw, the conversation will detail the process of bringing this place to life during the COVID-19 pandemic, the technological infrastructure that drives numerous studio shows, and how the new offices impact the league’s future.

Reason No. 2: Discuss In-Venue Strategy and Trends With Industry Professionals

Day 2 will be full of engaging discussions about the current state of in-venue operations. Covering gameday productions, control room workflows, AR-infused sponsorship and creative activations, in-venue connectivity, and more, there is something for everyone. Here is a look at the rest of agenda with confirmed speakers:

9:05 – 10:05 a.m.: Big Board Flair: Local Teams Bring the Energy on Gameday
With fired-up fans filing in on gameday, producers and their crew need to reflect their passion at a moment’s notice. What techniques are used to showcase the uniqueness of their fanbase? How much preparation goes into executing a plan? Creatives from around Los Angeles chime in with their production philosophies.
Moderator: Kristian Hernández, SVG, Associate Editor and Social Media Manager; SVG Venue Summit Program Director
Confirmed Panelists:
Daniel Casados, LA Clippers, Director of Game Presentation
RJ McNichols, UCLA Athletics, Creative Content Producer for Marketing
Danelle Winfield, Los Angeles Sparks, Senior Director of Game Operations, Entertainment & Promotions

10:05 – 10:20 a.m.: Signiant Case Study: Modern Sports Workflow: Bringing the Magic of SoFi Everywhere
Chief Solutions Officer, Mike Flathers, and SoFi Stadium/Los Angeles Rams CTO, Skarpi Hedinsson, present an intimate look into one of the most modern sports media operations in the world, and the role Signiant plays in facilitating content exchange between venues, teams, and their partners to engage fans globally. Moderated by Signiant SVP, Supply Chain, Art Raymond.
Moderator: Art Raymond, Signiant, SVP, Supply Chain
Speakers:
Mike Flathers, Signiant, Chief Solutions Officer
Skarpi Hedinsson, SoFi Stadium / Los Angeles Rams, CTO

10:20 – 10:35 a.m.: Networking Break

10:35 – 11:15 a.m.: Control Room Tech: How Ever-Changing Control Rooms Accommodate IP, HDR, and More
Around the country, facilities are starting to stray away from traditional, SDI connectivity and are embracing either a hybrid or full-IP approach. In addition, displaying HDR content on large LED displays has become a hot button issue. How challenging is it to evolve an entire control room infrastructure? What is the necessary hardware that goes into the HDR process? Experts give detailed advice to those thinking about making these moves.
Moderator: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial
Confirmed Panelists:
Andrew Lahey, Ross Video, Manager, Solution Specialists, Sports & Live Events
Stuart Reynolds, Diversified, Director, Sports and Live Events
Daniel Riess, WJHW, Associate
Josh Stoner, Canon, Senior Specialist, Product Management Team, Broadcast and Cinema Lenses
Keith Vidger, Panasonic, Solutions Sales Manager

11:15 – 12:00 p.m.: Upgrading Sponsorship Activations: Augmented Reality as an In-Venue Production Tool
After an entire year of professional games played without fans, production teams had to get creative with their messaging and content. When fans returned, venues continued this creative thinking by infusing augmented reality into their run of show to highlight their own brand or give attention to their sponsors. In-venue personnel and technology providers dissect the brainstorming of these activations, the challenges of pulling it off, how it’s changed the gameday experience, and more.
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor
Confirmed Panelists:
Mike Bonner, Carolina Panthers, Director/Executive Producer of Game Presentation and Production

12:00 – 1:00 p.m.: Networking Lunch

1:00 – 1:30 p.m.: The State of In-Venue Connectivity: Improved Wi-Fi, 5G, and Beyond
At the beginning of the next decade, the sports-video-production industry has more questions than answers in regard to enhancing digital capacity for the fans. Will arenas and stadiums improve their mobile network to match increased cellular traffic? How will the 5G revolution impact the venue sector? Executives from multiple organizations break down this lofty task.
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Confirmed Panelists:
Aaron Amendolia, NFL, Vice President Information Technology Services
Gordon Brooks, Zixi, Executive Chairman and CEO
Tim Stevens, Verizon Business Group, Global Leader, Strategic Innovation for Sports, Media & Entertainment

Reason No. 3: An Opportunity for In-Person Networking

Although the SVG Venue Summit is focused on panels and informative case studies, another important thing to remember is that our events are centered around bringing the industry together.  With attendees and panelists from various professional leagues, collegiate conferences, networks, and companies from across the nation, there will be ample chances to reunite with old friends and make new ones.