By Blair Cardinal

Entertainment booking veteran Joe Giordano has been named vice president of Oak View Group’s Arena & Stadium Alliance, a collection of the top 38 venues in North America that provides a platform for booking, content development, procurement, and sponsorship sales opportunities.

Giordano takes up the role after nearly a decade with ASM Global, where he most recently worked as assistant general manager at the 19,199-seat BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He previously worked as a regional booking manager and developed content for 40-plus ASM Global venues.

In his new role, Giordano will report to Chris Granger, president of OVG360, the third-party, service-oriented division of Oak View Group that was formed last month. Giordano will replace Jeff Nickler, who is staying with OVG as senior vice president and general manager of the new Moody Center arena in Austin.

“I know what it’s like to manage a building that must punch well above its weight to attract major shows. I know the importance of entrepreneurialism and creativity in our industry,” Giordano said. “I’m a building operator, and this business is personal to me. To this end, I understand the collective impact the Alliance yields, and I want to make sure every Alliance member continues to feel supported by the power of Oak View Group working on their behalf – from Global Partnerships to Content & Booking to an entire array of arena services. I’m excited to get started!”

“Joe’s success has been driven by his deep relationships – with his colleagues and clients, as well as with top industry touring professionals, promoters, agents, artist management, and athletic directors,” Granger said. “He’s an inclusive and proactive leader, focused on helping others succeed; he’s an expert negotiator, able to identify mutual wins; and he’s a master at content development, striking the perfect blend of strategy, creativity, and boldness. We’re thrilled to welcome Joe to the OVG family.”

Blair Cardinal is VP, Communications for OVG360.

Photo courtesy of Oak View Group

Sara Beatty, CVP, has been named Director of Theater Operations at Kansas City’s Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. Her expanded role includes financial, contract, and programmatic management of ticketed events at the venue. Beatty has been part of the Kauffman Center staff since 2012, when she joined the organization during its inaugural year as a production services supervisor. Her subsequent transition to theater operations manager added administrative stability to busy team and a busy calendar of event clients.

“I am humbled and fortunate to continue working in a world class venue, which I love, surrounded by some of the best colleagues in the industry,” Beatty said. “I am beyond excited to tackle this new role with a renewed energy and cannot wait to see what the future holds.”

Beatty is active with IAVM’s volunteer leadership, including multiyear commitments to the Performing Arts Committee. A graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s MFA theater program, she maintains an AEA stage management membership. When not at the Kauffman Center, Beatty and her husband enjoy spending time with their two kids around Parkville, Missouri.

By Mary Klida

Karen Totaro, CVE, general manager for ASM Global, announced Freeman as the exclusive electric service provider in Huntington Place in Detroit. For almost a century, Freeman has been servicing trade shows, conferences, and events across the country, and is an electric service provider for the Anaheim Convention Center, San Diego Convention Center, Los Angeles Convention Center, Las Vegas Convention Center, McCormick Place in Chicago, NRG Park in Houston, and the Moscone Center in San Francisco, among others.

“Freeman is one of the most successful and well-established event service companies in the business that offers an exclusive branch dedicated to providing electrical services to many of the largest convention centers in the country,” said Totaro, general manager of Huntington Place. “This new contract is one more step in our efforts to be bold and provide the highest level of customer service in the industry. Our reputation is enhanced by who we choose to partner with, and we are so pleased to partner with Freeman.”

The selection was made after completion of a thorough review process. According to materials submitted by Freeman, Huntington Place in Detroit is a destination on the rise as the city is investing back into the downtown area making it an attractive destination for many in the hospitality industry, including the international event industry. Huntington Place has transformed itself and is a beautiful building right in the heart of downtown Detroit.

“Freeman’s 95-years of success has relied, to a great extent, on trusted partnerships with our affiliates — including the major event venues,” said Janet Dell, Freeman President and COO. “We’re proud to work at Huntington Place, and we value ASM Global’s capable, efficient, knowledgeable management. They help bring in business because they know what’s needed, what’s possible, and how to make things happen for all the conferences and trade shows our clients bring to Detroit.”

As of April 1, Freeman assumed all prior orders for electric service and abide by the Huntington Place Efficiency Memorandum for labor services. To create a smooth transition for customers, the Freeman crew will be working with Conti Hi-Tech, current electric provider in the venue to relay event orders and transfer onsite equipment.

“We have an opportunity to look at our services and processes and fine tune all those aspects that can make a positive impact for our clients,” Totaro said. “Freeman has excelled at customer service, and we know their experience and commitment to our customers will serve Huntington Place and the entire Detroit community well.”

Once onboard, FreemanOnline® the proprietary online ordering portal, or “Customer Support Center,” will replace the Conti Electric order links on the Online Ordering page in the Huntington Place website. Exhibitors will be able to order electrical services, labor and equipment, and access order history from Freeman through any web-enabled device 24/7. Onsite customer service assistance can be requested with no login required. The Freeman Customer Support Center has been recognized by J.D Power for excellence every year since 2010.

“We’re proud to bring Freeman’s extensive safety program, experienced team with state-of-the-art equipment, and recognized customer service as the electrical provider at Huntington Place,” said Chris Schimek, EVP, Freeman Event & Exhibit Services. “Combined with our intimate knowledge of the facility and tenured partnership with ASM Global, this is great news for all those exhibiting at and visiting events there.”

Mary Klida is Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for Huntington Place in Detroit.

By Jim Kelley

As in-person events continue to return, Fern, the leading provider of exhibition and event services, has announced two new hires and a promotion on its management team. Stuart Stapp has joined the company as the General Manager of the Kansas City branch; Jason Axtman has joined as the General Manager in Portland; and Mary Fryer has been promoted to Director, Exhibitor Services.

Stapp comes to Fern with more than 30 years of experience in the tradeshow and convention industry. He has held a variety of roles in the service contractor space and was the founder of EVNTMGT LLC, where he helped clients in the hospitality, association, event and trade show management industries create positive improvements via streamlined processes and engaging change management.

Another industry veteran, Axtman has held management roles for a variety of companies in the Portland and Seattle areas. Most recently, he was the Tour & Event Coordinator for Kenworth Truck Co. Prior to that he was an Assistant General Manager for Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, which is the exclusive electrical and utilities contractor at Washington State Convention Center and CenturyLink Field & Event Center.

“Adding Stuart and Jason to the Fern team is exciting for us as an organization,” said Steve Larsen, Chief Operating Officer. “Both bring exceptional experience that will benefit the teams they will be working with internally as well as the customer experience.”

Fryer, who has a long background in customer service, has been leading Fern’s Exhibitor Services team as interim director for several months and will now officially take on the role.

“Mary has successfully navigated the many obstacles that we’ve experienced during the past two years.” said Neil McMullin, Senior Vice President, Shared Services. “In her new role, Mary will lead the company’s efforts to continually improve our level of service and how we can best deliver it to clients and their exhibitors.”

Jim Kelley is Vice President, Marketing & Industry Relations for Fern.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) announced the nomination of Adam Cook, CVE for Second Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. Cook will become a senior officer and serve a four-year term, taking on the Chairman position in 2024-2025.

Cook currently serves as Director of Tacoma Venues & Events (TVE) where he is responsible for leading the operations and management of the City’s public assembly facilities. TVE manages renowned venues, including the Tacoma Dome (5,000-23,000 capacity); the Greater Tacoma Convention Center (119,000 sq.ft.); Cheney Stadium, home of the Tacoma Rainiers; and the historic Pantages and Rialto Theaters, and Theatre on the Square.

“Adam is a great choice to lead our beloved association,” stated Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President and CEO. “His IAVM volunteer work has been stellar, and he has always focused on what is best for the collective team, both in his career and as a servant leader for our IAVM members.

Cook currently serves on the Venue Management School (VMS) Board of Regents. He has previously served on IAVM’s Governance, Arenas, and Membership committees, as a member of its Board of Directors, and as a part of Region 4’s leadership. 

“The IAVM Board of Directors exist to bring benefits to our members,” said Eric D. Hart, CVE, IAVM Chair of the Board.  “With this in mind, the Leadership Development Committee completed an extensive review of the applicants and recommended Adam for this important leadership position.  Adam brings over 20 years of industry experience to the role and has served in a variety of capacities within the Association.  I have had the honor of knowing and working with Adam for many years and look forward to his tenure on the Executive Committee in helping guide IAVM over the coming years.”

Adam has led sports and entertainment venues across North America for more than 20 years.  His experience includes serving as Deputy Director for TVE, Vice President of Business Operations for Seafair (Seattle, WA), Vice President and General Manager at the Rose Quarter (Portland, OR), Venue Director and General Manager at Edmonton Expo Centre and Rexall Place (Edmonton, AB, Canada), and Acting General Manager for Global Spectrum at Comcast Arena (Everett, WA).

He was named a recipient of the Venues Today Generation Next Award in 2014 and has engaged in speaking opportunities and published articles throughout the industry.

“I am incredibly honored to accept this nomination,” Cook stated. “The past two years have clearly demonstrated how critical our industry is to our communities and our culture, and how important IAVM is to the continued success of our members.  My career path has been inexorably shaped by the opportunities and friendships provided through IAVM, and I am grateful to be able to pay it forward by helping lead such a dedicated group.”

IAVM members will vote electronically in June on Cook’s nomination, and if elected, he will take office in July during IAVM’s VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show, July 18-21, in Phoenix, Arizona.