By R.V. Baugus

It was with a mix of joy (happy for your retirement!) and sadness (dang, this industry is going to miss you) that news came of the upcoming September 1 retirement of Peggy Daidakis from leading the Baltimore Convention Center after a brilliant career of almost 50 years.

But it was one day years ago at VenueConnect that will always stay in my mind when thinking about my dear friend Peggy.

We scheduled a time to meet at the annual conference away from the hubbub of chatter on the trade show floor and around the concourse for an interview to feature Peggy on the cover of then Facility Manager magazine. I was very much looking forward to sitting down and talking with Peggy as I knew of her years of giving to the association, the industry, and her beloved Baltimore.

We found an out-of-the-way place in the convention center, shared some personal time about life and family, and it was off to the races to conduct the interview. I must say it was one of the more exciting and revealing interviews I have done just for the sheer magnitude of Peggy’s accomplishments at the BCC and being instrumental in bringing tourists to Baltimore’s many offerings.

As I recall, the interview was just shy of one hour according to the cassette before I hit stop. In all candor, I could have listened to Peggy for another hour, but I knew she was not at the annual conference to spend her time chatting with yours truly.

There were — as they say — places to go and people to see, and with that Peggy and I parted. It was a wrap and I was excited to get back home, transcribe the interview, and write the cover feature story.

The day came and I grabbed my cassette, had a blank page on the computer screen ready to type out the interview, hit play … and then a strange thing happened. Nothing. I mean, nothing. I fast forwarded. Nothing. I started over from the beginning. Nothing.

Yes, it was an editor’s cardinal sin, I had not checked the batteries in the cassette before going into the interview. I had basically wasted an hour of Peggy’s time with NOTHING on the cassette. I panicked. What do I do? How do I explain this to Peggy without getting deservedly berated?

I mustered up the strength to make the call, stuttered and stammered myself away, and was beyond relieved when this gentle person said she understood and that we could do the interview again.

Whew.

From that day forward, every time I saw Peggy at VenueConnect I could not help but think of that day of infamy. To her credit, she never again brought it up, sparing me undue embarrassment.

So, Peggy, if you ever want me to collaborate on a book project or anything similar in your retirement future, I am only too happy. I will even bring extra batteries.

By Anagelica Gonzalez

Baltimore Mayor Brandon M. Scott announced the retirement of Baltimore Convention Center (BCC) Executive Director and long-time IAVM member Peggy Daidakis, effective September 1, 2022.

“I want to thank Peggy for her service to the City and its residents for 49 faithful years,” Scott said. “I am genuinely grateful for her leadership in marketing and serving tourists and conventioneers over the last 44 years. I know Baltimoreans will join me in congratulating Peggy for her exceptional service and wishing her the best in the next stage of her life’s journey.”

Daidakis joined the staff of Mayor William Donald Schaefer in 1973 and served in his administration for over four years. She began her career in the convention industry in 1978 when Schaefer assigned her to be part of the team that opened the BCC in 1979. In July of 1986, Daidakis was appointed by Mayor Clarence “Du” Burns as the first female director of a national convention center. She was instrumental in planning the BCC’s expansion, which tripled its size to be the largest public assembly meetings and exhibition venue in the State of Maryland. Daidakis oversees a full-time staff of more than 150 who welcome nearly 500,000 visitors to the Center each year.

“I am very proud of the service I have provided the residents of Baltimore and the hospitality industry,” Daidakis said. “I am appreciative of all the support I have received, and I am confident that I am leaving the Center in very capable hands.”

As for IAVM, Daidakis said, “I hope to stay involved in our industry in some way. I want to be available as a resource and mentor to young women, in particular, who may want to consider a career in venue management.”

In 2013, Daidakis was honored by the Convention Industry Council (CIC) as an inductee to the CIC Hall of Leaders, one of the highest honors in the hospitality industry. That same year, she also received the International Association of Venue Managers’ Convention Center Leader of the Year Award. The BCC serves as a model to facilities around the country and has been honored to receive numerous industry awards for excellence.

“On behalf of the Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Peggy Daidakis for nearly 50 years of service to the city of Baltimore,” said Chuck Tildon, Board Chair. “Peggy is a dear friend, a passionate supporter of our city and has been the driving force behind the Baltimore Convention Center since her appointment to Executive Director in 1986. She has led the convention center to new heights, including overseeing its expansion into the largest meeting space in the State and nurturing a team of professionals who will take up the mantle and continue to build on her success. As the first female leader of a national convention center, Peggy’s contributions to the hospitality industry extend far beyond the city of Baltimore. She will be missed but we wish her all the best on her next journey and thank her for her vision, leadership and passion through the past 49 years.”

Deputy Mayor Ted Carter will work with the Department of Human Resources to identify Daidakis’ successor.

Anagelica Gonzalez is Marketing & Communications Manager at the Baltimore Convention Center.

President and Chief Executive Michael Rapino has agreed to a new five-year deal to remain in the position at Live Nation.

According to details revealed by Live Nation, the deal includes a significant increase in compensation for Rapino, with an annual target payday of $30 million if performance metrics are met.

Rapino joined the group in 2005 and will have spent more than 20 years as its chief executive by the time his new contract expires in 2027.

“Rapino successfully steered Live Nation through two years of pandemic shutdown, emerging better positioned than ever and on pace for a record year in 2022 with over 100 million fans across 45 countries,” the company said in a statement. “Similar to past contracts, 90% of Rapino’s total compensation is tied to continued growth and delivery of shareholder value.”

The Pittsburgh Steelers announced that the new name of their home stadium will be Acrisure Stadium. Financial terms of the 15-year deal for the stadium were not released.

Acrisure is a Fintech which operates a top 10 global insurance broker. The company provides a broad array of AI-driven solutions across Insurance, Real Estate Services, Cyber Services, Asset Management and more to millions of clients. Notably, Acrisure has grown from $38 million in revenue to more than $3.8 billion in just over eight years and has rapidly expanded its global footprint.

“We are excited to partner with Acrisure for the naming rights to our stadium,” said Steelers President Art Rooney II. “Acrisure provided us with an opportunity to ensure our stadium continues to be a valuable asset for our fans as well as keeping up with the market value of NFL stadiums. We are very appreciative to partner with Greg Williams and his company, and we look forward to a long, beneficial relationship for years to come.”

“The Pittsburgh Steelers are an institution in American sports and a globally recognized brand. Partnering with the Steelers is the opportunity of a lifetime and a tremendous honor,” said Williams, Acrisure Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO. “Through Acrisure Stadium, we will increase awareness of the extraordinary advantage Acrisure brings our clients while conveying our strong sense of community. Relatedly, we are eager to invest in the Pittsburgh community and broader region as we chart our course to an unforgettable first season. This relationship truly embodies and aligns two organizations that have high standards and are determined to achieve great things.”

The stadium had been known as Heinz Field since it opened in 2001. The original deal was for 20 years and $57 million that was extended through the 2021 season. The company has said that it will continue to be a long-term sponsor at the stadium.

By R.V. Baugus

Oak View Group has announced Kim Stone as president of UBS Arena and executive vice president of OVG East Coast.

Stone will be based in Belmont Park, New York, and oversee all UBS Arena business and building operations. She will also be responsible for all OVG East Coast owned and operated properties, including Baltimore Arena, which is scheduled to open in February 2023. UBS Arena is the home venue for the New York Islanders.

“The opportunity to work with an innovative leader in Tim Leiweicke and build something special at UBS Arena and OVG is simply a dream come true,” Stone shared in an email. “It’s a rare gift to join a team that values diversity and is a positive disruptor in our sports and entertainment industry.”

Stone moved back to Miami last summer after opening Chase Center in San Francisco. For the past year she has worked again with the Miami HEAT as EVP of Human Capital and Special Projects. “I enjoyed the role, but this was too good to pass up,” she said.

She begins her new position on August and will report to both the board of managers of UBS Arena and Francesca Bodie, president of business development for OVG.

“I’m delighted to welcome Kim to the team and look forward to seeing her take UBS Arena to new heights as we continue to build stellar momentum at OVG,” Bodie said.

As part of her new role with OVG, Stone will oversee and implement the strategic plan for UBS Arena and its surrounding area, and drive profitability and ticket sales for all events.

“Kim is an excellent fit to lead our world-class organization at both UBS Arena and OVG East Coast venues and I’m thrilled to have her join the OVG team,” said Leiweke, chairman and chief executive officer of Oak View Group.

“The New York Islanders, as a partner in UBS Arena, are delighted and honored to welcome Kim Stone to our family,” said Scott Malkin, co-owner of the New York Islanders. “Her commitment to excellence, in every step of her career, sets the standard for our organization.”