Tix Ticketing is rebranding as Tixly as it continues to expand its global operations Hrefna Jonsdottir will become Managing Director of Tixly – taking over from founder Sindri Finnbogason.

“With the goal of simplifying our brand and uniquely proclaiming our values of simply innovative software for culture ticketing, we are changing our name and will from today be known as Tixly,” said Hrefna Jonsdottir, who is ascending to role of Managing Director as founder Sindri Finnbogason shifts gears to become the company’s Head of Product.

The company also announced that it is adding to its board a Ticketmaster Inc veteran. Kjell Arne Orseth previously was an executive at Ticketmaster for 17 years, serving in various roles within the global ticketing giant, most recently as its Executive Vice President International. He will, effective on November 1st, be taking over the role of chairman of fast-growing Tixly.

“We believe that under this new global brand and leadership we are ready for the next chapter in Tixly´s evolution. “We believe no other company is adequately addressing the specific needs of cultural institutions and venues. This is the unique selling proposition that is fueling our growth within the cultural segment across Europe and our entry into North America,” said Jonsdottir, Tixly’s new Managing Director. Jonsdottir originally joined the company in 2017, having previously been on the client side as head of ticketing at Harpa Music Hall.

Sindri Finnbogason commented: “I am very excited about our current expansion, both geographically and of the product itself. There is still a lot of room to grow as more venues transfer to simpler ticketing and marketing solutions. The large number of customers in the cultural segment that have chosen Tixly, after diligently comparing our product to others, shows how a software solution that is both robust and offers simple intuitive design can gain a lot of traction in a relatively short period of time. In all the 20 years I have been in the ticketing software business I have never experienced such excitement for a product as I have for the current iteration of Tixly. I promise there is still a lot more to come as we continue to ship new modules and features all the time.”

“We want to stress that even though this seems like a lot of changes we are not changing our way of working, our service level, our focus or anything else,” said Aren Murray, Operations Manager – US. “We honestly believe that this change will make us even better. We will continue to be dedicated to performing arts venues and culture houses and we will continue to focus on providing exceptional service while growing our product with the vision of helping our clients achieve their own goals.”

Pictured from left: Hrefna Jonsdottir, Sindri Finnbogason, Kjell Arne Orseth

By Shay Strawser

Over 100 Green Sports Alliance (GSA) teams and venues lit their venues green on October 6 in observance of Green Sports Day to green light sustainable action across the globe.

The global sustainable sports community is coming together to leverage the power of sports to increase awareness and action on the most pressing environmental and social challenges our world faces. GSA is partnering with South Pole to offset the energy used to light facilities green.

“The Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field are proud to support Green Sports Day and the Green Sports Alliance by coming together to raise awareness for the importance of sustainability,” said Christy Briggs, Logistics and Sustainability Manager for the Seahawks and Lumen Field and GSA Board Member. “We believe our impact on the environment is exponentially greater as we seek to educate and inspire our fans to implement the reduction strategies that we use in-stadium in their own personal homes and workplaces.”

The Green Sports Alliance is advancing its partnership with the Sanneh Foundation by gifting 200 reusable fabric bags to the kids and families in St. Paul, Minnesota (thesannehfoundation.org). Recycled from fabric signage at the 2022 Green Sports Alliance Summit, the reusable bags are given another life, rather than heading to a landfill, in partnership with The Vomela Companies (vomela.com). Vomela went above and beyond to ensure the circularity of signage at the Summit.

“Given the incredible honor and responsibility bestowed upon the sports industry by President Barack Obama on October 6th in 2016, we have the opportunity to leverage the power of sports to minimize the impact from emissions in stadiums, arenas, and communities where we live, work and play,” said Roger McClendon, Executive Director of the Green Sports Alliance. “On this Green Sports Day in 2022, we wanted to inspire a just transition to a circular economy with renewable energy, water conservation, and waste diversion at the top of mind to ensure a healthy environment for our communities. Thanks to all who joined us in Playing for the Next Generation as we share climate awareness with sports fans and encourage sustainable action within the sports industry.”

Shay Strawser is Associate Manager of Communications & Events with the Green Sports Alliance.

By Ike Richman

Oak View Group (OVG), the global venue development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industry, is introducing new patron screening technology to multiple properties as the result of a new partnership with Patriot One Technologies (TSX: PAT) (OTCQX: PTOTF) (FRA: 0PL).

The partnership will enable OVG properties to utilize Patriot One’s SmartGateway system to enhance the customer experience and increase safety and security. Patriot One’s flagship patron screening solution, the SmartGateway system, is designed for large, ticketed events to enable high ingress and customizability based on the client’s individual needs and security requirements.

“Our guests are not just simply entering a venue to attend an event,” said Tim Leiweke, chairman and CEO, Oak View Group. “They are expecting an engaging, memorable, and compelling experience, and that starts with their entry. Through Patriot One SmartGateway, we will continue providing a high-quality customer experience while ensuring our guests feel comfortable and safe when they attend an event.”

SmartGateway scans customers upon entry and can detect guns, knives, and other potential weapons in the patron’s possession without the need to remove personal items from pockets. This results in a superior solution for securing events, with attendees unaware of the solution while enjoying an entry experience up to 10 times faster than was previously possible.

Patriot One Technologies’ SmartGateway is currently in use at the Rupp Arena in Lexington, Ky., and Moody Center in Austin, Texas, and is now available to all OVG owned and operated venues, OVG360-managed venues and OVG Arena Alliance members.

“This partnership is the culmination of work we’ve already done with Oak View Group, in new and existing venues and at many events,” said Patriot One Technologies CEO Peter Evans. “We’ve worked with OVG on several new projects and are pleased to structure this partnership to make it easier for OVG properties to benefit from SmartGateway.”

“On behalf of professional sports leagues, we test arenas and stadiums continually to identify potential gaps in their security operations and systems,” said Chief Security Officer Mike Downing at Oak View Group’s Prevent Advisors, whose “red-team” security testing received a Safety ACT designation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. “We’ve seen all brands of gateway screeners and security systems as part of our red-team tests and are thrilled to partner with Patriot One, as SmartGateway delivers the best security balanced with patron ingress and experience.”

Ike Richman is President of Ike Richman Communications.

By R.V. Baugus

John “Casey” Wells announced that he will be retiring from his position of Executive Director of Erie (PA) Events effective January 2023. Wells made the announcement at a recent meeting of the Erie County Convention Center Authority’s board meeting. It will mark the end of a distinguished career that carried more than 40 years of employment with the Authority.

Wells might most be known on the local scene for his success in the development and completion of nearly $300 in projects that include the Erie Insurance Arena, Warner Theatre, Bayfront Convention Center, UPMC Park, the Sheraton and Marriott Hotels, and the development along Erie’s bayfront.

“I will miss the challenge of development projects, the excitement of live events, and the everyday friendship of my employees and colleagues,” Wells told us. “I’ve been so fortunate to have had a very capable staff and so many friends in the venue management industry who always selflessly shared their knowledge and talents.”

Wells is credited with increasing economic development in Erie, enhancing the quality of life, and providing the community with first-class convention, sports, and entertainment facilities.

Wells also cited the role of IAVM in his career and for future generations of venue managers to come.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed IAVM and know that it will continue to assist with the growth and development of its members as it has for me for the past 41 years.”

To read a local feature story on Wells, click here.

William Blackford, Chairman of the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium Commission, announced that the Commission has selected Roger Newton as Chief Executive Officer of Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium effective October 3.

“Roger’s extensive background in the management of public assembly venues along with his connections in the concert and entertainment industries make him a great fit for this position,” Blackford said. “His work as a consultant for the Auditorium over the past few months has demonstrated to the Commission what we believe the Auditorium can become under his leadership. We are excited about the future of the Auditorium and are confident in Roger’s ability to lead the organization into this new chapter in the history of this iconic venue.”

Newton has an extensive career in the management of public assembly venues, including his tenure as General Manager of Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York; General Manager of the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Canada; EVP/GM of the FTX Arena in Miami, Florida; General Manager of the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota; President/General Manager of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina; and President/General Manager of the CCNB Amphitheater in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

“I am honored to be the new CEO and the successor of an incredible leader, Steve Jones, who served as General Manager of the Auditorium for 35 years,” Newton said. “The Commission board members are engaged, enthusiastic, and excited about the future of the Auditorium. I share in their vision and look forward to working with each of them, the Auditorium staff, and the Spartanburg community to grow the number of events and increase activity at the Auditorium.”

“Spartanburg is experiencing tremendous growth, and the Auditorium is well-positioned to work hand in hand with community leaders to bring more events and add to the quality of life of this great city,” added Newton.

Newton will oversee all aspects of the management and operation of the Auditorium including but not limited to managing an annual budget, supervising staff, facilitating capital improvements, and managing improvement projects. Newton will also be responsible for soliciting and booking events at the Auditorium, marketing, sponsorships, ticketing, and maintaining relationships with media outlets, community leaders, and government officials.