By Tampa.gov

David Ingram, one of America’s most experienced and innovative convention center experts, has been selected as the new executive director of the Tampa Convention Center. Ingram most recently served as the general manager of the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC).

“This is a home run hire for Tampa residents and the Tampa Convention Center. Few people on the planet are as well prepared to take our convention center to the next level as David Ingram,” Mayor Jane Castor said. “His leadership will be immensely beneficial to Tampa’s economy as the convention center attracts even more business to the city.”

Ingram started at Orange County Convention Center in 2003 and has served as its acting executive director, assistant director, event operations division manager, event set-up supervisor, and event manager. He also worked for Walt Disney World Co. and Gaylord Palms Resort.

“I am thrilled to be able to lead the Tampa Convention Center through the most exciting time in its history,” Ingram said. “The Tampa Convention Center is a premier destination and a leader in the convention industry with a talented team of event professionals. I am eager to accelerate the center into the future through historic improvements and toward even more growth and success.”

Tampa Convention Center selected Ingram after an extensive, nationwide search, following the retirement of the former director, Una Garvey, in May.

“David has led an impressive career with outstanding experience in the conventions and tourism industry here in Florida,” said Nicole Travis, administrator of Development and Economic Opportunity for the City of Tampa. “We are delighted to have him joining the team and we look forward to seeing the positive impact he will have on the Tampa Convention Center and the city’s tourism industry.”

Ingram graduated from the University of South Florida and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in fine arts. Ingram must be confirmed by the Tampa City Council. He is scheduled to start his new role as executive director on November 28.

From Tixly

Tixly announced a new partnership with the Heymann Performing Arts Center, the company’s first client in North America. The partnership with Tixly as their ticketing & CRM platform will begin in December.

Heymann Performing Arts Center opened in 1960 in Lafayette, Louisiana and is an auditorium which offers internationally renowned performances. It has served the people of Acadiana, a prominent region in Louisiana, for over 50 years and is the home to Broadway musicals, popular concerts, symphony, theater, and more.

The Heymann Performing Arts Center is a 2,200-seat proscenium theater with an adjoining 16.000 sq. ft. Convention Center. The Convention Center comprises two ballrooms that can be used independently or as one great hall. The Convention Center has three additional meeting rooms and a full-service kitchen. Heymann welcomes over 100,000 ticketed visitors annually and hosts over 100 events each year.

“We are excited to be the first in the U.S. to partner with Tixly to provide elite ticketing services to Acadiana,” said Brian McGrath, Arts & Culture Manager at Heymann Center. “Tixly shares our vision of elevating the guest experience by enriching customers’ journeys through innovative technology and modernizing the ticketing process. This partnership offers customers added levels of convenience and optionality, allowing them to buy tickets in a way that saves time and reduces the need for paper ticketing.”

“Tixly offers a great alternative to other systems,” added Dennis Skerrett, Venue Administrator at Heymann Center. “We were impressed by the Tixly platform’s ease of use for both employees and customers alike by providing powerful features at a great value. We found that Tixly offered our venue much more control over branding, sale parameters, and revenue streams. And with Tixly, that revenue lives in our own bank account, earning interest.”

Venue Box Office Coordinator India Roberts Filer said, “When we began researching ticketing companies, we wanted one that was user friendly for our patrons, simple to learn for our staff, and one that offered quick and genuine support. Tixly is that and so much more! Heymann Performing Arts Center values its patrons. We aim to keep them happy, comfortable, and coming back to visit us. Tixly’s hands-on support team and easy-to-use system guarantees the best experience for Heymann Performing Arts Center’s loyal patrons.”

“We are proud and excited to start this partnership with the team at Heymann Center,” said Tixly US Operations Manager Aren Murray. “The fabulous staff and the organization’s focus on creating a pleasing sales flow for their customers fit perfectly with Tixly’s business model. We are grateful for the opportunity they’ve given us to help them achieve their goals.”

“The partnership between Tixly and Heymann Center is extra special for us at Tixly as Heymann Center is our first client in North America. I am thankful and truly couldn’t think of a better fit as a first client. The collaboration has so far been characterized by joy, trust, and excitement on both sides and we look forward to continuing on that journey together,” said Hrefna Sif Jónsdóttir, Managing Director at Tixly.

“As part of Tixly’s standard implementation past patron account activity, including barcodes, will be integrated for Heymann, allowing administration and patrons to obtain their ticket history, barcodes, and account details quickly and easily. Simplicity in use, even during the process of switching systems, is our method of operation. Creating a seamless transition to the Tixly system for Heymann’s guests who have already purchased tickets for the spring events is key. In other words, guests will be able to use the tickets they bought before the ticketing system switch as well as tickets purchased after the switch to gain admittance with no additional steps. It’s the Tixly way, simply innovative!” concluded Hrefna Sif Jónsdóttir.

By Amy Procaccini

Sodexo Live!, the global hospitality leader that manages prestigious, cultural, sporting venues, and major events around the world, announced the launch of its new People Ambition initiative – to attract, retain and grow its ranks of best-in-class hospitality providers. Based on quantitative yearlong findings from 50+ surveys of current employees across all roles from culinary to front-of-house to management, the new initiative represents Sodexo Live!’s increased focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion in recruitment, development, and management, and the prioritization of career development with deeper training and mentorship opportunities for every employee. The company will also provide more mental health resources as part of its increased focus on wellbeing.

“At Sodexo Live!, we are experience makers. We are committed to leading the charge in creating tangible programs that encourage active learning and development while increasing our focus and support on employee wellbeing,” said Tracey Jenkins, Senior Vice President of Human Resources, Sodexo Live! North America. “Our investment in this significant Employer Value Proposition initiative comes at a time when the hospitality industry is at a crossroads. The People Ambition proactively addresses our resolve to be employee-first while engaging team members to build fulfilling lifelong careers here. And yes, we are hiring.”

Sodexo Live! leaders have identified four pillars for EVP and what it represents:

Belong: Ensuring a sense of belonging and purpose, rooted in family and teamwork.
The organization maintains an 80% employee engagement rate and offers nine Employee Business Resource Groups (EBRGs) which foster a culture of inclusion and provide networking, learning, and development opportunities.

Act: Values diversity, equity, and inclusion as a key performance driver for all.
Sodexo received a perfect score on the 2022 Disability Equality Index (DEI), was named by Forbes as a 2022 Best Employer for Diversity and was acknowledged as a Best Company for Multicultural Women by Seramount.

Thrive: Promotes personal and career growth opportunities and establishes opportunities for employees to succeed and be promoted internally.
Over the past year, Sodexo Live! promoted 142 employees across the company – 46% of promoted employees were women.

Be Live: Creating exceptional events and memories that last a lifetime – for 21 World Series, 15 Super Bowls, 14 College Football Championship Games, 12 Final Fours, 6 of the top 10 Meeting Destinations in North America, 15 LEED-Certified Convention Centers and more – starting with employees who are the fabric of these moments.

As part of this new initiative, Sodexo Live! will be creating and implementing new programs that encourage diversity, equity, and inclusion such as “She Leads,” which is a global mentorship program for women. Launched this past October with an inaugural class, participants are taking part in a nine-month program which will introduce them to other female leaders globally within the organization and help them learn more about their individual leadership styles. Sodexo is committed to having women represent at least 40 percent of its global leadership by 2025. Currently, women represent 60 percent of Sodexo’s board members and 45 percent of the executive committee.

Sodexo Live! by the Numbers:

The average tenure for Sodexo Live! full-time employees is seven years. In contrast, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers overall in leisure and hospitality have an average of 2.3 years per job. Sodexo Live! also achieves an 80% satisfaction and engagement rate among employees.

Over the past year, Sodexo Live! expanded its number of employees in management positions by 68%, proving that employees stay with and grow their careers with the organization.

In this time, Sodexo Live! also increased its African American representation in senior leadership roles by 28%.

Additional examples of programs that support the company’s new EVP initiative include:

The Diversity Learning Lab, a mandatory program for upper-level management.

Tomorrow’s Leaders Program is designed to accelerate employees’ development and enhance their current and future leadership capabilities. In partnership with San Diego State University’s esteemed School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, employees develop the curriculum and participate in five virtual sessions over the next calendar year.

A dedicated Mentorship Program gives staffers an opportunity to learn from upper-level management.

A retooled Internship Academy currently has over 50 active students across different disciplines from operations, finance, human resources, data analytics, and more. It includes lunch-and-learns with subject matter experts and client partners.

“A motivated and energized workforce is one of the greatest assets we can provide our venue partners and the top-tier events we host on a regular basis. Working here is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater and build a long-term career,” said Steve Pangburn, CEO of Sodexo Live! North America. “Our experiences are unique, and so are our people. We encourage everyone to bring their personality, their background and a desire for delighting others. In return, we’ll give you all you need to thrive. After giving it all, you’ll return home knowing you’ve played your part in creating truly unforgettable moments.”

Amy Procaccini is Strategic Brand Communications Manager for Sodexo Live!

From ASM Global

ASM Global has named Gary Jacobus as president, business development, to oversee the company’s rapidly expanding business development and account-retention footprint across the Americas.

In making the announcement, ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension said, “Gary’s lengthy blue-chip track record as a senior business development and sales leader directing talented teams to effectively grow businesses is invaluable. His deep relationships across the sports and entertainment ecosystem ensures ASM’s leadership position in our industry.”

Among his many accomplishments, Jacobus was a key architect of the growth of the NFL’s global marketing partnerships program; headed IMG’s global sports and entertainment corporate consulting division; and during his tenure with the NBA, secured the largest corporate marketing relationship in sports to date with Sprint.

“We’re expanding the bounds of what the entertainment experience means to fans and guests in more and more places,” Bension said. “Gary will help us reimagine business opportunities, venue paradigms, private and public partnerships, and collaborations. Also, imperative is his incredible experience on both the municipal and commercial sides of our business.”

In his new role, Jacobus, whose most recent position was senior vice president of business development and sales for Zippin, will oversee ASM Global’s ambitious plans to grow its successful sales efforts and strategies for securing new accounts. Those accounts will join a global portfolio containing the world’s most far-reaching and prestigious sports and entertainment properties.

“The need for ASM Global’s unmatched expertise and experience is greater than ever before,” Jacobus said. “The ASM Global family of venues has enabled it to generate exponential financial growth for companies throughout the world, and our intention is to increase those numbers even more. This includes new service sectors such as aquariums, zoos, and iconic cultural attractions.

“We’re going to passionately pursue enterprise business acceleration as we move deeper and deeper into arenas, stadiums, convention centers, cultural attractions, and theaters across the North and South American regions.”

Jacobus will also provide support and assistance to ASM Global’s European and APAC business development teams.

ASM Global has also appointed Julie Driscoll as the new Chief Executive Officer of Olympia London.

Olympia London Managing Director, Nigel Nathan, will remain in a consultancy role for three months to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Driscoll is an entrepreneurial leader with 25 years of B2C and B2B experience driving stellar growth through building and leading multi-functional teams within Hyve, Ascential, Emap, WVIP and Highbury House Communications plc.

Currently the Divisional Managing Director for Retail, Manufacturing and Engineering at Hyve Group plc, Chair of the Association of Exhibition Organisers and board member of the Events Industry Alliance, Driscoll has a proven track record for transforming legacy brands such as Spring and Autumn Fair, Pure London, Breakbulk, and Cwieme. She joins Olympia London with vast experience in running one of the UK’s largest trade events and cross industry collaboration via the AEO and EIA.

Driscoll commented: “I am thrilled to be joining Olympia London under the management of ASM Global – a world leader of event venues and entertainment. For 136 years Olympia London has been the home of inspirational events. In partnership with the venue’s owners, Yoo Capital and Deutsche Finance International, I very much look forward to working with the wonderful Olympia London team to position the venue as a world class destination for the next 100 years.”

Driscoll will step down as Chair of the AEO. “Being welcomed so warmly by the industry as the AEO’s second female Chair was an absolute honor. I would like to thank Chris Skeith OBE, CEO of the AEO, the wider AEO team, the Exec and the board for their support and incredible hard work. The AEO is an important organization supporting and nurturing the thriving exhibitions’ industry. It has been such a joy to be part of the AEO community and I look forward to seeing what I know will be their successful journey ahead,” she said.

Chris Bray, Executive Vice President of ASM Global Europe stated: “We are delighted to welcome Julie to the ASM Global team. Julie has an ambitious vision for Olympia London, an eye for operational excellence, and joins us with exceptional experience as a highly skilled entrepreneurial leader, working successfully with renowned brands and some of the UK’s biggest trade events. We are confident that Julie will bring enormous value, drive growth, and lead Olympia London towards a tremendously exciting future.”

Nigel Nathan added: “I am so proud to have worked with such an amazing and passionate team at Olympia London for the last 23 years. We’ve achieved so much together. Finding the right person to lead our glorious venue into its exciting future was vital. Julie brings impressive experience from across the events industry and a strong vision for how to build upon Olympia London’s heritage of hosting events that have helped drive the economy and delighted millions of visitors for the last 136 years.”

Driscoll begins her new role as Chief Executive Officer at Olympia London on 5 December 2022.

By Construction Dive

Dive Brief:

Madison Square Garden Entertainment increased the price tag for the MSG Sphere project in Las Vegas to close to $2.18 billion, up from its prior estimate of approximately $2 billion, according to its fiscal 2023 first quarter earnings report, a 9% increase.

The jump in construction cost primarily reflects the ongoing impact of inflation, global supply chain pressures, and the overall complexity of the project, said David Byrnes, chief financial officer at MSG, during an earnings’ call last week. The completion date remains on track to open in the second half of 2023, he added.

Actual construction costs incurred through Sept. 30 reached about $1.78 billion, including approximately $226 million of accrued, unpaid expenses. MSG expects to fund the remaining construction costs from cash on hand including savings from a cost reduction plan that defers certain discretionary capital projects, according to the report.

Dive Insight:

The construction team had to “refine a third” of design plans in order to adjust to the complexity of the project, said Byrnes, which was a major cost driver.

Both the build-out of the exosphere and the venue’s interior spaces, such as the installation of the interior display plane, are racking up those higher costs, he said.

“We have numerous packages of work that were competitively bid to contractors many months ago, with all of the actual costs being determined on a time and material basis on the back end,” said Byrnes. “As those materials are delivered and as the work gets completed, we’re continuing to see certain costs go up across certain work streams.”

Changes in design plans ranked as one of the top causes of construction claims or disputes, according to global consulting firm HKA’s CRUX Insight report. At the same time, construction analysts and contractors expect even more shortages and price hikes ahead for essential construction materials in 2023.

Nevertheless, Byrnes remains confident the project will finish on time.

“Work continues on the exterior of the venue with the installation of the LED mega panels on the exosphere, where crews have been progressing from the top of the venue down,” said Byrnes. “We’re confident that we have sufficient liquidity from cash-on-hand and cash flow from operations to complete the construction.”

MSG Sphere at The Venetian will be the largest spherical structure in the world at 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide once complete in the second half of 2023. The venue will have a capacity of approximately 17,500 seats, expandable to 20,000 with standing room.

Photo granted by MSG Sphere Studios