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.

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.