Located in the center of the Bucks Entertainment Block next to the Fiserv Forum arena, home of the Milwaukee Bucks® NBA basketball team, The Mecca Sports Bar and Grill is not only Milwaukee’s best sports bar, it sets a new standard for all other sports bars. The 11,500-square-foot, twostory facility can accommodate more than 600 guests while offering a live, in-game experience. It features two full-size bars, outdoor seating on both levels, and arena-style seating.
THE CHALLENGE:
Deliver the most memorable arena-like audio-visual experience possible to serve as a major attraction for Milwaukee’s most hardcore sports fans. Everyone who enters should instantly feel exhilarated and like they’re a part of the excitement.
THE SOLUTION:
Justin Green, Vice President of Hospitality for the Milwaukee Bucks, and his team, worked with Automation Arts to design and deploy a state-ofthe-art AV solution. They chose DM NVX™ AV-over-IP technology because of its flexibility, reliability, and ability to distribute flawless 4K video with no latency.
THE TECHNOLOGY:
The centerpiece of the space is a 38-foot high-definition TV flanked by nine 90-inch TVs. In total, there are 65 TVs. An LED ribbon board wraps around the second level displaying in-arena content such as sports scores and information on upcoming concerts. Everything is powered by DM NVX. “With DM NVX technology, our employees can easily switch from live footage of inside the arena to live shots inside The Mecca, allowing guests to see themselves on the big screen,” explains Green. “Having this level of functionality makes the space even more exciting and keeps everyone engaged at all times.”
For employees, being able to easily manage and monitor the content is imperative. Using the intuitive user interface running on Crestron touch screens, employees can manage content and control the volume with the touch of a button. DM NVX Director™ is used to configure, control, and manage the network of DM NVX endpoints. Each display is equipped with its own DM NVX unit and runs on the facility’s existing 1Gb network.
RESULTS:
Surrounded by displays playing live sporting events from all over the country, visiting The Mecca Sports Bar and Grill is more than a night out, it’s an experience. With the help of Crestron technology and Automation Arts, they were able to exceed expectations and develop a new standard for sports bars around the world.
“By integrating state-of-the-art AV technology, we are delivering an experience like no other,” says Green. “From the second someone enters we instantly see their eyes light up. That is exactly what we were looking to do.”
A graduate of DeVry Institute of Technology, Doug has been in the Technology industry since 1976 and actively oversees Fearing’s daily operations. Along with his wife, Lois, and three others, Doug started Fearing’s in a 600 square-foot facility in Portage, Wisconsin. In the 25 years since, the company has grown to over 30 employees with offices in Madison and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Doug likes to say he’s a “TV Technician with a dream� going back to his history with the family’s original business-Fearing’s TV and Appliance.
Doug values time with family, watersports, hiking, snowshoeing and skiing. In addition to being a devoted member of his church, Doug serves as Board President for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County, Board member of Schools for Haiti and Scripture Chair of the Gideons-Portage camp.
A graduate of MATC, Lois oversees Fearing’s daily book keeping along with various HR responsibilities.
Along with Doug, Lois is deeply connected to community outreach, serving as a Board member and Fundraising Committee Chairperson for Kinship Mentoring of Columbia County. She also serves on the Schools for Haiti Fundraising committee. In addition, Lois’ ongoing passion and commitment to provide care for the elderly comes from her 10-year history of working in a Reedsburg, Wisconsin Nursing home.
Lois enjoys singing, hiking, sunny days on the pontoon, and spending time with her 4 grandchildren.
Ehren drives Fearing’s technology by continually seeking out trends to enhance capabilities while supporting Sales, Engineering and Installation teams. Throughout his years with Fearing’s, Ehren’s talent and vision have joined forces to create a wide variety of projects and strategic solutions that exceed expectation.
Ehren loves music, family time, movies, nature, sustainability efforts and electric vehicles.
With 10 years with Fearing’s and over twice that long in the industry, Ben continues to lead, coordinate, and develop the Commercial AV team.
By consistently delivering an outstanding experience and outcome, Ben contributes to the Fearing’s legacy of long-lasting partnerships that truly make a difference. Whatever the Commercial AV need may be, Ben and team deliver at the highest level.
Ben is an avid fisherman and photographer. He enjoys coaching his sons and other youth.
Chris has been with Fearing’s for 20 years and in the industry for over 2 decades. As a Certified leader in Sales Acceleration and trained in EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems), Chris successfully utilizes his skills to lead the Fearing’s Salesforce. Chris and team are motivated and driven to develop new client partnerships while continuing to reinforce loyal long-term relationships with ongoing Service excellence.
Married for 19 years with 3 children, Chris enjoys skiing, hiking, fishing, boating, hunting, camping and golf. He’s also been actively involved as a Youth Football and Softball coach for his family and others.
