Fans attending Super Bowl LVI will be issued with KN95 face masks, while free COVID-19 rapid tests and vaccinations will be offered at the Super Bowl Experience attraction as part of health and safety measures spelled out by Los Angeles County ahead of the climax to the NFL season at SoFi Stadium.

The home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers is set to host this year’s Super Bowl on February 13, with the County outlining COVID-19 protocols for the event.

The County’s health officer order requires that patrons, customers, and guests wear masks at “outdoor mega events,” currently defined as those hosting 5,000 or more people, regardless of whether they are vaccinated against COVID-19.

Fans attending the game will need to show they have either been vaccinated or have recently tested negative for COVID-19, a requirement that has been in place for events of this size since October.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the County is averaging around 26,000 new cases per day over the past week. This is down by around 40% from the high of around 44,000 cases per day between January 3-9, but still considerably greater than last winter’s peak of 16,000 cases per day.

Los Angeles County Public Health Director, Barbara Ferrer, said: “For people who have taken all their precautions, are willing to layer in, they’re keeping their masks on when they’re out and about, they’re being super careful about testing before gathering with high-risk individuals, a lot of the activities that are available are relatively safe.”

The County will work with the NFL on the free COVID-19 rapid tests and vaccinations scheme at the Super Bowl Experience, which will run for two weekends, from February 5, at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Ferrer said those who receive a vaccination will get free admission to the Experience, while attendees will also receive a free take-home rapid-test kit. Some 60,000 of these kits are expected to be distributed during the Experience.

“Masks are required at all times to enter all of the events, to be in common areas, to purchase at concession stands and at indoor shops,” Ferrer added, according to NBC Los Angeles. “The NFL will also be urging all fans to celebrate safely wherever they’ll be gathering and will offer attendees at the Super Bowl Experience at the L.A. Convention Center a free test kit to take home with messaging to test before gathering for the big game.”

By R.V. Baugus and ISSA

From airports to convention centers to hotels to arenas, nearly 350 facilities around the world have completed the annual reaccreditation process for GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation. The accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™ (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, gives employees and visitors of these environments reassurance that the facility has the proper cleaning protocols, disinfection techniques, and work practices in place to combat biohazards and infectious diseases.

“Third-party validation of our cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention procedures gives our cleaning professionals, event hosts, and attendees confidence that the arena is taking the necessary steps to ensure safe and fun gatherings,” said Ignacio Guerra, senior vice president operations and engineering, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. “We look forward to earning reaccreditation for many years to come.”

“Our customers have many options when choosing a venue to host their event,” said Emma Pietroleonardo, general manager, Edmonton Convention Centre. “Renewing our GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation sets us apart, and in turn helps our customers assure their attendees that their event meets the highest standards of cleanliness and safety.”

Facilities of all types and sizes are eligible to participate in the GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation program and are encouraged to pursue annual reaccreditation. The Accreditation Council reviews applications to ensure they align with the 20 GBAC STAR Program Elements, which each have specific performance and guidance criteria. Accredited facilities can then display the GBAC STAR seal to communicate their commitment to cleaning for health and infection prevention readiness.

“Renewing the Edmonton EXPO Centre’s GBAC Star Facility Accreditation was a no-brainer for us,” said Olaf Miede, general manager, Edmonton EXPO Centre. “Having safely welcomed over 158,000 attendees in 2021 guided by our Healthy Venues Plan, we’re continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our guests, clients, and employees.”

The latest facilities to earn GBAC STAR reaccreditation include:

Convention Centers

Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, Calif.
ASM Global Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nev.
Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, N.J.
Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in Buffalo, N.Y.
Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.
Edmonton Convention Centre in Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton EXPO Centre in Edmonton, Alberta
Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans
Grand Hyatt Kochi-A Unit of Lulu Convention and Exhibition in Kochi, India
Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton, Va.
Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas
Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo.
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas in Dallas
McCormick Place Chicago in Chicago
Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Fla.
Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy, Utah
Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
Palm Springs Convention Center in Palm Springs, Calif.
Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, Calif.
Renasant Convention Center/Cannon Center in Memphis, Tenn.
San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, Calif.
The Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City
Toronto Congress Centre in Toronto

Stadiums or Arenas

American Airlines Center in Dallas
Amway Center in Orlando, Fla.
Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta
Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles
Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis.
Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif.
Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J.
Lincoln Financial Field, Home of Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia
Palmer Event Center in Austin, Texas
TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
The Forum/Forum Entertainment in Inglewood, Calif.
The HEAT Group-FTX Arena in Miami
Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City

Theatre or Performing Arts Center

Blumenthal Performing Arts in Charlotte, N.C.
California Theatre in San Jose, Calif.
Center for the Performing Arts in San Jose, Calif.
Montgomery Theater in San Jose, Calif.
San Jose Civic in San Jose, Calif.

Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Accreditation at gbac.org/star. 

By Mike Achoki

Henderson announced Kevin Lewis as the next CEO & President of Henderson Engineers, and the President of Henderson Companies, the parent company of Henderson Engineers and Henderson Building Solutions. Lewis becomes the fourth CEO & President in Henderson’s 52-year history and succeeds Rich Smith, who will remain with the company as President-Emeritus and a board member. As part of this leadership transition, the firm also unveils a new company structure that aligns Henderson’s vast nationwide engineering and construction experience across building types into five sectors: Business, Community, Health, Retail, and Venue.

A licensed professional engineer with more than 20 years of AEC-industry experience, Lewis has held a variety of leadership roles at Henderson since he joined in 2004. His vast knowledge of the business has brought him success as a project manager, project engineer, venue practice director, director of practices, and most recently as the company’s chief sector officer.

“I am humbled and proud to be selected as Henderson’s next CEO and am excited to lead our firm into the future,” Lewis said. “Henderson has been known for our people-first culture, technical innovation, and focus on client relationships for more than 50 years. In that time, we’ve added new services, new offices, new vertical markets, and the best employees in the industry.”

“We are now aligning our design and construction expertise across vertical markets into five specialized sectors,” Lewis added. “Through this structure, we offer clients and partners a single source for engineering and turnkey construction management services. Our goal is to lead the industry with our approach to client experience.”

Henderson’s new sectors include nationwide experts from both Henderson Engineers and Henderson Building Solutions who specialize in the building types within that sector. Henderson named an executive to lead each sector who will work collectively with firm’s executive leadership team.

o Venue Sector
· Practice expertise: Aviation, Convention Center, Entertainment, Fitness, Sports
· Ryan Starkovich, Venue Sector Executive

Henderson also selected industry veterans Tony Welter and Vince Masilionis to lead sectors dedicated to two of Henderson’s largest clients.

“When you’ve been in business as long as we have, you’ve worked in almost every building type in every market,” Lewis said. “We understand that good engineering design requires great building partners to bring it to life, which is why we provide both through Henderson. I’m excited about our move to specialized sectors as it lets us double down on great client service and provides even more career opportunities for employees who are passionate about working in these markets. We’re still the same Henderson; these changes are simply the latest evolution of the people-first, client-focused firm we’ve always been.”

Lewis steps in for Smith, who served as Henderson’s CEO & President for the past nine years, helping transform the company from a small, local firm into a national engineering and building systems design powerhouse with 12 offices across the country. Henderson experienced some of its highest employee and revenue growth years in company history under Smith’s leadership. He was passionate about fostering a people-focused company culture known for creativity, flexibility, and diversity. He played a pivotal role in helping Henderson land some of the largest projects in company history and was a founding member of KC Global Design, a collective of design firms and leaders focused on elevating Kansas City’s reputation in the world of design.

“I am thrilled Kevin was selected as Henderson’s next CEO and am confident the firm is in good hands,” Smith said. “He is a strategic leader known for his technical knowledge, innovative mindset, and strong industry relationships. He’s also a friend and someone I’ve worked closely with for almost two decades. We made an intentional decision to choose our next CEO from within Henderson to protect the legacy started by Fran Henderson more than 50 years ago. Kevin understands what we stand for as a company. His vision for the future of Henderson builds on that legacy as we continue to enhance our client service and employee experience.”

Mike Achoki is the PR representative for Henderson Engineers.

By Blair Cardinal

Oak View Group announced Debonair Oates-Primus, Ph.D. as the company’s new Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I). She joined OVG on Jan. 4, 2022.

Oates-Primus brings more than 12 years of experience in higher education, working in roles ranging from inclusive hiring and anti-bias training to culturally responsive curriculum development. She has provided DE&I strategic planning, programming, and anti-bias education to many universities, colleges, and organizations as a DE&I consultant. She comes to Oak View Group from Community College of Philadelphia, where for the past six years she has served as the DE&I Lead, Coordinator of Diversity Certificate Program, Coordinator of Black Studies Program, and Coordinator of Diversity Fellowship Program.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion is a top priority for Oak View Group, and we are delighted to bring a DE&I professional with Debonair’s experience and perspective to the team,” Ann Jackson, OVG’s Chief People & Culture Officer, said. “Throughout her career, she has focused on rebuilding systems so that they’re more equitable and inclusive, and helping organizations to reimagine the diverse composition of power and decision-making bodies.”

Chris Granger, CEO of OVG Facilities, added: “Recruiting and empowering diverse talent, and applying that talent on a global basis in the service of our clients and for the betterment of our communities, is core to our mission. Deb’s knowledge, expertise, and passion will undoubtedly amplify and accelerate our commitment to making OVG an incredible place to learn, grow, and be one’s best self every single day.”

In her new role, Oates-Primus will oversee OVG’s DE&I-related strategies, partnerships, programs, and initiatives.

“I am very excited to join Oak View Group as the first position wholly dedicated to leading this vital function,” she said. “I look forward to working with leaders and employees to shape, support and accelerate our DE&I strategic vision.”

A Philadelphia native, Oates-Primus also has worked as an independent DE&I Consultant and as an Associate Professor of English. She earned a Ph.D. in Literature and Criticism with a concentration in critical race theory and intersectional feminism from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a master’s in Writing Studies from Saint Joseph’s University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from West Chester University.

Blair Kahora Cardinal is Vice President, Communications for Spectra.

By Liz Lytle

accesso Technology Group plc President, Operations Bruno Boehi was honored by the International Ticketing Association (INTIX), receiving its IMPACT Award at the 43rd Annual INTIX Conference & Exhibition in Orlando, FL. The IMPACT Award – given annually at the discretion of the INTIX Board of Directors Chair – recognizes professionals that have delivered “continuous, consistent, extraordinary and exemplary service and support with a lasting impact to the INTIX members, programming, conference and the live ticketing industry.”

“It is an immense honor to receive the IMPACT Award and to join such an incredible list of recipients,” remarked Boehi. “The community fostered by INTIX is one I treasure greatly, and I look forward to investing in and benefitting from it for many years to come.”

Having accrued decades of experience in ticketing operations over the course of his career, Boehi was one of the first to spearhead delivery of a fully web-based, self-managed ticketing platform to the market with introduction of the ShoWare box office ticketing product in 2001. In 2014, accesso acquired ShoWare – with the solution selling more than 20 million tickets per year at the time – and rebranded the technology to the accesso ShoWareSM name in 2016. Boehi, who previously held the role of ShoWare CEO, now serves as accesso President, Operations, where he oversees the company’s global operation, including new deployments and client service for more than 1,000 venues around the globe.

“At Accesso, our vision is to lead with purpose, passion and partnership, and Bruno embodies this vision with excellence,” said Steve Brown, accesso CEO. “Our company, clients, and industry as a whole benefit greatly from Bruno’s support, and it is wonderful to see him recognized for it by an association of INTIX’s caliber.”

Liz Lytle is Brand Communications Manager for accesso.

Photo courtesy of INTIX.