What we learned from the first ESSMA Connect series
Earlier this year ESSMA launched a brand new digital touchpoint for our community: ESSMA Connect. After 7 successful sessions with 7 interesting stories, we wrap up the first series! Hopefully we will see you again in September for our second series, but until then, here are the highlights from our first series.
Return of fans to stadiums
As part of a test event series, Keuken Kampioen Divisie club Almere City FC hosted a test event with 1,500 fans returning to the stadium. During the session we learned that more personnel should have been present in security and service, fans don’t read all communications and additional speed tests need to be in stock as there can be a serious delay on the results of official COVID-19 testing.
In addition, Andreas Kienbink from keyper walked us through the possibilities of a COVID-free pass. This Software As A Service solution facilitates the new health accreditation protocols and allows a quick scan of COVID-19 test results.
A home for the club’s mascot
Stef Van Der Weide and Sonny Van Kranenburgwe joined us to talk all about FC Utrecht adding a house for the mascot to their stadium, filled with activities for the youngest audience members. The general idea is that magical moments with the mascot at a young age result in fans for life.
Improve your stadium through technology
24/7 Software joined us to talk all about stadium operations software and the many advantages it can bring to your organisation. With a presentation from our Stadium Partner and several insights from our Stadium Operations Software Report, the session was filled with learning about this software.
Furthermore, we learned all about Eintracht Frankfurt’s “Arena of IoT” project as Timm Jäger joined us to share his story. The German club’s own subsidiary called EintrachtTech developed their own cashless payment system which increases transaction volumes, creates additional benefits for the users and generates more data and insights into fan behaviour.
“Our state of the art technology lays the foundation for new digital business models in and around the stadium.”
SD Eibar’s renovation at Estadio de Ipurua
After their promotion to LaLiga for the first time in 2015, SD Eibar decided to renovate their stadium. Mr. Jon Ander Ulazia joined us to share how the Basque club completed their 3-phased renovation process with limited space and budget.
Sustainability initiatives at Section Paloise
By planting 1915 trees in Peru and making 100% green and recyclable shirts, French rugby club Section Paloise is focusing on improving sustainability. Sylvain Caliman told us all about the initiatives the club has taken for which they have earned the French Fair Play For Planet label.