The Portland Trail Blazers and Evolv Technology today announced a new partnership to bring Evolv Technology to Moda Center.
Moda Center 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 fans spend less time in line and more time in the arena enjoying the game or their favorite show.
“We are excited to partner with Evolv Technology to add their innovative Evolv Express systems to Moda Center,” 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 Center 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.”
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 Center, which can seat about 20,000 people, follows other venues such as the Footprint Center, home of the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, and the Toyota Center, 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.
“Whether it’s the Trail Blazers, NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, or concerts, if there’s a big event in Portland, Moda Center is where it’s going to happen,” said John Baier, vice president of sports, for Evolv Technology. “Evolv is proud to partner with Moda Center 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 centers, schools, hospitals, casinos, houses of worship, and other venues.
