The Buffalo Niagara Convention Center has named Jeff Calkins as its new general manager after a national search.

Calkins brings extensive experience in facility management and the hospitality industry to his new role and will report directly to Visit Buffalo Niagara and BNCC President and Chief Executive Officer Patrick Kaler.

“l have the utmost confidence that Jeff will continue the Convention Center’s outstanding reputation of excellence in customer service, food quality, and hospitality,” Kaler said. “Prior to the pandemic, the Center averaged an annual economic impact of $43 million. As meetings and events return to a frequency seen in 2019, Jeff and the BNCC team will strive to match and exceed those numbers. There’s a bright future for meetings, conventions, and events in downtown Buffalo.”

More than 150 applications from a diverse group of candidates were received. Finalists were invited to Buffalo to participate in in-person interviews with the BNCC Executive Committee, the search committee, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, Deputy County Executive Maria Whyte and Dan Castle, Erie County commissioner for environment and planning.

A graduate of SUNY Cortland, Calkins’ experience includes a tenure as general manager of Rochester’s Blue Cross Arena, where he helped oversee a $50 million renovation project. He also served as vice president and general manager of The Dome Center in Henrietta, New York, where he managed all sales and business operations for the multi-purpose event space.

“The search committee recognized Jeff’s wealth of experience and industry expertise,” said Mary Roberts, VBN and BNCC chair. “We trust that his leadership will continue the tradition of excellent customer service and build upon the success of the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center moving forward.”

By Stacie Bauer

Ungerboeck, the world’s leading event management software provider, announced that it has acquired Priava, a cloud-based venue and event management system with a wide portfolio of global customers.

This acquisition provides a platform to accelerate industry innovation and add more value for customers all over the world. Ungerboeck has seen rapid international growth in a short period of time. Acquiring Priava with its strong representation in Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom gives Ungerboeck an even greater international presence.

“This acquisition accelerates our objective to grow internationally,” said Fred Lazzerini, Ungerboeck Senior Vice President, International. “We’re bringing in more venues in the Ungerboeck community, and adding staff in Australia, India, and the UK which gives us growth capacity.”

By combining resources, the companies can support event professionals with a higher level of efficiency and expertise. Current and future customers can expect faster industry growth, rapid innovation, more product offerings, and additional resources designed to better serve the event business.

“This is an extremely exciting moment in Priava’s history,” said Tom Gleeson, Group CEO of Priava. “In joining forces with Ungerboeck, we will build on the momentum we have created and work together to deliver state-of-the-art venue and event management solutions to drive the industry forward.”

Customers can keep using the products and services they currently use without interruption. Both Ungerboeck and Priava will continue to support all existing customers with the same focus on success. As the product teams come together, customers can look for exciting new offerings that add value to their event business.

“Our goal is to have the breadth and scale to serve the industry better,” said Manish Chandak, President and CEO of Ungerboeck. “We welcome the Priava team to the Ungerboeck family. Together, we can rapidly develop the kinds of innovative solutions needed to succeed in the post-pandemic world.”

Stacie Bauer is Event & Sponsorship Coordinator, Marketing, for Ungerboeck.

By Nancy Walker

The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by ASM Global, the global leader in venue and event strategy and management, elevates its commitment as stewards of the environment.

The LACC recently joined JMIC’s Net Zero Carbon Events Initiative alongside 200+ event industry organizations. The united pledge, made in November during COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, collectively represents and demonstrates the commitment of the event industry community to fight climate change and develop a roadmap for a net zero carbon future for events.

Additionally, to recognize America Recycles Day 2021, the LACC teamed up alongside human-i-t for a Tech Donation Drive. During the week of November 15, 2021, the LACC helped to reduce e-waste by collecting unwanted technology and giving it a new purpose. Approximately 900 pounds of equipment (such as laptops, monitors, cell phones and power cords) were collected from employees and partners of the LACC. These items will be repaired or used for parts to create refurbished technology which is then donated to underserved communities to promote digital inclusion.

Ellen Schwartz, General Manager of the LACC commented, “As a LEED® Gold certified facility we are pleased to be associated with such distinguished organizations that enable the LACC to move the needle even further on our sustainability initiatives. We have been committed to the environment for many years now and look forward to the future as we join forces with even more organizations who align with our mission.”

Estella Flores, LACC’s Vice President of Operations added, “The LACC’s commitment toward the protection of our planet has never been stronger. We take steps every day improve our operational commitment as it relates to the environment and will not lose sight of our obligation until we are truly a net zero facility.”

Additionally, the Los Angeles Convention Center has been recognized with the Global Green Business Award 2021 for Best Meeting & Convention Facility in California by Acquisition International for its ongoing commitment sustainability efforts. In what has been named the “Decade of Action,” the Global Green Business Awards 2021 looks to distinguish and award businesses that demonstrate essential innovation in corporate sustainability to reduce carbon emissions.

Nancy Walker is VP, Sales & Marketing, for the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Lara Fox has been appointed Vice President of AEG Global Partnerships, a division of sports and entertainment group AEG.

The AEG Global Partnerships team act as an internal agency for AEG and AEG Presents, overseeing global sponsorship sales and activation for over 135 properties across five continents, says the company.

This includes venues, sports franchises, events, tours, festivals, and digital content among other AEG holdings.

Fox will be based in AEG’s Los Angeles headquarters and will report to Andrew Klein, Managing Director, AEG Global Partnerships.

Fox will be responsible for building strategic relationships and partnerships for concert tours, festivals, venues, and other assets of AEG Presents, as well as its various subsidiaries including festivals and live events such as Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival, Camp Flog Gnaw, Day N Vegas, Head In the Clouds Festival, California Vibrations Festival, Second Sky Festival, Splash House and more.

She will also manage brand deals for AEG’s network of live music venues, with a focus on the West Coast.

Fox brings more than 14 years of sales and marketing experience to the role, as well as knowledge in digital media, experiential activations, social media, branded content, editorial content, and advertising campaigns.

Fox joins AEG having spent 11 years at global media and entertainment company, Complex Networks, where she served as Vice President of brand partnerships and oversaw deals with brands like Apple, Starz, Amazon, Walmart, Target, Netflix, and EA, among others.

AEG says she was also part of the team that helped produce and create brand partnerships for the debut ComplexCon, a two-day event.

Prior to Complex Networks, Fox held roles at Condé Nast’s W Magazine and ViacomCBS, where she managed media, content, and event sponsorships for MTV.com.

Fox succeeds Caroline Burruss in the role, who took on the position in 2016.

Andrew Klein, Managing Director, AEG Global Partnerships, said: “Lara’s impressive career combined with her proven ability to drive significant revenues and build innovative partnerships with some of the biggest brands in the world, makes her a perfect fit for AEG.

“We have a one-of-a-kind global portfolio with some of the most coveted music and live entertainment assets in the world, and this is an incredibly exciting time to be joining our company.

“We are confident Lara will be an incredible asset to our business and our partners as we continue to shape the future of music and live entertainment.”

“Live music is back and going to be bigger than ever,” Fox said. “I am thrilled to have joined such a prestigious team under extremely smart executive leadership.

“AEG has the best music festivals, sports teams and facilities in the world. This is a dream job for me.”

By HCC Editorial Team

The Hawai‘i Convention Center welcomes Hector Morales as its new executive chef.

Morales has 25 years of culinary leadership experience in Hawai‘i. He most recently served as the chef de cuisine at Mauna Kea Beach Hotel on the Island of Hawai‘i. He also founded a food service consultancy, working with well-known restaurants in Hawai‘i and Nevada.

Morales previously served as the executive chef at the Polynesian Cultural Center for eight years, overseeing culinary and food services for thousands of guests daily across luaus, restaurants, and concessions. He started his Hawai‘i career at O‘ahu’s Turtle Bay Resort, where he was executive chef for 16 years, managing the resort’s three restaurants, as well as the culinary operations for a variety of large-scale events. Morales also advised food and beverage teams at Turtle Bay Resort partner properties throughout the country.

In addition, Morales has extensive international experience. He worked as a chef at the SAS Norway and as the banquet chef for the King of Norway. He also worked as chef de cuisine at The Regent Sydney in Australia.

Morales is a graduate of the Johnson & Wales University Culinary Arts program. His achievements are recognized by the James Beard Foundation and Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs.

“The Hawai‘i Convention Center is widely known for its culinary innovation, sharing the authentic flavors of the Pacific with meetings and events guests from around the world. We are enthusiastically looking forward to Hector’s leadership and extensive experience as we continue to welcome guests back,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global.