Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) and Honeywell have entered into a strategic partnership, marking Honeywell as the Official Building Automation Partner for the Charlotte Hornets.
This alliance involves the incorporation of Honeywell's AI-driven technology to enhance the safety and effectiveness of two primary HSE facilities: the Spectrum Centre and the Novant Health Performance Centre. These improvements aim to benefit guests, players, and employees alike.
Enhanced facilities at Spectrum Centre
The Spectrum Centre, home to the Hornets' NBA games, will see the implementation of advanced security and building integration systems following a major renovation.
In honour of this collaboration, the floor hosting the player and talent locker rooms and exclusive clubs will be renamed the Honeywell Event Level.
Innovations at the Novant Health Performance Centre
These improvements are designed to develop a smarter, safer, and more interconnected environment
At the Novant Health Performance Centre, which serves as a practice and mixed-use facility still under development, Honeywell will install cutting-edge security, energy management, and life safety systems. These improvements are designed to develop a smarter, safer, and more interconnected environment, aligning with HSE's aspiration to stand out as a leading NBA franchise.
Moreover, Honeywell will become a Foundational Partner of the Novant Health Performance Centre, joining a network of local companies such as Novant Health and Truist, who are dedicated to contributing to the continued growth and prosperity of Uptown Charlotte.
Comments on the partnership
Mike Behan, Chief Business and Revenue Officer at HSE, expressed excitement about the new partnership, stating, “As a local Charlotte organisation, we are thrilled to welcome Honeywell to our expanding family of partners as we build a new era of Hornets basketball.”
Juan Picon, President, Americas, Honeywell Building Automation, remarked, “Our partnership with HSE transcends technology – it's about fostering a welcoming environment where fans can connect and truly enjoy the game in smarter, more efficient spaces.”
Commitment to advanced building automation
HSE's investment in building automation mirrors a global trend towards modernising sports and entertainment venues with connected, data-driven systems aimed at bolstering security, community engagement, and energy efficiency.
As the Exclusive Building Automation Partner for the Charlotte Hornets, Honeywell's solutions include:
- Unified Security and Access Controls: The LenelS2 OnGuard Access Control platform ensures centralised, real-time monitoring and incident management across both the Novant Health Performance Centre and Spectrum Centre.
- AI-powered Building Management: Honeywell Connected Solutions leverages AI to streamline operations at the Novant Health Performance Centre, facilitating energy management and metering, which help adjust building controls based on climate conditions and occupancy levels.
- Advanced Life Safety Systems: Honeywell's XLS4000 fire detection system offers self-testing functionality, minimising operating costs and downtime while keeping the facility prepared for emergencies.
- Comprehensive Systems Integration: The Enterprise Buildings Integrator will allow for streamlined, centralised control over all security and building management systems across both facilities.
Hornets Sports & Entertainment (HSE) and Honeywell announced a multi-year strategic partnership that designates Honeywell as the Official Building Automation Partner for the Charlotte Hornets. Through the partnership, Honeywell will deploy its innovative, AI-driven solutions to help enhance the safety and efficiency of HSE’s two core facilities – Spectrum Centre and the Novant Health Performance Centre – for guests, players and employees.
At Spectrum Centre, home of the Hornets' NBA games, Honeywell will implement advanced security and building integration systems as part of a recently completed extensive renovation. The floor of the facility housing player and talent locker rooms and premium clubs will be officially renamed the Honeywell Event Level.
State-of-the-art security
In addition, at the new Novant Health Performance Centre – a practice and mixed-use facility currently under development – Honeywell will install state-of-the-art security, energy management and life safety systems. These upgrades will help create a smarter, safer and more connected environment that further supports HSE’s goal of becoming a premier NBA franchise.
Honeywell will also be named as a Foundational Partner of the Novant Health Performance Centre, joining an intentional group of local companies, including Novant Health and Truist, that are integrated into the project and committed to investing in the continued growth and vitality of Uptown Charlotte.
Innovative advancements
“As a local Charlotte organisation, we are thrilled to welcome Honeywell to our expanding family of partners as we build a new era of Hornets basketball,” said Mike Behan, Chief Business and Revenue Officer at HSE.
“With Honeywell as our automation partner, we can create an elite training environment and enhance game-day experiences for everyone who visits our state-of-the-art facilities. The innovative advancements Honeywell will bring to Spectrum Centre and the Novant Health Performance Centre mark a significant milestone for our organisation and the entire city of Charlotte.”
HSE transcends technology
“Our partnership with HSE transcends technology – it's about fostering a welcoming environment where fans can connect and truly enjoy the game in smarter, more efficient spaces,” said Juan Picon, President, Americas, Honeywell Building Automation.
“We look forward to collaborating with the Charlotte Hornets to pioneer the future of smart venues in the years to come. By connecting the Hornets’ facilities through an integrated digital ecosystem, the HSE team will gain real-time insights that enable them to enhance operations for players and staff while also elevating the overall experience for fans and the local community.”
HSE’s substantial investment
HSE’s substantial investment into building automation reflects a global trend toward modernising sports and entertainment infrastructure through connected, data-driven systems that help enhance security, foster community engagement and optimise energy management.
As the Official Building Automation Partner for the Charlotte Hornets, Honeywell will partner with HSE to integrate several key innovative solutions including:
- Unified security and access controls: Honeywell’s LenelS2 OnGuard Access Control platform will deliver centralised, real-time monitoring and incident management across both the Novant Health Performance Centre and Spectrum Centre.
- AI-powered building management: Honeywell Connected Solutions, an AI-powered platform built on Honeywell Forge, will streamline operations at the Novant Health Performance Centre. The platform’s energy management and metering will facilitate real-time adjustments to building controls based on climate conditions and occupancy levels, thereby improving comfort for players while reducing the building’s energy consumption.
- Advanced life safety systems: At the Novant Health Performance Centre, Honeywell's XLS4000 smart fire detection system will provide an innovative self-testing functionality, which will help reduce operating costs and operational downtime, while ensuring the facility’s fire-detection system remains ready for any emergency.
- Comprehensive systems integration: Honeywell’s Enterprise Buildings Integrator will integrate and manage all security and building management systems, empowering facility operators with streamlined, centralised control across both Spectrum Centre and the Novant Health Performance Centre.
