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.

Long-time IAVM member Frank Rodriguez, who opened the Wheeling Civic Center in 1976, passed away on March 13. He was 93.

“Frank was a long-time member of the Association and served two years on the IAAM board in the late 70’s or early 80’s as well as being a leader in District 2,” said John Robertson, who retired in October 2019 after a 41-year career with the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center (formerly Wheeling Civic Center). “He attended all District and annual meetings for years. He cherished his many friends in the industry and was well known.

“Frank became my assistant manager in Charleston in 1985 after service at the Raleigh County Armory (WV), Wheeling Civic Center, and Corpus Christi Arena. He retired from our facility in 2001. Frank was an All-State basketball player and the captain of the West Virginia University basketball team. He was a veteran and served in the Korean conflict and was activated during the Berlin crisis as well as service for years in the West Virginia Army National Guard.

“His experience contributed greatly to our success at the Charleston Civic Center and to me personally. Frank was a loyal friend to all that knew him.”

Born in Blue Jay, West Virginia, Frank was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and in addition to being on the All-Tournament Team in Basketball of 1946 was noted as one of the school’s All-Time Greatest Performers. He would go on to West Virginia University and earned a B.S. in Education while being co-captain of the basketball team.

Frank served in the United States Army for four years after graduation before heading to Korea and serving in that war. True to his love, he played on the All-Army basketball team.

Frank was hired by the City of Wheeling in December 1972 to not only be the new and first-ever Wheeling Civic Center manager but also took on the position of recreation director, where he was instrumental in adding counselors every summer to all the playgrounds throughout the city.

He opened the new venue in 1976 and went on to serve the community with honor, dedication, and fairness until December 1984, when he took a position in Corpus Christi, Texas, before returning to Charleston on year later and served the city before retiring in January 2001.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 600 River Avenue, Suite 400, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 or Make-a-Wish America, 1702 East Highland Avenue, Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016.

By Sarah Donovan

The Portland’5 Centers for the Arts announced the promotion of Brian Wilson to deputy director. Wilson will oversee the daily activities and operations of the center’s five performing art venues in downtown Portland, which include the Keller Auditorium, the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, and the Antoinette Hatfield Hall that houses the Winningstad Theatre, Newmark Theatre, and Brunish Theatre.

A veteran entertainment professional, Wilson began his career producing conventions and expos for intellectual properties such as Star Wars and Star Trek followed by a period working as an entertainment manager at The Walt Disney Company. An eight-year tenure at the Anaheim Convention Center & Arena preceded his joining Portland’5 in 2018 as the director of event and production services.

“Brian’s extensive background in operations and production management makes him a natural fit for the role,” said Portland’5 executive director Robyn Williams, CVE. “His timely transition will help the venues emerge stronger in our post-pandemic recovery.”

Portland’5 Centers for the Arts hosts approximately 1,000 cultural events annually, provides cultural experiences for over 14,000 Title-1 students and teachers at zero cost to the schools, and is home to five resident organizations – Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Oregon Children’s Theatre, and Portland Youth Philharmonic. Williams will prioritize reinvigorating and diversifying existing programs and community engagement opportunities as Wilson steps into his new role.

“I am proud to serve Portland’5 Centers for the Arts in this new role,” Wilson said. “We have faced great challenges in the past two years, but our team is strong and dedicated. It will be an honor to oversee the daily operations so that Portland’5 can continue to reinforce the value of arts in the community.”

To learn more about Portland’5 and upcoming events, please visit www.Portland5.com.

Sarah Donovan is Head of Communications & Marketing for Metro Visitor Venues.

By Blair Cardinal

OVG360 announced that Gregory A. O’Dell is joining the full-service venue management and hospitality company as President, Venue Management. O’Dell will start his new role in April as he departs his position at the helm of Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia. He will report to Chris Granger, Chief Executive Officer of OVG360, which is the third-party, service-oriented division of Oak View Group (OVG).

With more than 25 years of experience, O’Dell will lead the venue management line of business within OVG360, overseeing venue operations for more than 230 properties across the globe, including stadiums, arenas, convention centers, performing arts centers, cultural institutions, and state fairgrounds. He will be responsible for setting strategy to bolster sustainable operations, booking and content development, premium & sponsorship sales, public safety, public health & sanitization, parking & transportation, and many other venue competencies. O’Dell’s appointment follows OVG’s acquisition of Spectra, one of the industry’s leading venue management and hospitality providers, to create a leading full-service live events company.

He has extensive experience in development and management of a diverse portfolio of venues, from the 2.3 million-square-foot Washington Convention Center to the Washington Nationals’ 41,000-seat, major league baseball stadium to a multi-purpose sports and entertainment arena.

In his prior role as president and CEO of Events DC, O’Dell oversaw three lines of business: conventions and meetings, sports and entertainment, and special events. His primary responsibilities included oversight of the creation and promotion of hospitality, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities that generate economic and community benefits for the residents and businesses of District of Columbia. He also managed Events DC’s development portfolio, with active projects that include a new multipurpose entertainment and sports arena on the campus of St. Elizabeths East in Congress Heights, the redevelopment of the RFK Stadium/Armory campus, a comprehensive streetscaping project around the nine-block exterior of the Convention Center and the redevelopment of the Carnegie Library inclusive of a primary tenant lease for Apple’s global flagship store.

“Greg is truly a unicorn in the live events industry in that his immense leadership experience spans both sports and entertainment and conventions and meetings,” Granger said. “Bringing on Greg as our new head of venue management aligns with our commitment to hiring and developing the most talented, innovative, and values-driven people to grow the OVG360 team. His dedication to the economic, social, and environmental betterment of the communities we serve is going to help drive our goal to create enriching experiences that help people convene and reconnect, while also fueling local economies. I am thrilled that Greg is joining the team.”

O’Dell said: “I could not be more excited to join the OVG360 team. Under Chris’ leadership, we have a bold vision for how we will deliver customized venue solutions to our clients, creating indelible experiences for the communities we serve. I am so fortunate as this role is the perfect fit – a culmination of my experience in sports and entertainment, hospitality and development, coupled with my passion for growth through building culture and embracing innovation. I look forward to leading the charge as we optimize our venues and our assets, strengthen sales and marketing efforts, structure strategic partnerships for large events, and create new events and new content.”

Previously, O’Dell served as chief executive officer and general manager of the Washington Convention Center Authority, where he was responsible for the operations of the 2.3-million-square-foot Convention Center, an award-winning facility that sees approximately 1 million visitors each year and has generated almost $5 billion in direct delegate spending since opening in 2003. He was also responsible for the Authority’s development efforts, having led negotiations with the selected private developer and provided oversight throughout the project lifecycle of a $520 million public-private partnership for the 1,175-room, 37-suite Marriott Marquis Washington, DC hotel.  

Before joining the Washington Convention Center Authority, O’Dell was the president and chief executive officer of the D.C. Sports and Entertainment Commission, where he led the project team that completed the $611 million, 41,546-seat and Silver LEED-certified Nationals Park. During his tenure at the Commission, O’Dell was also responsible for the operations and maintenance of the RFK stadium and campus, inclusive of hosting various events including Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer play, marketing and sales activities, and the contract and services management related to the hosting of events at RFK. Before heading up the Commission, he was the chief development officer for the Government of the District of Columbia, where he was responsible for stimulating and promoting economic development within the District. 

O’Dell earned a bachelor’s degree in finance and government from Wofford College.

Blair Cardinal is Vice President, Communications for Oak View Group.

Photo courtesy of OVG