Orlando, FL –– Denver's National Western Center is undergoing one of the largest redevelopment projects in its history, transforming the historic site into a 2.2 million-square-foot campus dedicated to agriculture, education, research, entertainment and culture. Designed to serve as a year-round destination, the expanded campus will host everything from concerts and trade shows to livestock competitions, international conferences, farmers markets and the annual National Western Stock Show.
At the center of the redevelopment is the new 350,000-square-foot Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Livestock Center, a flexible, multiuse facility. The campus includes a new CoBank Arena featuring a nearly 4,000-seat arena and climate-controlled barns, creating a modern venue capable of accommodating a wide range of indoor events while preserving its agricultural heritage.
To support the campus' diverse programming, project stakeholders selected Absen as the direct-view LED (dvLED) display partner. The installation features Absen's A Series LED displays for the center-hung display and ribbon wall, along with the NX Series for the facility's auction wall. Together, the display systems deliver the durability, image quality and reliability required for everything from rodeos and livestock auctions to concerts, sporting events and community gatherings.
The National Western Center required an LED solution capable of performing in one of the industry's most demanding environments. Unlike traditional entertainment venues, the displays would be exposed to dust, moisture and the daily rigors of a working livestock facility.
"We were looking for an LED provider that could meet the environmental demands of the space based on the types of events that will be held here," said Mitchell Blystone, senior AV project manager for E2 Optics. "This is a livestock facility with cattle and sheep coming in, so we know there's going to be dust. We know it's going to be damp at times. Because of that, we looked for an environmentally rated LED system."
Absen's A Series was selected for the ribbon wall and center-hung display because it combines outdoor-rated durability with high-performance visual capabilities. The displays deliver brightness levels up to 10,000 nits while consuming up to 50% less energy than conventional LED systems. Absen's lower power consumption reduces heat generation, contributing to longer product life while helping the National Western Center manage operating costs across a venue designed for year-round use.
As construction progressed, the project required close collaboration between Absen, E2Optics and the project team to accommodate evolving structural requirements.
"We worked together extensively to produce high-quality drawings for the other trades, and Absen supported us throughout that process," said Darren Smith, senior director for E2 Optics. "The mounting options for the center-hung display were vitally important to the overall structure of the project, and we worked very closely with Absen to model all of those components."
The facility's auction wall utilizes Absen's NX Series, featuring a 16:9 cabinet design that simplifies installation while delivering a seamless viewing experience. With refresh rates exceeding 7,680 Hz, the NX Series produces smooth, scanline-free imagery for live production, broadcasting and in-venue cameras. The NX Series' high-definition image quality ensures that auction information, event content and live video remain clear and readable for audiences both inside the venue and watching remotely.
As construction progressed, the team adapted the display system to accommodate design changes while preserving the intended visual experience.
"We had to make a design change that required breaking up the ribbon wall, but we didn't want to lose the integrity of the image," explained Blystone. "We worked with Absen to modify the cabinet sizes so they could be installed successfully."
The project also required the LED system to support emergency communications throughout the facility.
"We also had to make a change to accommodate emergency power so that, during a life safety event, we can display emergency messaging on the wall," said Blystone.
The National Western Center noted Absen's value extended well beyond the display technology itself.
"When evaluating partners, we looked beyond cost to the total value they could provide," said Joe McCullough, chief operating officer for the National Western Center Authority. "Absen offered the right combination of high-quality display technology, responsive customer support, and confidence in delivering on our project timeline. That made them the best fit for this investment."
Weskeal West, channel manager for Absen, added, “The National Western Center represents the type of environment our displays are built for. By combining durable, environmentally rated displays with energy-efficient performance and flexible configurations, we're helping venues like the National Western Center create visual experiences that can adapt to virtually any event while standing up to demanding operating conditions.”
By combining environmentally resilient display solutions with collaborative engineering support, flexible product design and responsive technical expertise, Absen helped the National Western Center create a future-ready venue capable of supporting everything from livestock auctions and rodeos to concerts, community events and emergency communications. As the campus continues to expand, the installation will continue to provide a durable visual platform designed to serve visitors, event organizers, and facility operators for years to come.
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About Absen Inc.
Absen Inc. is the US subsidiary of Absen, a leading LED display manufacturer, and is based in Orlando, FL. Absen, a global leader in LED display manufacturing, is renowned for its high-quality and innovative solutions. This combination of fantastic products with a knowledgeable sales team allows us to offer turnkey solutions with outstanding client experiences.
With thousands of installations across the USA, Absen Inc has quickly become the LED manufacturer of choice for a variety of prestigious projects. Highlights include sporting venues for the NBA, MLS, and NBC; casino installations for MGM Grand and Caesars Palace; premier events including the Ultra Music Festival, Comic-Con, and the Emmys; and digital signage in the heart of NYC’s Times Square.