Hornets Sports & Entertainment has partnered with Evolv Technology, a firm specializing in AI-based security screening, to enhance fan safety at the Spectrum Center.
As part of this collaboration, Evolv has been named the Official Fan Screening Provider for the Charlotte Hornets, implementing its Evolv Express® systems at the entrances of the venue. This initiative is part of the Re!magine Spectrum Center project aimed at upgrading technology to ensure a seamless guest experience.
Improved Screening Process
Evolv Express provides an efficient entry process for visitors by allowing them to pass without being stopped for individual checks. The system uses sensors and artificial intelligence to identify potential threats, while ignoring everyday items such as phones and keys.
Developed to facilitate movement through screening quickly, this technology helps reduce congestion and disruption at entry points. Following its successful performance during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament last year, the system is now fully installed at Spectrum Center.
Enhanced Fan Experience
The Spectrum Center aims to reopen next month, highlighting the technological advancement
Donna Julian, Executive Vice President of Hornets Sports & Entertainment and General Manager of Spectrum Center, noted, “In the short time we used Evolv last year, we saw a really tremendous impact on the fan experience. Our guests want to get into the arena quickly so they can get their concessions, purchase merch and get settled in their seats. Evolv helps enable them to do that – and to do so in a nonintrusive manner with a heightened level of safety.”
The Spectrum Center aims to reopen next month, highlighting the technological advancements that have been integrated to improve visitor experience.
Broadening Partnerships in the Carolinas
Joining a growing list of venues in the Carolinas using Evolv's weapons detection systems, Spectrum Center's decision was influenced by the technology's proven effectiveness in other regional locations, including Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
John Bair, vice president of sports for Evolv Technology, expressed, “We are proud to continue to grow our presence in the Carolinas by partnering with Spectrum Center and aiming to enhance safety, security and the fan experience.”
Effective Security Layer
Bair emphasized the importance of community trust in security solutions, stating that the reputation of Evolv spreads through successful implementation in diverse facilities, including school districts and sports venues.
Evolv Technology serves more than 800 customers globally, tagging over 1,000 weapons daily across various sectors such as theme parks, performing arts centers, and hospitals. Last year alone, Evolv Express contributed to the identification of nearly 400,000 weapons, showcasing its vital role in maintaining safety.
Hornets Sports & Entertainment and Evolv Technology, a security technology company pioneering AI-based screening designed to create safer experiences, announce a new partnership under which Evolv becomes the Official Fan Screening Provider of the Charlotte Hornets and will see its Evolv Express® systems used to screen fans at Spectrum Center’s entrances.
This enhancement is one of many technology upgrades made as part of the Re!magine Spectrum Center renovation project, which is highly focused on creating a frictionless guest experience.
Natural walking pace
Evolv Express helps allow guests to enter a venue without always stopping for individual checks, using sensor technology combined with AI to distinguish between a wide variety of potential threats and many common everyday items, such as phones and keys.
Evolv Express was created to allow people to move through screening at their natural walking pace. The system is designed to screen visitors effectively while helping minimize congestion and disruptions to traffic flow at ingress points. After seeing the successful use of Evolv at other basketball arenas, as well as other facilities in Charlotte, the systems were tested in Spectrum Center last year during the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in March and subsequently installed at all main entrances as part of the large-scale renovation.
Helping minimize congestion
“In the short time we used Evolv last year, we saw a really tremendous impact on the fan experience,” said Hornets Sports & Entertainment Executive Vice President & Spectrum Center General Manager Donna Julian.
“Our guests want to get into the arena quickly so they can get their concessions, purchase merch and get settled in their seats. Evolv helps enable them to do that – and to do so in a nonintrusive manner with a heightened level of safety. We’re really excited to reopen our doors next month and for guests to see how we’ve utilised impactful technology to really elevate the experience.”
Weapons detection partner
Spectrum Center is the newest customer in a long list of venues in the Carolinas that have selected Evolv as their weapons detection partner. The arena’s security director knew the benefits of Evolv from time spent working at another local venue that was using the technology and by hearing about the systems’ success at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, one of many school systems in North and South Carolina using Evolv.
“We are proud to continue to grow our presence in the Carolinas by partnering with Spectrum Center and aiming to enhance safety, security and the fan experience,” said John Bair, vice president of sports for Evolv Technology.
Layered and effective solution
“When a community sees that Evolv is part of a layered and effective solution, word spreads – whether it’s within a school district, a sports fandom or another community. It is incredibly satisfying to be trusted as a layer of security for venues of all kinds, and to watch our business grow through word of mouth.”
Evolv Technology’s customers tag, on average, more than 1,000 weapons every single day for more than 800 customers including theme parks, performing arts centers, casinos, places of worship, schools and hospitals, in addition to sports venues. Last year, Evolv Express was used to tag nearly 400,000 weapons.
