By Sports Travel Magazine

The Oklahoma City Fairgrounds is in line to have a new arena in place in the coming years after the city council approved final plans to replace the existing venue and put out an immediate request for bids on construction.

The new arena is being designed by Populous and will seat up to 8,000 spectators with an upper-level concourse that would be configured to provide seating with retractable seats, sponsor activation zones, vendor space, or any combination of elements.

The $102 million project will be funded with $55.5 million from MAPS 4 tax collections, $21.8 million from hotel tax revenue and other sources, according to local news reports.

The new facility will replace the Jim Norick Arena, which opened in 1965 and hosts events more than 250 days a year. Completion is expected in spring or summer of 2024. A 2019 study by Crossroads Consulting found a new arena at the Fairgrounds would generate an estimated $230 million a year in direct spending.

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt earlier this summer said the city should discuss a potential new arena in downtown as well for the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder. The Paycom Center opened in 2002 and the Thunder have been at the venue since moving to town in 2008, with a lease that expires in 2026. The Oklahoma City Council outlined plans for a $105 million renovation to improve the fan experience in March and asked Populous to develop a masterplan for the renovations.

By Chrissy Parente

Florida Panthers President & CEO Matt Caldwell announced the appointment of entertainment industry veteran Zane Collings as Senior Vice President of Event Programming, and the promotion of Bryce Hollweg to Chief Operating Officer for FLA Live Arena and the Florida Panthers.

“As we continue to raise the level of entertainment in the market, Zane and Bryce’s combined experience and talent will prove invaluable to our future success in this industry,” Caldwell said. “These two key leadership moves will not only further enhance our business operations but position us to attract premier global events, concerts, and performers to FLA Live Arena and Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium.”

Home of the Florida Panthers, the state-of-the-art FLA Live Arena is Florida’s largest indoor sports and entertainment venue and among the most notable worldwide, drawing major concerts, events, and globally renowned artists annually.

With nearly three decades of experience in the entertainment venue and booking industry, Collings most recently served as General Manager of ASM Global’s Caesars Superdome and Smoothie King Center, home of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans where he managed tenant team relationships and oversaw event procurement, booking, operations, maintenance, marketing, and promotions. Collings also served as the Southeast Regional Booking Director where he drove program development at ASM venues throughout the southeastern U.S. He previously held a seven-year tenure as the Assistant General Manager for six ASM-managed facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., including TIAA Bank Field, home to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars, and VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

Collings is a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he captained the school’s ACHA Division 1 Men’s Ice Hockey team. As the Panthers Senior Vice President of Event Programming, Collings will oversee all event, game, and concert programming and scheduling for FLA Live Arena and Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium.

Following his success as Florida Panthers Executive Vice President, Hollweg has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, where he will continue to oversee technology, food and beverage services, retail merchandise with an emphasis on attracting new artists and entertainment for FLA Live Arena and Fort Lauderdale War Memorial Auditorium.

Hollweg previously served as Vice President for The Aquilini Investment Group, Director of Information Technology for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks, and Vice President & Managing Director for PH Restaurants LP where he oversaw operations for 63 restaurant franchise locations across British Columbia, Canada.

A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point where he captained the Army West Point’s NCAA D1 Men’s Ice Hockey Team, Hollweg served ten years with the U.S. Army, completing assignments in Afghanistan, Germany, Belgium, and South Korea.

Chrissy Parente is Sr. Manager, Corporate Communications for the Florida Panthers and FLA Live Arena.

By Blair Cardinal

Oak View Group has acquired Spectrum Catering, Concessions & Event Services – the leading food service and hospitality company that specializes in major sporting events, music festivals, and artist and tour catering — to grow its OVG Hospitality division.

The announcement comes eight months after OVG’s acquisition of Spectra, which was one of the industry’s leading food and beverage providers, in November 2021 to create a leading full-service live events company. The acquisition of Spectrum, which is headquartered in Houston, Texas, will continue OVG Hospitality’s trajectory toward becoming the top food service and hospitality provider in the industry by broadening the company’s portfolio and expertise.

Spectrum has overseen the hospitality experience at major sporting events, such as the PGA TOUR, NCAA Final Four March Madness Festivals, US Davis Cup Tennis, and the United States National Diving Championships. The company has also been concessionaire to the largest, most prestigious outdoor music events in the country, including Bonnaroo, Burning Man, and Governor’s Ball, producing some of the highest per caps in the industry. Spectrum also serves all aspects of touring and backstage entertainment, delivering celebrity service to the top names in the music industry as the exclusive tour caterer to Cirque du Soleil’s North American Touring Shows, touring with The Eagles, and having managed tour rehearsals for world-class artists like Madonna, Jimmy Buffett, and Aerosmith.

“The fact that Spectrum’s growth has been driven by referrals, word-of-mouth, reputation and top talent speaks to the stellar organization Dave Smalley has built over the last thirty years,” said Ken Gaber, President of OVG Hospitality. “After meeting Dave five years ago, I became a fast fan of his work. Whether his team is designing precise event layouts or working closely with cities, municipalities, promoters, producers, artists, and nonprofits, they know the ins and outs of planning and executing food and hospitality at some of the world’s largest live events. Bringing on the Spectrum team will allow OVG Hospitality to grow our business in non-traditional avenues. Dave and his team understand that food should be fun, familiar, and fast, and I couldn’t be happier to bring a friend into the OVG Hospitality family.”

Spectrum has long been focused on developing innovative culinary experiences, recruiting and training dedicated and talented team members, and meaningfully engaging the communities where they operate, all ideals that align with the core values of OVG Hospitality.

“Hard work and integrity are hallmarks of Spectrum’s successful operations – across the kitchen, dressing room and dining room – and it became clear very quickly in our initial discussions with Oak View Group that our teams would work seamlessly together,” said Smalley, Spectrum’s Founder & CEO. “We have consistently delivered some of the highest per caps and the highest revenues of any concert concessions company, and we look forward to continuing those achievements with OVG Hospitality.”

Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, said: “Dave and his team have been positively disrupting the food and hospitality space for three decades now, which is a concept Oak View Group can relate to. Just as Dave looked outside the four walls of restaurant life to create Spectrum, his company continued to transform the food and hospitality industry with cutting-edge ideas and set the standard for live event experiences. We look forward to watching OVG Hospitality continue to grow with this exciting new partnership.”

Blair Cardinal is VP, Communications for OVG360.

Pictured Dave Smalley (top) and Ken Gaber

By Molly Rosenberg

Entertainment consulting company Venue Coalition announced industry veteran Jim McCue has joined the organization as Senior Booking Advisor. In his new leadership role, McCue will focus on talent relations and servicing the company’s 100+ independent member venues across North America by assisting them with national and regional booking and providing them strong advocacy within the touring industry.

“I am extremely excited to join the Venue Coalition team as a senior advisor,” said McCue, who spent the last decade as SVP, Sports & Entertainment for ASM Global. There he worked with stadium and arena acts including Metallica, Coldplay, The Rolling Stones, Manchester United, Fleetwood Mac, and more. “I look forward to using my knowledge and extensive relationships with agents and promoters to drive more event and revenue opportunities to our members, many of whom I’m grateful to call friends”.

McCue’s award-winning career in the industry began at ICM where he worked as an agent for 16 years responsible for artists such as REO Speedwagon and Cheap Trick, among others. After leaving the agency world, McCue became Director of Events at Palace Sports and Entertainment in Auburn Hills, MI working with The Palace of Auburn Hills, Pine Knob Amphitheater, and Meadowbrook Music Festival promoting and producing over 170 events a year. Later, McCue served as the Vice President of Arena Sales and Marketing at long-time Venue Coalition member Moda Center (formerly Rose Garden Arena and Rose Quarter) in Portland, OR.

In 2003, McCue became SVP for House of Blues in Colorado working with venues including Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and the Paramount Theatre. In 2007, McCue joined the ArenaNetwork team as SVP, Touring & Operations, co-producing the highly successful “Walking with Dinosaurs, The Live Experience” arena tour.

Throughout his years in the industry, McCue has been nominated for Pollstar Magazine’s Facility Executive of the Year eight times and won twice. His extensive list of awards also includes 12 gold and platinum records, the Venues Today Hall of Headlines Award, Ticketmaster Platinum Ticket, and Billboard Creative Content Award. Most recently, his role at ASM Global (formerly SMG Worldwide Entertainment) saw him responsible for overseeing booking and national support for 75 arenas, 60 theaters, and 7 stadiums.

“To say we are thrilled to have Jim onboard would be an understatement,” says Andrew Prince, CEO of Venue Coalition and ArenaNetwork. “His wealth of knowledge as an agent, promoter, producer, and venue manager will be invaluable to our diverse clientele and his impeccable reputation in the industry precedes him. As our membership continues to grow, we remain committed to providing independent venues with increased booking opportunities, insightful competitive intelligence, and greater industry visibility. The addition of Jim to our talented team will be beneficial on many levels.”

By Sallie Chan

The Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association (HKECIA) welcomes the decision of the HKSAR Government to reduce hotel quarantine for inbound travelers from seven to three days, followed by four days under medical surveillance at home. Reducing the number of days for hotel quarantine will help ease the burden on Hong Kong residents returning to the city and incoming international travelers.

However, inbound visitors are not allowed to attend any exhibitions held in event premises, e.g., trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences, etc., during the four days of medical surveillance. The new arrangement and the reduction of number of days for hotel quarantine thus will make no difference for the exhibition industry.

Mr. Stuart Bailey, HKECIA Chairman, commented, “While the HKECIA appreciates Government’s direction of relaxing restrictions, our members and the exhibition and convention industry urge the Government to implement quarantine-free travel as soon as possible. During this interim period, we hope the Government will relax restrictions for business travelers and allow overseas exhibition organizers, exhibitors, and buyers with the Amber Code to run and attend exhibitions at event premises with their face masks on and appropriate social distancing and preventive measures.”

With decades of effort by the HKECIA members, Hong Kong has attained its hard-earned reputation as the Trade Fair Capital of Asia. Some 140 exhibitions were held in a ‘normal’ year at the AsiaWorld-Expo and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing millions of trade buyers and exhibitors from all over the world. These high-spending business travelers generated tremendous tourism receipts for hotels, restaurants and shops, and hence created tens of thousands of jobs. The exhibition industry has been an important pillar to Hong Kong’s economy and will be a core engine for the economy rebound.

Hong Kong exhibition industry is beginning to see renowned international trade exhibitions relocating from Hong Kong to destinations with less restrictive policies. Mega and international exhibitions have a long lead-time and therefore exhibition organizers urgently need a clear road map to start exhibitor and buyer recruitments. Otherwise, Hong Kong exhibition industry is unable to bounce back, and Hong Kong will lose advantages to other Asian cities. he exhibition industry and business sector need to be able to freely reconnect with the world to enable the economy to recover.

Ms. Sallie Chan is Association Manager for the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association.