Staging Concepts’ Equipment Adds Thousands of Seats to NCAA Tournament

MINNEAPOLIS—April 2nd, 2008—Thanks to a new NCAA-approved seating configuration with custom seating riser installations from Staging Concepts Inc., thousands of additional fans were able to attend the NCAA Basketball Tournament in Detroit and Houston on March 28th and 30th.  This new and enhanced seating configuration involved a major dramatic move of the basketball court from the end zone to the middle of the arena, giving thousands of fans — primarily students — a chance to be near the action. 
Almost 4,000 portable platforms were used for this year’s Sweet Sixteen tournament. The installations are to also be used at the Final Four Tournaments in 2009 and 2011, scheduled for Ford Field in Detroit and Reliant Stadium in Houston, respectively.  In the course of two days, Ford Field was expected to exceed 105,000* in paid attendance, which places it as the top regional site of all time.  NCAA officials estimate that the expansive seating configuration will provide the NCAA with $4 million* in additional revenue, while enhancing the collegiate atmosphere with thousands of loyal students in the new sections’ seating, cheering on their teams.

“We were very pleased to be selected as the preferred vendor by the NCAA and The Colonnade Group for this prestigious event,” said Michael Hayden, President/CEO of Staging Concepts. 

The new configuration consists of Staging Concepts’ SC90 Single Sided Platforms that are supported by the SC9600 Bridge Support System and SC100 Folding Supports.  Once assembled, the installation added 15,000* seats to Ford Field and 10,000* seats to Reliant Stadium. 

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About Staging Concepts, Inc.
Staging Concepts, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of portable stage and seating riser equipment and railing systems for stadiums and arenas.  They have been providing portable staging solutions for theatres, production companies, performing arts centers, worship facilities, and colleges and universities since 1990.  For more information please visit Staging Concepts, Inc. on the World Wide Web at www.stagingconcepts.com.

*Numerical estimates were provided by the National Collegiate Athletic Association and can be viewed at www.ncaa.com.