Directional signs or wayfinding help the audience find their way. It’s not rare to get lost in a stadium. If you are a stadium-going person, then you may have experienced the struggle of finding the way to the seat. Directional signs can help with this issue. They offer navigation guidance so that you know which way to go. It maintains traffic flow, reduces the risk of stampede, and increases fan satisfaction. This brings in a good reputation for the stadium. To save your audience from getting lost, consider having wayfinding during events in stadiums.
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8 Benefits of Wayfinding Stadium Signage for Event Management
Before or after a match or during a concert, people become excited in Brisbane. This often makes them lose their way inside sports arenas. Using venue signage can help with navigation and offer other benefits.
Give Welcome Messages
Create a good first impression with a welcome message. Use directional arrows with greetings. This will offer both directions and please the fans. If you are having an event, this helps in multiple ways. First, you can guide the audience on which way to go. Plus, you can include a message thanking or greeting them. It’s a good start for having a successful public event. This will also make stadium navigation easier for the guests.
Helps with the Parking
Parking lots are highly accident-prone areas. CBS News reveals that about 60,000 people are injured in the parking lot every year. Car crashes due to navigational errors are a major reason for this. People find it often difficult to park in and out of the car. Digital signage with real-time direction can reduce accidents. It will help the drivers find a traffic-free route to get in or out of the lot.
Assist in Seating Arrangement
Clear indoor signs reduce the hassle of searching for seats. They make it easy to find the gallery or specific areas. Placing signs in high-traffic areas helps control crowds. Everyone can know where they have to head without standing or jamming in the middle. This ease of accessibility improves the visitor experience. So, if you are organising a party, make sure to give visual cues. It will help the audience find the location and save their time. They will be in a good mood to enjoy the show.
Offer Branding Opportunity
With creative signage design, you can also advertise brands within the arena. This helps to get sponsors as well. Add signs in the orientation points to lead visitors to their expected areas and mention the brand name on or around the sign. People will notice the brand name and feel thankful for offering wayfinding solutions for the event. However, you have to be creative with the design. The branding should seem natural and not forceful so that the audience accepts it as a voluntary work rather than marketing stunts.
Maintain Pedestrian Flow
Stadiums usually have dedicated entries and exits. When someone finds it difficult to find the exit, they may try to use the entrance. This will affect traffic flow and create a hazardous situation. Using directional signs can help in such conditions. Whether it’s about finding the entrance, exit, or restrooms, signs can help. This will keep the mob moving instead of standing in one place. It helps maintain public safety and avoid accidents.
Avoid Stampede Incidents
Stampede is not a rare event in stadiums. In fact, over 1000 people have died in the last 40 years due to stadium stampedes, according to Reuters. Stamps can happen for many reasons. It can be due to accidents, fights breaking out, or people rushing to their way out. Audiences often get confused regarding their direction. They fail to maintain speed with the crowd and fall victim to stampede. With digital and static signage in the right positions, this issue can be reduced significantly.
Control Panic During Emergencies
Fans during a match can get excited, and emotion may take over, which sometimes leads to fights. Accidents can also happen in the gallery. During such times, people need to use the emergency exits. First-time visitors find it difficult to find their way to the exits. This creates panic and increases the risk of accidents and stampedes. With the right signs, you can guide them towards the exit safely. This will minimise the number of injuries.
Improve Fan Experience
Finally, wayfinding signs can improve the audience experience. When guests find their way easily, they feel better and confident. Signs direct people to restrooms, concessions, and exits. They feel confident about strolling around. Signs placed strategically guide fans to their destinations quickly. Good signage boosts satisfaction by providing a smooth and enjoyable visit.
How to Use Directional Signs in Stadiums
You have to place the signs strategically to get these benefits. Follow these tips when using these signs in stadiums:
- Position signs at key decision points so that everyone can see them. Prioritise intersections, way in, and entrances.
- Opt for familiar signs for user-friendly designs. For navigation, arrows are the most easily understandable.
- The text and background should be contrasting. This will help increase the legibility of the sign.
- If you want to add text, keep them short and precise. Otherwise, people may not notice them properly when looking for directions.
- Use both traditional and digital signs. This combination improves the aesthetics and draws more attention from the visitors.
- Arrange for lights or use LED signs in darker areas so that they can be seen in low light.
Final Thought
Directional signs are helpful for the audience and visitors in sports arenas. It helps everyone in navigation, reduces confusion, and increases safety. Make sure to have clear, precise, and noticeable signs placed in the right position. Signage 4Business Group has an expert team for this task. We can create the perfect signs that will be easy to notice and understand. Everyone will get their direction at a glance. This will help the audience, and you experience a pleasant event in a stadium.