OVG360, the provider of venue management to the Owensboro (KY) Convention Center and the Owensboro Sportscenter, announced the promotion of two of the venue’s team members

Daniel Jones has been promoted to the Operations and Events Manager of the Owensboro Sportscenter. He began at the Owensboro Convention Center in June as an operations team member and was quickly promoted to Operations Team Lead. With a background in retail sales management and over 15 years in a leadership role, he is poised for success in his new role.

“Daniel showed promise from the second he started and has exceeded expectations now in his new position,” said Thomas Dyer, Director of the Owensboro Sportscenter. “He takes great pride in his work which does not go unnoticed, and we are lucky to have him on our team. I look forward to seeing the difference his presence can make at the venue long term.”

Shelby Christensen has been promoted to an Event Manager. She started at the Owensboro Convention Center in June as an operations team member and was quickly promoted to Operations Team Lead. “Shelby has a work ethic that doesn’t stop plus a bubbly personality that is ideal for the event manager position,” said Director of Events Cody Thomas. Shelby is excited to work with the many clients the venue hosts. When not working, she enjoys travelling and spending time with family, friends, and her cats.

The City of Fort Worth has selected Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, Inc. (TVS), a global architectural design firm teaming with local firm Bennett Partners, to deliver design and construction administration services for the first phase of the Fort Worth Convention Center’s expansion.

The expansion project will take place in two phases and the facility will remain operational during both. The first phase includes the construction of new state-of-the-art food & beverage facilities, demolition of the annex, realignment of Commerce Street to create a site pad for a future convention hotel and rebuilding the center’s loading docks. This phase is expected to begin construction in mid-2023 and be completed in 2026.

The convention center expansion, which had been planned for several years to accommodate larger conventions and group meetings, was about to begin with robust funding from hotel occupancy taxes when the COVID-19 shutdown began in 2020. After a pandemic-induced pause, the Fort Worth City Council approved $52 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in December 2021 to support the first phase of planned expansion of the city-owned convention center. Broaddus & Associates, Inc. is serving as project manager in partnership with Elements of Architecture, Inc

The second phase of the project will include the demolition of the 1968 arena and create approximately 97,000 square feet of net new exhibit hall space, 48,000 square feet of flexible meeting rooms, a new 50,000 square foot ballroom (twice the size of the current ballroom), as well as renovations to the current facility, which was expanded in 2003. This phase will be funded when hospitality taxes recover to the point where they can support the issuance of debt to fund the construction.

Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, TX, is excited to welcome back Kimberly Marriott to the position of Director of Booking and Event Services. She previously held the position from late 2016 to mid-2019 and helped secure many memorable, sold-out events, including performances by the Steve Miller Band, Peter Frampton, and Dude Perfect.

“I am so happy to return to the Credit Union of Texas Event Center,” Marriott said. “It is such a beautiful and flexible facility that can host various events. The staff at the venue are some of the most talented in the industry and are phenomenal collaborators. I’m excited to see what amazing events we can bring to the City of Allen.”

Marriott most recently served as Assistant Director at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas, and brings over 20 years of experience in event management and booking. She has a master’s degree in Live Entertainment Management from the University of Miami, a certificate in Meeting Management (CMM) and just recently obtained the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designation.

“We are so excited to have Kimberly back,” said Bill Herman, General Manager of Credit Union of Texas Event Center. “Her solid experience and proven track record will once again make her a valuable asset to our team.”

Robert Herron, board chair of the Greater Wheeling Sports and Entertainment Authority, has announced Wheeling resident Kelly Tucker as the new executive director of WesBanco Arena and the Capitol Theatre, effective Oct. 1.

“Kelly’s professional experience is a great fit for this position. I believe she will do an excellent job of managing and growing Wheeling’s entertainment venues,” he said.

Tucker, a West Liberty University graduate, said she is looking forward to her new role.

“Thirty years ago, I began my career in live entertainment in Wheeling. I am very excited that this new chapter will be bringing me home. I feel privileged to continue the legacy of Wheeling’s entertainment history and plan to grow the amazing assets that our friendly city has to offer,” she said.

“I am honored to be the new executive director and the successor of an incredible leader, Denny Magruder. I am looking forward to working with the board of directors for the GWSEA and the community to continue bringing great events to the city.”

Tucker comes to the GWSEA from Live Nation where she served as general manager at several venues. Those facilities include, most recently, The Pavilion at Star Lake, a 23,000-plus seat outdoor concert venue; from 2005 to 2018, Jamboree in the Hills, a 100,000-plus seat outdoor concert venue; and from 2005 to 2007, the Capitol Music Hall, a 2,500-plus seat theater.

In those roles, Tucker oversaw the operation of those facilities which included, but was not limited to managing an annual budget, as well as supervising department managers and staff. She also analyzed data to improve customer experiences, forecasted and managed event budgets, facilitated capital expenditures and projects and scheduled performances. Tucker has also been responsible for marketing, sponsorships, and ticketing for events as well as maintaining relationships with media outlets and government officials.

By Jessica Poitevien

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre’s rainbow wings have become a symbol of its support to the LGBTQ+ community for both visitors and locals alike.

For years, the Calgary TELUS Convention Centre (CTCC) has displayed rainbow-colored wings on its front windows during Calgary Pride Week as a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community. But the care and respect that the CTCC team extends to everyone goes beyond a simple mural, including tangible policies that create a welcoming atmosphere for the LGBTQ+ community. On June 21, 2022, these efforts were officially acknowledged as CTCC became an accredited Rainbow Registered Business — the first convention center in Canada to earn this recognition.

The Calgary TELUS Convention Centre creates a positive and accepting environment for its staff, as well as millions of eventgoers every year.

Created by Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CLGCC) in partnership with Tourism HR Canada, Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation program for businesses and venues that meet a thorough set of standards to ensure LGBTQ+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted. To earn the accreditation, the CTCC team completed a series of interviews that evaluated the convention center’s business practices as well as employee training on diversity and inclusion. The review process also explored how the CTCC demonstrates leadership and commitment to inclusion by establishing an organizational culture that is LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirmative.

Some noteworthy policies include requiring all employees to undergo basic level training from the Queer Education Foundation, providing access to gender-neutral bathrooms to employees, and the ability to transform public restrooms to support the need for gender-neutral restrooms if requested by event organizers.

“As an organization that is a community hub for our city, it was important for us to become Rainbow Registered,” said Kurby Court, CTCC’s president and CEO, in a press release. “This is only one step we are taking to ensure our employees, clients, and those attending events at the center feel safe and welcomed. We will continue to educate ourselves and have access to the necessary tools we need to create an inclusive environment for all.”

The CTCC isn’t alone in implementing supportive policies for the LGBTQ+ community. Other Rainbow Registered businesses in Calgary include The Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Downtown and The Westley Calgary Downtown Hotel, a Tapestry Collection Hotel by Hilton. A fairly new initiative, Rainbow Registered has officially accredited 85 businesses across Canada, but that number is steadily growing, making it easier for meeting planners to choose venues and businesses that are reliably LGBTQ+ friendly.

“Calgary is renowned for our warm welcoming atmosphere and outstanding hospitality,” said David Woodward, executive director of meetings and conventions at Tourism Calgary. “This is a wonderful step toward ensuring that all who organize or attend events in our city and those who call our community home feel welcomed, safe, and included.”

Jessica Poitevien is a freelance Travel & Lifestyle writer.