By Jessica Holtzman

ASM Global New Orleans (ASM) introduced its new Programming, Sales and Marketing Departments. Consisting of a mix of new employees and veterans with expanded roles, the key members include Director of Programming Gustavo Canazio, Director of Marketing Mark Waguespack and Sales Manager Caroline Guidry.

Director of Programming Gustavo Canazio is the newest addition to the company. Most recently, he was a tour director at Live Nation where he helped produce tours for the likes of Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Post Malone, and dozens more. In his new role with ASM, Canazio will be responsible for growing the current mix of events at the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Champions Square.

A New Orleans native, Director of Marketing Mark Waguespack joined the team at ASM more than eight years ago. In his role as Director of Marketing he oversees all marketing and creative efforts at the ASM Global New Orleans complex. Additionally, he serves as Creative Director for ASM Global Corporate supporting the team on a national level in creating compelling ad designs, marketing materials, taglines, and sales kits.

Sales Manager Caroline Guidry has more than eleven years of experience in the hospitality industry in Southeast Louisiana. Guidry started her career working in some of New Orleans’ top hotels and joined the team at ASM in 2017. In her role as Sales Manager, she not only is responsible for overseeing the sales of all private events at the complex but also for maximizing the expanded premium experiences program.

In addition to the three departmental leads, ASM New Orleans has hired Jessica Holtzman as Event Marketing & Media Manager, Tiana Watts as Graphic Design & Marketing Specialist, Stephanie White as Premium Seating Supervisor, and Kathryn Murphy as Sales Account Executive to further enhance our team.

“We’re excited to welcome new members to our team and promote valued employees to new roles,” said Zane Collings, general manager of the Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Champions Square. “This is only the beginning as we get back to driving business, creating content, providing exemplary marketing support, and bringing unforgettable live-entertainment experiences to New Orleans and the State of Louisiana.”

Jessica Holtzman is ASM New Orleans Event Marketing & Media Manager.

By Tad Carper

Cleveland Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and Rock Entertainment Group and Chief Executive Officer Len Komoroski jointly announced that Komoroski will step away from his role as CEO at the conclusion of the Cavaliers current season. Komoroski’s career with the Cavaliers began in 2003 as President. He took on the CEO title in 2013. Komoroski will remain affiliated with Rock Entertainment Group, focused on REG’s growth and development as well as special projects and initiatives.

Komoroski’s leadership and the passionate work of the entire organization has resulted in an award-winning foundation and one that is well-positioned with momentum towards continued growth and sustained success.

The acquisition of the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), the Cleveland Charge (NBA G League) and the Cavs Legion (NBA2K) franchises were also accomplished during Komoroski’s tenure, with all three teams earning league-level awards for business operations.

“I am immensely grateful to Dan Gilbert for providing the inspiration, resources, and platform to build an incredible team of leaders that have been committed to a culture of excellence and innovation,” Komoroski said. “Dan always speaks of ‘Doing Well by Doing Good’ as a guiding principle and it has been a privilege to work in an environment where we embrace that as a pillar of operating and can positively impact Cleveland and our entire region in a range of different and diverse ways.

“Since I first spoke to Dan about this transition several years ago, we reflected on the ambitious bucket list and journey we’ve had from the time Dan acquired the franchise. From building a world class business team, becoming leaders in commercializing our platform, executing the Transformation of the FieldHouse and establishing it as one of the top entertainment and major event venues in the world, an NBA championship and much more. The 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend seemed like the perfect capstone to the 19 years I have been honored to be a part of this remarkable enterprise along with all of our great team members.”

“Over the past two decades, Len accomplished so much on behalf of our organization. I cannot overemphasize the value of Len’s contributions to the Cavaliers, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and the entire Cleveland community,” said Cavs Chairman Dan Gilbert. “His strategic direction, collaboration, and innovation have been and will continue to deliver long-term success of our business and for our fans. I am grateful for his leadership in helping to establish a world-class championship culture for our team members and ensuring that the future of the organization is positioned for continued long-term success.”

Together with key civic and community officials, Komoroski played a leadership role in creating the public/private partnership agreement formed between the team, Cuyahoga County, and City of Cleveland for the Transformation, a project that entirely renovated and re-positioned the nearly 26-year-old venue. As part of the partnership, the Cavs extended their lease for seven additional years at the venue until 2034. The Transformation project stands as one of the most successful commercialization results of a new or renovated venue in NBA history.

Through the work of Komoroski and the community-minded, innovative business team assembled to guide the franchise, the organization has established and grown a dynamic and impactful social responsibility platform as a core operating pillar. The Cavaliers have also been named a top five finalist for the prestigious Sports Business Journal (SBJ) “Sports Team of the Year” award three times over the past decade. Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse was named a finalist in the “Sports Facility of the Year” category in SBJ’s industry awards for 2020, the year following the completion of the venue’s massive, recent $185 million Transformation.

“Len has been a driving force behind the transformation of the Cavaliers organization over the past two decades,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “His great business instincts, creativity, and strong relationships have made him one of the most respected operators in our industry, and he’s always been generous in sharing insights and best practices with the league office and our teams. We thank him for his many years of outstanding service in the NBA family.”

At the same time, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse and Cleveland have secured some the highest profile and most economically impactful special events ever hosted over the last two decades. Multiple Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournament and championship events, the 2016 Republican National Convention, 2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and most recently, the 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend.

Tad Carper is Chief Communications Officer of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

By Kia America

Southern-California based automaker Kia America and the live music and entertainment venue the Forum have announced that effective immediately, the Forum will be known as the Kia Forum. Kia becomes the naming rights and official automotive partner of the only arena-sized venue in the U.S. dedicated to music and entertainment, marking the first U.S. naming rights deal for the automaker.

The Kia Forum annually hosts the biggest names in music and entertainment, award shows, boxing, mixed martial arts, wrestling, and more. It has been a SoCal destination for 55 years and as further proof of its impact on the region and industry, the venue was presented with the L.A. Conservancy Preservation Award in 2014 and honored at the 2021 Pollstar Awards as “Arena of the Decade.”

“Kia America is proud of our history in Southern California going back to the establishment of our US Headquarters here in 1992, and so we all celebrate now being part of one of the most historic, and emotionally-connected live entertainment and sports venues in California – if not the world,” said Russell Wager, vice president, marketing, Kia America. “We are thrilled to be a part of the entertainment and excitement of live music and events at the Kia Forum moving forward.”

“We’re proud to partner with Kia and weave together our history with an innovative future, while continuing our dedication to the SoCal community,” said Geni Lincoln, GM and SVP Live Events, the Kia Forum. “We look forward to merging the entertainment and automotive industries, broadening our mutual commitments to diversity, sustainability, and creativity.”

The renaming of the Kia Forum is just the latest step in the transformation of Kia in the United States which accelerated with 2021’s North American debut of its award-winning electric vehicle, the EV6, and the introduction of the company’s Plan S, or Plan Shift, strategy. Kia’s ambitious $25 billion Plan S incorporates new sustainable mobility, delivery vehicles, and personal transport solutions. This includes the debut of 11 EVs on a global basis by 2026, and thus far in 2022, Kia has celebrated a strong start of EV6 deliveries to customers nationwide.

Kia’s partnership with the Kia Forum will include new outdoor and indoor signage, the installation of EV charging stations, and Kia vehicle displays beginning with the EV6. Also coming soon is the establishment of the “Kia Club,” an exclusive hospitality lounge for the enjoyment of automotive enthusiasts and music fans.

By Mary Tucker

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced that President and CEO David DuBois, CMP, CAE, FASAE, CTA; Executive Vice President and COO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM; and Director, Global Business Development Karen Gonzales, CMP have been inducted into the inaugural class of the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Fellows Programme.

The CMP Fellows Programme recognizes and rewards CMPs and/or Emeritus who continue to make a significant investment towards the betterment of the events industry and the community of people working within it. The program honors tenured CMPs who have made significant advancements in their careers, as well as significant contributions through service and education to the meetings and events industry.

“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I offer my sincerest congratulations to David, Cathy, and Karen on this outstanding achievement,” said 2022 IAEE Chairperson Carrie Ferenac. “Given that Learning and Communities is one of the pillars in IAEE’s strategic plan, staff’s dedication to ongoing education reflects IAEE’s commitment to learning at all levels.”

Mary Tucker is Sr. PR/Communications Manager for IAEE.

ASM Global has appointed Carl A. Thomas as senior vice-president of sales and platform development, while Meg Little has joined the company as vice-president of marketing solutions.

Thomas and Little will both report to ASM Global’s chief commercial officer Jason Oberlander. Thomas joins the company having previously worked at Universal Studios, Tickets.com, Hookit and CAT Sports, the latter of which he founded.

Little joins ASM Global from Raycom Sports, where she most recently managed relationships that included bringing to market a new family entertainment touring property leveraging the Hot Wheels’ intellectual property.