Composed of a diverse group of industry leaders, the Council will support cohesive brand integration throughout the downtown arena transformation

Photo courtesy MSE

• MSE is creating a timeless, immersive fan journey that begins the moment guests step through the doors and continues through every touchpoint.  
• Elevate connects brand, emotion and identity throughout the arena, ensuring fans feel seen and inspired by environments that reflect their passions. 
• Gensler uses architecture to design an arena that is welcoming and allows fans to create monumental memories. 
• CAA ICON drives operational excellence of the project, keeping the transformation on track to serve fans on schedule.  
• Sports & The Arts curates an art collection that celebrates moments of the teams and city. 
• cllct is curating a must-see collection of memorabilia, elevating the arena to museum-level excellence.  
• Clark Construction works to the fan-first vision with care and precision, in the safest and most efficient way possible. 
• Aramark is transforming the venues into a culinary destination featuring local and national must-try experiences. 
• Élan Arc pioneers the premium guest experience by integrating comprehensive space diagnostics, custom service strategies, hand-picked hospitality experts, and steadfast quality controls for truly personalized five-star interactions. 

• MSE 
  • Jim Van Stone – President, Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer 
  • Jordan Silberman – President, Venues 
  • Hunter Lochmann – Chief Marketing Officer 
  • Adam Gotts – Vice President, Project & Revenue Management 
  • Erin Mitchell Martin – Vice President, Venue Marketing 
  • Laurence McMillon – Director, Hospitality 
• Elevate 
  • Drew Bryant – Chief Creative Officer 
  • Megan Adgate – Creative Director 
  • Ashley Hughes – Senior Project Manager 
  • Christopher Knowles – Creative Director 
• Gensler 
  • Andrew Jacobs – Lead Design Director 
  • Greg Tanski – Senior Designer 
  • Brandon Mermelstein – Senior Designer 
  • Jonny Peterson – Brand Design Director 
• CAA ICON 
  • Michael Schwan – Senior Vice President 
• Sports & The Arts 
  • Tracie Speca-Ventura – Founder and President 
  • Camille Speca – Creative Director 
• cllct 
  • Darren Rovell – Founder 
  • Steve Ziff – Chief Executive Officer 
• Clark Construction 
  • Jeff King – Vice President 
• Aramark 
  • Vincent Vazquez – District Manager 
  • Anthony Kleinman – Resident District Manager
• Élan Arc 
  • Jackie Keller – Founder and CEO 

After two years of developing IAVM Board-approved online learning, the moment arrived in New Orleans during VC25 to debut the new microcredentialing tool. The first two courses — Sustainability in Public Assembly Venues and Risk Management in Venues — are now available.

“IAVM Online is designed for those without the budget or time off to access other IAVM offerings,” explained Amy Fitzpatrick, IAVM’s Director of Marketing. “We want to meet all of our members where they are.”

IAVM built an online portal that members can access with any level of technology. The new learning management system was created and branded specifically for IAVM, featuring a user-friendly portal for both students and instructors.

Amy Fitzpatrick, Bobby Goldwater, CVE, and Shane Beardsley introduce IAVM Online in the Innovation Theater at VC25. Greg Wolfe, IAVM Director of Education, is at the podium.

The two courses launched to date are offered at a rate members can afford, Fitzpatrick said. Each course is $49 for IAVM members, $99 for nonmembers, and each microcredential certification will be roughly $200.

Bobby Goldwater, CVE, of Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management program, introduced the concept to IAVM’s board in 2023 and has been active in rolling out IAVM Online. “It feels good to create more value for our members,” Goldwater said. “We have 1,500 members here at VenueConnect, but there are more than 8,000 are members of IAVM. These courses provide educational access to members of all levels.”

Microcredential learning content is bite-sized and focused on specific industry competencies. Courses are taught by IAVM members who are experts in their subjects. The courses are also “stackable,” meaning they build on each other. At the end of each course, students complete an assessment and receive a certificate of completion, similar to digital badges used on social media.

“It is 100 percent learning on your terms,” Fitzpatrick said. “The system is very mobile friendly. You can use your iPad or phone.” Students progress at their own pace, with no time penalties.

“And it’s a step toward earning your CVP,” Goldwater added. It’s also a gateway to greater involvement with the association and its offerings, including Venue Management School and the Senior Executive Symposium.

Shane Beardsley, Vice President of Guest Experiences & Community Partnerships at the Jacob K. Javits Center, teaches Sustainability in Public Assembly Venues on IAVM Online. At Javits, they have a full-time sustainability officer and have seen major success with their two-acre rooftop farm, orchard, and greenhouse, Beardsley said. However, they still face challenges with diversion rates. “It’s a learning curve, and in preparing this course, I leaned into that curve,” he said.

Wayne Middleton, CVE, explains the Risk Management course, while Greg Wolfe and Shane Beardsley look on.

“I’ve been teaching this course to my kids,” Beardsley added. “After this course, you can carry on an intelligent conversation about sustainability in public assembly facilities.”

Wayne Middleton, CVE, Principal Consultant at Reliance Risk, who has 35 years of experience in public venues and events, teaches the Risk Management course. He describes it as a baseline for students who, ideally, would then continue on to VMS and AVSS for more in-depth learning.

He focuses his teaching on defining risk management, recognizing its importance, and identifying common terminology. “Understanding the risk management process is the key,” Middleton said. “You will learn to recognize roles and responsibilities and to apply risk management principles in your venue.”

Gil Fried, JD, professor at the University of West Florida and member of the IAVM Academic Committee, added that online education is far more engaging than it used to be. “Having industry experts who are passionate about the topic teach the subject matter takes IAVM Online learning to a new level,” he said. “We are using best practices in developing material.”

Fried noted that education has progressed from correspondence schools to radio to TV to the internet. The goal now is to train current and future IAVM members — and to educate the broader public.

The first two online modules apply to everyone, both inside and outside the industry, Fitzpatrick said. They are the start of what will eventually become 4 modules for each microcredential, each about 45 minutes in length, available through IAVM Online.

For more information regarding IAVM Online or to register for a course, visit www.iavmonline.org.

Simpleview, a Granicus company, focused on digital solutions for venues and destination organizations, is proud to welcome Evelyn Ingram to its team as an Account Executive focused on digital strategy and design for venues.

In this role, Evelyn will be instrumental in supporting Simpleview’s strategic priority to expand its footprint within the live events venues sector by delivering best-in-class websites, software, and digital marketing services. Her efforts will also advance Simpleview’s commitment to connecting Venues and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) through innovative technology and thoughtful design. By aligning with our broader vision, Ingram will help foster seamless collaboration, enhance user experiences, and drive digital transformation across the events and tourism ecosystem.

Ingram’s career began in 2003 at EventBooking.com, where she helped venues take their first digital steps during the early days of the internet. Over the last two decades, she contributed to global client growth, held leadership roles at EventBooking and Momentus Technologies, and was named a “Woman of Influence” by VenuesNow magazine.

“Evelyn’s deep roots in the venue industry and her passion for digital innovation make her a perfect fit for this role,” said Greg Evans, Chief Revenue Officer at Simpleview. “As we bring our proven expertise in destination marketing to the venue space, Evelyn will be a key player in building connections, driving value, and helping venues elevate their digital presence.”

Simpleview is a worldwide leading provider of CMS, website design, digital marketing services, CRM and data insights for venues, convention bureaus, tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and attractions. The company employs staff across the globe, serving clients of all sizes, including convention centers, arenas, theatres, small towns, world capitals, top meeting destinations, and countries across multiple continents.

For more information, please visit https://www.simpleviewinc.com/

Firm’s third new rink built or acquired in a year adds to growing portfolio; Spectate Group to manage

Elk Grove Ice Arena Exterior (Courtesy of ARCON Associates)

Nicholas Family of Companies has announced it will break ground this fall on the Elk Grove Ice Arena, a new indoor ice rink on Meacham Road in Elk Grove Village, Ill., about 25 miles northwest of Chicago. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, the 86,261-square-foot, two-rink complex will serve the local hockey community and feature a family-friendly restaurant with rooftop access called Hatty’s Icehouse.

The Elk Grove Ice Arena marks Nicholas Family of Companies’ third ice arena project in the Chicago area in just one year, following its construction of the Rosemont Ice Arena, a twin-sheet, 100,000-square-foot facility opening this fall in Rosemont; and its acquisition of Glacier Ice Arena, a two-rink, 63,000-square-foot facility in Vernon Hills. Nicholas also owns a fourth rink, the Mount Prospect Ice Arena at Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect.

All four venues are operated by the company’s in-house sports and recreation division, Spectate Group, which plans to expand its staff to accommodate the new facilities. The company’s construction arm, Nicholas & Associates, built all of the venues except for Glacier Ice Arena, which was acquired rather than developed.

Elk Grove Ice Arena Aerial. (Courtesy of ARCON Associates)

“Hockey has seen incredible growth in recent years, and as a family deeply involved in the sport, we’ve felt the strain of limited rink availability — especially when kids are stuck practicing late at night,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., chief executive officer and managing director of the Nicholas Family of Companies. “This new facility is our way of helping meet that demand and creating more accessible opportunities for youth programs in the region.

“Unlike some investors, we’re not just building these facilities — we’re running them, too,” he added. “As owners and operators, we understand what it takes to make them successful.”

Like other Nicholas rinks, the Elk Grove Village facility will provide a “hat trick” of community benefits: prime after-school, weekday evening and weekend morning ice time for youth hockey groups and ice skaters; post-10 p.m. nightly ice time for adult hockey leagues; and dedicated time for the Chicago Mission boys’ hockey league practices and games. Situated less than 10 miles west of O’Hare International Airport, the new arena is also well positioned to attract regional and national hockey tournaments.

The site is currently occupied by a Staples office supply store, which will be torn down to make way for the new development. Residents have expressed interest in seeing the property redeveloped for years, and the upcoming project is expected to serve local families.

“Similar to our partnership with Rosemont, we’ve collaborated closely with the Village of Elk Grove and the local community to make sure the project is aligned with what the village wants for this space,” Papanicholas continued. “From the very start, we’ve recognized the significant impact this arena will have — not just for players and their families, but for the surrounding business community as well.”

Elk Grove Ice Arena Interior (Courtesy of ARCON Associates)

Designed by architectural firm ARCON Associates, the new arena will have eight general team locker rooms and eight dedicated locker rooms for Chicago Mission teams. Other featured elements include: a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking both rinks; a second-floor restaurant with private dining space and a rooftop terrace; an elevated ground-level grab-and-go concept; study areas; a physical therapy clinic; and a gym. The arena also will have staff space and team amenities for the Chicago Mission hockey club.

Fueled in part by a new wave of female fans, the National Hockey League is consistently reporting higher revenue YOY, increased ratings and record-setting attendance, with arenas filled to more than 96% capacity. There were 389,820 registered youth hockey players in 2023-24, up from 340,000 in 2009-10, and over 90,000 girls under age 18 are registered to play, almost surpassing Canada, according to USA Hockey.

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.