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Joyce Leveston Among Manhattan Power 100

September 03, 2025
by Linda Deckard
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Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center

Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was named to City & State New York’s 2025 Manhattan Power 100.

 

Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, CEO of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, was named to City & State New York’s 2025 Manhattan Power 100 for the work she has done to bring convention business back to New York City. Leveston joined the Javits Center in March as the organization’s first woman CEO.

Before moving to New York this year, she was director of convention services and event management at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center/Events DC. Her career path also includes the Miami Beach Convention Center, the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, and the San Diego Convention Center.

City & State New York’s write-up on Leveston follows:

“The convention center business has faced difficult headwinds since the COVID-19 pandemic, but Joyce Leveston has sought to make Javits Center an appealing attraction for the nation’s most prestigious conferences and trade shows. Leveston came aboard as Javits’ first woman CEO in March after stints with convention centers in Boston, Washington, D.C., Houston, San Diego and Miami Beach. She sent out an employee pulse survey to get feedback and recently led a reorganization with new positions. Javits has since hosted the Fancy Food Show, International Auto Show and IBEW Local 3’s 125th anniversary.”

Besides Leveston, individuals in event and venue management on the Manhattan Power 100 list included: James Dolan, Executive Chair and CEO, Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.; Michael Hershman, CEO, Soloviev Group, who has submitted his bid with Mohegan for an $11-billion casino complex just south of the United Nations Headquarters; Jonathan Boulware, President and CEO, South Street Seaport Museum; Seth Pinsky, CEO, 92NY, who led a rebrand and $200-million restoration of the famed Upper East Side cultural center ahead of a series of performances for its 150th anniversary celebration, including the modernization of the Arnhold Center and Buttenwieser Hall; and a trio from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts — Mariko Silver, President and CEO; Shanta Thake, Chief Artistic Officer and Executive Vice President; and Leah Johnson, Executive Vice President and Chief Communications, Marketing and Advocacy Officer.

According to their website, “City & State is a media organization dedicated to covering New York’s local and state politics and policy,” and “City & State’s Manhattan Power 100 highlights these and dozens of other local movers and shakers in the world of New York politics and government. The list, written and researched in partnership with journalist Aaron Short, features public officials, real estate titans, health care executives, higher education leaders, prominent advocates and activists, and influential figures from every corner of the borough.”

Comcast Officially Unveils Xfinity Mobile Arena With High-Power WiFi Delivering 10x Faster Speeds

September 02, 2025
by Industry News
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Xfinity Mobile Customers Can Auto-Connect to Lightning-Fast Speeds that Outperform Every Other Wireless Provider

Today, Comcast officially introduces Xfinity Mobile Arena, the iconic home of the Philadelphia Flyers and Philadelphia 76ers, and a WiFi network upgrade so intelligent its blazing-fast speeds are 10x faster. It is the first arena on the East Coast to leverage the newly introduced high-power WiFi, engineered to support thousands of devices simultaneously with enhanced reliability and advanced security.

Fans with the latest smartphones will be able to enjoy this incredible Xfinity WiFi experience and share their favorite moments in real time. Xfinity Mobile and Comcast Business Mobile customers will also auto-connect to premium in-venue speeds that are faster than any other wireless provider. And, Xfinity Mobile Arena will continue to have strong, consistent 5G service from anywhere in the building for all fans. In the coming weeks, Xfinity WiFi will extend to surrounding parking lots, keeping fans connected from tailgate to tip-off.

“Philadelphia is built on passion. Whether it’s the adrenaline of a 76ers or Flyers game, a concert, or a moment that moves you, people can share it instantly at Xfinity Mobile Arena,” said Matt Lederer, Vice President of Brand Partnerships & Engagement at Comcast. “Xfinity Mobile Arena’s new supercharged WiFi is a living showcase of our brand and the opportunity we have to power connections that bring our community together.”

Since 1996, Xfinity Mobile Arena has hosted the most influential sports moments and entertainment acts in the region and continues to be one of the industry’s busiest venues – hosting the top touring musical and entertainment acts in the world. In 2024, following the completion of a multi-year $400 million+ privately funded transformation, the arena was named by Front Office Sports to its “Best Venues” list and ranked as a top 10 U.S. venue by Pollstar for both number of tickets sold and gross revenue.

“We are proud Xfinity Mobile Arena serves as the centerpiece for top sporting and entertainment events in Philadelphia,” said Daniel J. Hilferty, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Spectacor. “With Xfinity Mobile, we’re bringing the fastest wireless service and Comcast’s cutting-edge technology to enhance the fan experience. Comcast Spectacor’s commitment to exceptional service ensures that we will continue to offer fans and guests the best experiences in the years ahead.”

“The strength of our partnership with Comcast and Xfinity Mobile is a shared vision of leveraging technology and innovation to create lasting memories for our fans at games, concerts, and live events. The incredible investments Xfinity Mobile has committed will allow our fans to stay connected and share every shot, dunk, and celebration,” said Tad Brown, CEO of HBSE and the Philadelphia 76ers. “We can’t wait to welcome our fans back to Xfinity Mobile Arena soon as we have some fun things planned for them this season.”

At millions of Xfinity hotspots across the country or in the home, Xfinity Mobile offers its customers WiFi PowerBoost, a game-changing feature that provides speeds of up to 1 gig – no matter the plan they choose – when they are connected over WiFi anywhere on the Xfinity WiFi network. With 90 percent of mobile traffic traveling over WiFi, Xfinity Mobile is created for how customers use their mobile devices, combining the nation’s best WiFi with the most reliable 5G network. Since launching in its hometown of Philadelphia in 2017, Xfinity Mobile has grown to 8.5 million customers – making it one of the fastest growing wireless providers in the nation.

Xfinity Mobile Arena will host several special events throughout this week to celebrate its official debut, including:

  • A grand reveal today at 11 AM (ET) officiated by Gritty and Franklin.

  • Week-long Xfinity Mobile activations in and outside the arena, including an immersive social media photo opportunity.

  • Live broadcast of WMMR’s Preston and Steve from the rooftop of Xfinity Mobile Arena on September 3.

  • A celebration to cheer on the Philadelphia Eagles with former players Nick Foles and Fletcher Cox, ahead of their season home opener on September 4.

Comcast’s Xfinity Rewards program is also offering customers access to tickets and events sweepstakes, including a chance to win:

  • Tickets to see the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2025-2026 NHL season.

  • Tickets to see the Philadelphia 76ers during the 2025-2026 NBA season.

  • Club level seats for upcoming concerts.

  • A Philadelphia Flyers merchandise pack featuring various team gear.

  • Discounted registration for the Gritty 5K on October 4.

Xfinity Rewards members can visit www.Xfinity.com/rewards for a full list of giveaways.

To learn more about Xfinity Mobile, visit https://www.xfinity.com/mobile.


View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250902952452/en/

Monumental Sports & Entertainment Introduces Creative Council to Curate an Immersive Artistic Vision at the Brand-New Arena

August 20, 2025
by Industry News
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Composed of a diverse group of industry leaders, the Council will support cohesive brand integration throughout the downtown arena transformation

Photo courtesy MSE

 
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) today announced the formation of the “Creative Council,” a collective group of creative companies united by a shared mission to elevate the holistic storytelling through the eyes of the fan at MSE’s brand-new arena in downtown Washington, D.C. The Council bears representatives across MSE’s leadership and partner organizations Elevate, Gensler, CAA ICON, Sports & The Arts, cllct, Clark Construction, Aramark, and Élan Arc, a collaborative approach that ensures all voices are heard.  
 
“The ‘Creative Council’ will serve as an innovative think tank that represents the heartbeat of our vision for the new Sports and Entertainment District,” said Jim Van Stone, President of Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer at MSE. “The council is composed of visionary minds from across the industry that are entrusted with crafting an arena that draws upon community inspiration through artistic storytelling.” 
 
Every element of the new arena—from its architecture and interior design to new sponsorships and partnerships, concessions, and curated art—has been thoughtfully crafted to honor D.C.’s rich history, as seen through the eyes of its fans. The council empowers each partner on the project to lead within their expertise while remaining accountable to the collective vision: setting new boundaries of what’s possible in sport and entertainment.   
  • MSE is creating a timeless, immersive fan journey that begins the moment guests step through the doors and continues through every touchpoint.  
  • Elevate connects brand, emotion and identity throughout the arena, ensuring fans feel seen and inspired by environments that reflect their passions. 
  • Gensler uses architecture to design an arena that is welcoming and allows fans to create monumental memories. 
  • CAA ICON drives operational excellence of the project, keeping the transformation on track to serve fans on schedule.  
  • Sports & The Arts curates an art collection that celebrates moments of the teams and city. 
  • cllct is curating a must-see collection of memorabilia, elevating the arena to museum-level excellence.  
  • Clark Construction works to the fan-first vision with care and precision, in the safest and most efficient way possible. 
  • Aramark is transforming the venues into a culinary destination featuring local and national must-try experiences. 
  • Élan Arc pioneers the premium guest experience by integrating comprehensive space diagnostics, custom service strategies, hand-picked hospitality experts, and steadfast quality controls for truly personalized five-star interactions. 
 
Creative Council members include: 
  • MSE 
    • Jim Van Stone – President, Business Operations and Chief Commercial Officer 
    • Jordan Silberman – President, Venues 
    • Hunter Lochmann – Chief Marketing Officer 
    • Adam Gotts – Vice President, Project & Revenue Management 
    • Erin Mitchell Martin – Vice President, Venue Marketing 
    • Laurence McMillon – Director, Hospitality 
  • Elevate 
    • Drew Bryant – Chief Creative Officer 
    • Megan Adgate – Creative Director 
    • Ashley Hughes – Senior Project Manager 
    • Christopher Knowles – Creative Director 
  • Gensler 
    • Andrew Jacobs – Lead Design Director 
    • Greg Tanski – Senior Designer 
    • Brandon Mermelstein – Senior Designer 
    • Jonny Peterson – Brand Design Director 
  • CAA ICON 
    • Michael Schwan – Senior Vice President 
  • Sports & The Arts 
    • Tracie Speca-Ventura – Founder and President 
    • Camille Speca – Creative Director 
  • cllct 
    • Darren Rovell – Founder 
    • Steve Ziff – Chief Executive Officer 
  • Clark Construction 
    • Jeff King – Vice President 
  • Aramark 
    • Vincent Vazquez – District Manager 
    • Anthony Kleinman – Resident District Manager
  • Élan Arc 
    • Jackie Keller – Founder and CEO 
 
Earlier this year, MSE unveiled plans for the “District Arts Collection,” a groundbreaking, multi-million-dollar curated art and commemorative memorabilia collection that will be displayed at the new arena created in partnership with Sports & The Arts and cllct. Launching this upcoming season, the brand-new immersive art experience will span the event level spaces including the new United Globe and The Vaults, transforming the venue into a vibrant living gallery. Local artists and original piece selections will be announced in the coming weeks. 
 
Today’s announcement comes as construction is underway on the brand-new arena in Phase 1. MSE is taking a 360-degree approach to planning a high-tech, high-touch building that will serve millions of annual visitors for the next 25 years and set a new standard for fan experience and technological innovation. 

IAVM Online Is Here

August 20, 2025
by Linda Deckard
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After two years of developing IAVM Board-approved online learning, the moment arrived in New Orleans during VC25 to debut the new microcredentialing tool. The first two courses — Sustainability in Public Assembly Venues and Risk Management in Venues — are now available.

“IAVM Online is designed for those without the budget or time off to access other IAVM offerings,” explained Amy Fitzpatrick, IAVM’s Director of Marketing. “We want to meet all of our members where they are.”

IAVM built an online portal that members can access with any level of technology. The new learning management system was created and branded specifically for IAVM, featuring a user-friendly portal for both students and instructors.

Amy Fitzpatrick, Bobby Goldwater, CVE, and Shane Beardsley introduce IAVM Online in the Innovation Theater at VC25. Greg Wolfe, IAVM Director of Education, is at the podium.

Amy Fitzpatrick, Bobby Goldwater, CVE, and Shane Beardsley introduce IAVM Online in the Innovation Theater at VC25. Greg Wolfe, IAVM Director of Education, is at the podium.

The two courses launched to date are offered at a rate members can afford, Fitzpatrick said. Each course is $49 for IAVM members, $99 for nonmembers, and each microcredential certification will be roughly $200.

Bobby Goldwater, CVE, of Georgetown University’s Sports Industry Management program, introduced the concept to IAVM’s board in 2023 and has been active in rolling out IAVM Online. “It feels good to create more value for our members,” Goldwater said. “We have 1,500 members here at VenueConnect, but there are more than 8,000 are members of IAVM. These courses provide educational access to members of all levels.”

Microcredential learning content is bite-sized and focused on specific industry competencies. Courses are taught by IAVM members who are experts in their subjects. The courses are also “stackable,” meaning they build on each other. At the end of each course, students complete an assessment and receive a certificate of completion, similar to digital badges used on social media.

“It is 100 percent learning on your terms,” Fitzpatrick said. “The system is very mobile friendly. You can use your iPad or phone.” Students progress at their own pace, with no time penalties.

“And it’s a step toward earning your CVP,” Goldwater added. It’s also a gateway to greater involvement with the association and its offerings, including Venue Management School and the Senior Executive Symposium.

Shane Beardsley, Vice President of Guest Experiences & Community Partnerships at the Jacob K. Javits Center, teaches Sustainability in Public Assembly Venues on IAVM Online. At Javits, they have a full-time sustainability officer and have seen major success with their two-acre rooftop farm, orchard, and greenhouse, Beardsley said. However, they still face challenges with diversion rates. “It’s a learning curve, and in preparing this course, I leaned into that curve,” he said.

Wayne Middleton, CVE, explains the Risk Management course, while Greg Wolfe and Shane Beardsley look on.

Wayne Middleton, CVE, explains the Risk Management course, while Greg Wolfe and Shane Beardsley look on.

“I’ve been teaching this course to my kids,” Beardsley added. “After this course, you can carry on an intelligent conversation about sustainability in public assembly facilities.”

Wayne Middleton, CVE, Principal Consultant at Reliance Risk, who has 35 years of experience in public venues and events, teaches the Risk Management course. He describes it as a baseline for students who, ideally, would then continue on to VMS and AVSS for more in-depth learning.

He focuses his teaching on defining risk management, recognizing its importance, and identifying common terminology. “Understanding the risk management process is the key,” Middleton said. “You will learn to recognize roles and responsibilities and to apply risk management principles in your venue.”

Gil Fried, JD, professor at the University of West Florida and member of the IAVM Academic Committee, added that online education is far more engaging than it used to be. “Having industry experts who are passionate about the topic teach the subject matter takes IAVM Online learning to a new level,” he said. “We are using best practices in developing material.”

Fried noted that education has progressed from correspondence schools to radio to TV to the internet. The goal now is to train current and future IAVM members — and to educate the broader public.

The first two online modules apply to everyone, both inside and outside the industry, Fitzpatrick said. They are the start of what will eventually become 4 modules for each microcredential, each about 45 minutes in length, available through IAVM Online.

For more information regarding IAVM Online or to register for a course, visit www.iavmonline.org.

Simpleview Welcomes Industry Veteran, Evelyn Ingram, to Newly Created Venue Digital Strategy Role

August 15, 2025
by Industry News
Comments are off

Simpleview, a Granicus company, focused on digital solutions for venues and destination organizations, is proud to welcome Evelyn Ingram to its team as an Account Executive focused on digital strategy and design for venues.

In this role, Evelyn will be instrumental in supporting Simpleview’s strategic priority to expand its footprint within the live events venues sector by delivering best-in-class websites, software, and digital marketing services. Her efforts will also advance Simpleview’s commitment to connecting Venues and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) through innovative technology and thoughtful design. By aligning with our broader vision, Ingram will help foster seamless collaboration, enhance user experiences, and drive digital transformation across the events and tourism ecosystem.

Ingram’s career began in 2003 at EventBooking.com, where she helped venues take their first digital steps during the early days of the internet. Over the last two decades, she contributed to global client growth, held leadership roles at EventBooking and Momentus Technologies, and was named a “Woman of Influence” by VenuesNow magazine.

“Evelyn’s deep roots in the venue industry and her passion for digital innovation make her a perfect fit for this role,” said Greg Evans, Chief Revenue Officer at Simpleview. “As we bring our proven expertise in destination marketing to the venue space, Evelyn will be a key player in building connections, driving value, and helping venues elevate their digital presence.”

Simpleview is a worldwide leading provider of CMS, website design, digital marketing services, CRM and data insights for venues, convention bureaus, tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and attractions. The company employs staff across the globe, serving clients of all sizes, including convention centers, arenas, theatres, small towns, world capitals, top meeting destinations, and countries across multiple continents.

For more information, please visit https://www.simpleviewinc.com/

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