By Christine Susa

Visit Pasadena is thrilled to welcome 14 citywide conventions in the next year including Association of CA Water Agencies, Barbershop Harmony Society, CA Association of Public Procurement Officials, and the American Astronomical Society. The citywide groups contracted over 18,600 room nights in Pasadena. Additionally, Visit Pasadena continues to book a variety of smaller meetings, consumer shows and tradeshows back into the Pasadena Convention Center.

“We are optimistic about the future. We’ve started to stem the tide of losing business due to the pandemic. Though we’re not out of the woods yet, we’re gaining traction,” said Jeanne Goldschmidt, executive director of Visit Pasadena. “I’m proud of the work our sales team has done in working closely with our clients during these uncertain months. With the Pasadena Convention Center’s GBAC STAR facility accreditation and the commitment to safety of our hotel partners and the entire destination, we’ve been able to assure our clients that Pasadena is open for business and is a safe destination for meetings and events.

“Our meeting planners and convention organizers know there is no replacement for the energy and productivity that comes from people coming together. We’re pleased to welcome their guests and get back to doing business. Every visitor that comes to Pasadena infuses dollars back into the city from hotel stays, exploring our beautiful destination, and visiting our restaurants and shops.”

For 14 months, business at the Pasadena Convention Center and Pasadena Civic Auditorium was hindered by state restrictions on large gathering restrictions. The Pasadena Convention Center was able to host certain essential events such as the LA County Vote Center for the Presidential Elections; city essential interview and testing events; jury empanelment; filming and television productions such as America’s Got Talent, commercials for Buick and evian®, and a TBS show.

Christine Susa is Director of Marketing & Communications for the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau.

By R.V. Baugus

Sacramento’s newly named SAFE Credit Union Convention Center will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 am on Thursday, June 3.

Speakers include Congresswoman Doris Matsui, Mayor Darrell Steinberg, Councilwoman Katie Valenzuela – District 4, President & CEO of SAFE Credit Union – Dave Roughton, and President & CEO of Visit Sacramento – Mike Testa.

The event caps an extreme makeover led by IAVM member Jodi Ulich, Convention & Cultural Services Director for the City of Sacramento. Formerly the Sacramento Convention Center, this venue features a dynamic center for conventions, meetings, and cultural experiences. Despite the effects of COVID-19, the expansion and renovation construction of the convention center continued throughout 2020 to ensure an early 2021 opening. Customers will enjoy an expanded exhibit hall, new ballroom, additional meeting rooms and a new outdoor plaza. Also, the convention center received its GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) STAR Facility Accreditation. GBAC certification demonstrates a commitment to ensuring a clean, safe, and healthy environment for everyone using or working in the facility.

To get a peek about the project and ribbon-cutting, click here.

By Jonathan Carroll

College Park Center at The University of Texas at Arlington has partnered with KultureCity to make the arena and all its programs and events sensory inclusive. This new initiative will promote an accommodating and positive experience for all guests and fans with sensory needs. College Park Center is the first WNBA venue and first university venue in Texas to be certified sensory inclusive with KultureCity.

“Sporting and entertainment events are by nature high energy experiences, but in the moment, it is important we understand the excitement, noise level, and visual elements can be over stimulating for some,” states Jeff Davis, executive director of College Park Center. “I am thrilled that our entire staff has embraced this initiative with KultureCity, and they are committed to creating welcoming and inclusive experiences for all of our guests.”

The certification process entailed the staff at College Park Center being trained by leading medical professionals on how to recognize those guests and fans with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards (produced in conjunction with Boardmaker) and weighted lap pads will be available for check out for guests feeling overwhelmed by the environment.

Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions. One of the major barriers for these individuals is sensitivity to over stimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in a venue hosting live concerts, sports and other events. With its new certification, College Park Center is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities in having the most comfortable and accommodating experience possible.

“To know that you soon will be able to see families attend a basketball game, a true community binding experience, with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend, is truly a heartwarming moment. Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that College Park Center is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing,” said Dr. Julian Maha, Co-Founder, KultureCity.

Prior to attending an event, families can download the free KultureCity app where they can view what sensory features are available and where to access them. Guests can also use the app to view the Social Story which will provide a preview of what to expect while enjoying an event at College Park Center.

Jonathan Carroll is Assistant Director, Event and Venue Marketing, Special Event Facilities.

The Riverside County Board of Supervisors have given their unanimous approval to Coachella Valley Arena, an Oak View Group (OVG) project, stating that it has the potential to be a “game changer” for the Southern California region.

The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 in favor, which plans to deliver a privately-funded sports and entertainment venue in Thousand Palms that will be the home of NHL expansion ice hockey franchise Seattle Kraken’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate team.

OVG is building the Coachella Valley Arena on 43.35 acres of land owned by the Berger Foundation. The arena, plus a training facility, will cover more than 300,000 square feet and feature 11,000-plus seats.

After the vote, Supervisor V. Manuel Perez, who represents eastern Riverside County, said: “This is, in my opinion, a game changer for our county, in the Fourth District and even more so, for Thousand Palms, an area that has struggled for a very long time.

“The fact that this is going to bring $11m in state and local tax revenues for our county and will be helpful to the immediate area, that’s why we have so much support for this project.

“There are so many reasons why this is so important, one that I would like to express is the community benefit aspect, especially that our schools and our youth will have access. With California State University, San Bernardino Palm Desert Campus down the street, it will provide jobs, part-time and full-time jobs for our students.”

According to an OVG study, in addition to another commissioned by the Greater Palm Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau, the arena’s economic impact is projected at $108m annual direct spending from visitors and $141m in business spending. The project is also expected to create 1,400 jobs from construction of the arena, and over 1,500 positions once opened.

OVG in September announced fresh plans for the arena after revising the project. In 2019, OVG and Seattle Kraken, which will enter the NHL in 2021, were awarded an AHL expansion franchise and the team had originally been due to play at a new arena on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in Palm Springs.

Groundbreaking for the new arena was postponed back in February 2020 due to “extenuating circumstances” and a new direction was revealed for the arena, which will be situated near the Classic Club golf course and not downtown Palm Springs. OVG had originally partnered with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on the arena project but the group is no longer involved.

Commenting on Riverside County’s approval, Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, said: “We would like to express our gratitude to Riverside County and Supervisor Perez as well as many others for their ongoing support in bringing a world-class arena to the Coachella Valley.

“As we enter the construction phase of the project, we will see the creation of nearly 1,400 jobs and more than $230m of economic output to Riverside County, which will provide a significant financial boost to stimulating, supporting, and sustaining the local economy.

“We continue to be committed to the community and in making Coachella Valley Arena a major destination for the biggest artists, concerts, and sporting events in the world, and are pleased the arena, which comes at no cost to taxpayers, will have such a positive, life-changing impact for the entire Valley.”

The Coachella Valley Arena is expected to break ground soon and open in late 2022.

By Stacie Bauer and Kalyn Sisco

Ungerboeck and EventBooking, two leading software providers of event and venue management tools, today announced a merger that will enable the unified company to offer customers an integrated set of capabilities that further enhance the world-class solutions they provide today. The consolidation will provide customers with expedited technology enhancements and accelerated innovation, while continuing the focus on customer success.

With the backing of Cove Hill Partners, these two leaders bring their combination of over 50 years of experience together to power the events world in ways never before possible. Manish Chandak of Ungerboeck will serve as President and CEO, and Steve Mackenzie of EventBooking will serve as Executive Vice President.

“Together, we unify our efforts to provide easy-to-learn and powerful products to drive the industry forward, all while we marry the aspects that clients love about each,” Mackenzie said. “And, of course, the biggest focus will always be on service and ensuring we continue to set the standard in this area.”

While Ungerboeck and EventBooking have developed similar offerings in the past, they’ve always shared the same mission: driving innovation for the success of their customers. Now, under one company with one set of values and a shared roadmap, the unified team can focus on propelling their clients’ business to new levels and help the entire events world achieve new heights.

Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President and CEO, said, “IAVM is delighted with the news of this merger. Not only have Ungerboeck and EventBooking been long-standing IAVM members, but they have also contributed immensely to areas such as our education and diversity initiatives that make the lives of industry professionals better. I’m looking forward to the innovation and service levels that this merge will bring to our members.”

“This is the best way to come out the pandemic as the industry expects technology-driven efficiencies and new attendee experiences,” Chandak said. “We could not have found a better growth equity firm than Cove Hill Partners as they share our values and mission. Adding EventBooking to this group is the perfect trifecta to accelerate us into the future as the world’s event software.”

William Blair advised Ungerboeck, and Raymond James advised Cove Hill Partners on the transaction.

Stacie Bauer is with Ungerboeck and Kalyn Sisco is with EventBooking.

Pictured: Manish Chandak, Ungerboeck, and Steve Mackenzie, EventBooking.