(Editor’s Note: The first time I met Steve Romer was on his home turf of Sydney, Australia back in 2009. I was on a whirlwind two-week assignment for then Facility Manager magazine and Sydney would be my final stop and where I would meet a number of venue managers from throughout Australia to have a roundtable interview about the challenges and successes of Australian venues. Steve was the first IAVM member I saw upon arriving in Sydney and was my host. He took me out for a delightful lunch just across from the iconic Sydney Opera House and then gave a tour of the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre that he oversaw. I just remember Steve’s warmth, ever-present smile, and of course his awesome Australian accent. We struck up a solid friendship that very day that has continued until this day. God bless you in your retirement and whatever comes next in your life, mate! –R.V.)

After almost four decades of working with some of Australia’s most iconic entertainment venues, live music festivals and event venues, industry veteran Steve Romer will retire on November 11, 2022.

Romer worked through two years of COVID health directives and managed to stage some 350+ events in his final role as General Manager of The Events Centre Caloundra (TEC). The venue proved to be one of the busiest regional venues in the country and recorded its largest profitability ever during Romer’s tenure.
Romer held various leadership roles with venues including Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, the Sydney Entertainment Centre, the Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Blacktown International Sports Park, SeaWorld, Dreamworld, and other many other major venues.

On reviewing the highlights of his career, Romer was most proud of his contribution to the venue management industry, including nine years as a Board Director of the Venue Management Association Asia Pacific (VMA), including three years as VMA Chairman.

He was instrumental in setting up VMA’s formal affiliation with the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), where he also served as a Director on IAVM’s Board for three years.

Romer spent five years on the Board of the Talent Development Project (TDP), a professional program nurturing the creative talents of aspiring artists, and most recently served four years on the Board of HOTA (Home of the Arts – Gold Coast).

As the General Manager of the Sydney Entertainment Centre (2009 – 2013), Romer was extremely proud to have the venue ranked as the #2 arena in the world in 2012, according to respected industry magazine “Billboard”.

Romer was also named as the recipient of VMA’s “Venue Professional of the Year” award in 2012.

Romer’s plans include extensive travel, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying an active life with his partner Debbie on the Sunshine Coast.

By Teresa Shum

Emmanuel “Manny” Thomas has been named General Manager of Hard Rock Live at Seminole/Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood (FL). In his new role, Thomas will oversee and manage all venue operations for the 6,500-seat venue.

Since its 2019 expansion, Hard Rock Live has amplified South Florida’s entertainment offerings with headlining acts such as Guns N’ Roses, Elton John, Billy Joel, Chris Rock, and Metallica.

Thomas joins Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood from the Chase Center in San Francisco, home of the Golden State Warriors, where he was Vice President of Event Services. There, he was an integral part of the Chase Center’s grand opening in 2019, navigating 15 large-scale arena events in the building’s first 30 days, and the Golden State Warrior’s NBA World Championship during the 2021-2022 season.

With more than 25 years of entertainment and sports experience, Thomas got his start in 1996 as a ball boy for the New York Knicks before quickly working his way up through the organization, transitioning to Building Operations, Event Services and finally, as Director of Event Productions. During his time at the renowned Madison Square Garden, he produced more than 500 live sporting, entertainment, catering functions, and special events annually.

Thomas holds a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Administration from St. John’s University and a master’s in Health and Physical Education with a concentration in Sport Management from East Stroudsburg University.

Teresa Shum is Director of Public Relations for Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood.

By R.V. Baugus

We already know that a large number of IAVM members make a difference in their community beyond the work that they perform at their venue. No surprise there at all. If you are not more involved in your local community, we encourage you to find a special place to serve.

Dave Brown, general manager and chief operating officer of American Airlines Center in Dallas, is an example of someone giving back to the community. Brown began in early 2022 serving a two-year term as chair of the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association (CBAA), which oversees the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, and Cotton Bowl Foundation.

Brown is the 42nd chair of the CBAA. As a matter of fact, Brown’s old boss at American Airlines Center and my current boss at IAVM, Brad Mayne, CVE, served on the Board Executive Committee and knows well the value of service in the CBAA. It is not unusual to see Brad walking around the IAVM office in one of his CBAA polo shirts.

“The message is volunteer in your community,” Mayne said after attending a CBAA meeting earlier in the week. “Many people have no idea how bowl games are not for profit and the investment into the community they make. Also, Dave led a bylaws’ change to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in leadership which was approved today.”

As for Brown, serving in the community is nothing new. A civic leader in Dallas for decades, Brown has served on numerous boards and commissions, most recently completing a second term as Chairman of Visit Dallas where he was instrumental in the creation and growth of the Dallas Sports Commission.

Get involved! You and your community will both benefit from the experience.

Becky Colwell, previously general manager of the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, has been named general manager of Kia Forum and vice president of music and events at the future home of the Los Angeles Clippers, Intuit Dome.

Colwell will be responsible for operations and programming of the Kia Forum as well as the programming of Intuit Dome leading into and following the $2 billion-plus venue’s opening in 2024.

Colwell started in her new on October 24, reporting to Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker. The Kia Forum and Intuit Dome are both under the ownership of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, who purchased the Forum in 2020 in order to move forward with construction of the Clippers’ new nearby home.

“Becky has earned a reputation for creating best-in-class experiences for all who step foot in the venues she leads and will help us continue to achieve new standards at the Kia Forum and Intuit Dome,” Zucker said in an announcement.

The news comes as previous Kia Forum GM Geni Lincoln joins Live Nation as president of the company’s California region.

Colwell was previously the General Manager of Booth Amphitheatre in North Carolina for 12 years and the Director of Sales for Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in North Carolina.

By R.V. Baugus

Good friend Cliff Wallace, CVE, touched base by email to share some exciting news in Shenyang, China, where the industry legend remains under contract as a Senior Executive Advisor. In turn, we celebrate the news with Cliff and all involved and will allow Cliff to share in his own words.

“As you may recall, I remain under contract with New World Services Holdings in Hong Kong as a Senior Executive Advisor, primarily overseeing our venue operations in Shenyang. In this capacity, I enjoy so much working with Diane (Chen), CVE, as GM almost daily (still only electronically, unfortunately).

“My primary focus has been advising Diane in maintaining readiness of the venue and enhancing staff morale. We remain at a 50% staff level and must try to maintain this level until stable operations return.

“Diane has informed us that Shenyang’s government began last week approving and licensing limited events. EXPO WILL EXPERIENCE IS NINTH REOPENING TODAY (since government closings began in 2020 due to COVID).

“Our great team there, under Diane’s leadership (she remains IAVM’s only mainland China member), IS READY, AS IS THE VENUE!!”

Cats may have nine lives, and now EXPO has nine reopenings. IAVM Wishes everyone the best as events return to the calendar.