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.

By StadiumBusiness.com

Paycor, a human capital management company, has agreed a deal to become the first naming-rights sponsor of Paul Brown Stadium, home of the NFL’s Cincinnati Bengals.

As part of the deal, the venue will be officially known as Paycor Stadium. New branding will be integrated throughout the stadium in the coming months.

The Bengals did not disclose terms of the deal, but the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the agreement will run for 16 years.

Cincinnati-headquartered Paycor has served as the Bengals’ official and exclusive HR software provider since 2018. The company was represented by Excel Sports Management’s brand marketing division during the stadium sponsorship negotiations.

Paul Brown Stadium had been one of just three NFL venues without a naming-rights partner, alongside the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field and Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field.

Reports emerged last month that the Bengals were close to signing a stadium sponsor and a deal has now been struck with Paycor ahead of the team’s first regular-season home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 11.

Since opening in 2000, the stadium has been named in honor of Bengals founder Paul Brown, who died in 1991. The Bengals said that Brown’s legacy will “live on forever” despite the name change.

Raul Villar Jr., chief executive of Paycor, said: “As Paycor continues to grow and reach customers throughout the US, our mission of empowering leaders to build winning teams perfectly aligns with the defending AFC champions. As long-time fans, this is a big point of employee pride, and we are honored to support our local team and build on the legacy of Paul Brown.”

Bengals president Mike Brown added: “This is a move that I think my father would have agreed to. He was always for what is best for the football team. This partnership allows the Bengals to continue to compete at the highest level in the NFL and exemplifies our long-term commitment to the community.”

The agreement has been signed after the Steelers last month struck a stadium naming-rights deal with Michigan-based insurance brokerage Acrisure. The 15-year deal will see the venue formerly known as Heinz Field renamed Acrisure Stadium.

In April, Paul Brown Stadium was deemed suitable to remain the long-term home of the Bengals, with the proviso it will require a minimum of $493 million in upgrades, according to the findings of a study by design and architecture firm Gensler.

By Melinda Hartline

The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation announced the top ten (10) finalists for the class of 2023. Voting to select three (3) Circus Ring of Fame inductees began on August 3. The online voting will close September 5, 2022, at midnight. The induction ceremony will take place Saturday, February 4, 2023.

“This year the nominating committee was very thorough in its deliberations,” said Bill Powell, Chair of the Foundation. “We believe the candidates are all worthy of consideration but only three will be the deserving inductees representing the highest of achievement in circus arts and culture.”

The Circus Ring of Fame final top ten nominees are:

1. The Alexis Brothers – Marco and Paulo Lorador have performed their artistic hand balancing to millions of fans worldwide, including Queen Elizabeth and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

2. Circus Hermanos Vazquez Family – Producers of the highly successful Circus Vazquez and Flip Circus. The Vazquez brothers started in Mexico in 1969 and their show has grown into one of the top traveling circus operations in America.

3. Sacha Houcke Family – This multi-generational European circus family is considered circus royalty. The Houcke family and their animal partners performed with every major show in Europe and toured more than a decade with Ringling. Sacha created the center ring Living Carousel at Ringling and Sara was featured as The Tiger Whisperer. The Family won multiple accolades at festivals including the International Circus Festival of Monte Carlo.

4. Jeanette Williams – Jeanette comes from Germany’s famous Circus Williams family. She performed with liberty horses and assorted animals in Europe and the USA. Jeanette later owned her own show in America and became a prominent booking agent for circus arts talent.

5. David “The Bullet” Smith Family – David “The Bullet” Smith is the heir to the throne of being the world’s most accomplished Human Cannonball. David currently holds five Guinness World Records for the highest cannonball shot and the farthest cannonball shot, having broken his own record three times. Most recently he was featured on America’s Got Talent Extreme.

6. Wayne McCary – Highly regarded circus producer as well as fair and exhibition executive. Over more than 30 years Mr. McCary produced many Shrine Circuses and the circus at the Eastern States Exposition (The Big E). His accomplishments received recognition in John. H. McConnell’s “A History of the Shrine Circus” and Robert L. Parkinson’s “Directory of American Circuses 1793-2000.”

7. Marco and Philip Peters – The Peters brothers started their careers in the circus arts in Europe before coming to America as a feature attraction on Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey. Marco and Philip performed incredible daring feats on a rotating sky wheel 40 feet in the air and are credited with inventing the double sky wheel. They performed with Bengal tigers in one interpretation of their sky wheel performance.

8. Father Jerry Hogan — Father Hogan, a priest of the Archdiocese of Boston for 46 years, served for three decades as the national “Circus Chaplain” under the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Father Jerry was frequently on the road ministering to different circus troupes and performers. He was a fixture in the circus world and loved by thousands.

9. Peggy Williams – Peggy Williams’ contributions to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey and the circus industry literally made history. In 1970, she became the first female graduate of Clown College. In 1980, Peggy distinguished herself again by becoming the first woman assigned as performance director in the company’s history for the Special International Edition of The Greatest Show On Earth that visited Japan. Peggy also worked to create Ringling’s Department of Education Services. Under her leadership Circusworks was created and gained national attention as educators entered into the world of Ringling’s cultural heritage and then created lesson plans that they took back to their students.

10. Eva Williams – From her early beginnings as a star artist on the high wire to her acrobatic talents performing with multiple animal species the circus has defined Eva Williams. After Eva’s performing career, she became a prominent agent booking talent on productions around the world. She continues to contribute to the industry and proudly supports the circus arts.

The global circus community is encouraged to register and vote for their favorite three (3) nominees using the following online link: https://www.circusringoffame.org/vote/

The new inductees to the Circus Ring of Fame will join the 150 honored since 1987. Each of those recognized have made a significant contribution to the art and culture of the circus. Updates on the ceremony will be posted on the website and social media.

About the Circus Ring of Fame Foundation – The Circus Ring of Fame Foundation is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the core purpose of recognizing the highest of achievement in circus arts and culture.

Social page: https://facebook.com/circusringoffame

Website: https://www.circusringoffame.org

By Mike Tishka

Trex Commercial, a leading national provider of architectural railing and custom staging systems for commercial building applications, has tapped industry veteran Raymond Byrnes to serve as Western Regional Sales Manager for the company’s Staging Concepts business. With more than 12 years of experience in commercial and contract seating, Byrnes brings a wealth of expertise to the company and its customers across the western United States.

“Ray is a highly qualified and experienced sales professional with an impressive track record of success,” said Tim White, vice president of sales for Trex Commercial. “He is known throughout the industry for his market expertise and solutions-oriented sales approach. His knowledge of the Western region and proven sales acumen promise to further elevate and broaden opportunities for Staging Concepts in this important region.”

In his new role, Byrnes oversees sales activity across the western U.S. for Staging Concepts, which engineers and produces custom modular staging solutions for all types of venues, including performing arts spaces and production companies, sports facilities, worship venues, convention centers, hospitality settings and special events. He is responsible for developing strong relationships with existing and potential clients within the commercial arena, actively managing sales processes and driving high-value project opportunities.

Byrnes has spent much of his career in contract seating, most recently as Western Regional Sales Manager for Irwin Seating, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of audience seating for movie theaters, auditoriums, stadiums and arenas, performing arts centers, military bases, and places of worship. In his seven years with Irwin, Byrnes managed direct and channel sales, as well as prospecting, and was essential to growing the company’s sales from 7 million dollars to 16.7 million dollars during his tenure.

Prior to that, Byrnes worked with San Diego-based Seating Concepts, where he served as Regional Sales Manager and, ultimately, National Sales Manager. Over the course of five years, he helped to more than double the company’s sales and contributed to significantly expanding its dealer network.

“Ray has extensive experience working with architects, theater consultants, facility managers and general contractors, and possesses a deep understanding of the markets we serve,” said Laura Rygielski-Preston, president of Trex Commercial. “Combined with his proven leadership abilities and success in key account management, he is a welcome addition to our team as we continue to expand our footprint and build upon our industry-leading reputation for quality and service.”

Mike Tishka represents Staging Concepts for L.C. Williams & Associates.