ASM Global releases operational plans for the reopening of its arenas, stadia, theatres and convention centres

As facilities across the globe begin to reopen and welcome staff, tenants and guests, ASM Global has released industry-leading protocols to provide trusted protection for the live experience as facilities across the globe begin to reopen and welcome staff, tenants and guests.

Supporting the continued re-opening of its more than 325 facilities and client partners worldwide, VenueShield’s protective capabilities have already been tested at UFC’s event at ASM Global-managed VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, USA on 9th May and was activated for the NRL fixture at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on 28th May in the first live-audience Australian sport fixture played since March.

To develop the comprehensive new protocols, ASM Global engaged its in-house executive teams and distilled the expertise from across its global network of venues spanning stadia, arenas, theatres, convention and exhibition centres, including the Asia Pacific region.

For further support of the scientific credentials of the program, the company has engaged in a partnership with AECOM, the world’s premier infrastructure firm, and its international team of sports venue design, environmental hygiene and biocontainment experts.

The VenueShield program is also being guided by scientific and medical research input from Drexel University College of Medicine (DUCOM) in the USA and its interdisciplinary team of expert faculty and graduate medical students, under the direction of Dean Dr Charles Cairns.

These critical healthcare insights, facilitated by the Drexel Solutions Institute (DSI), will provide ongoing recommendations for COVID-19 mitigation strategies.

In addition, SERVPRO, one of in North America’s leading commercial cleaning and restoration services overr more than 50 years, has provided its professional expertise in the implementation of the pro-active viral pathogen cleaning process. The customised, in-depth workflows for venue re-occupancy include industrial disinfection and workforce safety initiatives, developed in accordance with international guidelines from the CDC, NHS, PHAA and WHO, among others.

Building on those early successful implementations, VenueShield is being deployed in various stages worldwide, in alignment with approvals from local government officials and health care experts. Phases of VenueShield include the implementation of new guidelines for environmental hygiene, workplace safety, technology and equipment, food safety and public awareness as they support future efforts. This ongoing company effort to re-define the customer journey of the future is of top priority.

Commenting on the initiative, ASM Global President and Chief Executive, Bob Newman stated “VenueShield is the culmination of extensive and ongoing work by our Global Task Force to develop this industry-leading set of protocols that will ensure the highest levels of health and safety for our employees, entertainers, athletes and guests.

“We appreciate the expertise provided by the world-class team of experts we have assembled. We look forward to growing the VenueShield program with our partners at AECOM, SERVPRO and Drexel University College of Medicine as we continue to reopen across the globe.”

Mack Astorga, AECOM’s Environmental Risk and Return with Confidence program lead, added “we have a deep understanding of sports and entertainment venues (and) are excited to work with ASM Global on the many aspects of their VenueShield program, including the development and implementation of the phase one environmental hygiene project.

Sports and entertainment venues have long been symbols of hope and pride to the communities in which they reside. Now more than ever, preparing these venues for the safe return of fans, teams and entertainers is critical.”

Images: The ASM Global-managed König-Pilsener Arena, in the German city of Oberhausen (top, courtesy of König-Pilsener Arena) and Bob Newman (below, courtesy of ASM Global).