7-0 Vote by Orange County Commission Allocates $400 Million to Stadium and $226 Million to Arena

Yesterday afternoon, Orange County Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement with the City of Orlando that will provide funding to update and enhance Camping World Stadium and Kia Center, two of the city’s major economic engines, ensuring both venues remain competitive for years to come. The vote follows approval of the agreement by Orlando City Council on November 11. Funding for the $626 million agreement is generated by future tourist tax revenues by way of a 6% surcharge on hotel rooms and short-term lodging within Orange County.

Camping World Stadium, owned and operated by the City of Orlando, will receive $400 million to remove and rebuild the stadium’s upper terrace decks, now nearly 35 years old. It will also help expand the stadium’s capacity up to 65,000 seats. Originally built in 1936, the iconic stadium has grown and evolved throughout the ensuing decades, including a $207.7 million reconstruction in 2014 and $60 million in additional upgrades in 2021. This latest upgrade will effectively provide a completely brand new stadium since 2014. Camping World Stadium has experienced a significant return on investment, drawing high-profile events including Wrestlemania 33, NFL Pro Bowl Games (4x), Monster Jam World Finals, international soccer friendlies and big-name concerts including Rolling Stones, Bad Bunny, Garth Brooks, Pink and the annual three-day EDC Orlando. In 2022 alone, these large-scale events generated a local economic impact of $632 million. Beyond rebuilding the stadium’s upper decks, an adjacent 100,000 square foot multi-purpose community space, projected to host over 100 mid-sized events annually, will be added.

Kia Center will receive $226 million over 10 years that will substantially improve many public-facing areas and address capital replacements of infrastructure including mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems along with security and fire protection, elevators and escalators (vertical transportation) and updated technology. Additional areas within the scope include interior and exterior finishes, along with furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E). These replacements and modern enhancements will help the arena attract the biggest and best events while improving the fan experience. Since opening in 2010, Kia Center, which is also owned and operated by the City of Orlando, has created over 4,070 jobs, hosted nearly 3,000 events, welcomed more than 18 million guests and generated a $6.5 billion economic impact. The arena recently wrapped its busiest year ever, hosting a record-breaking 70 concerts, easily beating its previous record of 54.

“As a globally recognized city that attracts visitors from around the world, this pivotal agreement ensures that Camping World Stadium and Kia Center will maintain their state-of-the-art appeal, while driving economic growth and leaving a lasting-positive impact on residents, businesses and visitors alike,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

“We appreciate the support from Orange County and City of Orlando Commissioners. Our community venues play a vital role in not only enriching the quality of life here in Central Florida, but also supporting countless local businesses,” said Orlando Venues Chief Venues Officer Allen Johnson. “This funding will go a long way to protect our community’s beloved investments.”

In the remaining weeks of 2024, Kia Center will host several concerts including Battle of the Bands, Kany Garcia, Kacey Musgraves, Creed and Rod Wave along with several Orlando Magic and Orlando Solar Bears games. Having just hosted a capacity crowd for P!NK on Monday night, Camping World Stadium is now gearing up for the annual Florida Blue Florida Classic this Saturday, November 23, followed by its three annual bowl games in December: the StaffDNA Cure Bowl, Pop-Tarts Bowl and Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.

Michele Swann, General Manager & CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, has announced that she will leave her leadership position effective December 31, 2024.

In her role with the Authority since 1995, Swann has been responsible for the administrative oversight and strategic growth of the Cobb Galleria Centre, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Galleria Specialty Shops and ArtsBridge Foundation. An announcement about a new General Manager and CEO will be made in early December.

“Michele deserves all the credit for her steady leadership and execution of the Authority’s vision – among other things – to  develop the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, create the ArtsBridge Foundation, launch the capital plan to construct the performing arts center, guide the operations through a pandemic and oversee the design and programming for the renovation and expansion of the Cobb Galleria Centre,” said Jerry Nix, Chairman of the Authority. “She has been a watchful steward of the Authority’s assets, and the longevity and tenure of her staff is a testament to her quiet, humble leadership.”

Connie Engel, Chairwoman of the Authority’s Personnel Committee, said, “I struggle adequately finding the right words, but we at the Authority (and moreover those of us in Cobb County) are extremely grateful to Michele for the dedication and heart she has put into everything she has done over the last 29 years, including the years spent integrating the Cobb Galleria campus and parking with the new Braves development. Her leadership has resulted in a successful partnership with the Atlanta Braves, Cobb County and other area stakeholders.”

A 40-year veteran of the venue management industry, Swann has opened, operated, and expanded a variety of facilities including convention centers, arenas and performing arts centers in Atlanta, College Park, Ga., Augusta, Ga., and Niagara Falls, N.Y.

The San Diego Convention Center (SDCC) announces the promotion of Mardeen Mattix to Deputy Chief Executive Officer & Chief Financial Officer, a newly created position.

Since joining SDCC in 1998, Mattix has advanced through a range of roles in event management, sales, and accounting, all contributing to her comprehensive understanding of the organization’s operations. She has served as SDCC’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) since 2018. Photo: San Diego Convention Center

In her expanded role, Mattix will provide strategic direction, define and execute business initiatives, manage financial operations, and oversee daily functions to promote efficiency and excellence across SDCC. She assumes this position as SDCC generates record growth and revenue, while preparing for a critical phase of capital improvements.

“Mardeen is a proven leader with a track record of making careful, data-informed decisions to drive success,” said Rip Rippetoe, CVE, SDCC President and CEO. “Beyond her leadership abilities, her dedication to SDCC’s purpose, demonstrated by her 26-year tenure, positions her to help lead SDCC into the future.”

While serving as CFO, Mattix guided SDCC through several pivotal moments, including transforming the building into an emergency shelter during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most recently, Mattix played an integral role in implementing a new sales strategy to attract high-value events that produce significant economic benefits for San Diego. In fiscal year 2025—the center’s 35th year—SDCC events are projected to generate approximately $1.7 billion in regional economic impact, including an estimated $40.2 million in hotel and sales tax revenue for the City of San Diego.

“I plan to focus on aligning our team toward long-term strategic goals and sustainable growth,” she continued. “By fostering a culture of excellence and innovation, and partnering with key stakeholders, we’ll address critical needs to ensure our convention center remains a world-class destination. It’s about advancing a thriving economic engine that elevates San Diego and creates opportunities for everyone.”

In 2022, Women in Tourism and Hospitality (W.I.T.H.) recognized Mattix as a W.I.T.H. Honoree for her industry leadership and innovation. The following year, the San Diego Business Journal named Mattix “2023 CFO of the Year” in the nonprofit organization category.

Mattix holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Western Washington University. Outside her professional responsibilities, she is an active community member who volunteers on local school committees and mentors students, helping inspire the next generation of San Diegans.

Steve Luttazi, VP of Sales, Sports & Entertainment division, Spec Seats/Clarin

Spec Seats announced today that Steve Luttazi is joining the Spec Seats / Clarin team as their new Vice President of Sales for the Sports & Entertainment division. This marks a special homecoming for Steve, who previously led sales at Clarin Seating for over 20 years.

With decades of experience in the industry, Steve not only brings deep knowledge of Spec Seats’s products, but also a wealth of relationships he has cultivated over the years within
the venues community. Steve’s expertise and leadership is expected to help drive the company’s continued growth and success.

“We are excited to have Steve join our team,” said Spec Seats President, Jordan Hergott. “His wealth of experience and long-standing connections in the industry will be invaluable as we continue to expand our presence and enhance our customer relationships.”

Our industry was the target of another news piece that lacked data and understanding of the convention center industry. A recent New York Times article missed the forest for the trees by criticizing cities for renovating existing convention centers or building new ones. Recent data directly counters this argument, shedding light on why cities—and politicians specifically—continue to support these new builds: to remain competitive, cities must adapt to customer demand for an enhanced, more immersive experience. While the industry data backs up these trends, so does your own experience of how your venue is performing. Here are a few points we want to make you aware of in case you get questions from others:

• The latest barometer from Oxford Economics for the Events Industry Council underscores this shift. Business events in North America are fully back, with future RFP activity already outpacing 2019 levels. The barometer reveals that group room rates have rebounded, marking a critical indicator of hotel pricing health for business events. Additionally, Oxford Economics forecasts that U.S. business travel spending on events will recover to within 1% of 2019 levels this year, with an anticipated 5% growth in 2025.
• Adam Sacks, President of Tourism Economics (an Oxford Economics company), explains in a recent email to IAVM staff, “This is separate from the massive economic benefits that these centers produce for their destinations…. Even if a center operates with a financial deficit, the destination’s economic benefits far outweigh the operating cost of the venue. These venues are catalysts of economic development as companies and investors descend on destinations and are exposed to the best of a city. Further, a convention center is a catalyst for related investment in hotels, restaurants, and entertainment, which make a place more attractive for residents and investors.”
• Our President and CEO, Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, was recently quoted in Skift Meetings response to the NYT piece, noting, “The notion that a convention center is a money suck is counter to how they are operated and the ecosystem they support. Hotels, retail outlets, and restaurants all benefit when a convention is in town—not to mention the jobs created by these centers.”

Convention centers are more than venues; they are engines of opportunity. They foster a ripple effect that strengthens local economies, sustains small businesses, and brings new vibrancy to communities. When cities invest in their convention centers, they invest in a future that brings long-term benefits, not only for visitors, but for everyone who calls the city home.

Latest Global Barometer Points to Sustained

Recovery for Business Events Industry – https://eventscouncil.org/Portals/0/Release_Global%20Events%20Barometer%20Q2%202024.pdf

Global Events Barometer 2024 Q2 Executive Summary – https://online.flippingbook.com/view/740998457/

2023 Global Economic Significance of Business Events Study – https://eventscouncil.org/Leadership/Economic-Significance-Study