Oak View Group announced the appointment of four executives at its under-construction Coachella Valley Arena.

Shannon Miller has joined as vice-president of branding and community relations, Phillip Ransford becomes vice-president of operations, Rich Franklin has been named senior director of corporate partnerships, and Arturo Aviles will serve as community engagement manager.

The arena, which will serve as the home of the Seattle Kraken’s AHL affiliate team, is due to open in late 2022. The arena will have a capacity of 11,000-plus and will be located in California’s Riverside County on land owned by the Berger Foundation.

By Zachary Phillips

A new report from AECOM recommends that the NFL’s Buffalo Bills build a new stadium, rather than renovate their existing Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York.

Renovating the existing stadium would cost an estimated $862 million, compared to the $1.35 billion estimated for a new build, according to the report commissioned by Empire State Development.

A new stadium should be built in the place of the current one, AECOM recommended, as constructing a venue in downtown Buffalo would cost approximately $2.1 billion or more.

Dive Insight:

The Bills, whose open-air Highmark Stadium is nearly 50 years old, have considered building a new stadium for years. The venue is the fourth oldest active stadium in the NFL, behind only the Chicago Bears’ Soldier Field, the Green Bay Packers’ Lambeau Field and the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium.

The Bills’ lease expires in 2023, and in August, before the regular NFL season began, the franchise submitted plans to the city for a $1.4 billion, 60,000-seat stadium to be built by 2027, the Associated Press reported. The submission has led to debates about where that money should come from. Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula said they are committed to shouldering part of the cost, but have not identified how much. At least some of the funding would come from taxpayer money.

The report, released Nov. 1, urged for the construction of a new venue, and cautioned against renovating the current one, as doing so could cost more than 60% of the price of building new. Additionally, renovations often have a general lifespan of 10 to 15 years, compared to a new stadium, which often has a 30-year lifespan before requiring upgrades.

The higher costs for building at a new, downtown site are attributed to the need to construct and improve leveled parking facilities, highway interchanges and other infrastructure upgrades.

Downtown vs. Orchard Park
AECOM’s report estimated a downtown stadium could add additional $350 million in total project cost, not including the potential high price tag of relocating residents and businesses. The Bills could also potentially need to pay an additional $300 million to include a roof for the stadium to address orientation issues for the field. Many NFL stadium fields run north to south so players are not hindered by sunlight, though it is not an explicit rule. If the Bills needed to construct their new downtown site stadium running east to west, they could need a dome to protect players.

Nevertheless, building on a new site could mean more cash for the city and government. The report researched the ancillary development around the Orchard Park site, estimating that a downtown site selected by the Bills could potentially attract development to an area that has not seen any recently. A downtown site could provide an estimated $53 million in tax revenue over the next 30 years.

The report assumes that the new stadium will be open-air and have:

A capacity of at least 60,000 seats.
Approximately 60 private suites, each with 16 seats.
Approximately 60 loge boxes, each with four to eight seats.
5,000 to 6,000 club seats, with enclosed and conditioned club spaces to accommodate patrons.
Improved access to the playing surface for trucks and equipment.
Improved locker rooms and facilities.
If the price tag estimate is accurate, and Bills build the $1.35 billion stadium at the current Orchard Park site, it would become the 11th most expensive stadium ever built, according to a report from March 2021. Building downtown with the $2.1 billion estimate would make it the third most expensive.

Zachary Phillips is Associate Editor of Construction Dive.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in October 2021. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

David Andignac, ACTN Strategies LLC, Atlanta, GA

Marcus Antoine, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

April Baker, Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX

Kevin Baker, Lynnwood Convention Center, Lynnwood, WA

Nake-ya Baker-Cowan, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Anecia Bankston, Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO

Nick Barbalato, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Lisa Barner, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Rohan Bhasin, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Jeff Bloomer, Allen Event Center, Allen, TX

Katie Bornstein, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Maddie Butterfield, Suncorp Stadium – ASM Global Pty Ltd, Milton BC, QLD, Australia

Harry Chapman, Nowsta, Brooklyn, NY

Kyle Clausen, County of Marin, San Rafael, CA

Guillermo Colon, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Austin Daniel, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

Matthew Davis, Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority, Atlanta, GA

Harrison Doane, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

David Dunlap, Irving Arts Center, Irving, TX

Neil Fenwick, New Plymouth District Council, New Plymouth, New Zealand

Tahlia Firman, Curtin University, Ballajura, Wau, Australia

Frank Flowers, ACTN Strategies LLC, Atlanta, GA

Philip Frost, Allen Event Center, Allen, TX

Lewis Gibbons, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Tom Gleeson, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Morgan Goad, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Jesse Goldfarb, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Valery Gooch, accesso, Lake Mary, FL

Latoya Gustus, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Megan Haggard, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX

Lucas Hartgrove, Western Kentucky University, Mason City, IA

Simone Haugh, City of Gold Coast – Major Sporting Venues, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia

Sam Hecker, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA

Erik Hudson, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

David Huxtable, Basketball Victoria, Knox City Centre, VIC, Australia

Julie Johns, Yarrow Stadium, New Plymouth, New Zealand

Chelsey Jones, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Salisbury, MD

Ram Khadka, Lorne Hotel, Lorne, VIC, Australia

Katy Knauss, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL

Alyssa Knoop, Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada

Ryan Kuntz, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Nicole LaMonica, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Justin Lee, Nowsta, Brooklyn, NY

Mark Levy, IHS Global Alliance – The Americas, Santa Monica, CA

Tej Limbu, Moth Studio, Mui Wo, Lantau Island NT, Hong Kong

Kyle Love, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Kevin Lowry, Nowsta, Brooklyn, NY

Karen Lynch, Geiger Engineers, P.C., Suffern, NY

Chresten Mabey, Venues & Events Palmerston North, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Keith MacBain, Geiger Engineers, P.C., Suffern, NY

Erminia Martinez, San Mateo County Event Center, San Mateo, CA

Rachel Mayes, Nowsta, Brooklyn, NY

Michael McGreevey, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL

Sean Meloy, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Barron Melton, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL

Jacob Molz, 24/7 Software, Boca Raton, FL

Kathryn Morgan, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Angela Nix, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Sarah Old, University of Montana, Missoula, MT

Ben Pokol, Gas South District, Duluth, GA

Sean Poppe, Western Kentucky University, Elizabethtown, KY

Doug Potter, VenuMax, Santa Ana, CA

Giuseppe Ribaudo, Inter Miami CF, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Nicky Robbie, Venues & Events Palmerston North, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Alonzo Santiago, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX

Jacob Sharp, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY

Tony Sheehan, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA

Holly Simpson, Kentucky Venues, Louisville, KY

Brian Smith, Western Kentucky University, Louisville, KY

Jaime Stephenson, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Owen Sweeney, Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE), Newark, NJ

Payton Sweeney, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

Lauren Tabarrok, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL

Carly Taylor, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ

Alex Trusnik, MGM  Northfield Park | MGM Grand Detroit, Northfield, OH

Mark Turner, Allen Event Center, Allen, TX

Adam Twiss, Paramount Theatre/City of Goldsboro, Goldsboro, NC

Steve Urbanowycz, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Leanne Walsh, Baseline Behaviour and Consultancy, Heathcote, NSW, Australia

Bryan Wasyluk, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Rachel Weinstein, Nowsta, Brooklyn, NY

Cassidy Woodall, Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN

Youri Wystyrk, Suncorp Stadium – ASM Global Pty Ltd, Milton BC, QLD, Australia

Darren Yirkovsky, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA

By R.V. Baugus and PCMA

Music City Center President and Chief Executive Officer Charles Starks, President and CEO of the Music City Center in Nashville, has been named Chairman of the Board for the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).

With 8,400 professional and student members, as well as 100,000 business stakeholders worldwide, PCMA is the global leader in business events. In 2022, the organization will combine its Board of Directors and Foundation Board of Trustees into a single board of 19 members. Nominations were announced in September, with full membership approval recently announced.

“I’m honored to serve as PCMA Chairman of the Board,” Starks said. “I’m excited to lead the organization in this next chapter alongside the most global and diverse board in its rich history.”

Starks has successfully led Music City Center since its inception. He is only the third convention center executive to chair the PCMA board in its 65-year history. He previously served in other capacities on the Board of Directors and the Foundation Board of Trustees. He currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer.

“I believe PCMA is critical to the success of the business events industry, and the value of the relationships and connections made through the organization is immeasurable,” Starks added. “To be asked to serve in this capacity is a tremendous privilege and an opportunity to give back to the industry that has given me so much.”

Starks will serve a one-year term as Chairman of the Board, effective January 12, 2022, followed by a one-year term as Past Chair. He will continue his role as President and CEO of Music City Center during that time.

PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat, CAE, President and CEO of the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) announced he has received the 2022 Board of Directors and Trustees Slate from Nominating Committee co-chairs Stuart Ruff-Lyon, Immediate Past Chairman, PCMA Board of Directors and Valerie Sumner, Immediate Past Chairwoman, PCMA Foundation Board of Trustees.

For the first time in PCMA’s history, the Board will consist of a new governing body that encompasses Directors and Trustees for PCMA and the PCMA Foundation, respectively – a change that will empower PCMA to be agile, responsive, and innovative at a time that calls for bold leadership and diverse solutions for PCMA’s global audiences.

“Leadership at PCMA is about serving our members and the greater global business events industry as it re-emerges to the new realities of a post-pandemic world,” said PCMA President and CEO Sherrif Karamat. “It is defined by our values – particularly around PCMA’s stated commitments to equity, inclusion and diversity. It is not defined by job titles or tenure, but by a demonstrated ability to make a difference for others when it is needed the most.”

Directors and Trustees will assume office immediately following PCMA’s Convening Leaders annual meeting January 9-12 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.

By R.V. Baugus and Asian Leisure Business

Geoff Donaghy, long-time IAVM member, ASM Global’s Group Director of Convention Centers for the Asia Pacific region, and CEO of the Sydney International Convention Centre, has been inducted into the United States-based Event Industry Council’s (EIC) prestigious Hall of Leaders.

The induction by the global industry association which champions event professionals and event industry

excellence, recognizes Donaghy’s lifetime achievements as a business events industry leader.

Noting that Donaghy’s achievement was testament to the prevailing hard work, passion and enthusiasm of an exceptionally accomplished leader, Harvey Lister AM, Chairman and Chief Executive of ASM Global Asia Pacific, stated “Geoff’s career achievements span decades and include championing the development of several major venues in Australia for ASM Global such as the Cairns Convention Centre, Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium and International Convention Centre Sydney.

“Geoff was also heavily involved in the company’s securing of the convention centre partnership in Los Angeles and Hawaii, today part of the ASM Global portfolio of 330+ venues across five continents.

“He has long been a strong advocate for business events specifically, uplifting their importance globally, but never before has his leadership of the sector been more pronounced than recently during one of the most challenging periods in our sector’s history.”

Donaghy’s leadership roles across national and international industry associations include serving two terms as President of the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), as a longstanding member of the executive committee of the Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), and as both a board member and Deputy Chair of the Business Events Council of Australia (BECA). He has been a strong advocate for ensuring the return of business events venues in Australia remained at the front of the queue for support and reopening roadmaps.

In thanks for Donaghy’s industry commitment and roles with AIPC and JMIC, AIPC President, Greg O’Dell spearheaded the submission for the lifetime achievement award to acknowledge Donaghy’s length and depth of service in the business events sector.

“Geoff is a true events industry aficionado, always generously sharing his wealth of knowledge to elevate the industry in which he works and where his passion lies,” O’Dell said. “He has been instrumental in elevating the events industry globally and nationally.”

The acclaimed EIC program recognizes outstanding industry leaders. Members of the Hall of Leaders are measured against four criterion including those whose contributions helped shape the industry and whose work continues to advance it, leaders whose work has affected the entire industry, leaders who have demonstrated distinguished achievements of lasting value, and those who have contributed to charitable efforts, their communities and the welfare of others.

The EIC Hall of Leaders gala celebration took place on November 7 in Las Vegas.

Image: ASM Global