By R.V. Baugus

Not enough that long-time industry veteran and former IAVM Chair Randy Brown, CVE, retired after meritorious service leading the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but the end of the year also marked the retirement of the venue’s second-in-command, Bryan Christie. While we are on the subject of longevity, Bryan retired from his vice president of operations post after working at the venue for — ready for this? — 53 years. He began working at the Coliseum while in high school with his first role a very familiar one for those breaking into the industry so young as filling sodas at the concession stand.

The venue’s Facebook page gave due credit to one so deserving: Congratulations to Bryan Christie on his last day and retirement as Vice President of Operations for the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. For more than 50 years, Bryan has worked tirelessly, putting his heart and soul into each and everything he does for our clients, guests, and staff.

Evansville-Vanderburgh County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (“Visit Evansville”) announced the hiring of Alexis Berggren as incoming President and CEO. A nationwide search guided by the local Visit Evansville Commission was conducted in recruiting Berggren.

Joe Kiefer, II, the Visit Evansville Commission President, said, “We were encouraged that through the
national search process we were able to conclude on a local hire with whom we have years of experience. Alexis has served on the commission for many years and ran the Old National Events Plaza for nearly five years. Alexis’s experience, leadership, and tenure in the industry are exemplary. Visit Evansville has seen our region’s occupancy and room rates grow over the last decade with a keen focus on youth sports, including investments at Deaconess Sports Park and Goebel Soccer Complex. With the nearing completion of I-69 and recent Deaconess Sports Park synthetic turf investments, the youth sports business and convention businesses are poised to continue growing. Berggren’s vision, existing community relationships and fiscal responsibility make her well-suited for this new role. We are confident that Alexis will bring the energy, skills, and knowledge necessary to keep our momentum moving forward for years to come. We look forward to Alexis leading our team, with an anticipated start date of January 18, 2022.”

Berggren is an Evansville resident with extensive prior managerial experience in the Council Bluffs,
Portland, Los Angeles, and New Orleans markets, as well as with the Old National Events Plaza in
Evansville. Berggren is well known in the industry and has been active with many management and
development associations. She has exhibited skills in building consensus with a collaborative
environment, and she thrives on leading teams to find innovative solutions and service initiatives.
Recently, she worked directly on creating and adopting the Commission’s 10-year Master Tourism Plan.
Berggren comes with extensive facility management experience as well, which is vital to Visit Evansville
as the operator of world-class amateur sporting facilities.

Berggren’s knowledge of tourism and events has been building throughout her career in multiple
destinations, different market sizes and experience leading a local community asset in Evansville.

“I want to thank the Commission and local leaders for selecting me to lead Visit Evansville as the
President & CEO. Evansville is a growing, dynamic community that I am excited to advocate for in this
role. I will commit my skills, experience, and abilities to continue to grow this region for our population, our clients and for my family. Visit Evansville has a strong team in place with whom I am excited to collaborate, and I am certain we have the talent and skills to continue to grow this region. Evansville’s unique strengths as a central location with convention and gaming facilities, along with its large sports complexes and supportive local leadership, position it to grow as a destination market for years to come. Continued tourism industry growth improves not only the visitors’ experience but enhances the quality of life for all our region’s residents.”

By Hilarie Carpenter, CTA

The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) recently announced that Charlie Secchia will step down from the board after nearly 10 years of service. Secchia was appointed to the seven-member board that oversees DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall and Van Andel Arena on February 22, 2012.

“It has been an honor to serve on the CAA board with Charlie Secchia,” said CAA Chairman Rick Winn. “He is a tireless advocate for economic growth and his contributions to the success of the venues will have a long-lasting impact. I can’t thank Charlie enough for the unwavering support he has provided to the CAA and the facilities during his service.”

Secchia has continually recognized the importance of investing in the facilities to remain competitive within the entertainment and convention industry and encouraged the implementation of numerous capital improvement projects. His support and guidance have been a driving force behind the success of the venues. Throughout his term, the arena, theater and convention center have experienced growth, upgrades and improvements.

In 2020, the CAA partnered with Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. on a renovated Van Andel Arena plaza with public seating areas, trees and planters, and enhancements to patron and pedestrian safety. Backstage renovations at the Arena were also completed that year, including updates to the locker rooms and dressing rooms and the creation of the West Lounge, a modern banquet space. Additional upgrades to Van Andel Arena throughout Secchia’s tenure include new upper bowl seats, installation of an LED videoboard, an upgraded electronic marquee, enhanced security systems, and new security screening equipment.

During Charlie’s term with the CAA, major upgrades were also made to DeVos Performance Hall to accommodate major touring productions such as Hamilton and Disney’s The Lion King. Most recently, the original fly rail and theatrical rigging system was replaced, new restrooms were constructed and existing restrooms were remodeled. Additionally, a new sound system was installed and the stage was upgraded to allow for larger productions.

Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place and DeVos Performance Hall experienced their best ever combined fiscal performance, including a record 42 concerts at Van Andel Arena, in Fiscal Year 2019, the last full fiscal year leading up to the COVID-19 pandemic. Events at the facilities that year attracted 1.5 million visitors to Grand Rapids, helping to support restaurants, hotels and other establishments throughout West Michigan. Before the pandemic forced their closures, Fiscal Year 2020 was on course to be the most successful year in the venues’ history.

As the venues navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic, Secchia and the CAA have worked closely with venue manager ASM Global to implement safety measures aligned with ASM Global’s VenueShield environmental hygiene program. Enhancements to the facilities include upgraded air purification with bipolar ionization equipment, installation of touchless fixtures and equipment to facilitate contactless transactions, cleaning and sanitation equipment, social distancing barriers, and personal protective equipment.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the CAA and to contribute to these world-class facilities,” Secchia said. “I’m honored to have played a role in bringing top level entertainment and conventions to Grand Rapids. I’ve enjoyed working with the other board members and the ASM Global management team and have seen firsthand the positive impact of the venues on the West Michigan community.”

Hilarie Carpenter, CTA, is Director of Marketing for ASM Global – Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place & DeVos Performance Hall.

By Kristina Lankow

“Midwest hospitality at its best.” That’s the philosophy at the Swiftel Center, ringing true as the facility has been awarded the 2021 South Dakota Great Place designation by the South Dakota Department of Tourism.

“The South Dakota Great Place program recognizes businesses that empower their employees with the skills and training needed to provide our visitors with exceptional customer service,” said James Hagen, Secretary of the Department of Tourism, in the official Department of Tourism press release. “These businesses have put their best foot forward to serve and help our state have an incredibly impactful tourism industry. They definitely deserve to be recognized.”

To qualify, the Swiftel Center was required to fill out an application answering questions about hospitality training, employee recognition and customer feedback. The application required a description of the facility’s hospitality philosophy. The Swiftel Center answered with a resounding “MIDWEST HOSPITALITY AT ITS BEST.”

All the Swiftel Center team members– including full-time as well as part-time staff – are encouraged to consider the four basic needs of any guest: to feel welcome, to feel important, to be understood, and to be safe and comfortable. The staff at the Swiftel Center strives to provide excellence customer service that upholds these four needs.

Kristina Lankow is Director of Marketing at the Swiftel Center.

Samsung has signed a multi-year deal with the New York Mets to transform the digital screens at the Major League Baseball team’s Citi Field stadium.

As Citi Field’s official display and technology solutions partner, Samsung Electronics America will look to create an interactive fan experience at the stadium.

Work on the two-year project will begin in 2022, with the upgrades expected to include new ribbon boards and more than 1,300 LCD screens throughout Citi Field. A new larger and enhanced center field scoreboard will also be fitted in time for the 2023 MLB season.

Samsung will deploy the full breadth of its display portfolio and technology solutions throughout Citi Field. According to Samsung, its services will create the first “connected venue” in MLB.

When complete, Citi Field will feature 4,000 square feet of direct-view LED screens in public spaces, a ballpark-wide IPTV system carrying nearly 100 sports and entertainment channels, double the number of slow-motion replay systems, three times as many cameras for increased game coverage, and an enhanced and fully upgraded scoreboard to display LED technology and handle 4K video.

“Baseball is one of America’s great historical pastimes and thanks to cutting-edge display- and data-driven innovation, we are ushering in a new, exciting era that transforms the ballpark experience and brings fans into the game like never before, said Harry Patz Jr., senior vice president and general manager of Samsung Electronics America’s display division. “Technology is central to the way fans enjoy sports, and we are thrilled to bring Samsung’s full display portfolio, solutions and expertise to this new era of fandom.”

“We are excited and proud to partner with such a worldwide leader and iconic brand as Samsung,” added Jeff Deline, executive VP and chief revenue officer with the Mets. “Like Samsung, the Mets have a very loyal and passionate fan base, and the implementation of this state-of-the-art technology is going to provide an enhanced experience and environment for millions of fans that come to Citi Field for many years.”

The Mets recently partnered with software company Wicket to bring facial authentication to Citi Field. The deployment will introduce facial access control for staff and vendors.

Next year, Citi Field will also host six matches played by Major League Soccer team New York City FC. The team will play 10 matches at its usual home, Yankee Stadium, along with one at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.