By Meghan Risch

The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) Foundation recognized more than 20 business events industry leaders at the 2021 Visionary Awards, held at the Hilton Washington in Washington, D.C. The Visionary Awards honors the industry’s exceptional stars for their significant contributions to their organizations and the business events community. More than 500 guests celebrated with a red-carpet experience, awards show and an after party featuring Austin-based band The Nightowls.

“The Visionary Awards is an opportunity to celebrate our amazing colleagues, while also supporting the PCMA Foundation,” said Angie Ranalli, PCMA Foundation chairwoman. “To the innovators, the game-changers, the risk-takers, and above all, the visionaries that provide the power behind business events, thank you for your hard work, dedication and passion. Congratulations to all of our honorees and finalists.”

Six recipients were honored with Professional Excellence Awards. The winners were selected by an awards committee, which reviewed all nominations and chose the finalists. As part of the process, the committee reviewed the finalists again and selected the winners via a blind online vote.

Supplier of the Year: WeeMin Ong, Vice President of Conventions and Exhibitions, Marina Bay Sands
Business Event Strategist of the Year: Bob Bejan, CVP, Global Events, Studios and Marketing Community, Microsoft
Digital Experience Strategist of the Year: Victoria Fanning, CMP, DES, Sr. Manager, Digital Events, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA)
Event Designer of the Year: Amy Ledoux, retired as Chief Learning and Meetings Officer, ASAE
Community Advocate of the Year: José Quan, Founder and Owner of Eventia
Outstanding Service to a Chapter: IAVM member Kim Allison, Senior Director of Sales, Georgia World Congress Center — Capital Chapter

“We are all in the business of bringing people together – convening with purpose to deliver the human connections that help enrich our communities and our quality of life,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA president and CEO. “We advance industries and social change. We are resilient. We are innovative and we passionately believe in our ability to change the world. The world is a better place when we are together.”

In recognition of leaders who made a significant impact during a year filled with so much uncertainty, the PCMA Foundation added three new awards – the Wayfinder Award for an individual and an organization, and the Groundbreakers Award.

The Wayfinder Award honors an individual and an organization for their innovation, courage, leadership and solution-focused approach when impacted by a significant external challenge. IMEX Group CEO Carina Bauer was the individual award winner, and the organizational award went to Hyatt Hotels Corporation.

Carol Wallace, a past IAVM president (chair) and former president and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation, received the inaugural PCMA Groundbreakers Award — honoring industry trailblazers who represent diverse sectors of the business events community, recognizing those who have made a significant contribution to their organizations, and programs that advance inclusion and equity.

Also recognized were the Lifetime Achievement Honorees — Bill Grusich, CMP, FASAE, senior vice president at Associated Luxury Hotels International, and Lisa Delpy Neirotti, Ph.D, professor and director Sports Management programs (BBA, MSSM, MBA, Sport Philanthropy Certificate) at The George Washington University.

Due to current travel restrictions and border closures, the PCMA Foundation will appropriately honor Ben Goedegebuure, vice president and global general manager at Maritz Global Events with his Lifetime Achievement during the 2022 Visionary Awards.

Other finalists for the Professional Excellence and Wayfinder Awards that were honored include the following: Karen Watson, Cultivate Event Design and Consulting; Camille White-Stern, Splash; Rose Horcher, Choose Chicago; Lora Stanley, Visit Anaheim; Carly Silberstein, Redstone Agency Inc.; Ben Elliott, Live Productions Australia Pty Ltd; John Woo, GES Events; Megan Finnell, CMP, Medical Group Management Association (MGMA); Toni Zoblotsky, Hilton Corp.; Michelle Guelbart, MSW, a recognized voice in the movement to eradicate human trafficking and child exploitation; Allen Anderson, Anderson Hospitality Services, Greater Philadelphia Chapter; Andrew Horsfield, DES, Hyatt Place Ottawa West, PCMA Canada East Chapter; Michael Clarke, Marriott International; Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, AIM Group International; Events DC; PCMA Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Meghan Risch is Vice President, Strategic and Corporate Communications at PCMA.

ASM Global has been appointed as the main operator for two venues within a planned mixed-use destination in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The 20,000-seat Jeddah Arena and the International Convention Centre Jeddah will form part of the Airport City project, which will be based adjacent to the King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah.

ASM Global has been appointed by SARH Real Estate Investment to provide design expertise and management of the two venues, which are set to open in December 2025.

The megacity district project has been billed as the “ultimate live-work-play lifestyle destination” linked by train to KAIA and the city of Jeddah. The Jeddah Arena and ICC Jeddah will be complemented by three to five-star hotels, a shopping mall, parklands, a business centre, residential sector, and other recreational amenities.

Harvey Lister, chairman and chief executive of ASM Global in the Asia-Pacific and Gulf region, said: “ASM Global is looking forward to being an integral part of the team to deliver this visionary project in Jeddah. We pride ourselves on joining forces with partners with whom we know we can make a difference to creating and delivering amazing experiences.”

Sultan Al-Harbi, chairman of SAHR Real Estate Investment, added: “Upon analysing the significant importance of both the iconic arena and convention centre, it was only fitting to appoint the global giants in the venue and entertainment industry, ASM Global, to collaborate on this landmark project for Jeddah and Saudi Arabia.”

The agreement bolsters ASM Global’s presence in the Middle East. The company operates the 17,000-seat Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai and was recently appointed as the managing operator of the new Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre in Sakhir.

The construction of the Jeddah Airport City project is expected to begin by the end of 2021, with work hoping to be completed by December 2025.

By OakViewGroup.com

Oak View Group (OVG) announced that Chris Granger has joined the company to lead OVG Facilities as its CEO. Based in Detroit, Chris will report to Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group.

Chris’ appointment comes on the heels of OVG’s announcement to merge with Spectra, one of the industry’s leading food and beverage and hospitality providers, to create a leading full-service live events company. The combined company will provide industry-leading expertise in booking and creating content for the venues it manages, and it will be committed to sustainability across its business operations by harnessing the power of the entertainment and sports industries to inspire positive change robustly and at scale.

With more than 25 years of experience, Chris will oversee OVG Facilities, OVG Media & Conferences, and the OVG Arena Alliance, a collection of the top 32 venues in North America that provides a platform for booking, content, and sponsorship sales opportunities. In addition, Chris will focus on sustainability, public safety, and sanitization solutions across all venues, addressing some of the biggest challenges in the live events industry.

“As we grow as a company, there are priorities that we have set to guide that growth,” Leiweke said. “First, character, in all aspects of our organization. Second, a commitment to lead the industry and change the conversation. Third, to not operate in fear. What I admire most about Chris is he is a living example of all three. Anyone and everyone that has worked with him knows he is a class act and leads by example. In addition, he is like us, dreaming for what we could be as an industry and thinking outside the box. And finally, he believes that this is the time for us to be bold, to be entrepreneurial, and to grow this industry. All of us at OVG, our facilities, and our fans, are looking forward to Chris’ leadership.”

“I am excited and humbled to join Tim Leiweke, Irving Azoff, and the incredibly talented team at Oak View Group,” Granger said. “Venues, arenas, and stadiums increasingly play an irreplaceable role in society. They bring diverse people together to cheer, to sing, to vote, to protest, and to celebrate. Further, we are seeing facilities lead the way in areas of public health, public safety, and sustainability. I look forward to contributing to the OVG vision of making a positive contribution to the world through our venues. I can’t wait to get started.”

“I would also like to thank Chris Ilitch for the amazing opportunity to steward the business operations of two iconic teams, six world-class venues, and work with some of the hardest working people in sports and entertainment. It’s been an honor to represent the Winged Wheel and Olde English D, and truly the highlight of my career thus far. I am grateful for what I have learned, for the friendships built, and for the chance to live, work, and play in the Motor City, one of the great entertainment destinations in the world.”

Prior to joining OVG, Chris was group president of sports & entertainment with Ilitch Holdings, a position he held since 2017. While there, he was responsible for all aspects of business operations for the Detroit Tigers, the Detroit Red Wings, the company’s joint venture interest in 313 Presents, and the operations of Little Caesars Arena, Comerica Park, Detroit’s historic Fox Theater, DTE Energy Music Theater, Meadow Brook Amphitheater, and Michigan Lottery Amphitheater at Freedom Hill. In Granger’s four years leading the organization, the Ilitch sports and entertainment businesses saw a period of unprecedented growth, a broad expansion of programming, and significant community investment.

Chris previously served as president of the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento Basketball Holdings, LLC. During his tenure, the Kings enjoyed unprecedented revenue growth and were widely recognized as a highly innovative and community-minded franchise. Chris’ influence also extended to the development of Sacramento’s award-winning, LEED Platinum Golden 1 Center, and its 1.5 million-square-foot downtown mixed-use development project, Downtown Commons. The Golden 1 Center was the first arena in the country to be recognized as LEED Platinum, reflecting its groundbreaking commitment to sustainability. Before joining the Kings, Granger worked in various capacities for the NBA for 14 years. While there, he served as the executive vice president of the NBA’s renowned team marketing and business operations function, where he advised NBA, WNBA, and NBA Development League teams on all aspects of business operations.

Chris and his family are active in a wide range of charitable organizations in the Detroit community, including Make-a-Wish Michigan, Salvation Army, the Henry Ford Museum, and City Year Detroit, where Chris proudly serves on the Board.

He received his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and his Master of Business Administration from Yale. He was named Sacramento Business Person of the Year in 2017 and was a 2010 Sports Business Journal Forty Under 40 award winner.

By Megan Palmer

SpotOn, one of the fastest-growing software and payments companies with comprehensive solutions for restaurants and retail businesses, announced $300 million in Series E funding, raising its valuation to $3.15 billion. The funding will be used to acquire Appetize, a leading digital and mobile commerce platform for enterprise businesses, such as sports and entertainment venues, theme parks, zoos, college campuses, and more.

The round was led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), one of the world’s leading technology and software investors, with continued participation from current investors, including DST Global, 01 Advisors, Dragoneer Investment Group, Franklin Templeton, and Mubadala Investment Company, as well as new investors Wellington Management and Coatue Management. Advisors Douglas Merritt, CEO of Splunk, and Mike Scarpelli, CFO of Snowflake, also made individual investments. The funding comes four months after SpotOn’s Series D and increases its valuation from $1.875 to $3.15 billion, further reinforcing the company’s momentum and market potential.

“This investment enables SpotOn to significantly increase its total addressable market, with an end-to-end platform for restaurants and retail business of all types and sizes,” said David George, general partner at Andreessen Horowitz. “The acquisition is a natural fit given the companies’ complementary technology and shared focus on market-leading customer support.”

Following the acquisition, SpotOn is positioned to rapidly expand its reach to serve the middle market. SpotOn has hundreds of account executives embedded in communities across the country who will bring Appetize’s world-class technology to thousands of regional entertainment centers, stadiums, colleges, and universities in these communities.

“From our first meetings with Appetize, we knew they had great people and a great product, and the more we worked together it became clear that our two companies were stronger together,” said Matt Hyman, Co-CEO of SpotOn. “We are combining our complementary technologies, extending our market coverage and retaining our shared passion for great service and support for our clients. SpotOn is quickly becoming a part of everyday life for consumers across the country whenever they shop, dine, or visit a stadium or a college campus.”

“Appetize has built a truly special team and product that is trusted by some of the most iconic brands in hospitality, from Yankee Stadium to LSU to the San Diego Zoo. Likewise, SpotOn has earned the trust of tens of thousands of small businesses and independent restaurants with their technology and team,” said Max Roper, CEO at Appetize, who will continue running the business as part of SpotOn. “This acquisition enables our combined team to accelerate investments into our core product and client base, while expanding to fill a void in the mid-market space. By bringing the two companies together, businesses from a major league ballpark to a local clothing boutique will have access to modern, intuitive, cloud-based technology that delivers exceptional customer experiences from one trusted provider.”

The acquisition leverages SpotOn’s SMB expertise and Appetize’s enterprise acumen to focus on a broader market that is beneficial for all clients. SMBs will benefit from robust, scalable technology that can grow with them, and enterprise clients can leverage complementary products, such as sophisticated loyalty programs and expanded marketing capabilities, to increase engagement with their most valuable customers. Through these combined, complementary technologies, SpotOn is positioned to support clients of all types and sizes to manage their business now and well into the future. The transaction is expected to close by mid-September.

Megan Palmer is Senior Communications Manager at SpotOn based in the Washington, D.C. area.

By Dominique Wright

YouTube Theater, the new 6,000 seat performance venue located at Hollywood Park, recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony ahead of its opening series of events. Marking the start of its inaugural year, the ceremony included Hollywood Park Developer and Los Angeles Rams Owner/Chairman E. Stanley Kroenke, YouTube Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl, and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. YouTube creator Mai Pham served as the master of ceremonies. Live Nation Concerts’ Chief Strategy and Development Officer Jordan Zachary as well as President of Los Angeles for Live Nation Concerts, Rich Best, were also in attendance to celebrate the opening of the city’s brand new music and entertainment venue.

YouTube Theater’s initial slate of events spans September, October, and November and will culminate in a Grand Opening this winter when YouTube Theater and Live Nation, the venue’s exclusive booking promoter, announce the theater’s first artist residency with one of today’s most popular music groups, to be announced later this year.

“YouTube Theater is in the heart of the entertainment capital of the world and inspired by creativity and technology,” said Hollywood Park Developer E. Stanley Kroenke. “We are proud to partner with YouTube at this unique venue. YouTube Theater’s opening series of special and diverse concerts and events is not only for the Inglewood and Los Angeles communities it calls home but also representative of them. On this special occasion, we want to express our deepest appreciation to the partners, colleagues, and employees that helped bring YouTube Theater to life. We cannot wait to welcome you.”

YouTube Theater is uniquely positioned to serve as a new home for artists, creators, and an array of live entertainment. Live Nation will bring a diverse array of artists to the brand new Los Angeles venue across a variety of genres, spanning from Latin and Pop to Hip-Hop, Rock, R&B, Soul, and much more, as well as some of the biggest and best names in comedy and entertainment. In addition, the theater is equipped to host many other types of events, including awards shows, esports competitions, community gatherings, conference,s and more.

The 227,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art indoor venue is three-stories and places an emphasis on the live experience. The farthest seat in the house is only 164 feet from the 6,100 square-foot stage, creating an intimate environment for fans and artists while simultaneously providing an expansive performance area to allow for the utmost creativity and stage design. The theater has the ability to seamlessly stream live events, bringing the entertainment to fans in any locale.

YouTube Theater offers best-in-class amenities, with six premium boxes, a 1,200 square-foot back-of-house hospitality space – with adjacent dressing rooms – and a 3,500 square-foot private club embedded with 140 premium seats. YouTube Theater also features a sound system from L-Acoustics – the global leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of professional sound reinforcement technologies – that creates an elevated audio experience for artists and fans alike. Designed by Idibri and integrated by 3G Productions, this world-class sound system features the renowned K Series – an industry benchmark in audio for tours, festivals, and premium sound installations worldwide.

The venue itself is blended seamlessly in at the southernmost corner of the same roof canopy that stretches over SoFi Stadium and American Airlines Plaza. Complete with a two-story Kaynemaile chandelier, the theater’s features provide a next-level fan experience. With a focus on digital technology, YouTube Theater also showcases a large-scale immersive digital signage display of the YouTube Icon on the exterior of the building that delivers a motion-based interactive experience for guests. Limited only by creativity, the YouTube Icon can be programmed with an infinite number of interactive modes. Guests can experience one of the Mirror Modes and see their bodies take on different shapes through convex and concave simulations across the 13-foot high by 10-foot-wide screen. Additionally, YouTube Theater guests and passersby will be able to view highlights of YouTube’s creator content playing out across the Icon’s screen. The theater also features an interactive digital wall on the interior that will be used to celebrate YouTube creators and artists by showcasing them in a gallery-like setting.

YouTube Theater is a part of Hollywood Park, a near 300-acre sports and entertainment destination being developed by Kroenke. It is the largest urban mixed-use development under construction in the Western United States. Designed to be a true gathering space for Inglewood and Los Angeles, when complete, Hollywood Park will feature 25 acres of public parks and open space. Entirely privately funded, Hollywood Park is also home to SoFi Stadium, the new venue for the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, and American Airlines Plaza, as well as an exceptional 500,000 square-foot retail district, more than 300 residences and the NFL Building, which will all open to the public in or before Spring 2022 under Phase 1 of Hollywood Park’s development timeline.

Dominique Wright is Communications Specialist at SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park.