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.

Allen (TX) Event Center, one of the most diverse arenas in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, has a new
name and look. The 7,000+ seat facility is now called the Credit Union of Texas Event Center.

The seven-year naming rights agreement became effective on October 15. The deal is worth #2.2 million over seven years. Since 2018, Allen-based Credit Union of Texas has sponsored the city’s parks and recreation department, according to Allen City Council documents.

The arena unveiled its new brand at the Allen Americans Professional Hockey Club’s Home Opener on October 23. Fans were not only part of the first official event at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center, but they were first to experience the facility’s new lighting and audio/video systems. Upgrades include a new LED Musco Lighting system that allows the hockey team to turn the arena into a “Rink of
Red.”

In this time of gratitude and thanksgiving, I am asking you to join me in supporting the IAVM Foundation on this #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday is an opportunity to solidify our industry by supporting the IAVM Foundation and their commitments. These commitments include those that help develop our future industry leaders. Programs like 30|UNDER|30 and other annual scholarships help bring these future leaders to industry events and aid in the their career growth. Your #GivingTuesday support is more than just a donation, it’s a chance to make a difference in someone’s future.

I am challenging us all, as part of the IAVM family, to give $25 (or more) to help us reach our goal of $5,000!

The challenge is simple…

• Click HERE and donate! Any gift, no matter how much, helps your Foundation provide opportunities for industry development.
• Challenge others! Simply copy and paste this message as your own challenge, or tag others on social media with the message – I accepted the IAVM Foundation #GivingTuesday challenge! Join me and make a difference too! Donate here! https://bit.ly/3x2OAAH
• Anyone who donates $100 (or more) will also be entered into a drawing for a Samsung 40″ Series 5 Full HD TV! (Special Thanks to Bill Bavirsha at University of Illinois Chicago for that donation!)
• Anyone who makes a monthly recurring donation of $10 (or more) will also be entered into the drawing for the TV! After you add your donation to the cart, you will be asked if this should be a recurring donation.

I wish you all a safe and happy Thanksgiving. I wish you time off to spend with your family and friends, though I know how that can go in our business. Still, there are usually days at this time of year when the schedule eases up, and I wish you wonderful rest of your holiday season

Thank you for helping me reach this year’s #GivingTuesday challenge goal!

Jim Wynkoop, CVE
Chair, Board of Trustees