By PR Newswire

ASM Global announced thatJay Cooper has been named General Manager of T-Mobile Center, Kansas City’s home for live entertainment and sporting events that anchors more than $8 billion in economic investment in a revitalized downtown.

“We are delighted to announce Jay’s appointment has General Manager of the T-Mobile Center,” said Ron Bension, President and CEO of ASM Global. “Having worked with some of the world’s leading venues, sports teams and event organizations, Jay will bring a wealth of experience and extensive industry relationships that will greatly benefit the facility.”

“I am excited and honored to lead the talented team at T-Mobile Center as General Manager,” Cooper said. “Kansas City is a vibrant market and the staff of T-Mobile Center has an excellent reputation for delivering exceptional entertainment experiences. I am thrilled and look forward to collaborating with our team, the City of Kansas City and our partners to bring about the safe and timely return of live events to the Midwest.”

With more than 34 years of venue management expertise complimented by facility development experience, Cooper brings a unique skill set to the General Manager position having led numerous projects around the world through planning, construction, and operational stages. Cooper worked directly on the development and implementation of enterprise-wide supporting programs, including security, sustainability, energy management and VenueShield, ASM Global’s industry leading post-COVID-19 pandemic recovery program.

Cooper’s 25-year career with ASM Global began as General Manager of Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, where he was responsible for the pre-opening, marketing, booking and operations. He oversaw the development and management of the 18,000-seat arena which is the home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets along with numerous concerts and other professional sports. In addition, he has previously served in senior management roles at Toyota Park in the Chicago metro area (Chicago Fire), Tampa’s Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Joe Louis Arena (Detroit Red Wings).

In his most recent role as Senior Vice President of Global Solutions, Cooper worked with venue owners and operators to identify fully integrated operational solutions and customized packages of services designed to improve operational performance, maximize returns from construction and capital expenditures and optimize revenue generation potential for each facility. His international expertise includes directing and executing pre-opening plans associated with newly built and renovated stadiums and arenas including Buenos Aires Arena (Argentina) and Antel Arena (Uruguay). He has also overseen pre-opening planning, including program development, operations management and staff training at major venues, such as: Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas), Fiserv Forum (Milwaukee), Prudential Center (Newark), Videotron Centre (Quebec City), Rogers Place (Edmonton), Maracanã Stadium (Brazil), Arena Pernambuco (Brazil), Mercedes Benz Arena (Berlin), and MasterCard Center (Beijing) to name a few.

“Jay is an industry veteran who will optimize all aspects of venue operations and elevate T-Mobile Center as a community partner,” said Doug Thornton, Executive Vice President, ASM Global. “He also understands what our clients, staff and guests need to be successful and will be committed to exceeding their expectations.”

A graduate of the University of Iowa, Tippie College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Cooper earned a Master of Arts degree in Sports Administration from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Cooper and his wife, Melissa, have two adult children and make their home in Kansas City.

By R.V. Baugus and Communications Staff

New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) recently hosted The Specialty Coffee Association’s (SCA) Specialty Coffee Expo, the largest coffee tradeshow in North America which hosts exhibitors and attendees from around the world.

“Our city has endured a lot of challenges over the past 19 months and bringing events like this back to New Orleans is extremely beneficial to our economic recovery,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President. “Specialty Coffee Association has been a wonderful partner, and we are extremely grateful for their efforts at persevering through various challenges to keep this year’s event safe and sustainable. Conducting an event on this scale is complicated even under normal circumstances.”

Not only has SCA remained committed to hosting their meeting in New Orleans, but they are also donating $205,000, which is half of all attendee revenue, to Louisiana coffee businesses and hourly coffee workers in New Orleans and surrounding parishes who were impacted by Hurricane Ida. SCA is partnering with GoFundBean and Louisiana Hospitality Foundation to distribute these funds.

“We at the Specialty Coffee Association were thrilled to bring North America’s largest coffee event to the beautiful city of New Orleans. After more than a year apart, specialty coffee buyers and sellers gathered once again at Expo to connect and do business,” said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. “New Orleans has a long history as a coffee city and a vibrant specialty coffee community today; it was important for us to be able to return and support the local community by donating half of our attendee revenue.”

Through this four-day event, NOENMCC was able to implement new sustainability programs in partnership with Schmelly’s Dirt Farm. Attendees were encouraged to put their coffee grounds, compostable cups, food and more in compost and recycling bins across the facilities. SCA also worked with New Orleans & Company to donate leftover supplies like milk and furniture to Caribbean Carnival/Friends of Culture, Son of a Saint, and the New Orleans Mission. Leftover glassware was sent to Tulane University for use in their glass blowing program.

COVID-19 protocol was enforced throughout the event to ensure that attendees could safely meet, and exhibitors could showcase their most innovative products and services. All attendees, including those who were fully vaccinated, were required to present a negative PCR COVID-19 test valid within 72 hours of badge pick up to enter the venue. NOENMCC also provided rapid testing options onsite and followed all local and state COVID-19 guidelines.

“Successfully hosting a group like SCA is the result of years of relationship-building with the client and a seamless partnership between New Orleans & Company and the Morial Convention Center,” said Stephen Perry, President & CEO of New Orleans & Company, the official sales and marketing organization for New Orleans’ tourism industry. “When a convention comes to New Orleans, there is broad economic impact that goes far beyond hotels and restaurants. Our friends at SCA contributed even more to New Orleans through direct financial support to their local members/coffee shops, which we deeply appreciate.”

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.