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.

Paul Turner, CVE, shared in a recent Facebook post that after more than 13 years living in North Texas, he is heading to Las Vegas to begin a new position in February as Vice President of Venue Management & Entertainment Operations for Caesars Entertainment.

Turner will oversee all 15 (or so) venues that Caesars operates in Vegas, including The Colosseum at Caesars Palace and Zappos Theater at Planet Hollywood.

“I am thrilled about this opportunity and grateful that Jacqueline and Riley are up for the new adventure,” Turner said.

Before signing off, Turner added one more caveat: “And before anyone asks, no, I cannot get you Adele tickets!”

Congratulations, Paul! You will be awesome in your new career move.

The Charles Schwab Corporation announced the company is retaining exclusive naming rights to the home of the NCAA Division I Men’s College World Series through 2029, which it obtained from its October 2020 acquisition of TD Ameritrade. Effective in 2022, the 24,000-seat baseball stadium and entertainment complex in downtown Omaha will be renamed, Charles Schwab Field Omaha. The firm also revealed new branding signage for the venue.

The agreement with the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) in Omaha calls for interior and exterior signage featuring Charles Schwab branding and represents Schwab’s long-term commitment to the community, its growth and the economic development of Omaha.

“We are excited and honored to play a role in maintaining the bond the College World Series venue has with the great city of Omaha and the more than seven decades of tradition that comes with the event,” said Jonathan Craig, Managing Director, Investor Services & Marketing at Charles Schwab. “Today’s announcement signifies our continued commitment to the people of Omaha and to baseball fans from across the country who visit the city each year.”

“Between their community presence and storied success, we are certain that Charles Schwab will be an excellent naming rights partner,” said Roger Dixon, President and CEO of MECA. “We will continue to assure that Charles Schwab Field Omaha remains a top tier facility while helping to oversee its massive rebranding efforts in the new year.”

Previously named “TD Ameritrade Park Omaha”, the stadium – located in the heart of the city’s north downtown area – is a nationally recognized sports and entertainment complex which opened in 2011 and has been home to the College World Series ever since, carrying the legacy of the series in Omaha which came to the city in 1950. In 2009, prior to the facility’s completion, TD Ameritrade assumed the naming rights to the stadium for 20 years until Charles Schwab completed the acquisition of the Omaha-based financial firm in 2020.

Charles Schwab Field Omaha features a 360-degree walk-around concourse with fan-friendly views of the field. The naming rights agreement includes exterior and interior building signage as well as branding on many items as part of operations of the facility.

Sodexo Live! announced the addition of industry veteran Colleen Brzozowski, CIS, CITP, as the company’s new Director of Venue Sales. In this newly created role, Brzozowski is tasked with driving event bookings for a portfolio of iconic venues – including the Museum of Science & Industry, the Shedd Aquarium and the Chicago Botanic Garden.

With over 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Brzozowski most recently served as the Director of National Accounts with ACCESS Destination Services, where she brought to life top-tier meetings and events for 40+ destinations. Prior to this, she served in high-performing sales functions with KSL Resorts, Krisam Group and the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa.

“As an experienced and successful sales executive with a deep understanding of meetings and events, Colleen’s expertise and proven revenue generation capabilities will be an asset to us,” said Steve Pangburn, Chief Executive Officer, Sodexo Live! “Her track record of building high-performing teams is important, as we continue to grow out our expertise in venue sales. We are pleased to welcome Colleen to our team.”

Plans are in place for the historic Duluth Armory in Duluth, MN, to “serve as an economic, cultural and entertainment hub for northeastern Minnesota,” according to a news release from the Armory Arts and Music Center. The organization announced a partnership on December 20 with Minneapolis-based Sherman Associates to rehabilitate and develop the armory building, targeting an opening in 2024.

Plans for the building include a public marketplace and community kitchen, office and business space, and arts and music programming. The $25 million redevelopment hinges on obtaining $7.5 million in state funding.

The Duluth Armory was built in 1915 for the National Guard and Naval Militia and Reserve. In addition to being a center for military training for northern Minnesota, it also served as an entertainment venue until 1978.

The building is particularly noted for the Winter Dance Party concert on Jan. 31, 1959, featuring Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. Holly, Valens and “Big Bopper” J. P. Richardson died three days later in a airplane crash. Duluth-born musician Bob Dylan attended the concert at the armory and mentioned it at the 1998 Grammy Awards when he received the Album of the Year award.

The city of Duluth purchased the armory and used it to store fleet vehicles throughout the 1980s and ’90s. In 2004 the nonprofit Duluth Armory Arts & Music Center acquired the building and has since completed projects to stabilize it while continuing to seek funding to restore it as a mixed-use commercial project.

Plans for the renovation also include space to honor Dylan.