By ASMGlobal.com

ASM Global, the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, and Nashville Superspeedway, Music City’s home for racing and live entertainment, have partnered to bring world-class content to Middle Tennessee and the region. It will be the first auto-racing venue in ASM’s extensive global network.

ASM will use its extensive experience in creating and delivering major live sports and music experiences including concerts, lifestyle festivals, and drive-thru and walk-thru exhibits in the expansive speedway complex. Nashville Superspeedway currently hosts events in NASCAR’s top three series: the NASCAR Cup Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

The non-exclusive agreement began Sept. 28, 2021.

“As the world’s leading provider of live-event experiences, ASM Global is uniquely positioned to provide world-class entertainment opportunities for music and sports fans in Middle Tennessee and throughout the region,” said Chuck Steedman, ASM Global executive vice president for strategy and development.

“We are tremendously excited to work with Erik Moses and the team at the Nashville Superspeedway and to have the Superspeedway as our first auto-racing venue. The team is very active in the desire to bring a multitude of events to the Superspeedway.”

“We are thrilled to partner with a global industry leader like ASM Global to continue the work we began a year ago to reopen, revitalize and reposition the Nashville Superspeedway as a beloved racetrack on the NASCAR circuit and a leading venue in Middle Tennessee for a diverse assortment of live events,” said Erik Moses, president, Nashville Superspeedway.

“The enthusiastic response to our first NASCAR tripleheader race weekend, including the sold-out inaugural Ally 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Father’s Day 2021, and the support we’ve seen for the other events hosted here in the last year has strengthened our confidence in our ability to curate, attract and host top-quality sports and entertainment events at the Nashville Superspeedway. We look forward to working with ASM Global to bring exciting entertainment to the residents, visitors and guests of Middle Tennessee.”

By R.V. Baugus and Kentucky Venues

Kentucky Venues and Spectra Partnerships – a major division of Spectra, has appointed Kevin Contardo as Director of Partnerships. Contardo brings to Spectra more than 20 years of experience in the live events industry, including tour and arena management.

In his role, Contardo will integrate with the Kentucky Venues team to support its goals and to develop partnerships that generate revenue and increase events at the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center.

“Kevin’s industry experience and familiarity with the region make him an ideal partner in helping improve events and generate revenue at both of our facilities,” David S. Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues, said. “He understands the proud history of our signature events, and we look forward to working alongside him to continue to elevate our brand across the commonwealth.”

Spectra was selected as KY Venues’ sales consulting agency in August. In addition to the two major venues, Contardo will also focus on the six annual events that are owned and produced by Kentucky Venues: the Kentucky State Fair, World’s Championship Horse Show, National Farm Machinery Show, Championship Tractor Pull, North American International Livestock Exposition and North American Championship Rodeo.

“I am excited to join Spectra and to begin working with Mr. Beck and his first-class team,” Contardo said. “I have worked the majority of my career throughout this region and have developed a strong connection to it. Kentucky Venues’ six legacy events provide a terrific foundation for us to build on to maximize corporate sponsorship opportunities and to bring more events to our facilities.”

Contardo joined Spectra from KDC Consulting Group, where he assisted clients with live event sponsorships, marketing, venue booking and operations, and event management. Previously, he served as general manager/ director of development for the Professional Rough Stock Series. Also, he served in leadership roles at regional venues including BB&T Arena (formerly The Bank of Kentucky Center) at Northern Kentucky University, U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, and Hara Arena, Conference & Exhibition Center in Dayton, Ohio.

By Daktronics.com

Audiovisual systems manufacturer Daktronics has upgraded the centrehung scoreboard display at TD Garden, home of the NBA’s Boston Celtics and NHL’s Boston Bruins.

The larger display will feature the first and only 2.5-millimetre pixel spacing in a centrehung application from Daktronics. The board provides more than 4K resolution, which is currently the highest resolution available in the NBA and NHL.

The display, which features 48.6 million pixels, has been fitted ahead of the new NBA and NHL seasons. The new display builds on the 2.5-millimetre technology installed in 2019 and expands the digital footprint of all four displays at TD Garden to measure 18 feet high by 32.5 feet wide.

Four new underbelly video displays were also added to the centrehung configuration to cater to fans sitting closer to the action. Each of these displays measures 6.5 feet high by 23 feet wide and features 2.9-millimetre pixel spacing.

Two new ring displays have also been fitted above the 4K video boards. The displays have been installed on their own hoist system to allow them to be raised and lowered for the needs of the various events held at TD Garden.

The main video displays are capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or multiple different zones. These zones can show any combination of live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics, animations and sponsorship messages in coordination with their live game-day production.

TD Garden president Amy Latimer said: “We are so excited to kick off the season and deliver the clearest and most captivating in-game presentation on the all-new ‘Hub Vision’ scoreboard.

“TD Garden is in a constant state of innovation to improve our guest experience, and Delaware North continues to prove their commitment to the guest experience with these investments. The scoreboard is the centrepiece of the arena, and this upgrade will bring an unparalleled, technologically-advanced in-game experience for all our guests to enjoy.”

Daktronics sales representative Charley Bocklet added: “We started this transition back in 2019, so to see this new centrehung finally completed, as originally intended, is just extra special.

“It’s an honor for Daktronics to continue our relationship with TD Garden, which now will showcase some of the highest resolution screens in sports today. Their staff has always been great to work with and never more so than through this last year. Patience and perseverance will finally pay off for the fans of Boston.”

Earlier this year, the Celtics reached an agreement to continue playing at TD Garden until at least 2036. Both the Celtics and Bruins have played at the arena since it opened in 1995.

The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:

1. The nominee may be from any membership category of IAVM or from outside of the Association in a related field.
2. Any current or past contributor to the IAVM Foundation may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the IAVM Foundation.
3. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
4. No Chair of IAVM or Chair of the IAVM Foundation is eligible for consideration until the third VenueConnect following his/her term of office.
5. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
6. The award may be given posthumously.

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM Foundation CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business November 30, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or phone at 972.538.1025.

The Charles A. McElravy Award may be awarded annually to a Professional, Honorary, or Retired member of IAVM who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of the Association or profession.

The following criteria are established for the McElravy Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been a Professional, Honorary, or Retired Member of the IAVM in good standing for at least fifteen (15) years total (though not necessarily consecutively).
2. The nominee needs to meet the minimum service to IAVM requirements for Honorary Membership, but is not required to be retired. The following criteria must be met for a member to be eligible for consideration for Honorary Membership:  1) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) during the past 15 years; 2) Attendance at no fewer than 5 Region Meetings during the past 15 years;  3) Service as chair of at least three international or two Region committees during the past 15 years;  4) Service as:  Director of IAVM or officer in a Region at least once during the member’s tenure with IAVM or b) Program chair for an IAVM venue-specific or specialty meeting during the member’s tenure with IAVM or c) Member of Board of Regents, Board of Trustees, or Board of Governors during member’s tenure with IAVM.
3. Any member in good standing may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
4. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination letter.
5. No Chairman of the Board (or Past President) of IAVM is eligible for consideration until the third Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Brad Mayne, CVE, President & CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically.  The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business November 30, 2021.  If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or phone at 972.538.1025.