Today marks the official launch of Venue Sustainalytics, the events industry’s first-ever sustainability benchmarking and data intelligence platform specifically designed for event venues and organizers.

This pioneering initiative, developed through a strategic partnership between the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), Trade Show News Network (TSNN), and Honeycomb Strategies, aims to transform how the events industry
approaches and measures sustainability.

The partners unveiled a preview of the new website and presented the platform to venue management at the IAVM’s 100th VenueConnect, held July 29-31 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Revolutionizing Sustainability in the Events Industry

Venue Sustainalytics provides a comprehensive solution to a long-standing challenge in the events sector: the lack of consistent, reliable data for measuring and comparing sustainability efforts across different venues. The platform collects, aggregates, and analyzes environmental, social, and economic data from convention centers, stadiums, arenas, performing arts centers, and other live event spaces.

“Our industry is unique in that no two venues or events are alike and therefore Venue Sustainalytics solves two pressing challenges,” said Tim Trefzer, Vice President of Sports and Venue Sustainability for Honeycomb Strategies. “The first result is that the industry will now have a dashboard for the environmental and social performance of event venues to utilize for benchmarking. The second result of this new tool is that participating venues will be able to see how they compare against their peers. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

Key Features and Data Collection

The platform is now accepting venue data for the 2024 calendar year through October 2025, with participation being free and secure. Venue Sustainalytics collects critical sustainability metrics including:

• Water usage and conservation efforts
• Energy consumption and renewable energy adoption
• Waste management and diversion rates
• Sustainable procurement practices
• Social responsibility initiatives

This data will be transformed into actionable insights through:

• Benchmarking: Interactive visualization tools allowing venues to compare their
  performance against industry standards
• Reporting: A public dashboard showcasing industry-wide sustainability impact
  data and annual trend reports
• Industry Growth: Educational resources, recognition programs, and partnership
  opportunities to accelerate sustainable momentum

Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, President and CEO of IAVM shares that for IAVM members, a sustainability benchmarking tool

(From left to right) Honeycomb Strategies VP of Sports and Venue Sustainability Tim Trefzer, TSNN/Informa VP of Group Content Danica Tormohlen and IAVM CEO & President Trevor Mitchell unveiled the new Venue Sustainalytics website at IAVM’s VenueConnect on July 30 in New Orleans.

isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a catalyst for continuous improvement. “By delivering consistent, reliable data that helps venues track environmental impact, benchmark progress and make smarter decisions, it transforms sustainability from a buzzword into a measurable practice,” said Mitchell. “Ultimately, it empowers members with the insights they need to lead with purpose and transparency, raising the bar for environmental responsibility across the live events industry.”

Venue Sustainalytics prioritizes data security and confidentiality. While contributing to valuable industry benchmarks, individual venue data remains anonymous to public viewers. The platform ensures that no specific data point can be traced back to a particular venue, allowing for honest reporting and meaningful collective insights.

Industry Impact

The platform aims to establish annual benchmarks for sustainability data throughout the event industry to establish industry norms, identify leaders, and inspire the community to take meaningful action toward environmental goals.

“This platform represents a watershed moment for sustainability in the events industry,” said Danica Tormohlen, VP of Group Content, Meetings, Travel & Sports, for Informa Connect, which publishes TSNN. “For years, event organizers have been asking for
standardized sustainability metrics to make informed venue decisions. Venue Sustainalytics not only delivers this critical data but also creates a framework for continuous improvement across the entire events ecosystem. This will fundamentally change how sustainability factors into event planning decisions.”

How to Participate

Venue operators can participate by completing a survey available on the Venue Sustainalytics website. The platform will use this data to generate industry-wide insights while maintaining individual venue anonymity.

For more information about Venue Sustainalytics or to participate in this groundbreaking initiative, visit www.venuesustainalytics.com.

The Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah, has announced the appointment of Jeff Davis, CVE, CVP, CMP, as its new General Manager. Among his responsibilities will be overseeing the major renovation of the 12,000-seat Maverik Center, which will play a key role in the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Davis replaces the late Kevin Bruder, who died unexpectedly in May at the age of 59. Davis will answer to the private management firm, Centennial Management Group.

Prior to this move, Davis was GM of the 7,000-seat College Park Center at the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA), a building he helped debut. It has been the home of the WNBA Dallas Wings since 2016.

Davis has over two decades of high-level experience in hospitality, sports, and entertainment venue management. Not only did he head the opening of College Park Center, where he has been employed since 2011, but he has also worked closely with major sports leagues, including work on the NFL’s Super Bowl in Dallas.

Davis has led the opening and operations of major public assembly venues, managed multi-million-dollar construction and renovation projects, built high-performing teams, and developed new revenue streams.

At UTA, Davis was General Manager and Executive Director of the College Park Center and Texas Hall, so he also managed the operations of a 2,600-seat performing arts center. He played a pivotal role in relocating the Dallas Wings to the Dallas-Fort Worth market, establishing College Park Center as the team’s home court.

Before that, he spent two stints at the Dallas Convention Center and a year at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. He began his career at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Davis is an active leader in IAVM, having served on its board of directors, chaired the Strategic Leadership and Resources Committee and Certification Board, and acted as director for IAVM’s Region 6. He holds the prestigious Certified Venue Executive (CVE), Certified Venue Professional (CVP), and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designations—credentials that underscore his commitment to the advancement of the venue management profession. Coincidentally, he is the featured cover story in the upcoming Venue Professional September/October edition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the Maverik Center,” said Erik Hudson, General Manager of the Utah Grizzlies, in the press release. “His depth of experience, industry leadership, and passion for creating exceptional live event experiences will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Maverik Center’s reputation as a premier entertainment destination in the Intermountain West.”

Davis will oversee all facets of the Maverik Center’s operations, including event booking, facility management, guest services, and strategic partnerships.

The native Texan and his wife Teresa, who is IAVM’s Certification Manager, and their two children have already relocated to Utah.

Joe Vera III, Assistant City Manager, Culture, Recreation and Special Events, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, passed away April 16 at the age of 69.

Before joining McAllen, Texas, in 2014, Vera helped the City of Hidalgo, Texas, transform from a small border town to a bustling cultural and entertainment destination. He was instrumental in launching BorderFest, overseeing the development of Dodge Arena (now Payne Arena), and securing historic retail and economic initiatives.

Vera believed in networking and was an involved member of both IAVM and the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE). Many in the business were recipients of his famous pink grapefruit holiday gift to promote his fairs and festivals and the city of Hidalgo, Texas.

In 2025, he served as World Board Chair of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA). His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the IFEA Hall of Fame and the Texas Festivals & Events Association Hall of Honor. He was both a Certified Festival & Events Executive (CFEE) from IFEA and a Certified Economic Developer (CECD) from the International Economic Development Council).

According to the obituary published online, Vera was born and raised in Pharr, Texas. He started his working life at just six years old by shining shoes and selling Coca-Colas.

“Joe dedicated himself to crafting experiences that brought communities together, elevated civic pride, and created lasting memories for countless people. He was also a proud Eagle Scout, embodying the values of leadership and service throughout his life,” it reads.

Vera was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 40 years, significantly contributing to its growth and new construction.

As Assistant City Manager for Culture, Recreation, and Special Events for the City of McAllen he spearheaded the creation and expansion of landmark events including the McAllen Holiday Parade, South Pole Illuminated Festival and McAllen Marathon.

Vera is survived by his wife, Alma Vera; his children, Trisha Garza and Homer Garza (Sonya); grandchildren, Ryan and Reena; sisters, Joann Watts (George Sr.) and Linda Casas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his esteemed parents Joe Vera Jr. and Gloria.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in July 2025. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Duncan Abdelnour, CrowdPass Inc, New York, NY
Violet Acevedo Vera, Austin Theatre Alliance, Austin, TX
Leo Adams, Linxy, Charlotte, NC
Carlos Aguirre, Southwestern Community College District, Chula Vista, CA
Tina Altadonna, DreamSeats LLC, East Northport, NY
Alexa Antopol, Fisher Dachs Associates, New York, NY
Cathleen Bachman, Fisher Dachs Associates, New York, NY
Tony Bacola, Prism.fm, Austin, TX
Breasia Battle, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Megan Bell, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Rick Bennett, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Derek Bimat, Allied Universal Janitorial Services, Torrance, CA
Latonika Blackmon, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Tom Blanch, Surfside and Stateside Brands, Philadelphia, PA
Jessica Bray, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Kyle Brown, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Robert Campbell, Fisher Dachs Associates, New York, NY
Nathaniel Castro, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Lauren Cearnal, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Ronni Chadwell, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Brian Chen, Pebble, New York, NY
Ray Chery, Monsam Portable Sinks, Antioch, CA
Sarah Christopherson, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Dustin Clem, Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY
Jeff Comstock, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
James Cook, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA
Nicole Cope, City of Portland, Portland, ME
Thomas Dabovich, Be Live Entertainment Group, Santiago, Chile
Joshua Dachs, Fisher Dachs Associates, New York, NY
Lauren Davis, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Richard Davis, United Rentals, Orlando, FL
Martin De Jesus, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center – OVG, Tallahassee, FL
Kevin Derenisky, REAL District, Regina, SK
Stephanie DiCaro, Program Productions, Lombard, IL
Mason Donley, AXS, Los Angeles, CA
Catherine Downes, usheru, Dublin, Ireland
Anna Draper, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Mason Earnest, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Sarah Elliott, Ticketmaster, Toronto, ON, Canada
Valencia Evans, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA
Thomas Ewald, AXS, Los Angeles, CA
Michael Ferguson, TheatreDNA, Los Angeles, CA
Todd Fiegen, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Sioux City, Sioux City, IA
Fred Fink, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Miguel Garcia De Quevedo, Ocean Center, Daytona Beach, FL
Sarah Gebhardt, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Scott Glover, The Momentary, Bentonville, AR
Melissa Godoy, Omaha Performing Arts, Omaha, NE
Eduardo Goycoolea, Be Live Entertainment Group, Santiago, Chile
Danielle Graves, Odell Williamson Auditorium, Bolivia, NC
Sandra Hall, Athletica Sport Systems Inc., Waterloo, ON, Canada
Caryn Hammond, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA
Josaland Hardwick, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA
David Hasenauer, VIP Development, Valdosta, GA
Thomas Head, American Interstate Signcrafters, Brookline, NH
Jordan Hildreth, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Raymond Hoadley, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Michael Hoffman, Gather Voices, Chicago, IL
Zach Holt, DLS Events LLC, New York, NY
Tim Jorgensen, Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, TN
Colby King, Four One, a division of Willwork Global Services, Orlando, FL
Ivy Kirby, Pensacola Bay Center – ASM Global, Pensacola, FL
Andy Kursch, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Hiu Tung Lai, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong
Jay Laybutt, EventDraw, Engadine, NSW
Shannon Licygiewicz, Albany Capital Center, Albany, NY
Rebecca Loftus, Palm Beach County Convention Center – OVG, West Palm Beach, FL
Craig MacDonald, Ice-America, Round Rock, TX
Stephanie MacMillan, Busch Systems, Barrie, ON, Canada
Doug Mactaggart, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Pepper Mayor, Barney Monk Event Staffing & Payroll, Cleveland, OH
Katie McAdams, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Alexandra McCloud, AXS, Los Angeles, CA
Patty McCormack, Improving Communications, Port Washington, NY
Ian McCoy, Ticketmaster, Orlando, FL
David McElwee, AXS, Los Angeles, CA
Jeanie McHugh, Brazos Urethane, Inc., Texas City, TX
Robert Mediano, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Madilyn Micallef, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Angela Miles-Powell, Ticketmaster, Memphis, TN
Asterilla Joanne Monteiro, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Shelly Morehouse, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Shana Motts, Aramark Sports + Entertainment, Philadelphia, PA
Michelle Mulcare, Pasadena Convention Center and Municipal Fairgrounds, Pasadena, TX
Lauryn Munn, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Andrew Nagel, DLR Group, Chicago, IL
Steve Naylor, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Sean O’Connor, AXS, Los Angeles, CA
Ashley Ostrander, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Mary Patchunka-Smith, City of Thomasville, Georgia, Thomasville, GA
Chad Peters, Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, Reno, NV
David Piccola, Rigging International Group, Las Vegas, NV
Joel Puthoff, Linxy, Charlotte, NC
Babak Rahimi Ardabili, UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Corey Reeves, Utah Tech University, Saint George, UT
Rebecca Rennesund, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Michael Rosario, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Peter Rosenbaum, Fisher Dachs Associates, New York, NY
Ryan Rubenskas, Four One, a division of Willwork Global Services, Orlando, FL
Ellen Rusconi, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
Dave Sanderson, FreedomPay, Philadelphia, PA
Gary Scott, Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, TN
Jodi Simkins, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT
Ted Simon, ZenSpace Inc, San Jose, CA
Lynnette Simpson, Merch Machines, San Diego, CA
Leslie Sinclair-Kaye, Alley Theatre, Houston, TX
Anthony Siples, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Jordan Sleightholm, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Barbara Smith, Prince George’s Community College Center for Performing Arts, Largo, MD
Tara Snider, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON, Canada
Chris Sobron, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Stephanie Stegall, Pink Bows Foundation, Houston, TX
Adam Sturt, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Leanne Talik, showNets LLC, Cumming, GA
Scott Uffman, MSB Consulting Engineers, Metairie, LA
Thomas Violante, The Seven, Ferndale, MI
Maikael Vong, Utah Tech University, St. George, UT
Angela Webb, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Jon Webb, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
Dale Wheeler, The Morrison Center, Boise, ID
Kanise Wiggins, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA
Jordan Wiley, Amerant Bank Arena, Sunrise, FL
Michael Williamson, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Jim Willits, Boomerang, Hinsdale, IL
Anthony Winter-Brown, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
Matthew Wolf, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
Wing Ki Wong, Leisure and Cultural Services Department, Hong Kong
Jarvis Woodson, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Steven Yeates, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT
Amanda Zappia, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
Emily Zientek, Sodexo Live!, Orlando, FL

We are excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 AIPC/CCC/IAVM Academy, taking place at the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre & BMO Centre, Calgary Exhibition & Stampede, from October 26th to October 30th, 2025.

IAVM has partenered with AIPC and CCC in delivering this acclaimed leadership program. This expanded collaboration reflects the global commitment to advancing leadership excellence in our sector.

“Partnering with IAVM and CCC for the 2025 Academy reflects our shared commitment to advancing leadership excellence in our industry,“ says Sven Bossu, Chief Executive Officer, AIPC.” Together, we will deliver a truly global learning experience, fostering connections and skills that will help shape the future of our sector.”

Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, IAVM President & CEO, adds, “We are excited to join forces with AIPC and CCC for the 2025 Academy in Calgary. This collaboration offers an outstanding opportunity to bring our global community together, share best practices, and strengthen leadership within the convention and venue management sector.”

Barry Smith, Executive Director, Convention Centres of Canada (CCC), highlights the importance of this growing partnership: “The addition of IAVM to the Academy reinforces our mission to bring world-class education to Canada’s convention centre leaders. This expanded partnership will offer participants unparalleled insights and the chance to build global connections, right here in Calgary.”

The comprehensive four-day program is designed for convention centre leaders and executives, focusing on the strategic, operational, and leadership challenges facing our industry today. Attendees will gain practical tools, fresh insights, and build a powerful network of peers from across Canada and around the world.

Click here to register today!