Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in February 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.

Rosie Alcoser, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Charles Anderson, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI

Emily Anderson, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

Brittany Bailey, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

J.O. Bailey, Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP, Fayetteville, AR

Bethany Barngrover, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Mercedes Barr, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Michael Becker, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO

Sydney Bodden, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Katelyn Bogrand, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

Danny Boyle, MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA

Kelly Brennan, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA

Jen Bryan, MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA

Starr Butler, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI

Amanda Careyva, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Andres Ceja, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Paul Christiansen, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA

Jamie Clack, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Colleen Coomes, Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN

Justin Crisler, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL

Daniel Dusbabek, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Santos Farias, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Stu Faris, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO

Melanie Feltoon, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL

Kaleb Fillenworth, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Noelle Fowler, MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA

Tim Freeman, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS

Jose Garcia, Destination El Paso, El Paso, TX

Blake Gauthron, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL

Joshua Genzlinger, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT

Moses Gomez, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX

Sarah Gonser, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Ashley Gonzalez, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Kimberly Graham, MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA

Michael Guidice, Allied Universal Technology Services, Tampa, FL

Leticia Hagert, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Melissa Hephner, Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH

David Herrera, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI

Colleen Hook, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Casey Ianelli, Marathon Live, Nashville, TN

Colby Jones, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Marilia Juarbe, Coliseo de Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR

Kylie Karoway, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Celeste Kenneally, Seaside Civic and Convention Center, Seaside, OR

Jennifer Kletke, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA

Shawn Krauel, Central Florida Fair, Orlando, FL

Christine Kuhny, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA

Corrie Larson, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Christine Lauer, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Alison Letsos, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Jeremy Longinotti, ALO.ai, Mountain View, CA

Katarina Lugo, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA

David MacNeill, Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota, FL

Ronnie Mayo, Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH

Brian McCollum, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS

Jonathan Moss, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO

Katy Oerding, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO

Michael Orvos, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Chris Pendleton, Smart City Networks, Cincinnati, OH

Rob Pileckis, Prairie Center for the Arts, Schaumburg, IL

Madisen Pool, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Chad Richter, Duke Energy Convention Center, Cincinnati, OH

Ray Roa, Albuquerque Convention Center, Albuquerque, NM

Daniel Rodriguez, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA

Alfredo Romero, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA

Tom Schrepferman, CSA360 Software, Carmel, IN

Géraldine Serreqi, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Lindsey Shady, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL

Macy Short, Missouri State University, Osage Beach, MO

Diane Smith, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Emma Smith, Johnson & Wales University – Rhode Island, Providence, RI

Justin Smith, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS

Sunshine Smith, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Tiana Smith, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

David Snyder, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA

Sam Solatycki, Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI

Nicholas Tanzymore, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

Chandler Taylor, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

Cindy Trevino, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Nick Ulrich, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI

Megan Vormbrock, Cincinnati Arts Association, Cincinnati, OH

Robert Wehmhoff, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT

Cassidy Werkheiser, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA

Stephanie Wigginton, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO

Ashley Wright Shannon, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO

Dan Young, Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI

Erik Young, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA

Justin Young, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL

Heather Zaehringer, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Live Nation, Oak View Group, and ASM Global are among those that have pledged not to do business with Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Live Nation, which had a Moscow office in the early 2010s as it expanded its operations in the region, has vowed not to promote shows in Russia and says it is cutting ties with Russia-based suppliers.

“Live Nation joins the world in strongly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” the company said in a statement released to IQ. “We will not promote shows in Russia, and we will not do business with Russia. We’re in the process of reviewing our vendors so we can cease work with any and all Russian-based suppliers.”

ASM Global, whose portfolio includes Moscow Convention Center and MTS Live Arena, said it “stands with the people of Ukraine and condemns Russia’s actions.”

“We fervently support a community’s right to freedom,” it said. “Our thoughts are with the people of Ukraine, their families, and loved ones all around the globe.”

Oak View Group (OVG) had earlier announced it was boycotting Russia amid widespread outrage over the country’s actions. OVG’s Climate Pledge Arena lit up Seattle Center in the colors of the Ukrainian flag in a gesture of support for #StandWithUkraine.

“In light of the tragic conflict rapidly unfolding in Ukraine, Oak View Group has pledged to not do business in or with Russia, nor will we serve Russian brands in any of our venues on a global basis, effective immediately,” it said. “We stand with the people of Ukraine, we condemn the actions of Russia, and we hope our stance inspires others in our industry to take action where they can.”

The announcement immediately affects OVG hospitality services worldwide, in order to take a clear and strong stance to #StandWithUkraine and its people by denouncing business with Russia.

By R.V. Baugus

Paul Pettas has been promoted at Sodexo Live! (previously known as Centerplate) to the position of Vice President, Brand & Communications.

“I will still focus on PR as events come roaring back to life,” Pettas said. He added that he is in the process of hiring a new manager-level role that will hopefully be finalized soon.

“I’ll be tasked with developing a clear and effective internal and external communications strategy that strengthens our reputation as the number one hospitality partner to the most iconic sports and entertainment venues in North America,” Pettas added.

He will also be tasked with rolling out the next phase of the company’s brand identity that will focus on the company’s client partners and the ways the company drives revenues for the venues it serves.

Pettas has more than 10 years’ experience in media relations, corporate and consumer brand building, social media management and more, and oversees the brand strategy and communications for Sodexo Live! His background includes both in-house and agency work across various industries with a focus on entertainment brands.

A graduate of Boston College, Pettas serves as an alumni career mentor for current undergraduates who are pursuing a communications degree, and volunteers with New York-based Bottom Line, which helps low-income and first-generation students get to college, earn their degrees and thrive in a professional setting.

ASM Global is expanding their U.S. business development division with the addition of Katherine Krohn, who was appointed Vice President of Business Development, and Aliah Summers, who was named Director of Business Development, Sales & Marketing.

“We are thrilled to add these two accomplished business development executives to our team at ASM Global. Their presence will greatly enhance our ability to engage with existing and prospective partners via our unmatched toolbox of partnerships, content, marketing, technology, guest-experience journeys, sustainability, community involvement, and worldwide experience,” said ASM Global Executive Vice President for Strategy and Development Chuck Steedman.

“Both are seasoned veterans with exceptional track records of building relationships with clients in the private and public sector that deliver great value and seeing complex development deals to the finish line,” Steedman added.

Krohn (pictured right) joins ASM Global from Mobilitie, a major telecommunications infrastructure provider servicing major sports and entertainment venues, where she served as served as vice president, national sports and entertainment.

“Our intent is to continue to deliver on the confidence that our clients have in ASM Global’s ability to provide innovative services and world-class live experiences for our guests,” Krohn said. “I am really looking forward to helping grow our client base above and beyond what is already the industry gold standard.”

Summers (pictured left) comes to her new post at ASM Global from food service procurement company Foodbuy, where she spent the last three years as the company’s national sales director.

“We plan to maximize leveraging the ASM value proposition that features all the scale, technology, marketing, content, and programming expertise of the world’s largest live entertainment company,” Summers said of her new role.

By Stadium Business

Major League Baseball (MLB) has canceled the first two series of games in its 2022 regular season, as efforts to strike a new collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with players started eating into the competitive schedule.

MLB entered its first lockout in over quarter of a century on December 2 as commissioner Rob Manfred criticized the Players Association’s (MLBPA’s) “strategy of confrontation over compromise” amid a potential threat to Opening Day of the 2022 season.

The sport’s previous CBA expired with the League’s owners immediately deciding to lock out the players after failed talks over a new deal. MLB’s last lockout ran from August 12, 1994, to April 2, 1995, resulting in the cancelation of the 1994 World Series.

MLB in August announced the master schedule for the 2022 regular season, which was due to open on March 31, with all 30 teams in action. However, talks since December, which have become more intensive in recent days, have failed to come to a resolution, leading to the League’s announcement.

Cancelation of the first two series for each of the 30 teams has resulted in the loss of 91 games in total. This will likely see each club’s schedule cut from 162 games to 156 at most. In a letter to fans, Manfred said: “I had hoped against hope that I would not have to be in the position of canceling games. We worked hard to avoid an outcome that is bad for our fans, bad for our players and bad for our clubs.

“I want to assure our fans that our failure to reach an agreement was not due to a lack of effort on the part of either party. The players came here for nine days, worked hard and tried to make a deal. I appreciate their effort.”

While drafting out offers that the League had made to the MLBPA, Manfred said “compromise after compromise” had been put forward. Players have vented their frustration that payrolls have decreased by 4% from 2015 through 2021, with many teams electing to cut some of their highly paid veteran players in favor of lower-priced youth.

Manfred added: “So, what is next? The calendar dictates that we are not going to be able to play the first two series of regular season games and those games are officially canceled. We are prepared to continue negotiations. Currently, camps could not meaningfully operate until at least March 8, leaving only 23 days before scheduled Opening Day.

“We played without an agreement in 1994 and the players went on strike in August, forcing the cancelation of the World Series. It was a painful chapter in our game’s history. We cannot risk such an outcome again for our fans and our sport.

“The clubs and our owners fully understand just how important it is to our millions of fans that we get the game on the field as soon as possible. To that end, we want to bargain and we want a deal with the Players Association as quickly as possible.”

Speaking at a news conference, MLBPA executive director Tony Clark maintained his members “remain committed to the bargaining process.” Clark said: “Players want to play; everybody knows that. But the reason we are not playing is simple – a lockout is the ultimate economic weapon.

“In a $10 billion industry, the owners have made a conscious decision to use this weapon against the greatest asset they have – the players. But the group won’t be intimidated. I’ve seen more unity over the previous few years than at any time in our recent history.”

MLBPA added in a statement: “Rob Manfred and MLB’s owners have canceled the start of the season. Players and fans around the world who love baseball are disgusted, but sadly not surprised.

“From the beginning of these negotiations, players’ objectives have been consistent—to promote competition, provide fair compensation for young players, and to uphold the integrity of our market system. Against the backdrop of growing revenues and record profits, we are seeking nothing more than a fair agreement.

“What Rob Manfred characterized as a ‘defensive lockout’ is, in fact, the culmination of a decades-long attempt by owners to break our player fraternity. As in the past, this effort will fail. We are united and committed to negotiating a fair deal that will improve the sport for players, fans and everyone who loves our game.”