By Mabel Hung

Thousands of art lovers, luxury goods and antique collectors, and connoisseurs flocked to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (“HKCEC”) over the last 10 days for three long-awaited events – Art Basel Hong Kong 2021, Art Central, and Christie’s Hong Kong Spring Auctions 2021. This is the first time the three events were held over the same period, creating synergy and presenting attendees a total artistic experience at the HKCEC.

Both Art Basel Hong Kong and Art Central were cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were thrilled to finally meet face to face. Although international exhibitors and buyers were still not able to attend physically due to travel restrictions, international galleries were represented and local art lovers and collectors came out to support.

Exhibitors were excited to be able to meet and make new connections with collectors.

“We have a lot of clients who want to purchase our artworks,” said Yiping Deng, Gallery Assistant of Avenue Des Arts Contemporary Art Gallery. “This is the best time to catch up with the clients to show our works.”

Kelvin Yang, Managing Director, Galerie du Monde, pointed out the essence of physical shows: “Online display could not replace the experience of physically appreciating the artwork, to feel its volume, colour and structure.”

Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Management Limited (“HML”), is confident in the progressive recovery of Hong Kong’s exhibition industry as the local pandemic situation eases off. “We are grateful to the event organisers who work with us to shape the new normal. We had a fabulous week at the HKCEC, having the three prestigious art events under one roof to re-energise the art scene and create a unique synergy. We see strong demand for physical events. Already some 20 exhibitions and 67 conferences and other events have taken place successfully at the HKCEC since January 2021. HML works closely with organisers to implement stringent preventive measures. Exhibitions also benefitted from the HKSAR Government’s Convention and Exhibition Industry Subsidy Scheme.”

Mabel Hung is Director – Communications & Sustainability for the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Kentucky Venues announced the promotion of Ian Cox to Executive Director of Communications. Kentucky Venues operates the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, as well as produces six signature events that include the National Farm Machinery Show, North American International Livestock Exposition, and Kentucky State Fair.

Since June 2019, Cox has served as the Assistant Director of Communications for Kentucky Venues after starting with the company in 2017 as an intern for the Kentucky State Fair. He has served in four different roles within the organization prior to his promotion. In his new role, he leads the communications department responsible for public relations, marketing and promotion, as well as serving as spokesperson for the in-house shows and facilities.

“Ian Cox has served as the head of the communications department for the past two years, during a time when we needed his leadership the most. He has proven his dedication to our organization and a willingness to take on more responsibility, even outside of his role, when needed. We’re grateful he’s chosen to represent us in the community as our colleague and spokesperson,” said David S. Beck, President and CEO of Kentucky Venues.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in May 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.

Kerry Allen, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

April Armstrong, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL

Tracy Askew, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Tim Austin, ICS Service Solutions, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Katie Ballard, The Clear Bag Shop, Wahroonga, NSW, Australia

Emmett Baylor, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Blane Blood, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Chris Bloyer, FedExField, Landover, MD

Michael Bocchino, MassMutual Center, Springfield, MA

Fred Bradford, Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV

Andrew Brown, A-Team Security and Event Services, Inc., Tucson, AZ

Paul Byrne, FedExField, Landover, MD

Drew Campbell, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, QLD, Australia

Jordyn Carson, VenuesWest, Floreat, WAu, Australia

Alec Cooley, Busch Systems, Barrie, ON, Canada

Xander Cooper, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Lindsey Cosby, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Santina Cuellar, A-Team Security and Event Services, Inc., Tucson, AZ

Donna D’Cruz, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA

Adrienne Dietrich, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Riann Elliott, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Christy Feener, Allied Universal Event Services (AUES), Fullerton, CA

Alex Ferrara, Tampa Sports Authority, Tampa, FL

Amy Finnegan, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Bodelle Francis, Adelaide Oval – Stadium Management Authority, North Adelaide, SA,

Steve Fullmer, Allied Universal Event Services (AUES), Fullerton, CA

Erin Gaston, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Drew Gershenson, Chesapeake Energy Arena, Oklahoma City, OK

Jennifer Gillespie, Titan Health and Security Technologies, Inc., Newport Beach, CA

Nikki Glass, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Joseph Herrera, A-Team Security and Event Services, Inc., Tucson, AZ

Logan Hudson, Tampa Sports Authority, Tampa, FL

Anna Isaks, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC,

Chris Joswick, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Joseph LoBosco, Allied Universal Event Services (AUES), Fullerton, CA

Paul MacDonald, Centre 200, Sydney, NS, Canada

Nick Miles, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Christina Mooney, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Jesse Parker, A-Team Security and Event Services, Inc., Tucson, AZ

Monica Petriuc, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Jerad Preston, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Grace Ramsey, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA

Rich Regan, Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL

Bruce Robertson, DF Companies, Greenwood Village, CO

Lindsay Scher, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

Marcus Scott, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI

Colin Serkowski, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Chad Smith, Peabody Auditorium and Oceanfront Bandshell, Daytona Beach, FL

Jim Snook, Smart City Networks, Seattle, WA

Anthony Viera, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Jason Visser, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

D’Elle Wendel, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Mark Williams, Allied Universal Event Services (AUES), Fullerton, CA

Join us at VenueConnect 2021, August 2-5, in Atlanta, GA, during our All Venues sessions to explore Workforce Development: How to Create Sustainable Hiring Funnel for Your Venue!

The Classic Center identified a need to create what we call the continuum of education. This continuum is a multi-level pathway of education and hands-on experience in our industry. They have created four unique programs that educate, enhance, and inspire all walks of life to enter or continue their pathway of hospitality at The Classic Center. Whether you didn’t finish high school or you are a high school student, a college student, or an executive already in the industry, you are able to utilize the benefits of the continuum through our Learning Lab Model. The Classic Center has partnerships with Bread for Life, a not for profit that offers second chance employment, Community Career Academy, Athens Technical College, Piedmont University and the University of Georgia. Over the course of 25 years, they have been able to leverage this continuum to recruit, retain, and develop our staff in a way that shows them and their community that they care about their future in our industry.  

“When you start with the end in mind, an inspired staff, and meet people where they are in life, the steps to their pathway become clear,” stated Paul Cramer, President & CEO, The Classic Center.

Early Bird registration ends June 25th!  CLICK HERE to register now and save!

By R.V. Baugus

Nick Zazal, CVP, formerly Director of Events & Patron Services for Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, AR, has been named General Manager of the Walmart AMP in Rogers, AR.

In his new role, Nick will oversee operations for the Walmart AMP including front of house, food and beverage, production, facilities, and security. He will also oversee event rentals and special events at both Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP.

Nick has been in his previous role with Walton Arts Center since 2013. He is a Certified Venue Professional, a graduate of the IAVM Venue Management School, and currently serves as the Assistant Director for IAVM Region 6.

Previous experience also includes time with the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts (Urbana, IL), International Festival of Arts & Ideas (New Haven, CT), Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Wildwood Park for the Performing Arts (Little Rock, AR), and the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon. He holds a BFA in Stage Management and an MS in Recreation, Sports and Tourism both from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.