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.

By Kevin Kurtt

The Minneapolis Convention Center (MCC) announced that its Plaza was awarded Silver certification under the Sustainable SITES Initiative rating system for achievement in landscape sustainability. The MCC Plaza is the nation’s first SITES certified project to be located at a convention center and the first ever SITES certified project in the Upper Midwest.

Administered by the Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), SITES promotes sustainable and resilient landscape development to enhance sustainability, implement green infrastructure strategies, and improve resilience.

To earn SITES Silver certification, the MCC Plaza demonstrated:

Long-term commitment to landscape sustainability
Reduction of outdoor water use and design of functional stormwater features
Conservation, restoration and use of native plant species
Reduction of urban heat island effects
Use of renewable sources for landscape electricity needs
Benefits for the community and public health

Located on the south side of downtown and designed by Damon Farber Landscape Architects for environmental sustainability, the 2.5-acre MCC Plaza features an urban meadow planted with native tree, wildflower, and prairie grass species to create downtown’s largest pollinator refuge. In addition, irrigation at the Plaza utilizes the Convention Center’s stormwater capture system. The redesigned Plaza was officially revealed to the public on Sept. 30, 2021.

“With the redesign of our Plaza, the Minneapolis Convention Center is proud to continue its leadership in sustainability and green building by being the site of the first project at a convention center to earn SITES certification in the United States,” said Jeff Johnson, MCC Executive Director. “This space, just outside our doors, better connects us to our downtown community with a welcoming and sustainable outdoor area that improves the quality of life for our environment as well as our visitors and residents.”

In addition to its SITES certification, the MCC is designated with LEED v4 Certification for Existing Building Operations and Maintenance, and the Green Meeting Industry Council recognizes the MCC as Leaders in Sustainability.

“Sustainable landscapes are essential to the wellbeing of all life,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council and GBCI. “These landscapes reduce water demand, filter and reduce stormwater runoff, provide wildlife habitat, reduce urban heat islands, improve air quality and human health and increase outdoor recreation opportunities. With their SITES certification, the Minneapolis Convention Center demonstrates an acknowledgement of this reality and a commitment to improving spaces for its community.”

The $2.9 million redesign of the MCC Plaza resulted in a better event space with increased electrical distribution and improved flat space for catering, production, and socialization. The renovated outdoor area is on top of an underground parking ramp and includes a large lawn and patio deck, updated lighting, and new walkways and seating options, and provides more options for conference and convention groups at what is the largest convention center in the Upper Midwest.

Kevin Kurtt​ is Public Relations and Communications Manager for Meet Minneapolis Convention & Visitors Association.