The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced that the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) has earned Gold Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. This recognition underscores the MBCC’s leadership in advancing sustainable practices across the meetings and events industry. The MBCC is the first OVG-managed property within the current portfolio to achieve Gold Level Certification as part of a partnership between OVG and EIC to certify its 60 venues in a phased approach.

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards provide a globally recognized framework for collaboration, guidance, and measurement to help venues and event professionals implement and track sustainability goals. Developed with input from hundreds of experts worldwide, the standards ensure that facilities like the MBCC have clear, measurable pathways to reduce environmental impact while supporting community and industry needs.

“We are truly honored to receive Gold Certification from the Events Industry Council—just one year after achieving Silver,” said Freddie Peterson, OVG’s General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach. “This rapid progress is a true reflection of our team’s sense of pride, dedication and strong collaboration with the City of Miami Beach, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), and our clients and venue partners. Together, we’ve proven what’s possible when sustainability is embedded and championed across every part of our operation. We remain committed to raising the bar even higher for the future of our industry.”

The MBCC’s certification as Gold reflects years of investment in green building, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing. The center worked closely with venue partners to meet the rigorous benchmarks set by EIC. This milestone affirms the MBCC’s role as a premier destination for sustainable meetings and exhibitions, and a model for how large venues can meaningfully contribute to a greener future. Key pillars of the MBCC’s sustainability efforts include energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, food waste reduction, food donation and composting, onsite herb & vegetable garden, community involvement and volunteering.

“This achievement highlights the Miami Beach Convention Center’s exemplary commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “By implementing these standards, the Miami Beach Convention Center is paving the way for the global hospitality industry, demonstrating how venues can create meaningful impact through sustainable operations while delivering exceptional experiences for their guests and event planners.”

The EIC standard specifies performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact. The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of the MBCC’s compliance with the Integrated Property standard. The MBCC engaged sustainability consultant Astrapto to guide onsite sustainability process improvements.

Following a $640-million-dollar reimagination in 2020, the award-winning Miami Beach Convention Center has been recognized as a top tier convention center, and with 1.4 million square feet of event space, it is the second largest in Florida. The venue’s strong commitment to sustainable business practices, social impact, and green building features sets a new standard for meetings and conventions. The MBCC also holds a 4 Green Keys rating through the Green Key Meetings program, an industry respected sustainability verification for hotels, meeting rooms and convention facilities, and the US Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex today unveiled the architectural renderings of the new Raleigh Convention Center expansion. This transformative 298,100 sq. ft. facility adds significant event capacity in downtown Raleigh, bringing the center’s total square footage to 798,100. The building’s modern design and world-class amenities further solidify the Raleigh Convention Center’s position as a leading venue globally.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the future convention center designs today! This expansion will allow us to host events and conferences we were unable to previously accommodate, allow our loyal customers to expand and grow, while opening doors to new conventions and events for years to come,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “Conventions bring the world to Raleigh’s doorstep, and we’re delighted to have a part in that knowledge exchange and downtown growth.”

This expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, designed by architect joint venture RATIO | TVS, includes a large new 50,000 sq. ft. divisible flex space and 18,000 sq. ft. ballroom to accommodate diverse event needs, in addition to 13 new meeting rooms and welcoming pre-function spaces. The design highlights Raleigh through expansive windows that provide picturesque views of the city on all sides, offering visitors an immersive experience of downtown Raleigh’s energy and character. 

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

“We’re eager to welcome our community and visitors alike to this expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center. This thoughtfully designed space integrates community input while better serving the conventions and gatherings that bring vibrancy to the city. This is truly a first-class venue for our first-class city,” said Marchell Adams-David, Raleigh City Manager

This marks a significant milestone in Raleigh’s strategic downtown growth, with the Raleigh Convention Center expansion, the new 600-room Omni Hotel, the new iteration of the Red Hat Amphitheater and improvements to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts all poised to bring significant increases in economic impact to Downtown Raleigh.

“This state-of-the-art convention center expansion is a transformative investment in the future of downtown Raleigh,” said Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Visit Raleigh. “It will bring thousands of new visitors, driving more restaurant reservations, hotel stays, and traffic to local businesses. This facility strengthens Raleigh’s position as a vibrant, nationally competitive destination for meetings, events, and tourism.”

Nearly 57,000 Guests, 11,394 Gallons of Beer, 349,341 Pounds of Rigging, and Thousands of Production Hours Power a Historic Two-Week Stretch at Coachella Valley’s Premier Entertainment Destination

• Paul McCartney (Sept. 29) — Launch of the “Got Back” tour.
• The Who (Oct. 1) — Final North American show on “The Song is Over” tour.
• Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns (Oct. 3) — NBA preseason action; Lakers return for the third time to the Desert Duel, continuing a growing tradition of preseason excitement in Palm Desert.
• blink-182 (Oct. 4 & 5) — Two sold-out nights closing the “Missionary Impossible” tour.
• Maroon 5 (Oct. 8) — Second show at Acrisure Arena, following New Year’s Eve grand opening performance.
• Coachella Valley Firebirds Home Opener (Oct. 10) — Start of the 2025–26 AHL season.

• 7 shows in 12 days — record-breaking run.
• 56,981 total attendees — fans from all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico.
• Maroon 5 rigging – 82 points, 83,000 pounds, 2,400 labor hours.
• 2.82 people entered the arena every minute throughout the run.
• 487 stagehands worked a combined 2,435 labor hours behind the scenes.
• Maroon 5 stagehands – 73 hands for an additional ~121 labor hours.
• 34 semi-trucks of equipment loaded in and out.
• 349,341 pounds of rigging across 374 points and 358 motors — equivalent to the weight of a Boeing 747.
• 14,570 gallons of water used to create the arena’s professional-grade ice sheet (for hockey).
• Averaged 3.8 guests per vehicle — sustainability win.
• CVF Home Opener parking – 2,113 cars
• Magnificent 7 total — averaging just under 3.5 guests per car, highlighting sustainable transportation

• Collected 31.67 tons of trash.
• Diverted 15.85 tons of material to recycling.
• Achieved a 50% diversion rate.

• Sold a half ton or 1,036 pounds of pretzels alone.
• Sold 8.5 tons or 17,070 pounds of food.
• 4,104 gallons of water used to produce ice for concessions.
• 8,175 labor hours.
• 1,759 slices of pizza.
• 11,394 gallons of beer or enough to fill an above ground pool.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in September 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.

Brian Adkins, Alpha Event Medicine, Lexington, KY
Evan Albaugh, Moody Center – OVG, Austin, TX
Sean Aldrete, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Lauren Allen, The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Albion, QLD, Australia
Edward Alvarado, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
John Armstrong, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
David Balderaz, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
George Batayias, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Elana Belton, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Carigan Bennett, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV
Sydney Bradley, McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater, OK
Sharon Brawner, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Megan Brown, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Matthew Bryant, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Kimberly Carson, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Brendan Cary, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Jolyssa Cass, Stranahan Theater and Great Hall, Toledo, OH
James Cherry, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Paul Cicero, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT
Joe Clark, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company, Dallas, TX
Steve Clark, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Macon, GA
Jennifer Clarke, Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
Jolynn Cota, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ
An Dang, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Shantell Daniel, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Alyssa Dezell, City of Stockton, Stockton, CA
Katie Dillow, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Kylie Donahue, OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK
Dylan Dotson, Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH
Lisaann Dupont, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Clint Eastman, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Raul Escobedo, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Amy Frost, Lup Events, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Jayden Garner, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Thomas Geale, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
Jacinta Gee, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Sarah Gerschwitz, Northern Territory Major Events Company, Darwin, NTe, Australia
Savanna Gifford, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Kevin Giglinto, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Alan Grady, AGP Consulting Services, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Liv Graham, Waka Pacific Trust, Manukau, New Zealand
Thomas Graham, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Torrie Hardcastle, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Sophia Harris, Netball Queensland/Nissan Arena, Upper Mount Gravat, QLD, Australia
Ben Harvey, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Shelby Heath, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Tres Hefter, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Hailey Hice, Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH
Michael Hodgson, Carsingha Investments Pty Ltd, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
Dan Howlett, Spark Event Group, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Anthony Huerta, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
David Hutchison, Legends Global, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Kristi Isbell, Colleyville Center, Colleyville, TX
Chloe Johnson, Football Victoria, La Trobe University, VIC, Australia
Chris Johnson, RIEDEL Communications Australia Pty Ltd, Rosebery, NSW, Australia
Derrick Johnson, Growth Tech Marketing, LLC, Columbus, GA
Kramer Kales, Angel of the Winds Arena – OVG, Everett, WA
Allan Keefe, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Joshua Kennedy, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Natalie Keon, Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia
Suketu Khabaria, Event Health Management, Singapore
Michael Kraft, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Peter Kubow, MadisonAV, Silverwater, NSW
Kristin LaPorte, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Lauren LaPorto, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Lewis Lemoine, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV
Freda Lester, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Ebony Linnell, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
Kayla Lueck, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Martha Dorothy Maafu, Drivers4Australia Pty Ltd, Rosebud, VIC, Australia
Patricia Madsen, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Chris Mahoney, Sebel, Minto, NSW, Australia
Jesse Manoussakis, SKG Services, Miranda, NSW, Australia
Bruce Martin, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
David Martin, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Jillian May, The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Albion, QLD, Australia
Ella McNeilly, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Jonathan Medina, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Chincie Mouton, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Lori Muench, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Devon Murray, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Jillian Negen, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Nadia Olker, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Victoria Ortega, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Sarah Pease, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Alexis Pinon, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Abed Pompa, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Mariah Pryor, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Will Reeves, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Rodney Richardson, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Jordan Richbourg, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Morgan Robinson, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Samantha Santana, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Katrina Saumell, Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Te’Wana Smiley, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Alli Srygley, Harding University, Searcy, AR
Michelle Synan, Georgia-Pacific, Middleboro, MA
Ale Tamez, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Angelique Temple, JustPark, Dallas, TX
Lisa Truitt, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Therese VanderPutten, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Lisa Vignola, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Marco Villareal, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company, Dallas, TX
Kelly Walden, Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek, MI
Josey Warnick, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Martheshia White, Vicksburg Convention Center, Vicksburg, MS
Lily Worden, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Ellen Young, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

AI can help you save time, work smarter, and boost ROI. But choosing the right tool and incorporating them effectively can be a daunting process. In a joint webinar, hosted by Advantage Training and Venue Solutions Group, AI industry expert, Jim Spellos and Venue Solutions Group, Russ Simons, will do a deep dive into different AI strategies, tools, and tactics that can transform your venue operations. 

Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 12 pm ET | 11 am CT 10 am MT | 9 am PT

Key takeaways include: 

• How to identify 20+ low-cost AI tools designed for venue management
• How to apply expert-level prompting techniques for higher-quality outputs
• How to implement at least 3 tools immediately to impact operations and bottom line
• How other venues and event spaces are leveraging AI

Don’t miss the chance to learn first hand about the tools and techniques that are already changing how venues operate!

REGISTER NOW!