The U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, accommodating up to 66,200 visitors, plays host to various sporting events including NFL and NCAA football, baseball, soccer, as well as concerts, weddings, and other significant gatherings.
On event days, the stadium is bustling with approximately 3,500 staff members ranging from concession workers to security officers, all dedicated to ensuring both the safety and enjoyment of all attendees.
During its construction phase, the stadium relied on a cumbersome pencil-and-paper method for key management which required users to offer collateral for key removal, proving inefficient over time. In search of a more effective internal access control solution, the stadium, in collaboration with Hoffman Security Solutions, selected Morse Watchmans’ KeyBank system. This choice was driven by the system’s cost-effectiveness and advanced key management capabilities.
“There were a few different automated key control systems we looked at,” stated Billy Langenstein, Director of Event Services at U.S. Bank Stadium. “In terms of financials, capabilities, and infrastructure, Morse Watchmans KeyBank stood out. If given the chance to open another stadium, I would choose this system again.” Initially installed in February 2016, the system began by managing 120 key locations. By June 2017, two additional cabinets were integrated, expanding management to 360 key locations.
The stadium’s diverse events demand varied access for contractors, temporary staff, and personnel involved in day-to-day operations. Utilizing the KeyBank system, staff members must check out keys through a process that logs and timestamps each transaction.
Daily reports are generated, documenting who accesses keys and when they are returned, thereby aiding in efficient key accountability—an essential aspect of the stadium’s security and operations strategy. The guest experience team, comprising ushers, hosts, and ticket handlers, begins their preparations early, requiring specific access.
The KeyBank system provides this access while monitoring and communicating activities to security personnel. By ensuring that only necessary keys are allocated to each member, the system supports stadium-wide safety and access control. “We’re considering installing another KeyBank because of our growing needs,” added Mr. Langenstein. “It delivers the security, convenience, and accountability we require.”
