Zakiya Smith-Dore, MBA, CVP has been named Assistant Director of Operations for San Diego Theatres, the non-profit operators of the Historic Balboa Theatre (1,339 seats) and the San Diego Civic Theatre (2,967 seats).

In this role, Zakiya is responsible for overseeing Event Operations and Facility Services for both venues. Zakiya will be a key player in San Diego Theatres reopening, contributing personnel management, organizational planning, and innovative service design.

Zakiya was previously with the University of Florida, where she got her start in venue management in 2013. Starting at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center (2013-2017), she was quickly promoted to Changeover Supervisor. She credits the O’Connell Center for helping her learn the ropes of all things venue management. While she was tapped to serve in operations, Zakiya was given opportunities to work in every area of the facility including the box office, technical department, and event staff division.

In 2017, Ms. Smith-Dore joined University of Florida Performing Arts as Event Operations Manager. In this role she oversaw all business operations (from venue marketing to contracting to closure completion) for their auxiliary venue, the Baughman Center. She also provided management support to the 1,700-seat performing arts hall, Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. She is grateful for the many learning experiences working at the University of Florida provided, including the opportunity to earn multiple degrees (most recently her Masters of Business Administration).

By R.V. Baugus and StadiumBusiness

After going through a year of athletic competition where venues were either void of fans or with a very limited capacity, we all know the energy and atmosphere was just not the same as in a full building. Now, the Summer Olympics in Tokyo which begin on July 23 will be contested sans fans.

Indeed, fans will not be able to attend the majority of venues at this summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo after a state of emergency was declared in the Japanese capital.

With COVID-19 cases rising in Tokyo, a five-party meeting between the Games’ organizing committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Government of Japan, the International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee was called on July 8.

Olympics Minister Tamayo Marukawa has now confirmed that the escalating COVID-19 situation in Tokyo means that no spectators will be permitted in the capital during the Olympics, which are scheduled to run from July 23 to August 8 before the Paralympics follow from August 24 to September 5.

It had been hoped that a limited number of spectators would be able to attend events and last month it was announced that venues could operate at 50% capacity with up to 10,000 fans permitted. The decision was, however, subject to Tokyo being placed into a state of emergency, which is now set to be imposed from July 12 to August 22.

Venues in the neighboring prefectures of Chiba, Kanagawa and Saitama will also be without fans during the Olympics. A decision on fan attendance at the Paralympics is set to be made following the conclusion of the Olympics.

The Tokyo 2020 organizing committee had projected some 90 billion yen (£595m/€692m/$819m) in ticketing revenue from the Games and the banning of spectators is set to have a huge impact.

It was announced in March that overseas fans would not be allowed at the Olympics and Paralympics due to travel restrictions imposed by the pandemic, and it has now been confirmed that domestic supporters will also be barred.

The Olympics had been scheduled to take place last summer but were one of a number of major events either postponed or cancelled due to the pandemic.

Japan most recently reported 2,180 new cases of COVID-19, with 920 of these in Tokyo. It marked the largest figure in the capital since 1,010 were recorded on May 13.

By R.V. Baugus

To think, when I was a kid the big deal at a baseball stadium was just hoping to afford seats so I didn’t have to sit on those hot aluminum bleachers at Arlington Stadium when the Texas Rangers relocated from Washington, D.C., in 1971.

Today? Seems the latest in hospitality and the every-growing customer experience is to give fans the ultimate Airbnb experience. Count the New York Mets and Citi Field as the latest sports venue to offer up the grand opportunity.

Partnering with online marketplace Airbnb, the Mets made the announcement recently to coincide with Bobby Bonilla Day on July 28, in which fans will mark one of the most wildly — ahem — unsuccessful contracts in MLB history. Yes, the slugger was let go by the team in January 2000 after hitting .160 with four home runs and 18 RBIs the previous season, when a knee injury limited him to 119 at-bats.

Thankfully, both player and team let bygones be bygones as Bonilla will serve as host for the experience where guests watched both a day and a night game from their own VIP suite, enjoying limitless ballpark hotdogs and drinks.

The fans will even spend the night in the suite, while they are also be able to access the Mets gym during their stay. To top things off, they will then throw the ceremonial first pitch before the night game on July 28.

The one-time, one-night stay is not a contest, as fans are able to book the stay for up to four guests Said Bonilla: “As a born and raised New Yorker and a longtime player in the city, there is a special place in my heart for Mets fans and it’s wonderful to see the faithful back in some green seats in Queens.

“This year, I’m joining in on the fun, trying on a new glove as an Airbnb Host and hopefully giving a few folks the night of their lives at Citi Field.”

The wait is finally over! Registration is now open for IAVM members at VMS and VMS-GI, which will be held December 4-10, 2021, at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida (Tampa Bay area).

Venue Management School (VMS) and the Graduate Institute (VMS-GI), are considered two of the best professional education programs available for venue managers. Those new to the industry, or managers looking to expand their overall understanding, will find solid principles and practices for venue management in the VMS program. Venue professionals can further expand their universe of management and leadership skills and understanding by attending the Graduate Institute. For more information on VMS or VMS-GI, CLICK HERE.

VMS and VMS-GI spots fill quickly, so REGISTER NOW!

Voting is now open and will remain so through July 23, 2021 at midnight CT. The complete slate including biographical information and photos can be viewed on the IAVM web site.  Our voting process has changed with the introduction of a new nomination/application process for sector directors.  The ballot you will see this year will only include the Second Vice Chair election, and if you identified as a stadium, you will find the election for Director – Stadiums.  At most, you will be voting for two incoming positions on the 2021 – 2022 Board of Directors.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR EMAIL:  All voting members should have already received an email titled “2021-2022 IAVM Board of Directors Election-login information below”. The email contains a generated user name and password to use when logging in to submit votes.  If you haven’t received the email, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or by calling 972.538.1025.

As in the past, the ballot is available through Survey & Ballot Systems allowing complete confidentiality and security to our members.  The results of the voting will be posted following the closing of the ballot on July 23.