By Max Strauss

Following the release of her album ‘Happier Than Ever,’ Darkroom/Interscope Records artist Billie Eilish made a stop at State Farm Arena for the first leg of her ‘Happier Than Ever, The World Tour.’ Thousands of fans attended the sold-out show at Atlanta’s award-winning venue for the tour’s second stop, and the venue announced that approximately 92 percent of fan-generated waste was diverted from landfills by either being recycled, donated, composted, or reused.

“We are proud to continue our TRUE zero-waste journey with Billie Eilish’s stop at State Farm Arena,” said Sofi Armenakian, Hawks and State Farm Arena Director of Sustainability and Operations. “Billie Eilish and her fans were instrumental in making this stop another successful green event. For this show, we are grateful for our partners at Levy, Pritchard and Novelis, as well as the assistance from University of Georgia’s Office of Sustainability, who helped us raise awareness in the venue on the importance and the positive impact sustainability has on future generations.”

As part of her show, State Farm Arena teamed up with University of Georgia’s Office of Sustainability to help fans properly dispose items into the correct diversion streams: recycling, compost, or landfill, to reduce contamination. The venue also provided vegan options throughout different locations on-site such as a vegan burger (at the same price as regular hamburgers), as well as salad options. All of this was in accordance with Billie Eilish’s mission to make her tour as eco-friendly as possible.

Across the entire tour, fans can enjoy the Billie Eilish Eco-Lounge hosted by Reverb, an environmental non-profit organization that will “green” the entire tour and create an activation on the concourse at each show allowing every guest that purchases a ticket to visit for free. The Billie Eilish Eco-Village showcases five non-profits including Support + Feed, along with local non-profits in each city that will be providing information on how to best help the climate in the healthiest ways.

The Hawks and State Farm Arena continue to lead the way in sustainable practices for sports and live event venues diverting more than 90 percent of fan-generated waste throughout its 2021 slate of Hawks’ basketball games, concerts, and ancillary events. Throughout 2021, the Hawks and State Farm Arena diverted more than one million pounds of waste from landfills. At the end of last year, Novelis became the official aluminum recycling and proud sustainability partner on State Farm Arena’s journey to becoming a TRUE zero-waste venue. TRUE (Total Resource Use and Efficiency) is a standard set by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body.

Max Strauss is with State Farm Arena PR.

Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California has appointed Marcus Kroulik as vice president of ticketing ahead of its opening later this year.

Kroulik’s appointment was announced by arena operator Oak View Group. He will begin his new role immediately and report to John Bolton, senior vice president of entertainment – facilities and general manager of the arena.

Kroulik will be responsible for planning and implementing the ticketing strategy, including all day-to-day ticket operations for Acrisure Arena and the Coachella Valley Firebirds ice hockey team, which will play its home games at the venue. Acrisure acquired naming rights to the 11,500-seat arena last month.

Kroulik previously served as ticketing director at Target Center, home of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves, and prior to that was director of ticketing operations for the NHL’s Florida Panthers.

By Kelly Luecke

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group announced the promotion of Kevin Kulas to Vice President, Global Tour Planning and Booking at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group (CDSEG).

As former SVP of VStar Entertainment Group – a leading entertainment company and producer of live experiences – Kulas was part of the executive leadership team who oversaw the company through its 2018 acquisition by CDSEG. During that time, his role grew to include tour planning and booking responsibilities for the entire Affiliate Shows Division of CDSEG, including Cirque Dreams properties; Blue Man Group; The Works; and the portfolio of VStar productions (PAW Patrol Live!, Nick Jr., Live!, Trolls LIVE!, etc.).

Prior to his involvement with VStar (formerly VEE Corporation) which began in 2005, Kulas served as a promoter and market manager for Live Nation in Minneapolis, presenting over 300 concerts/festivals annually in the upper Midwest. Prior to that, Kulas led the booking department for 10+ years at the Target Center Arena in Minneapolis, where his career began.

Mike Newquist, President of the Touring Shows Division of CDSEG, said, “Kevin’s extensive experience with VStar and Live Nation among others, as well as his network of promoters around the world, will be essential in developing a more integrated approach to our planning strategy. As a 30-year veteran of the live event industry, Kevin’s leadership, industry knowledge, and large network will be considerable assets to our team. We are looking forward to this new chapter of Kevin’s career with Cirque du Soleil.”

In his new role, Kulas will be overseeing the entire CDSEG touring portfolio, and will optimize the coordination and planning strategies for all Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group touring shows around the world, under the guidance of Mike Newquist.

Kelly Luecke is Director of Public Relations, Affiliate Shows Division, for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in January 2022. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

Jyoti Aheer, Oilers Entertainment Group Canada Corp., Edmonton, AB, Canada

John Akle, Oilers Entertainment Group Canada Corp., Edmonton, AB, Canada

Stephen Alexander, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Jessica Allen, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) – Group 2, Charlotte, NC

Kayla Allen, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Lonnie Allen, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Kevon Barrington, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Alayna Barthelmass, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Ricardo Blanco, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Elisia Bowman, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

Nick Braun, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) – Group 2, Charlotte, NC

Keith Bremer, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Patrick Brennan, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada

Char Brin, Argus Event Staffing, LLC, Denver, CO

Ethan Brock, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX

Maurice Brown, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Lauren Carpenter, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Shanda Cartwright, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX

John Castro, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

Michelle Castro, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

Katerina Chagoya, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL

Rebecca Chesnut, Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

Summer Cline, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Cleveland Coats, Executive Protection Programs, Lexington, MA

Ian Cox, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Zach Crain, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA

Chuck Crane, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

Christina Creel, Union Square Hospitality Group, Washington, DC

Gary Cremer, Argus Event Staffing LLC, Denver, CO

Shenell Cumberbatch, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Nanine Curtis, SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District, Sacramento, CA

Caroline DeBriyn, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Katie DelDuca, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY

Amber Dixon, SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District, Sacramento, CA

Charlene Dodrill, Argus Event Staffing, LLC, Denver, CO

Luis Dones, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Jodi Eller, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Rachel Elliott, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Taylor Elliott, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Alexis Farres, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Sam Fischer, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Juan Gabriel Fonseca Velez, SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District, Sacramento, CA

Martha Fontana-Kwon, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI

Kendra Foreman, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Janine French, Garrett Metal Detectors, Garland, TX

John Gambon, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Carlos Garcia, Old National Events Plaza, Evansville, IN

Gene Garcia, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Chandler Garnett, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Kody Gates, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Katie Gavitt, San Diego State Univeristy, San Diego, CA

Messai Gessesse, Events DC, Washington, DC

Garrett Gilliam, Old National Events Plaza, Evansville, IN

Benjamin Glines, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Andrew Gones, Qwick, Phoenix, AZ

Rachel Goodman, TQL Stadium – FC Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

William Gordon, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Lakeiya Gott, Old National Events Plaza, Evansville, IN

David Green, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Aaron Greenberg, TQL Stadium – FC Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

William Hanner, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) – Group 2, Charlotte, NC

Liz Herdon, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Maria Herrera, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX

Alana Hines, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada

Brittney Hitch, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Josh Jackson, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX

Helen Johnston, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Stephanie Kennedy, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Megan Kievit, Major League Baseball, New York, NY

Austin Kindred, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Kara Kuczkowski, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Odayues Leonard, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati, OH

Heather Lester, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD

Austin Light, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Everette Lively, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Davide Lo Nigro, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Niklas Lofgren, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI

Rachel Love, Qwick, Dallas, TX

Liz Lytle, accesso, Lake Mary, FL

Nadine Mayo, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Sherri McCoy, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Emily McGuire, SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District, Sacramento, CA

Laurence McMillon, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Marie Mickie, Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA

Thomas Moore, Qwick, New York, NY

Andrew Morris, Events DC, Washington, DC

Jessica Morse, Boise State University, Boise, ID

Katie Mullins, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI

Bill Murray, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Carl Nelli, Patriot One Technologies Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada

Margaret Noel, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME

Taylor O’Berry, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

Nick Opitz, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV

Greg Overstreet, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Buford, GA

Milton Palacios, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Anne Pang, SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District, Sacramento, CA

Sean Paradis, American Tower Corporation, Woburn, MA

Ryan Partridge, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada

Craig Peterson, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Luke Phillips, Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK

Mary Pugh, Old National Events Plaza, Evansville, IN

Anthony Radicia, Boise Centre, Boise, ID

Chris Rahn, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Daniel Ray, Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

Tahniya Redus, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Juan Reyes, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

Rachel Rokicki, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH

Brian Rutkowski, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI

Ryan Salerno, Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK

Kris Salzwedel, La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI

Merlin Sarmiento, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Hayden Schrag, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Tessa Schultz, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Maya Severson, SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts District, Sacramento, CA

Jesse Sheets, Will Rogers Memorial Center, Fort Worth, TX

Tyler Slanovec, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Josh Smith, Qwick, Phoenix, AZ

Richard Standford, St. Augustine Amphitheatre, St Augustine, FL

Diane Stehouwer, Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

Amanda Stewart, MetraPark, Billings, MT

Mark Stone, Freedom Hall Civic Center, Johnson City, TN

Adam Summerell, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Justin Sweeney, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL

Tori Talbert, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Kathryn Taylor, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Samantha Terrell, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV

Chase Teter, Mountain View Event Center, Pocatello, ID

Lauren Thomas, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX

Elizabeth Thompson, Events DC, Washington, DC

Kevin Tremmel, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Josh Triplett, Argus Event Staffing, LLC, Denver, CO

Lawrence Vigil, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ

Lauren Voorhies, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hannah Wagner, Argus Event Staffing LLC, Denver, CO

Alexander Wampler, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Alex Wash, Events DC, Washington, DC

Meagan Webb, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Aiden Weise, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Matt Williams, Boise Centre, Boise, ID

Karen Wilson, Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

Kim Winkfield, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Robby Yam, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA

Lezlie Young, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Melissa Zemer, Lansing Center, Lansing, MI

IAVM is proud to present the Venue Operations Summit, March 29-31, 2022, in Indianapolis, IN!

Assuring your venue or facility is properly equipped to manage events post crisis is essential to event risk management. Venue Operations Summit is the premier industry conference for public assembly facility operations and engineering professionals.

“Attending the Venue Operations Summit this year is more important than any previous year,” said Russ Simons, Managing Partner & Chief Listening Officer for Venue Solutions Group and Facility & Campus Operations with SoFi Stadium. “The changes to operations/engineering processes and procedures is greater than any time in our industries history.” 

Regardless of venue type, attendees can be assured of a program that will provide actionable information to assist them in their facility responsibilities, along with very valuable networking opportunities.

“Despite the pandemic, the need to exchange information and best practices still remains, and if you are an Operations or Engineering professional, this is the best place to be,” noted Tom Williams, Partner, Venue Solutions Group.

At VOS22, you will explore topics such as technology, women in operations, operations post-COVID, cultural awareness & diversity, and so much more!

“This is a great opportunity to meet your cohorts in the industry, share your pandemic experiences and lessons learned, and address the question of how we improve our processes for the new normal,” promised Mike Wooley, Partner, Venue Solutions Group.

Registration is NOW OPEN, and space is limited!!!  CLICK HERE to register now!