Chef Waylon Cornelius, Will Rogers Memorial Center

Craft Culinary Concepts, the preferred food and beverage provider at Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC), has named Waylon Cornelius executive chef of the center’s catering and concessions.

A native of Mansfield, Texas, and 2003 graduate of AIMS Academy of Culinary Arts in Dallas, Cornelius is shifting the expectations of the center’s guests from a typical “BBQ and beans” menu to a bill of fare satisfying both the palates of the world’s greatest horsemen and DFW’s most discerning gala planner.

“We always have fajitas ready to go, but we also make a beautiful Beef Wellington or baked salmon with a pink salt crust” for a social event, said Cornelius.

For consumer trade shows and horse shows, Craft and its partners Caribou and Taco Heads offer more choices for the thousands of guests who attend events at WRMC annually.

“Some of our equestrian guests are away from home and here for several days, and they need more than popcorn and hot dogs,” Cornelius said. “Our concessions offer biscuits and gravy, burritos made in-house, strawberry salad, fruit and yogurt cups.”

Cornelius grew up helping in a farm-to-table kitchen. He was raised on a farm with his mother, grandmother and grandfather — a Vietnam veteran who enjoyed vegetable gardens and raising hogs and chickens. Cornelius studied computer science after high school and holds an associate’s degree in Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis from Tarrant County College. But he kept being drawn back to the kitchen. 

He then enrolled at AIMS Academy. While training as assistant executive sous chef at the AAA four-diamond Grand Hyatt DFW, he was mentored by Executive Chef Sutti Sripolpa. He also learned from Chef de Cuisine Eric Dryer, who went on to be Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. He also worked with Executive Chef Jean-Claude Plihon, who honed his French cooking skills.

As executive sous chef at the opening of Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille in Southlake, Cornelius had his first experience with volume. While at H&G Supplies for two years learning about gluten-free items and other food allergies, he crossed paths with Chef James R. Schell III.

Schell, now Craft’s general manager at WRMC, recruited Cornelius to Fort Worth’s 120-acre entertainment and equestrian complex this summer.

“James said he needed someone who can hit moving targets, push the culinary team to be more avant-garde and use locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. So here I am,” said Cornelius. “Culinary is a small world.”

Schell seeks to ensure WRMC guests get superior experience with food quality, variety and selections.

“I want people to say, ‘When we were in Fort Worth, you won’t believe what we got at Will Rogers!’” he said. “Even the celebrities who perform [in the auditorium] are surprised. When Chicago played here recently and we served dinner backstage, they said they felt treated like the Rolling Stones.”

John B. Meyer Jr., CVE, one of IAVM’s more passionate advocates of certification, passed from this life on Oct. 31 at the age of 77.

Meyer, who was director of convention center operations and special projects for SMG at American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas, joined IAVM in 1977 and received his CVE in 2002. Meyer served on several committees, including Chair of the Bylaws Committee from 2002 to 2010 and the Certification Board from 2002-2021.

Both Jody Lake, CVE, retired, and Tom Cornwall, CVE, retired, emphasized Meyer’s commitment to certification in their work with him on the certification board for IAVM. “John never shied away from a difficult task,” Lake said. “He was so smart and articulate and compassionate when it came to alternative viewpoints and thoughts.”

John Meyer, CVE – picture taken from the IAVM archives, circa 2002-2004

Lake was most impressed by his ability to take things to heart and do the research. Specifically, when the Certification Board was researching certifying its own certification program with ANSI (American National Standards Institute), something they all wanted to accomplish, it was determined to be too expensive by far. Rather than sit back and say that’s that then, Meyer declared that though they could not go for ANSI certification fiscally, they certainly could attain the ANSI standards in practice. It wasn’t about piece of paper; it was about that standard of excellence in IAVM’s certification program.

Rosanne Duke, IAVM director of Governance and Operations, noted in an email that “John was a mentor to so many in the industry.  He was also an outstanding member of the Certification Board. He advocated for our CVE program to become ANSI certification ready.”

“I met John in early 2000, when I worked with him on a project to update the association’s bylaws, and immediately felt like I was working with a friend that I’d known for many years.”

Rick Haycock, CVE, retired, was also part of the “certification family,” often sitting side-by-side with Meyer at Certification Board meetings at World Headquarters. “His depth of knowledge about program accreditation and his respect for the process were instrumental in advancing the integrity and validity of IAVM’s certification programs. I learned a great deal from him and stayed in touch long after he left the Certification Board.”

A Vietnam vet, Meyer was religious, doted on his family and had a great sense of humor, said his wife, Tala, on a Facebook post. “He loved his crosswords, reading, scuba diving with his daughter and traveling. Rome was his favorite city in the world.”

He worked for the city of Corpus Christi for more than 40 years, first managing the Memorial Coliseum, starting in 1973, and then as convention center manager at American Bank Center. He retired in 2017.

Meyer was a board member of the Corpus Christi Literacy Council, Casa d’amor, and president of the Ronald McDonald House. He also served in many capacities at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Aransas and was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus.

“He doted on his family, had a gentle heart and loved teasing folks,” his widow wrote. “He had special nicknames for all he loved. He was a reader and a lover of history and languages. He spoke Vietnamese, Latin, Italian, Spanish and parts of several other languages”.

Meyer was a native of Pequannock, New Jersey, and graduated from the University of Corpus Christi (TAMUCC) summa cum laude in three years with an English degree. He also took graduate courses in computer science. He served in Vietnam as a military policeman.

Meyer is survived by his wife, Tala, of Corpus Christi; his daughters, Jennifer (Aaron Lozano) and Jessica Arredondo (Eric), both of Corpus Christi; one step-son, Bradley Stevens, of Scottsdale, Ariz.; sisters Barbara Jacobs, Mary Meyer and Michael Ann Meyer (Kait Casey), all of San Diego; one brother, Joseph Meyer (Mary) of Lebanon, N.J; one sister-in-law, Sharon Meyer (Thomas) of Sussex, N.J.; grandchildren Blake Stevens of Tucson, Ariz.; Caden and Julian Meyer and Ava and Harlow Arredondo and Aislynn Lozano, all of Corpus Christi; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Bernadine Meyer; his brother, Thomas, and his brother and sister-in-law, Jeff and Karen Meyer.

Visitation for will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Service in Corpus Christi, with a Rosary beginning at 6:30 p.m. and eulogies to follow. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. on Nov. 12 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Aransas. Committal and Final Military Honors will begin at 2 p.m. at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, Corpus Christi, with a bagpipe tribute.

Don Clark, founder of Biosaphe, a company that specializes in building and maintaining athletic fields, is bringing his expertise and connections to help those affected by the devastation in North Western Carolina.

Clark and his company work closely with professional sports teams, universities, and golf courses. Now, he and his team are using their expertise to help those affected by Hurricane Helene in North Western Carolina.

“After witnessing the destruction firsthand and consulting with our teams who are active in the region, I feel compelled to act. While many are providing essential relief like cleaning homes and clearing debris, we believe that our skills can offer something equally vital—hope and community healing. That’s why we have committed to building new baseball fields for the children whose seasons were so abruptly interrupted,” stated Clark.

You might wonder why a baseball field is Clark’s focus when there are other urgent needs. The answer lies in the importance of restoring a sense of normalcy. Communities in crisis need places where they can come together, where children can play and families can reconnect. “Our experience in building fields gives us a unique opportunity to contribute in a way that not only serves the present but also fosters long-term community growth and healing,” Clark noted.

Clark has already received support from several major and minor league baseball teams, universities in the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast Conferences, the Sports Field Managers Association in Virginia, North and South Carolina, as well as Golf Course Superintendent Associations. Vendors such as Modern Turf, Precision Turf, Dura EDGE, SCG Bulldog, and other private corporations from across the region are also helping bring this project to life.

“However, to accomplish this, we will need contributions in the form of people, materials, and financial resources. Our plan goes beyond just building the field—we intend to create a community hub where we can serve meals, distribute clothing, blankets, and medical supplies, and involve local residents in the construction. This initiative will show the power of collaboration, love, and hope in rebuilding not just structures but spirits.”

Clark is asking any IAVM member or venue that is willing to help with resources to reach out to him directly at executive@biospahe.com.  Those able to contribute financially are asked to do so through their GoFundMe page.

“As part of our mission, we will proudly recognize every organization and individual involved by displaying banners and wearing shirts that highlight your support. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.”

Join us at GuestX 2025 in Charlotte, NC from January 26-28 to learn, network, and elevate your venue’s guest experience to new heights. You’ll gain access to cutting-edge educational content that focuses on best practices and effective strategies for navigating the dynamic challenges of guest experience and crowd management and is curated by today’s leading industry experts.

What is GuestX?

IAVM’s premier conference dedicated to enhancing the guest experience, GuestX is an interactive and intimate event that provides attendees with exclusive insights into how various aspects of a venue influence the overall guest journey.

Who is it for?

GuestX is a one-of-a-kind conference for everyone invested in crafting an exceptional, safe and extraordinary guest experience.

Whether you work in sports, the arts, the conference and meeting industry, or anywhere people get together, GuestX offers insider perspectives on how every aspect of your operation impacts the overall experience at your venue.

What will I learn?

GuestX provides attendees with invaluable content via skills-based workshops and networking sessions that empowers them to put newly gained expertise into immediate action.

What are some of the topics covered?

Below is a sampling of sessions that you can expect at GuestX 2025:

• The Unseen Importance of Back-of-House Experience in Live Events
• Verbal De-Escalation Tactics for Event Staff
• Safety & Guest Experience: How to Evolve with the Times
• Designing and Delivering Successful Training Programs

Who are the speakers at GuestX 2025?

• Collin Anderson
  Event Manager, Argus Event Staffing
• Bruce Hack, CPP, ADAC
  Director, Risk & Safety, The Charlotte Regional Visitor’s Authority
• Scott Malone
  Sr. Director of Global Safety and Loss Control, Oak View Group (OVG)
• Keller Taylor, CVE
  Vice President, BOK Center, Oak View Group (OVG)

Where is GuestX 2025?

All sessions will be held at the Charlotte Convention Center (located at 501 S College St, Charlotte, NC 28202) unless otherwise noted on the conference schedule.

A block of hotel rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown (located at 401 East Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Charlotte, NC, 28202). Please use this link to reserve your room within the block.

By booking within the hotel block you will receive the following benefits:

• Complimentary breakfast buffet daily in the hotel restaurant from 6:30-9:30 a.m.
• Complimentary evening reception to include 2 drinks daily from 5:00-6:30 p.m. in the hotel restaurant
• Complimentary Wi-Fi in your guest room

Please note, the hotel block will close on January 13, 2025 or when the block is full.

Want to unlock exclusive access to Guest Experience Professionals at GuestX 2025?

Elevate your brand and engage with decision-makers in venue management at GuestX 2025.  As a sponsor, you’ll have the unique opportunity to showcase your products and services to top professionals who prioritize guest experience, safety, and innovation.

Contact us at sales@iavm.org or view the GuestX 2025 Prospectus to learn more!

Ready to register?

Visit guestx.iavm.org today!

Pictured from left are Omni employees Chuck Duncan, Jack Popham, Bob Dhue, Bob Williams, and Mike Oshust at the 1983 ACC Basketball Championships final game. Reggie Williams is seated in front.

Robert Wayne (Bob) Dhue, longtime manager of the Omni in Atlanta, died Oct. 19 at the age of 79.

He was a “great friend and boss, too many great times to remember,” said Mike Oshust, who worked with Dhue at the Omni in Atlanta.  Dhue brought his love of marketing to the forefront during his four years with World Championship Wrestling (WCW), a Turner Broadcasting Company. He was already president of The Omni when he added executive director of operations at WCW to his duties in 1992.

He made headlines when he created a mascot, Wildcat Willie, for the touring wrestling show, enlisting Jim Hedrick, who had been Harry the Hawk for the Atlanta Hawks during Dhue’s reign at the Omni. “Bob loved wrestling,” noted Oshust. “We had WCW in the building twice a month, 22 dates out of the year.”

Oshust concurred with Post that Dhue was a great boss, making sure everyone had adequate down time and family time in this crazy business. His mantra was, “just do your job.” The crew that ran the Omni, those who remain, still gather occasionally in Atlanta, Oshust said. They were that close-knit. All were also longtime members of IAVM (then IAAM), which Dhue attended regularly. They were regulars at the golf tournament, which Dhue loved as much as music and sports.

Pictured from left are Mike Oshust, Bob Dhue, Scott Simpson, and Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus employees, Allen Bloom and Richard Adler, at the 1991 Atlanta Classic ProAm.

Dhue began his career in venue management at the Omni in 1976 as director of booking. He was president of the since-demolished home of the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA from 1988 to 1996.

The Omni Coliseum opened as part of the large Omni complex that developed the southern end of downtown Atlanta in the early 1970s to attract convention and professional sports industries to the city. Portions of this complex, most notably the CNN Center, exist today, but the Omni arena was torn down in 1997. Philips Arena, now known as State Farm Arena, was built in its place.

Dhue was vice president of National Car Rental Arena, Miami, for Leisure Management International, opening that venue in 1999. In 2001, he returned to Atlanta and founded R. Dhue & Associates, becoming a facility management and marketing consultant.

Photographed in 1990, from left, are Mike Oshust, Bob Dhue, and Richard Adler.

Dhue was born in 1945 to Harry and Cecilia Dhue (Zitter). He was an only child but made a large family of friends in the venue business.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Linda, with whom he shared many years, and by his daughters, Laurie Dhue (a longtime newscaster of whom he was very proud), Nancy Dhue Suh (Chris), and Lauren Mecham (Jon); and son, Mark-David Chandler (Ashley); four grandchildren, and many friends, and extended family members.

There will be a celebration of his life Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. at Parish Grove (Cathedral Towers), 2820 Peachtree Rd. NW, Atlanta.