By CEIR

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released two additional case studies from its Global Virtual Event Trends series, sponsored by Swapcard, that examines insights among organizations that traditionally run or manage in-person business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions that pivoted to producing virtual events due to constraints and regulations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The newest additions to the series, Case Study: North Star Travel Group and Case Study: Auto Care Association provide real world examples of how each organization adapted its events to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of their strategies and valuable lessons learned throughout the process.

“Both case studies offer unique perspectives,” said CEIR Vice President of Research Nancy Drapeau, PRC. “Northstar Travel’s CEO discusses the organization’s multichannel product mix and how it has been used to strategic advantage. The Auto Care Association’s approach was intentionally narrow, generating positive benefits for future attendee acquisition efforts, impactful product demonstration opportunities for exhibitors and strengthening member connection with the organization.”

Reports in the series include:

Report One – Anatomy of Virtual Events and Financial Outcomes, which details extensive baseline data on elements that are typically included in a virtual event, as well as performance outcomes regarding participation and financially.

Report Two – Lessons Learned To Date and Technologies Used synthesizes open-ended comments shared by executives on lessons learned and technology to run their virtual events.

Previously released case studies detailing real world applications and findings include:

Case Study: School Nutrition Association
Case Study: Radiological Society of North America
Case Study: Macgregor Communications
Case Study: North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)

Through the generous financial support from Swapcard, CEIR’s Global Virtual Event Trends series reports are available to the industry at no cost from CEIR’s website. The survey for the series fielded in October 2020. It was multilingual, giving respondents the choice of completing the survey in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic.

“This research was made possible through the collaboration and support from over a dozen organizations who produce B2B exhibitions and/or represent the global B2B exhibitions industry,” noted CEIR CEO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM. “CEIR is grateful to all who participated for enabling us to provide insights based on objective, unbiased research that will help members of our industry confidently move forward with their own strategies.”

The sample was generated via the participation of multiple organizations globally, which invited qualified members and contacts to participate in this initiative. A total of 463 executives responded to the invitation to participate in the study, of which 346 were qualified to participate and completed the survey. The response rate is seven percent, and total percentage results provide statistically reliable results of plus or minus five percent or better, at the 95% interval.

To download the reports at nost cost, click here.

From JacksonvilleIcemen.com and R.V. Baugus

The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, are pleased to announce today that the team has named Nick Luukko as the team’s new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations.

If the name is familiar, Nick is the son of venue management icon Peter Luukko, who currently serves as executive chairman with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League and serves on their Board of Governors. Luukko is most known in the industry having served as president and chief operating officer of Comcast Spectacor, Luukko was the long-serving president of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, a position he held until December 2013. In February 2014, Luukko accepted a position on the board of Pointstreaks, a sports technology company. He then joined the Florida Panthers as executive chairman in February 2015.

Nick Luukko, 29, becomes the second head coach in Jacksonville Icemen history, after serving the past two years as an assistant coach with the Reading Royals (ECHL). Luukko helped guide the Royals to an impressive 37-17-6 record during the 2019-20 regular season.

“I am extremely honored to be the next head coach of the Jacksonville Icemen,” Luukko said. “The passion and commitment that Andy Kaufmann and Bob Ohrablo have for building a successful franchise is extraordinary. I would like to thank the Icemen Family for providing me the opportunity to lead Jacksonville to future successful seasons and the ultimate goal of winning a Kelly Cup. I would also like to thank the Reading Royals and Kirk MacDonald for giving me the opportunity to be a player, captain and assistant coach in the organization. Their support over the last six years has led me to where I am today.”

As a player, Luukko played four seasons as a defenseman with Reading totaling 87 points, the most all-time by a Royals defenseman. Luukko showed his leadership capabilities as he served as an alternate captain for the Royals for two seasons before being named the team’s captain during the 2018-2019 season. He also made seven American Hockey League (AHL) appearances with the Leigh Valley Phantoms. during his career. Luukko won Clark Cup Championship with the Dubuque Fighting Saints during the 2010-2011 season.

Luukko joins the Icemen after the team’s previous head coach Jason Christie accepted an assistant coach position with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres in late July after four seasons in Jacksonville.

“We are through the roof excited to welcome an up-and-coming coach in the hockey world to our Icemen Family,” said CEO of Zawyer Sports Andy Kaufmann. “During our search, Nick’s name kept coming up in the hockey world as a strong coaching candidate. Nick is as excited about our organization as we are about him. This is the next step for us to in becoming a perennial force in the league and for our quest to bring a Kelly Cup to Jacksonville.”

The West Chester, PA resident, Luukko, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, he played four seasons at the University of Vermont from 2011-2013.

“Nick has been a consummate professional over his six years as a Royal,” said Reading Royals Head Coach Kirk MacDonald. “From a rookie pro player to a trusted staff member and friend, he has been integral part of our organization on and off the ice. His detailed knowledge of the game and ability to relate to players will serve him well in his new role as head coach. We are excited to see him take the next step in his coaching career, and wish him nothing but the best!”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in July 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.

 

Billie-Jo Aasen, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tim Allen, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Arianna Alosi, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Stuart Ascher, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA

Jeanice Baker, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Tim Barr, Forum Info-Tech, Inc., Corona, CA

Ron Berkebile, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Andrew Bianchi, Live Nation Entertainment, Austin, TX

Rebecca Black, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

Mike Blanton, BB&T Center – Florida Panthers, Sunrise, FL

Lisa Bleakley, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Joshua Boyd, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Scott Bridgeman, PhoneSoap, Hudson, OH

Darrow Bronner, Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA

Dale Bronner II, Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA

Jeff Brosz, Athletica Sport Systems Inc., Shakopee, MN

Stephanie Brown, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Mackenzie Burkett, University of Florida Performing Arts, Gainesville, FL

Ronnie Burt, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Miranda Call, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Chris Caluya, Martin Harris Construction, Las Vegas, NV

Darrell Cardona, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Michael Chatham, HHCP Architects, Inc., Orlando, FL

Jake Clark, Orlando City Soccer Club, Orlando, FL

Chip Cossar, Landers Center, Southaven, MS

Jacey Coursey, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Jake Crownover, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Amanda DeWalt, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Dan Donahue, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Sharon Dunaway, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Jared Elliott, PhoneSoap, Naperville, IL

Arianna Fake, East Montgomery County Improvement District, New Caney, TX

Evan Falat, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Lissa Frenkel, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Tammy Genovese, Crossroads Arena, Corinth, MS

Jessica Gonzalez-Garza, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Janet Grant, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Dave Gwozdz, MIS Security LLC, Tallahassee, FL

Lyric Hamilton, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Tori Harris, ParkHub.com, Dallas, TX

Ryan Hemenway, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Donnis Hendrix, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Sara Hicks, The Lerner Theatre, Elkhart, IN

Sims Hinds, Oak View Group, Pawley’s Island, SC

Taylor Holloway, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Ryan Johnson, C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., Chicago, IL

Kiara Jones, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Nathan Jones, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

La’Shaina Joseph, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Tondrae Kemp, City Parks Foundation – SummerStage, New York, NY

Nicole Kinney, Forum Info-Tech, Inc., Corona, CA

Jamey Kirby, Florence Center, Florence, SC

Miranda Korniloff, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Jason LaGrange, Lancer Worldwide, San Antonio, TX

Philip Laws, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Matt Lentell, BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center, Tupelo, MS

Kaelin Leonard, ABM Industries, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Adam Logan, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Kenneth Mann, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Melanie Margarum, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC

Karen Massicotte, Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tom McFlynn, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Marisa Montoya, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Cindy Moore, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Maritza Morales, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Aida Moreno, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Jourdon Morgan, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Cydney Mosby, Appetize Technologies, Los Angeles, CA

Brad Munda, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

Ashleigh Nader, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Dennis Nickerson, Portable Solar Inc., Pinecrest, FL

Hee Soo Oh, DeKalb CVB, Tucker, GA

Aly Pane, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Tim Perez, Threshold Acoustics LLC, Chicago, IL

Norberto Perez-O’Neill, Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, San Juan, PR

Benson Phoumsavath, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI

Karla Puente, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Michael Reynolds, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Kenny Robinson, Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, Concord, NC

Robert Rockhill, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Alicia Rodriguez, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

Isidro Rodriguez, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Jim Salamenta, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

John Sandoval, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Alyssa Sandvig, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Cole Satterfield, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

Falynn Schmidt, OTJ Architects, Washington, DC

Tony Sciulli, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Lisa Scoville, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia Sheppa Shupe, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Casey Skarecki, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Alex Smith, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Dan Smith, Legends, New York, NY

Jaime Solis, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Barry Sutherland, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS

Keiko Sutton, Kotobuki Seating, New York, NY

Garry Swearingen, Clark Construction Group, LLC, Roswell, GA

Cynthia Tapia, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Erin Tappel, University of Kentucky – Department of Arts Administration, Lexington, KY

Greg Thompson, Downtown Springdale, Bentonville, AR

James Tsismanakis, DeKalb CVB, Tucker, GA

Martins Udotai, SitEat, Bronx, NY

Kerry Warner, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Megan Wein, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI

Alex Weinrich, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Brenda Wharry, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Megan Whitaker, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

Andre Wright, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Josie Yang, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI

By Ashley Dabb

ASM Global, the global leader in venue and event strategy and management, announced the promotions of Mary Ann Torres, Dominique Bonds, Dwight Bazemore, and Melvin Smith.

Mary Ann Torres, CMM, has been promoted to the Director of Event Management and Business Analysis. With more than 20 years of experience as a leader in the events industry, Torres is an award-winning and respected industry expert. Torres will lead the events department as well as continuing to provide relationship management, client retention, and assist clients in their long-range planning efforts. During her career, she has built a reputation among event planners and colleagues as a reliable, transparent, knowledgeable subject matter expert within the event services industry.

Dominique Bonds, a 23-year veteran of the Center, has been elevated to Director of Engagement. During the past year Bonds, has been spearheading the Center’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in addition to her previous role as Guest Experience Director. In her new role, Bonds will continue leading the Center’s DEI initiatives as well as coordinating the Center’s customer and guest experience efforts and will provide thought leadership in the areas of talent engagement.

Dwight Bazemore, previously the Network Administrator, has been promoted to Assistant Information Technology Director. Information Technology infrastructure and services are vital to the meetings and events industry and to general business continuity, and Dwight Bazemore has done a great job leading the IT efforts of the Center during the past 16 months. Bazemore’s promotion solidifies his increased leadership role in the department as the Center ramps back up its operation.

Melvin Smith has been promoted from Senior Accountant to Accounting Supervisor. His eagerness to learn and grow professionally along with his willingness to step up whenever he is needed has made Smith a valuable asset to the finance department. In his new role, he will take on greater responsibility in the finance department which will also include the direct supervision of the staff accountants.

“The last 16 months have been extremely challenging for us all. During that time, Mary Ann, Dominique, Dwight and Melvin have all stepped up to meet the unprecedented demands of the time and took on additional responsibilities to aid the overall operation. Their commitment to the mission, to their colleagues and to our customers have been exemplary and these promotions are well deserved.” said Kelvin D. Moore, CMP, ASM Global Regional General Manager.

“The ASM Global team has consistently brought top talent to the Center, and these hard working staff are no exception” said John J. McNichol, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA). “These promotions reflect the Center’s commitment to deliver the best possible guest and event experience. Congratulations Mary Ann, Dominique, Dwight, and Melvin!”

Ashley Dabb is Senior Communications Manager for the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

By ISSA and R.V. Baugus

From concerts to sporting events to art exhibitions to weddings, people are rediscovering the joys of attending in-person events as more facilities reopen and lift occupancy limits. This week, Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc. in North Bethesda, Md. has earned GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, for three of its venues: AMP by Strathmore, The Mansion, and The Music Center. Joining the Strathmore facilities with new accreditations are the Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif., numerous commercial offices and hotels, a Maryland-based salon, and transportation provider.

“GBAC STAR accredited facilities know how to effectively clean to uphold the health of all building occupants and visitors,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “With an increasing number of larger venues reopening for events, it’s important to look for the accreditation seal. With the online GBAC STAR Facility Directory, people can easily locate accredited facilities so they know whether best practices are being followed.”

Strathmore brings nearly 400 events to North Bethesda each year, including concerts, festivals, art exhibitions, and more. Its venues are also sought after for private events like parties, training sessions, weddings, and mitzvahs. Meanwhile, the Toyota Arena is a 225,000-square-foot venue that can accommodate more than 11,000 guests. It hosts more than 125 events annually and is home to several sports teams, including Ontario Reign (American Hockey League), Ontario Fury (Major Arena Soccer League), Agua Caliente Clippers of Ontario (G League Basketball), and LA Temptation (Legends Football League).

This week, the following facilities have earned GBAC STAR accreditation:

Stadium or Arena

Toyota Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Theatres or Performing Arts Centers

Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc. – AMP by Strathmore in North Bethesda, Md.
Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc. – The Mansion in North Bethesda, Md.
Strathmore Hall Foundation Inc. – The Music Center in North Bethesda, Md.

“The GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation program is based on quality management system principles and ensures facilities have a clear map in place for training, preparation, prevention, and more,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett.

Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation at gbac.org/star.

Find accredited facilities and those pursuing accreditation via the GBAC STAR Facility Directory at gbac.org/directory.

IAVM members seeking to apply for accreditation through GBAC, please use the link https://gbac.issa.com/iavm/!