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.

By ISSA and R.V. Baugus

Historic Wrigley Field in Chicago is the latest professional sports stadium to achieve GBAC STAR™ Facility Accreditation from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council™, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA. Additional facilities that can now display the accreditation seal include Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City and Alley Theatre in Houston.

“When a facility has an organized approach to cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention, employees have a clear picture of their roles and responsibilities,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “GBAC STAR accreditation helps organizations create and execute a plan for minimizing risks associated with infectious agents. This makes it an ideal fit for historic places like Wrigley Field, newer hotels, and everything in between.”

Built in 1914 and known as the “Friendly Confines,” Wrigley Field has been the home of the Chicago Cubs for more than a century. In 2004, the City of Chicago named the ballpark a Chicago Landmark, and in 2020, the site was designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior. The ballpark, which is the second-oldest active MLB ballpark, averages more than three million fans per year, and is a sought-after destination for sports enthusiasts around the world.

The latest public assembly venues to earn GBAC STAR accreditation include:

Convention Centers

Las Cruces Convention Center in Las Cruces, N.M.
Yakima Convention Center in Yakima, Wash.

Stadiums or Arenas

Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder
Wrigley Field in Chicago, home of the MLB’s Chicago Cubs

Theatre or Performing Arts Center

Alley Theatre in Houston

“As more people return to the places where they work, eat, shop, watch sports, and socialize, they want reassurance that these environments are safe,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “The GBAC STAR seal is a clear sign that a facility knows how to properly manage biorisks and prevent future infections through cleaning, disinfection, and other best practices.”

Learn more and apply for GBAC STAR Facility Accreditation at gbac.org/star.

Find accredited facilities and those pursuing accreditation via the GBAC STAR Facility Directory at gbac.org/directory.

IAVM members seeking to apply for accreditation through GBAC, please use the link https://gbac.issa.com/iavm/!