MSE celebrates the first milestone in arena’s $1B transformation with opening of world-class space designed to meet the needs of today’s elite athletes

As the Washington Capitals gear up for their 2025-26 season opener on Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) is debuting the team’s fully reimagined locker room and in-arena game preparation facilities—offering a first look at the massive upgrades taking place inside Capital One Arena. The opening of these world-class player spaces mark a major milestone in Phase One of MSE’s $1 billion arena transformation project, focused on elevating the athlete experience and redefining the future of fan engagement in downtown Washington, D.C.

“Our goal at Monumental is to build championship-caliber teams, and that starts with providing the elite resources athletes need to perform at their best,” said Jordan Silberman, President, Venues at MSE. “This project is a full-scale reinvention of what a modern professional sports facility should be. We are creating an environment that prioritizes performance, recovery, and well-being for our athletes and coaching staff, while also delivering an unparalleled experience for fans, media, and visiting teams.”

The Capitals’ new team compound—more than double the size of their previous footprint at Capital One Arena—features a holistic redesign tailored to every facet of a professional hockey player’s game day rhythm:

• Custom Ergonomic Lockers with integrated drying systems, personalized gear storage, and upgraded dressing areas.
• Recovery and Performance Facilities, including specialized hot and cold tubs, compression therapy zones, and functional strength and conditioning spaces.
• Integrated Video & Analytics Hub for immersive film study and game planning, with cutting-edge media and data infrastructure.
• On-Site Equipment Optimization, including state-of-the-art skate sharpening and repair stations for best-in-class gear tuning.
• Dedicated “Hype Zone” creating a dynamic, energy-inducing arrival sequence for players as they enter the arena bowl for gameplay.

The upgraded compound also includes a reimagined family lounge, enhanced media facilities, and improved visiting team locker rooms, creating an infrastructure that mirrors MSE’s pursuit of excellence at the highest level.

The Washington Wizards’ locker room and athlete areas are undergoing a similarly transformative upgrade, and details will be shared ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Today’s announcement comes as Phase One of the Capital One Arena transformation – focused on the arena’s event level – is nearing completion as fans return for the 2025–26 season. Additional upgrades include new escalators and initial modifications to fan seating areas. New premium fan experiences including the United Globe Club and Lounge and the Lexus Vaults are also being completed in this phase and will be available to fans early in the 2025-26 season.

The result of a groundbreaking partnership between MSE and the city of Washington, D.C., the arena transformation will deliver a high-tech, high-touch, and community-focused arena designed to serve millions of visitors annually for decades to come. The fully modernized arena will be delivered in time for the 2027-28 NBA and NHL seasons.

Hugh Gallagher, 74, a major figure in the evolution of upscale food service at arenas and stadiums, passed away unexpectedly Sept. 23 in Los Angeles. He spent a major part of his career working for Aramark and was more recently in charge of food service at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, his role from 2016-2021.

Since 2021, he consulted on food service at minor league ballparks and stadiums and for special events.

“He liked to say he sold beer and hot dogs for a living,” said Beth Gallagher, his wife of nearly 30 years. “But in truth, he was so into the evolution of the industry.” For him, it really started with Camden Yards in Baltimore, the first stadium where they oversaw the shifting dynamics to suites, club level seats, and premium restaurants at ballparks. That buildout was special to Hugh Gallagher, and he took a lot of that experience with him to Dodger Stadium when he began working for the new owners of Major League Baseball’s Dodgers.

“He just wanted to create venues that had lives beyond whatever sporting event was there,” Beth Gallagher said. “He wanted to push how everyone looked at food service.”

His career began with Aramark Corp. in Philadelphia in 1973. He became president of sports and entertainment for the giant concessions company.  He oversaw the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore in 1992. That’s where he dove into the shift to premium food service versus belly-up concessions stands, all serving the same thing.

Their daughter Caoilinn, Gaelic for Keelin, which she also uses, was born in Atlanta. Caoilinn, like her parents, is “in the business,” though not on the food side. She works for the Augusta GreenJackets, a Minor League Baseball affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, in North Augusta, S.C. Beth is currently in the hospitality industry as well, working for Marriott Hotels at Fairplex in Pomona, Calif.

On her Facebook page, Caoilinn posted, in part:

“I’ve always been a daddy’s girl, but that was inevitable when your dad was Hugh Gallagher. My dad was my best friend, my partner in crime, and truly my favorite person in the universe. He was the embodiment of put your head down and work to get to where and what you want. The best storyteller with the most insane stories, spanning his entire life, from running around Lewes Beach and South Florida and Philadelphia, growing up to an incredible career in the sports and entertainment industry. He shook hands with presidents, golfed with legends, and never met a person he couldn’t make smile. He taught me to love life, no matter what it throws at you … He tried (and succeeded) to raise the most Philly kid possible in Southern California, so of course I’ll end this how he would want with a very heartfelt, Go Birds. <3“

Many veteran venue managers will remember “Uncle Hughie’s” golf games during IAVM. Beth remembers how he created the golf tournament for clients and vendors, finding plenty of partners to help defray costs. “Everyone had a blast. It was and wasn’t competitive golf. There would be prizes for all sorts of different things,” she recalled.

Chris Bigelow, retired, The Bigelow Companies, still remembers the first day he met Hugh Gallagher, “when ARA transferred me to the Spectrum in the fall of 1975. I was his commissary manager, and he asked if I could help him move into his new house. To thank me, he took me out to his favorite watering hole for shots of Irish whiskey. That would not be the last drink we shared together.”

Bigelow lauded the work ethic among all Aramark employees, first and foremost Gallagher. “The Spectrum was the busiest arena in the U.S., because unlike larger cities like New York or L.A., there were no competing venues in Philadelphia. We had events seven days a week with doubleheaders (76ers and Flyers) every weekend. Joe Frazier was at his height, sponsoring weekly boxing matches and, of course, all the concerts and family shows, just to make sure we never had a day off,” Bigelow recalled in an email.

He noted that Gallagher was “a hell of an operator, but also the consummate entertainer. Every party he hosted or attended was legendary. When a poker game would break out, we could always count on Hugh and his team to populate the tables. At one IAAM District meeting (now Regionals) in Philadelphia, he was adamant I couldn’t leave before my flight the next morning, because I kept winning and he wanted to share the wealth.”

Beth remembers how he turned things around. “You know, when it came to food service, you always made everything in the back of the stand, and he insisted they do it on the front side so people could see it. At Camden Yards, that’s where it changed. He said, ‘People need to see and smell the food.’ He was instrumental in helping that change in design.”

Bigelow also lauded the golf tournament, The Uncle Hughie Open, at every IAVM conference, always at a first-class course. Beth remembered the times Gallagher’s friend and partner, MLB player Boog Powell, would be on the golf cart at the golf course, mixing Bloody Marys for the players.

Powell was also a big part of the remake of Camden Yards, establishing his own Boog’s BBQ concession. “He was quite a loved player, tall, statuesque, and loving barbecue,” Beth said of Hugh’s partner and friend. That was one of Hugh Gallagher’s gifts: creating teams and finding partnerships.

He was also among the first to champion volunteer concession workers, lining up groups that could use the work as a fundraiser, benefiting both the stadium and the community.

The Gallaghers moved to Los Angeles more than 20 years ago. In 2006, he began working at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and Sports Arena and Hollywood Park Racetrack as general manager of Food Service. In 2016, he joined the Los Angeles Dodgers as Director of Food and Beverage. He also spent a couple of years consulting on in-seat ordering systems and working on food and merchandise delivery systems to people’s homes when the pandemic shut down stadiums.

Hugh Gallagher attended Brandywine College in Wilmington, Delaware, and studied Hotel, Motel and Restaurant Management.

He is survived by his wife and daughter.

Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in venue development and solutions, hospitality, and direct investment for the sports and live entertainment industries, today announced the appointment of Amy Latimer as Chief Business Officer of Oak View Group. Latimer will oversee the full suite of offerings that OVG employs at its own venues and offers to partners at iconic venues throughout the world, including management, hospitality, security, parking, sustainability consulting, and premium experiences.

“I am thrilled to welcome Amy to the OVG Family. She is a longtime friend of OVG and uniquely shares our values, our entrepreneurial spirit, and our global ambitions. She is an incredibly well-respected leader, and her work spanning venues, teams, hospitality, development, and premium experiences make her perfectly qualified to join our diverse, deeply talented team. Oak View Group continues to grow exponentially on a global basis, and Amy’s partner-first perspective and deep understanding of how to create and deliver world-class venue experiences will provide additional support and innovation to our team, our partners, and the communities in which we operate,” said Chris Granger, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Oak View Group.

“After a tremendous and deeply rewarding 30 years with Delaware North, I am excited for this next chapter of my career. OVG’s growth trajectory is beyond compelling, they have an extremely accomplished leadership team, and their vision for the future of our industry is exciting, to say the least.  I look forward to partnering with Chris, the leadership team, and the ownership group to support and further accelerate OVG’s relentless focus on partnership, innovation, and community impact,” said Latimer.

Latimer is a highly regarded venue executive, most recently acting as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Delaware North. There, she led the company’s diverse portfolio of over 200 global locations, from iconic sports and entertainment venues to national and state parks to destination resorts and gaming properties. Her career has been defined by a commitment to transformative leadership, including spearheading major renovations and expansions at TD Garden in Boston, where she previously served as president.

Latimer, who will be based in Boston, will join OVG on October 24, 2025. She will report to Chris Granger.

Ron Little – 2025 WNBA Venue Manager of the Year Award

Ron Little, Vice President of Security at Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles, was awarded the 2025 WNBA Venue Manager of the Year during the 2025 NBA Security Conference.

Over the past season, Little demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism in his role supporting the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. His strong partnership with NBA security, collaboration with the league and team security professionals and commitment to the effective execution of WNBA Security Standards were evident throughout the season, Leon Newsome, Chief Security Officer at the National Basketball Association said.

“This honor reflects the high regard Ron has earned from his peers across the WNBA and the NBA Security Department,” Newsome wrote in a letter of recognition. “It also serves as a testament to the high standards and culture of excellence upheld within the Los Angeles Sparks and Crypto.com Arena organizations.”

“All of us at Crypto.com Arena and AEG are incredibly proud to celebrate Ron Little on this well-deserved recognition,” said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager, Crypto.com Arena. “His unwavering commitment to safety and excellence sets the standard not just for our arena, but for the entire industry. This award is a testament to his dedication and the vital role he plays in creating a secure and welcoming environment for every guest who walks through our doors.”

 Little joined the Crypto.com Arena team as Vice President of Security in January 2024, coming from the Seattle Seahawks, where he served as the Director of Security for Lumen Field, Lumen Field Event Center and the WAMU Theater. Prior to his tenure in Seattle, Little held various roles in Oakland, California, including General Manager for SMG at ORACLE Arena and Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. He also collaborated with Bill Graham Presents and Live Nation, overseeing events and facilities across the Western United States. Little managed security operations for prominent music festivals nationwide including the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

Miami Beach Convention Center Partners with Encore to Deliver World-Class Meeting Experiences 

The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Encore, a global event production leader, as the venue’s preferred on-site provider for audiovisual, rigging, and digital branding services. Effective October 1, 2025, this collaboration aims to set a new industry standard for meeting and convention experiences in South Florida and beyond.

With more than 85+ years of expertise, Encore brings unparalleled capability and innovation to the MBCC, ensuring each event benefits from state-of-the-art technology, creative solutions, and seamless production support. As the preferred on-site event production partner, Encore will deliver comprehensive AV and event technology services, manage all rigging plan reviews and approvals, and oversee digital branding for MBCC’s extensive digital assets. Significant ongoing investments in technology and workforce training keep Encore at the forefront of the industry, providing exhibitors and attendees an immersive, high-impact event experience.

“Our priority is always to provide our guests with a memorable experience that matches the global vibrancy of Miami Beach,” said Freddie Peterson, General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center. “By working closely with Encore, our customers, and our contract partners, we are committed to delivering not just state-of-the-art technology, but also a truly seamless and client-focused event journey. This partnership creates mutually beneficial opportunities for innovation and collaboration, ensuring that every event is tailored to our clients’ unique needs and aspirations. Together, we will set a new benchmark for service, value, and industry-leading experiences in Miami Beach and beyond.”

Encore has depth of experience with over 100 venue partnerships in South Florida, employing over 450 team members in the region, the Miami Beach Convention Center will benefit with on-site leaders having a collective 75+ years of technology hospitality experience. In addition, Encore has strong ties to Miami-Dade hospitality organizations serving as board members of the FRLA & GMBHA and is an in-kind contributor to many charitable organizations.

“Encore is thrilled to partner with the Miami Beach Convention Center,” stated Mike Stengel, Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships and Venue Relations at Encore. “This partnership will bring an abundance of resources to MBCC and synergies to the event planning process, while ensuring value, production expertise, and decades of meeting prowess with a people-first mindset to create memorable in-person experiences for millions of event goers.”

Encore’s extensive network includes partnerships with over 2,100 venues across 21 countries, producing more than 350,000 events annually and engaging more than 25 million attendees worldwide. The company’s 12,000 professionals are recognized for delivering exceptional service and technical excellence, contributing to Encore’s recent placement on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2025.

As an economic engine for South Florida, the MBCC—owned by the City of Miami Beach and managed by Oak View Group—continues to anchor the region’s status as a global destination for conferences, tradeshows, and conventions. Following a $640 million reimagining completed in 2020, the MBCC boasts 1.4 million square feet of event space, including a 60,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 84 breakout rooms, four junior ballrooms, and nine acres of vibrant green spaces such as Pride Park and Collins Canal Park. New amenities like the 1920s-inspired Rum Room restaurant and Venu private event space, coupled with ongoing investments—including $19 million in FY25 capital projects and a $1.5 million LED wall initiative—underscore the MBCC’s commitment to innovation and excellence. The campus will soon expand further with the 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, opening in 2027 and connected via skybridge.