The Portland Trail Blazers and Evolv Technology, a security technology company pioneering AI-based screening designed to help create safer experiences, today announced a new partnership to bring Evolv Technology to Moda Centre.
Moda Centre has installed five Evolv Express® systems ahead of the building’s busiest stretch of the year. The new technology provides an efficient screening process, that can help allow fans to spend less time in line and more time in the arena enjoying the game or their favourite show.
Advanced sensor technology
“We are excited to partner with Evolv Technology to add their innovative Evolv Express systems to Moda Centre,” said Chris Frey, vice president of safety and security, Portland Trail Blazers and Rose Quarter.
“Evolv’s advanced sensor technology can help improve our ingress process, allow fans to spend more time inside Moda Centre rather than waiting in line, and support maintaining a safe and secure environment. We are constantly striving to find innovative ways to improve our guest experience, and this partnership is a testament to that commitment.”
Smooth entry experience
Evolv Express uses advanced sensor technology combined with artificial intelligence to differentiate between certain threats and many everyday metal objects people carry in their pockets. Fans can walk through without always stopping to be checked one by one, helping provide a smooth entry experience.
The Moda Centre, which can seat about 20,000 people, follows other venues such as the Footprint Centre, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, and the Toyota Centre, home arena of the NBA’s Houston Rockets, in quickly forging a partnership with Evolv following the league’s recent conditional approval of technology for weapons detection.
Conditional approval of technology
“Whether it’s the Trail Blazers, NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, or concerts, if there’s a big event in Portland, Moda Centre is where it’s going to happen,” said John Baier, vice president of sports, for Evolv Technology. “Evolv is proud to partner with Moda Centre and be a part of the security solution there, improving the guest experience for many.”
The Trail Blazers become one of more than 40 teams across the five major professional U.S. sports using Express to screen fans. Evolv Express screens more than one million people each day, and two million on weekends across hundreds customers, including sports stadiums, theme parks, performing arts centres, schools, hospitals, casinos, houses of worship, and other venues.