STADIAWORLD | SPORTS VENUES 2020/21

www.stadiaworld.com SPORTS VENUES 2020/21   |   3 FOREWORD Dear readers, with this yearbook, we have established a recurring publication that maps the key topics, trends and de- velopments in the industry year after year. The latest construction projects around the world, exclusive insights behind the scenes of leading international venues and technological innovations and further developments around venues — that is what makes SPORTS VENUES the unique yearbook of stadiums and arenas. But a lot is different this year: COVID-19 has hit the world and especially the sports and events industry massively. It has also thrown out of balance the pro- cesses in the stadiums and arenas. However, due to its flexibility and adaptability, the sports and entertainment business has the best pre- requisites to see this crisis as an opportunity and to emerge stronger from it. Of course, now is the time to roll up your sleeves, but isn’t it also time to question certain things, develop new ideas and build and maintain really important partnerships? In this sense, we are taking this time in any case and we are pleased that with the eps ARENA SUMMIT 2020 on November 18th and 19th in the Deutsche Bank Park Frankfurt (Germany) many of these part- ners will come together again at the industry meeting of the venues and exchange innovative ideas. And we also would like to thank all partners in the context of this publication — for example Katie McIn- tyre, editor of the portal Sports Venue Business, who contributed some first-class content. Enjoy reading! Ganesh Pundt Managing Editor Crisis as an opportunity