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.

By Sarah McAlister

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex announced that Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will be the new naming rights sponsor of Raleigh’s premier arts venue, subject to finalizing contract negotiations with the City of Raleigh.

“We will have a great partner in Martin Marietta,” said Kerry Painter, CVE, Director/General Manager of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “It is evident that Martin Marietta takes pride in our shared community, and we are proud to partner with Martin Marietta as we continue to provide world-class performances for our guests.”

The Center for the Performing Arts has served as Raleigh’s premier performing arts venue since 1932 and draws approximately 400,000 guests annually to its four separate event spaces: Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Meymandi Concert Hall, A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater, and Kennedy Theatre.

It is also home to five resident companies: Carolina Ballet, North Carolina Opera, North Carolina Symphony, North Carolina Theatre and PineCone. The center hosts over 600 events each year and creates an average of $35.4 million in economic activity for Raleigh’s businesses, hotels, and restaurants.

“The Center for the Performing Arts is a beautiful venue steeped in culture and tradition, and we are excited for the opportunity to be involved in its future,” said Martin Marietta Chairman, President and CEO Ward Nye. “Partnering with The Center for the Performing Arts to ensure the people of Raleigh, Wake County, and North Carolina may continue enjoying the performing arts is directly in line with one of Martin Marietta’s core values – Community.”

The 20-year naming rights partnership negotiations are currently being finalized but are anticipated to take effect in early 2023 with the center’s name changing to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.

Sarah McAlister is Marketing Manager for the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex.

By Tatiana Favela

To mark her lasting impact and legacy, New Mexico State University is honoring Barbara “Mother” Hubbard for her commitment to NMSU and the Las Cruces community by naming an access road north of the Pan American Center, where she spent most of her career, Barbara Hubbard Way in honor of her 95th birthday.

Hubbard received the news as a surprise from Chancellor Dan Arvizu with support from the NMSU Board of Regents during her tribute dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 19, while celebrating her many accomplishments and the impact she’s had on NMSU students, the local community, and the entertainment industry for decades.

From raising scholarship funds for hundreds of students through her American Collegiate Talent Showcase Scholarship program to mentoring students and teaching a class in venue management at age 95, Hubbard is still going strong when it comes to expressing her deep passion for NMSU.

The entertainment industry icon has also created opportunities for women in the workplace, while always being open to helping others create a pathway to success.

The dinner raised approximately $100,000 for ACTS scholarships.

NMSU leadership requested the naming of the access road to Barbara Hubbard Way, which was approved by the NMSU Naming Committee and the Board of Regents. The access road is located west of Arrowhead Drive, south of Lot 29, extending to the entrance to Lot 27, north of the Pan American Center and the ticket office.

To read a wonderful tribute story celebrating Mother Hubbard’s 95th birthday celebration, click here.

Tatiana Favela is a Communications Specialist with New Mexico State University Marketing and Communications.

From Communications Department

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has achieved its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, a major milestone in its ongoing commitment to sustainability. A building rating system that provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, green buildings, LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

This official certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) makes the NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana, the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance and the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED v4.1 O+M. The latest version of LEED certification, v4.1 raises the bar on building standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and waste reduction.

“Earning LEED certification shows that our Convention Center is not just a major economic driver for the region but also a responsible environmental leader in the state,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President. “Being recognized as a LEED Gold certified facility under the most current qualifying standards is confirmation that the many energy-saving investments, building upgrades, and green initiatives we have implemented are helping to reduce our carbon footprint while also making the facility better for our guests, employees, and neighbors. With our steadfast commitment to sustainable practices, we are proving every day that our convention center in New Orleans is Built to Host.”

“Transforming our buildings and spaces happens one project at a time. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center understands the value of LEED and has shown extraordinary leadership in reshaping the market,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the spaces where we live, learn, work, and play.”

Earlier this year, the NOENMCC completed a $20.6 million project to reduce energy-related expenses and improve the overall visitor experience. In addition to an overhaul of the facility’s lighting and air conditioning systems, the upgrades included the installation of 87 water bottle filling stations and low-flow fixtures in 37 sets of restrooms. The NOENMCC also expanded recycling to include the more than one million square feet of exhibit space and planted 200 trees in its new 7.5-acre pedestrian park that features rain gardens to help manage stormwater.

One especially impactful part of the certification process was a waste audit exercise with a special “trash team” – composed of leadership and staff – sorting through event garbage. The Convention Center’s food and beverage partner Sodexo has also taken a leading role in composting waste, utilizing compostable serving ware and coordinating food donations. In addition, LEED v4.1 is a certification based on data, measurable reductions in energy use, water use, and waste. For an initial certification of an existing building, achieving LEED v4.1 Gold is a major accomplishment.

“As you begin to walk the journey of LEED Certification, there are many factors that you must quickly identify and leverage to the overall success of the mission,” said Adam J. Straight, NOENMCC’s Vice President of Operations. “Buy-in from across the board, support from leadership and commitment to and from all stakeholders, are just a few examples of those resources. From day one, there has been no doubt or drift from those principles, and today is a clear example and result of that dedication. I am so very proud of everyone involved to achieve such an honor and to those who continue to support our initiatives toward our community, our region, and our state.”

The Convention Center’s certification process was spearheaded by Linda Baynham, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. As the facility continues to implement its $557 million capital improvement program, she will continue to pursue sustainability initiatives. Some of the Convention Center’s current and upcoming capital improvement projects include installing a more energy-efficient roof, electric vehicle charging stations and new LED lighting in the meeting rooms and lobbies.

“Informa Markets is one of the largest producers of business-to-business events in the world, including Waste Expo which regularly visits New Orleans, and our company has taken the lead toward our industry becoming zero waste and net zero carbon,” said Kevin Thornton, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets. “The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Gold LEED certification is exactly what event organizers are looking for when evaluating destinations to conduct events.”

The announcement was celebrated with a plaque unveiling and reception at the Convention Center on October 26.

Left to Right: Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Commissioner Geri Baloney Broussard; Convention Center Vice President of Operations Adam J. Straight; Convention Center President Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Linda Baynham, and Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Chairman Jerry Reyes.