Georgia World Congress Center Authority (GWCCA) today announced the appointment of Stacey Church as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective February 10, 2025. Church joins the Authority’s dynamic leadership team from Dallas Fair Park in Dallas, Texas where she served as general manager. Church is the third – and first female – COO in the 50-year history of GWCCA.

“Stacey’s extensive experience and proven track record in operational leadership make her the ideal choice for this pivotal role,” said Kevin Duvall, chief executive officer of GWCCA. “Her vision, dedication, and passion for the industry, cultivated over a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in venue management, will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the GWCCA campus and deliver compelling experiences to our guests and partners.”

Church shared her enthusiasm for the role, stating, “I am honored to join GWCCA and contribute to its legacy of excellence. I look forward to working with our board, partners, and all of the talented team members to further the Authority’s mission of driving continued economic vitality for the state while serving as one of the nation’s top destinations for conventions and sporting and entertainment events.”

Prior to her tenure at Dallas Fair Park, Stacey served almost five years as assistant general manager at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, where she was instrumental in driving operational excellence and enhancing visitor experiences. Her career also includes leadership roles at the Fort Worth Convention Center, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, and the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, KY, where she oversaw the reopening of the newly renovated convention center.

Stacey earned her certified venue executive (CVE) designation in 2022, highlighting her steadfast commitment to professional excellence. She currently serves as the second vice chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) and will assume the chair position in 2026, becoming the third representative from GWCCA to hold this prestigious industry role. Through her dedication to volunteerism, mentorship, and advancing the industry, Stacey continues to make a significant and enduring impact.

Newly released time-lapse video shows arena’s versatility and logistical efficiency during conversion from hosting ice hockey to inaugural events in quick succession (Courtesy of Capital One Arena)

Capital One Arena – the premier sports and entertainment venue in the national capital region – played host to two momentous events this past weekend in celebration of the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the arena hosted then President-elect Trump’s “Make America Great Again” Victory Rally, followed by a viewing event for his swearing-in at the Capitol Rotunda and a modified parade yesterday.

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE), the parent company of Capital One Arena and four other venues throughout the D.C. area, made the arena available to President Trump and his team for inauguration-related events weeks ago – a practice the company exercises with every incoming administration, going back decades. However, planning for Monday’s event began early Friday, just more than 60 hours before the festivities, when severe weather forced many inaugural events indoors.

“Our arena sits between the White House and Capitol Hill and is embedded in the fabric of Washington, D.C.,” said Ted Leonsis, Founder, Chairman, Managing Partner, and CEO at MSE. “It was our honor to serve a role in our nation’s inaugural ceremonies to celebrate and honor the peaceful transition of power between administrations. We are grateful for the efforts of hundreds of Monumental staff, as well as to D.C. and federal law enforcement, the US Secret Service and everyone who ensured the event was safe and enjoyed by thousands.”

Capital One Arena serves as the home of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards, and the NCAA’s Georgetown men’s basketball, in addition to hosting a wide range of chart-topping concerts, family shows, and globally significant events annually. Averaging 220 events per year, the arena has hosted over 50 million people and nearly 5,000 events since it opened in 1997, making Capital One Arena the economic heart of Downtown D.C.

The arena’s hosting capabilities were on full display this past weekend, beginning with a Georgetown men’s basketball game on Friday night, followed by a sold-out Capitals game against the rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday night. Due to the quick turnaround needed, the arena’s 35-person changeover crew jumped into high gear as soon as the final buzzer sounded on the Capitals’ 4-1 victory and converted the arena within less than three hours for the beginning of the inaugural events. The victory rally welcomed thousands of supporters and fans beginning at 1:30 PM on Sunday and the arena conversion process reignited at 6:30 PM Sunday night to begin preparations for Monday. To cap the busy weekend, the changeover crew was called back into action after the parade in preparation for Monster Jam’s three-day residency next weekend.

All told, throughout Sunday and Monday’s events, Capital One Arena had:

• 1,000 MSE, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, and Contemporary Services Corporation (CSC) staff collaborating to create a memorable experience for all guests
• 2,000 manhours provided by local International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) to prep the arena throughout the weekend
• Four third-party vendors assisted the Capital One Arena event production staff for set up
• 20,000 square feet of red carpet adorning the arena floor
• Aramark, Capital One Arena’s exclusive food and beverage partner, served 5,000 chicken tenders, 4,000 hamburgers, 1,000 half smokes, 70,000 bottles of water, and 5,000 soft drinks.

On Tuesday, MSE released a time-lapse video showcasing the changeover from Saturday night’s Capitals-Penguins game to the rally on Sunday and viewing party and parade on Monday, concluding with load-in ahead of this week’s Monster Jam show. CLICK HERE to view the video.

This past weekend’s events took place as MSE formally begins construction on the new Capital One Arena, having received unanimous approval on the development and finance agreements from the D.C. Council last month for the three-year, $800+ million arena transformation. MSE is taking a 360-degree approach to planning a high-tech, high-touch building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years, set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation, and allow the building to host even more high-profile events in the nation’s capital.

Anyone interested is encouraged to visit monumentalsports.com and follow @CapitalOneArena on social media for the latest information on Capital One Arena.

Photo courtesy of LeeAnn Shewbart

IAVM offers a scholarship every year for one of our members to attend the Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Leadership Institute in Australia.

VMA, which boasts over 1,000 members in over 16 countries, supports venue industry professionals in Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. IAVM has enjoyed a long partnership with VMA, and we are proud of our commitment to support venue managers around the globe.

Kim Bedier, CVE, Venue Management Consultant and VMA Venue Management School and Leadership Institute faculty member, describes the program as follows:

“The Leadership Institute is an immersive experience for senior venue professionals. Those looking to enhance their leadership skills for today’s venue world come together in a classroom setting to learn through shared real world experience, energetic discussions and self-reflection.

The opportunity for a US VMS student to be awarded a scholarship to the VMA Leadership Institute is the chance of a Venue Lifetime. The scholarship recipient receives an all expenses paid, truly transformational week where they will learn more about themselves and step up their leadership game. Their participation with peers from Australia, New Zealand, and others from around the Pacific Rim fosters cultural awareness, a global perspective, and the understanding that venue managers all over the world share more similarities than differences. Former scholarship participants at both the VMA-LI and the VMS-LI point to special lasting connections with venue professionals from diverse backgrounds and a greater appreciation for the worldwide venue management profession.”

The VMA-LI scholarship process is extensive. In order to qualify, those interested must have attended IAVM’s Venue Management School (VMS) and must complete the following milestones:

• Achieve the top scores on the VMS Year 1 exam
• Write an essay
• Participate in an in-person interview during their second year at VMS

The award committee will also take into consideration the applicant’s VMS Year 2 exam score, as well as their classroom participation.

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The 2024 VMA-LI Scholarship recipient was LeeAnn Shewbart, Director of Events at Memphis’ Renasant Convention Center.

“LeeAnn jumped in with both feet and was a delightful addition to the 2024 cohort of VMA-LI,” said Bedier. “She was able to bring a North American perspective to class discussion and assimilated well. She may have been calling everyone her ‘mate’ by the end of the week. 🙂”

We reached out to LeeAnn to discuss her experience at VMA-LI.

How did you become interested in the venue management industry?
I was working in hotels and not very happy, when a former boss and friend suggested I apply for an event manager position at the convention center. I fell in love with the energy of managing events, over time that developed into a passion for venues and everything it takes to keep them running at peak performance. 

When did you join IAVM?
I joined IAVM about 10 years ago. I was using it as a resource before then, but it took some time to talk my boss into getting me a membership. I currently work for an organization that believes in IAVM and how important a resource it is. Now all my employees get membership and I encourage them to take advantage of everything IAVM offers. 

What motivates you to continue learning?
I am a lifelong learner. The world is a fascinating, complicated, and ever-changing place. There is always something new to learn. 

At the beginning of my career, I was motivated to learn by a need to do the best for my events and provide them with top level service. Now, I find myself motivated by my young team. I want to provide the best support and knowledge possible to help them grow in their careers. 

How did VMS and VMA compare?
VMA’s Venue Management School is a lot smaller than IAVM’s. This made it a lot easier to get to know people not just from your class, but all the classes and years. The downside to the size is some limited diversity of venues. I was the only person from a convention center in LI. The other difference was more scheduled and structured events in the evening in Australia. This included assigned seating at some functions, making you mix and mingle with new people. 

What are the biggest takeaways from VMA-LI in Australia?
I learned a lot at VMA-LI in Australia, but we started and ended the week discussing DiSC style and how to use that knowledge to build strong teams, enhance working relationships, and read people better. This complemented everything else I learned. So much of good leadership is about people skills and being able to get the best from your teams. 

What would you say to IAVM members interested in attending VMS or VMS-LI?
To any IAVM members thinking about attending VMS or VMS-LI, I say DO IT! You will learn a lot about our industry, but more importantly you will meet other people passionate about it. People you will be able to call on when you have an issue or just need a little support. The Leadership Institute will teach and fine-tune those skills you need as a senior leader in any organization.

Do you have any advice for young professionals in the venue industry?
To the young professionals in the venue industry, I would say the same thing I tell my team. Be sure you are finding a work life balance/integration. We often work long, weird, and irregular hours. You need to balance that with a personal life, or you’ll burn out. I would also encourage them to take advantage of everything IAVM offers.

Stay on top of IAVM scholarship opportunities by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter), as well as keeping up with the weekly IAVM Newsletter and here on the Front Row News Blog.

Monumental partners with KLUTCH Sports Group, Legends, and Elevate to help lead landmark arena project and create world-class fan experience

Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) announced today three industry-leading agencies to help lead the execution of a brand-new, completely modernized Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. Renowned partner companies KLUTCH Sports Group and United Talent Agency will help guide MSE’s commercial partnership strategy, global premium experiences company Legends will support MSE’s premium sales efforts, and full-service strategy, design, and execution agency Elevate Creative will offer expertise on brand messaging, team activation, and sponsorship integration.

Today’s announcement comes as MSE formally begins construction on the new Capital One Arena, having received unanimous approval on the development and finance agreements from the D.C. Council last month for the three-year, $800+ million arena transformation. MSE is taking a 360-degree approach to planning a high-tech, high-touch building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years and set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation.

“As we embark on the creation of a brand-new Capital One Arena, we are proud to partner with KLUTCH Sports Group, Legends, and Elevate—three of the most respected and innovative agencies in the industry,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “Their expertise will be instrumental in shaping the future of our arena, ensuring we not only meet but exceed the expectations of our fans, partners, and community. With their support, we are poised to create a world-class venue that will redefine the fan experience for years to come and set a new standard for sports and entertainment in the D.C. region and across the country.”

KLUTCH Sports Group & United Talent Agency

MSE has partnered with KLUTCH Sports Group and United Talent Agency to enhance its commercial partnership strategy for the reimagined Capital One Arena. KLUTCH will play a pivotal role in the valuation and packaging of the arena’s new partnership offerings, aligning with MSE’s vision to transform the venue into a state-of-the-art entertainment hub. As a trusted extension of MSE’s Global Partnerships team, KLUTCH will leverage its vast network and industry-leading expertise to support the sales and development of strategic partnerships across all Monumental properties and platforms. With a proven track record of maximizing value for premier brands, KLUTCH is an ideal fit to drive innovative partnerships that will elevate the fan experience and provide unprecedented opportunities for sponsors.

“At KLUTCH, we pride ourselves on forging innovative partnerships that amplify the value of premier brands, and this collaboration is a testament to that mission,” said Andrew Feinberg, KLUTCH’s Head of Global Partnerships. “Together, we’re setting the stage for a new era of sports and entertainment in the nation’s capital.”

Legends

With a proven history of delivering transformative results in sports and entertainment venues, Legends will play a key role in advancing the premium sales strategy for MSE and the new Capital One Arena. Legends will provide comprehensive premium sales and marketing support, including an in-house team that will work closely with MSE’s sales staff to drive success throughout the three-year construction project. Legends will focus on supporting the success of MSE’s growing volume of premium seat offerings, including The Vaults, set to debut in October 2025. The team will also oversee the development of two new small group premium seating clubs and a fully reimagined suites business in the later phases of the arena transformation. Legends is uniquely positioned to help MSE redefine the premium fan experience at Capital One Arena and take the VIP experience to new heights.

“At Legends, we embrace the opportunity to partner with great people on ambitious projects on the biggest stages. The transformation at Capital One Arena embodies this, representing a bold step forward for Monumental Sports & Entertainment,” said Mike Ondrejko, President of Global Sales, Legends. “We’re honored to collaborate with their world-class team to introduce a redefined premium experience to the great market of Washington, D.C.”

Elevate Creative

Owing to their extensive expertise in creating engaging, immersive brand experiences and integrating sponsorships into world-class venues, MSE has chosen Elevate Creative to drive branding and sponsorship integration strategy for the new arena, supporting MSE’s marketing group in shaping the overall brand vision for the venue. A key aspect of Elevate’s work will include developing compelling storytelling and brand experiences for the arena project – as seen with the noted Where Monuments Meet Momentum campaign, which debuted in December 2024 – as well as collaborating with MSE to ensure seamless brand and sponsor integration throughout Capital One Arena, with special focus on premier spaces like the United Globe Club and Lounge.

“At Elevate Creative, we’re committed to delivering exceptional experiences that connect with sports fans and create lasting memories and meaningful impact,” said Drew Bryant, Chief Creative Officer of Elevate. “We combine the precision of design with the spark of emotion to craft stories — that’s where the magic happens. Partnering with Monumental Sports on this project is a true honor. Our collaboration brought their vision to life in a way that not only energizes fans and engages partners, but also shines a light on both their legacy and where they’re headed. This is the kind of work that reminds you why you do what you do.”

In addition to the agency partners unveiled today, in October, MSE announced that Clark Construction Group, Gensler, and CAA ICON would serve as partners in the delivery of the transformation of Capital One Arena. CAA ICON is serving as the overall project manager, Gensler is leading design efforts, and Clark Construction will oversee building construction as MSE works to deliver a best-in-class experience for fans and a world-class destination for its athletes.

Additional information about the brand-new Capital One Arena is available HERE.

ESPN BET becomes Proud Sports Betting Partner across entire Monumental enterprise, including the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, and Washington Mystics

PENN Entertainment, Inc. (“PENN” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: PENN) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary PENN Sports Interactive, LLC has entered into a long-term partnership with Monumental Sports & Entertainment(MSE). Under the multi-channel agreement, and subject to regulatory approvals, PENN secures online market access for ESPN BET in Washington, D.C., and ESPN BET also becomes a sports betting partner of Monumental and its teams, including the Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), and Washington Mystics (WNBA).

“We are thrilled to join forces with PENN Entertainment and align with ESPN BET, a leading brand across the sports and entertainment landscape,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “This partnership furthers our collective commitment to offering fans unique, cutting-edge experiences that reflect the future of sports entertainment, with ESPN BET’s innovative platform adding a new layer of engagement for our fans, both inside and outside the arena.”“We are proud to partner with Monumental Sports and its teams to unite the energy of D.C. sports with our world-class platform,” said Aaron LaBerge, Chief Technology Officer, PENN Entertainment. “This deal expands our footprint in the region, further connecting ESPN BET with one of America’s most passionate sports communities. Our presence alongside the Capitals, Wizards and Mystics positions ESPN BET at the center of the action where sports, technology, and fan experience converge.”

As part of the agreement, ESPN BET will work closely with MSE to enhance the fan experience through a multi-channel, integrated marketing partnership. The collaboration will include prominent in-arena and media components, including features in Capitals and Wizards game broadcasts on Monumental Sports Network (MNMT). In addition to custom broadcast integrations, the partnership provides:

• IP Rights for MSE, Capitals, Wizards, and Mystics for both ESPN BET and Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races
• In-Arena and TV-Visible Signage
• Out-of-Home Advertising
• Commercial Schedule across Monumental Sports Network
• Unique Hospitality and Experiences

Both MSE and PENN support the American Gaming Association’s Have A Game Plan.® Bet Responsibly.™ campaign, designed to ensure fans remain educated and equipped with tools to enjoy gaming in a responsible manner. MSE has dedicated a variety of assets and resources to promoting responsible gaming including media coverage on MSE’s efforts, organic and amplified social media posts across all MSE social channels and in-arena digital displays, and commercials to consistently message fans outside the arena, on concourses, near concession areas, and in the center hung and ribbon boards while fans are in their seats.

PENN is committed to providing a safe environment for all customers to enjoy gaming responsibly. ESPN BET offers players comprehensive Responsible Gaming tools and resources, including limits on time, deposits, and wagering amounts. To learn more, visit www.pennentertainment.com/corp/responsible-gaming.

ESPN BET is an online sportsbook operated by PENN Entertainment that combines ESPN’s industry-leading brand and multiplatform reach with PENN Entertainment’s proprietary in-house technology and deep sportsbook operational expertise. ESPN BET is currently available in 19 states.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.1800gambler.net. Must be 21 or older to play.