Over the last two decades, entertainment venues have undergone a dramatic transformation. What was once a straightforward experience—paper tickets, basic lighting, and loudspeakers—has evolved into an interconnected digital ecosystem powered by advanced infrastructure. Fans now expect seamless connectivity, immersive experiences, and real-time engagement at every step of their journey, from entering a venue to ordering concessions and even sharing their experiences online. Behind it all lies a backbone of structured cabling, fiber optics, wireless networks, and smart building systems.
From Paper Tickets to Digital Ecosystems
The Delta Center in Salt Lake City is a perfect example of this shift. In the early 2000s, fans arrived with paper tickets and cash in hand. Today, every interaction is digital and app-driven. Entry systems, food and beverage ordering, merchandise purchases, and event communication all flow through mobile devices. Even the jumbotron and concourse boards integrate with venue-wide systems to deliver real-time content.
This shift is more than just convenience—it represents a fundamental evolution in the industry. Modern venues aren’t just using technology as tools; they are built on digital infrastructure that drives the entire fan experience. Advanced analytics, like the Hawkeye system (which uses high-speed fiber cameras capturing 3,200 images per second) provide real-time replay verification for NBA and NHL games while also offering athletes detailed performance metrics. These innovations demand networks that can move massive volumes of data without delay.
The Infrastructure That Makes It Possible
At the core of every entertainment venue is a structured cabling system. Copper cabling—Cat 5E, Cat 6, and Cat 6A—remains common, but it has limitations. Fiber optic cabling, on the other hand, delivers virtually unlimited capacity, moving data at the speeds required for streaming, analytics, and live fan interaction.
“Hunt Electric provides tip-to-tail copper and fiber solutions,” explains Josh Varney, Hunt’s Technology Service Division Manager. “Most bottlenecks don’t occur in the fiber backbone but at the endpoint devices. By installing infrastructure that’s built to scale, we make sure venues are ready for today and tomorrow.”
Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) are equally critical. With tens of thousands of fans in one space, venues need reliable wireless connectivity. DAS supports multiple service providers while also powering emergency communication systems for first responders. In large venues, DAS is essential for both fan engagement and public safety.
Smarter, Greener, More Connected
Technology is also transforming how venues operate. Building Management Systems (BMS) now integrate HVAC, lighting, shading, and energy controls into a single, unified platform. Automated systems adjust shades and lighting in response to temperature and sunlight, helping reduce operational costs.
Lighting is also smarter. Rather than switching on and off abruptly, modern systems dim gradually with the changing daylight, creating smoother transitions and reducing energy use. Hunt’s own headquarters building incorporates this technology, automatically dimming interior lights as the sun rises.
Security in the Digital Era
Security systems, once siloed into separate platforms, are now unified through advanced Video Management Systems (VMS). Card access, surveillance cameras, and alarms integrate into a single interface, giving facility teams better visibility and faster response times.
Cloud-based systems have made this even more accessible, with subscription-based pricing models replacing costly licensing fees. While high-security facilities may still require on-site servers, most venues now prefer cloud storage for flexibility and cost savings. Hunt plays a key role by installing the structured cabling, door hardware, and cameras, while partnering with specialized programmers to configure these rapidly evolving systems.
Planning Ahead
For Hunt Electric, success isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about anticipating tomorrow’s. “Installing a 48 or 72 strand fiber cable instead of a 12 or 24 strand cable costs very little more up front,” Josh explains. “But it saves up to 80% compared to coming back later for an upgrade. That planning prevents downtime, disruption, and extra cost for the client.”
One regional amusement park illustrates this future-proofing approach. The venue is undergoing a comprehensive technology transformation that mirrors Disney-level operations. Soon, it will be fully cashless, with app-based tools for ride wait times, facility navigation, and interactive guest experiences. To make this possible, Hunt is helping implement robust wifi, redundant power systems, and connectivity capable of supporting hundreds of simultaneous users during peak attendance.
The Bottom Line
Entertainment venues today are powered as much by technology as by performance. From the moment fans purchase tickets to the second they leave the venue, their experience depends on invisible systems: fiber networks, DAS, lighting controls, security integration, and more.
Hunt Electric is at the forefront of this evolution, delivering the infrastructure and systems that keep the lights on, the data flowing, and the fans connected. With a forward-looking approach to design and installation, Hunt doesn’t just build for today’s needs—it builds for the future of entertainment.