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Oak View Group Appoints Amy Latimer Chief Business Officer, Oak View Group

October 07, 2025
by Industry News
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Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in venue development and solutions, hospitality, and direct investment for the sports and live entertainment industries, today announced the appointment of Amy Latimer as Chief Business Officer of Oak View Group. Latimer will oversee the full suite of offerings that OVG employs at its own venues and offers to partners at iconic venues throughout the world, including management, hospitality, security, parking, sustainability consulting, and premium experiences.

“I am thrilled to welcome Amy to the OVG Family. She is a longtime friend of OVG and uniquely shares our values, our entrepreneurial spirit, and our global ambitions. She is an incredibly well-respected leader, and her work spanning venues, teams, hospitality, development, and premium experiences make her perfectly qualified to join our diverse, deeply talented team. Oak View Group continues to grow exponentially on a global basis, and Amy’s partner-first perspective and deep understanding of how to create and deliver world-class venue experiences will provide additional support and innovation to our team, our partners, and the communities in which we operate,” said Chris Granger, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Oak View Group.

“After a tremendous and deeply rewarding 30 years with Delaware North, I am excited for this next chapter of my career. OVG’s growth trajectory is beyond compelling, they have an extremely accomplished leadership team, and their vision for the future of our industry is exciting, to say the least.  I look forward to partnering with Chris, the leadership team, and the ownership group to support and further accelerate OVG’s relentless focus on partnership, innovation, and community impact,” said Latimer.

Latimer is a highly regarded venue executive, most recently acting as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Delaware North. There, she led the company’s diverse portfolio of over 200 global locations, from iconic sports and entertainment venues to national and state parks to destination resorts and gaming properties. Her career has been defined by a commitment to transformative leadership, including spearheading major renovations and expansions at TD Garden in Boston, where she previously served as president.

Latimer, who will be based in Boston, will join OVG on October 24, 2025. She will report to Chris Granger.

Crypto.com Arena’s Vice President of Security Ron Little Awarded 2025 WNBA Venue Manager of the Year

October 03, 2025
by Industry News
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Ron Little - 2025 WNBA Venue Manager of the Year Award

Ron Little – 2025 WNBA Venue Manager of the Year Award

Ron Little, Vice President of Security at Crypto.com Arena in Downtown Los Angeles, was awarded the 2025 WNBA Venue Manager of the Year during the 2025 NBA Security Conference.

Over the past season, Little demonstrated outstanding leadership and professionalism in his role supporting the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. His strong partnership with NBA security, collaboration with the league and team security professionals and commitment to the effective execution of WNBA Security Standards were evident throughout the season, Leon Newsome, Chief Security Officer at the National Basketball Association said.

“This honor reflects the high regard Ron has earned from his peers across the WNBA and the NBA Security Department,” Newsome wrote in a letter of recognition. “It also serves as a testament to the high standards and culture of excellence upheld within the Los Angeles Sparks and Crypto.com Arena organizations.”

“All of us at Crypto.com Arena and AEG are incredibly proud to celebrate Ron Little on this well-deserved recognition,” said Katie Pandolfo, General Manager, Crypto.com Arena. “His unwavering commitment to safety and excellence sets the standard not just for our arena, but for the entire industry. This award is a testament to his dedication and the vital role he plays in creating a secure and welcoming environment for every guest who walks through our doors.”

 Little joined the Crypto.com Arena team as Vice President of Security in January 2024, coming from the Seattle Seahawks, where he served as the Director of Security for Lumen Field, Lumen Field Event Center and the WAMU Theater. Prior to his tenure in Seattle, Little held various roles in Oakland, California, including General Manager for SMG at ORACLE Arena and Oakland-Alameda Coliseum. He also collaborated with Bill Graham Presents and Live Nation, overseeing events and facilities across the Western United States. Little managed security operations for prominent music festivals nationwide including the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.

Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) Announces Encore as Preferred AV/Rigging and Digital Services Venue Partner

October 03, 2025
by Industry News
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Miami Beach Convention Center Partners with Encore to Deliver World-Class Meeting Experiences 

The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with Encore, a global event production leader, as the venue’s preferred on-site provider for audiovisual, rigging, and digital branding services. Effective October 1, 2025, this collaboration aims to set a new industry standard for meeting and convention experiences in South Florida and beyond.

With more than 85+ years of expertise, Encore brings unparalleled capability and innovation to the MBCC, ensuring each event benefits from state-of-the-art technology, creative solutions, and seamless production support. As the preferred on-site event production partner, Encore will deliver comprehensive AV and event technology services, manage all rigging plan reviews and approvals, and oversee digital branding for MBCC’s extensive digital assets. Significant ongoing investments in technology and workforce training keep Encore at the forefront of the industry, providing exhibitors and attendees an immersive, high-impact event experience.

“Our priority is always to provide our guests with a memorable experience that matches the global vibrancy of Miami Beach,” said Freddie Peterson, General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center. “By working closely with Encore, our customers, and our contract partners, we are committed to delivering not just state-of-the-art technology, but also a truly seamless and client-focused event journey. This partnership creates mutually beneficial opportunities for innovation and collaboration, ensuring that every event is tailored to our clients’ unique needs and aspirations. Together, we will set a new benchmark for service, value, and industry-leading experiences in Miami Beach and beyond.”

Encore has depth of experience with over 100 venue partnerships in South Florida, employing over 450 team members in the region, the Miami Beach Convention Center will benefit with on-site leaders having a collective 75+ years of technology hospitality experience. In addition, Encore has strong ties to Miami-Dade hospitality organizations serving as board members of the FRLA & GMBHA and is an in-kind contributor to many charitable organizations.

“Encore is thrilled to partner with the Miami Beach Convention Center,” stated Mike Stengel, Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships and Venue Relations at Encore. “This partnership will bring an abundance of resources to MBCC and synergies to the event planning process, while ensuring value, production expertise, and decades of meeting prowess with a people-first mindset to create memorable in-person experiences for millions of event goers.”

Encore’s extensive network includes partnerships with over 2,100 venues across 21 countries, producing more than 350,000 events annually and engaging more than 25 million attendees worldwide. The company’s 12,000 professionals are recognized for delivering exceptional service and technical excellence, contributing to Encore’s recent placement on the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2025.

As an economic engine for South Florida, the MBCC—owned by the City of Miami Beach and managed by Oak View Group—continues to anchor the region’s status as a global destination for conferences, tradeshows, and conventions. Following a $640 million reimagining completed in 2020, the MBCC boasts 1.4 million square feet of event space, including a 60,000 sq. ft. Grand Ballroom, 500,000 sq. ft. of exhibition space, 84 breakout rooms, four junior ballrooms, and nine acres of vibrant green spaces such as Pride Park and Collins Canal Park. New amenities like the 1920s-inspired Rum Room restaurant and Venu private event space, coupled with ongoing investments—including $19 million in FY25 capital projects and a $1.5 million LED wall initiative—underscore the MBCC’s commitment to innovation and excellence. The campus will soon expand further with the 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, opening in 2027 and connected via skybridge.

City Council Approves L.A. Convention Center Expansion and Modernization Project

October 03, 2025
by Industry News
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Major Public Infrastructure Investment Will Create Jobs, Attract Visitors and Generate Revenue

Groundbreaking for LA Convention Center Expansion

L.A. Convention Center Expansion Approved — A New Era Begins!

The Los Angeles City Council voted to approve the L.A. Convention Center (LACC) Expansion and Modernization Project, underscoring the City’s commitment to maintaining its status as a world-class destination with a thriving tourism industry. This public infrastructure investment will create more than 15,000 jobs, add $652 million in General Fund tax revenue over 30 years and draw in over $150 million in additional visitor spending each year. View a video with renderings of the project here and download images and the video here.

This project will spur much-needed economic growth in the region. Local businesses, especially in Downtown L.A., are dependent on direct and indirect spending from the LACC. This vote immediately helps local hotels as new bookings for the LACC will be confirmed for the upgraded space. It signals to investors, developers, local businesses and major industries that the City is committed to building a more prosperous future as a global leader and the chosen destination for organizations and associations to convene.

“I want to thank the Mayor and the City Council for their bold leadership and commitment to this legacy project that will make the Convention Center a premier destination for decades to come,” said Doane Liu, Chief Tourism Officer and Executive Director of the L.A. City Tourism Department. “This decision is the result of years of work with our City leaders and departments and I’m proud of the tremendous effort put into this project. When the City of Los Angeles locks arms and shares a vision, we can successfully complete complex projects that make a positive lasting impact for Angelenos.”

Los Angeles has been at a competitive disadvantage in attracting large, citywide conventions due to the lack of contiguous space, especially as competitors have completed or are in the process of completing major expansions. The new construction will connect the two existing South and West Exhibit Halls by adding 190,000 square feet of space to create one contiguous hall with over 750,000 square feet, and will add 39,000 square feet of new meeting room space and 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space.

“An expanded and modernized Convention Center will transform the landscape of Downtown Los Angeles for following generations,” said Kimberly Weedmark, General Manager of the LA Convention Center. “We appreciate the LA City Council for their future facing vision as this project will allow us to increase the number of top-tier programs that we welcome to Los Angeles while granting our current clients continued growth opportunities. We are profoundly grateful to the teams at AEG, Plenary Group, Webcor, PCL and Populous, whose collaboration continues to set a new standard for excellence in the convention industry and we look forward to the continued partnership as we move forward with the execution of the construction of the project. This is an incredibly exciting time for Los Angeles!”

“On behalf of the entire team at Los Angeles Tourism, we are incredibly grateful that the City Council has voted to advance the modernization of the Los Angeles Convention Center,” said Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism. “As one of the most powerful yet often unseen drivers of LA’s tourism economy, meetings and events generate billions of dollars annually for Los Angeles. They not only support the City’s General Fund and help fund essential services for all Angelenos, but also sustain local businesses across the greater Los Angeles region. As we look ahead to historic years on the horizon, and as the global spotlight on Los Angeles intensifies, we know the Los Angeles Convention Center will play an even more vital role in shaping our city’s future while continuing to welcome guests from around the globe.”

Steve Hyman, Who Opened ‘The Mark of the Quad Cities’ Decades Ago, Has Died

October 01, 2025
by Linda Deckard
0 Comment

Steve Hyman, who opened The MARK of the Quad Cities, now Vibrant Arena at The MARK, in Moline, Ill., in 1993, and left in 2004, died earlier this year. His widow, Helen, contacted Michael Bogucki, senior principal, Venue Strategies, LLC, for which Hyman had been a consultant, with news of his death.

Venue Strategies, LLC posted a tribute on its website:

“It is with great sadness that we report the recent passing of our friend, colleague, and Special Principal Stephen Hyman.

​“Steve’s extraordinary professional career encompassed a unique mix of skills and experience across virtually every aspect of multi-purpose event center development and management. He possessed particular expertise in event creation, booking, and production and consulted on venue operations at major arenas, stadiums, theaters, and event centers throughout the United States. Steve brought excellence and passion to every project he worked on, and his insights were often the critical difference in achieving success.

“Most recently, Steve was Director of Venue Management at HB Concerts, Inc., and prior he was the Executive Director of The Stranahan Theatre and Great Hall in Toledo, Ohio. Earlier in his career, Steve was City Planner and Economic Development Director for the City of Moline, Ill., before transitioning into multi-purpose venue development and management.

“He oversaw the design, construction, grand opening, staffing and day-to-day management of the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and the MARK of the Quad Cities (now known as Vibrant Arena) in Moline, Ill., where he was one of two people responsible for the founding the Quad City Sports Commission and served as the Chairman of the Quad City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Steve also served as the Executive Director of the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., and The Plex in Syracuse, New York.

“He earned his Master’s in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and was also a long-standing member of the International Association of Venue Managers.”

He is survived by his wife, Helen.

No official obituary was posted online, but stories about Hyman’s years in Moline abound. He made a huge success of that venue from its opening in 1993 until he departed in 2004 to oversee construction of the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

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