Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse Partner with SeatGeek to Create Next Generation
By Zack Yohman
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced a marquee partnership with SeatGeek that will see the technology platform take over as ticketing provider for all future events at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. SeatGeek’s fan-first approach will provide attendees with a new, dynamically-expanded experience, while delivering additional tooling to help further ensure a safe return to live, ticketed events at the FieldHouse.
As the new ticketing provider for Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, SeatGeek will take over ticketing all games for the 
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cleveland Monsters (AHL), Cavs Legion (NBA2K), as well as concerts and other events that come through the venue, which is one of the busiest in the country. In addition, SeatGeek will ticket all Canton Charge (NBA G League) games at the Canton Civic Center in nearby Canton, Ohio.
SeatGeek’s best-in-class technology is already loved by fans across the country, making it easier than ever before for fans to purchase tickets and attend the events they love. From a uniquely simple purchase and transfer flow, to an app-based personalized gameday experience that allows fans to do everything from book a ride to the game to purchase food and beverage from their seats, SeatGeek is constantly focused on innovating the fan experience.
“SeatGeek has a similar DNA to our organization – we both put the fan experience above everything else,” said Cleveland Cavaliers President of Business Operations Nic Barlage. “We believe technology is a core part of our future as well, and SeatGeek is an ideal partner to bring an elevated, dynamic and safe experience to our fans as events return to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.”
With hundreds of events a year, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is the busiest arena to partner directly with SeatGeek, which currently tickets many global teams and venues including the Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Sounders, State Farm Stadium, Liverpool FC, and many West End theatres in London. In addition, SeatGeek has partnered directly with the National Football League and Major League Soccer.
Outside of the fan benefits, the teams and performers coming through Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse will find a suite of services to help them enhance their events and maximize revenue. Tools like real-time analytics, seating chart heatmaps and customizable mobile tickets will make it easy for the Cavaliers, Monsters, promoters, and event operators to manage the many events taking place. In addition, SeatGeek’s suite of COVID-19 response solutions – SeatGeek Adapt – will help fans safely return to events with tools that help maintain social distancing throughout the venue, understand COVID-19 attendance protocols, and more.
“As someone who grew up in Cleveland and attended hundreds of Cavs games as a kid, it’s a highlight of my career to now get to work alongside the team and city that I love,” said SeatGeek CEO and Co-Founder Jack Groetzinger. “I know how passionate the fans are in Cleveland, and I can’t wait to get back to a game using SeatGeek’s platform.”
Zack Yohman is Director of Business & Strategic Communications for Cavaliers Operating Company, LLC.
TCF Center Receives 2020 Leadership Award from U.S. Green Building Council
by Mary Klida
Claude Molinari, general manager of ASM Global/TCF Center, announced TCF Center is among 10 companies, projects and individuals receiving a 2020 U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership Award.
The annual awards recognize exceptional work advancing sustainable, healthy, resilient and equitable buildings, cities 
and communities. USGBC presented the award on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 5 p.m. EST during the closing event at the annual Greenbuild Virtual conference. TCF Center is the only convention center in the United States receiving the award this year.
The 2020 recipients represent leaders who are driving the adoption of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) across business portfolios, higher education and green affordable housing, as well as helping to advance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance, resilience planning and innovative waste management solutions. TCF Center has been growing its green initiatives for a decade. By organizing its green event program and sustainable operations protocols the venue continually adapts to the global advancements in facility and event sustainability.
“We realize that the TCF Center is an economic engine for the Detroit community,” Molinari said. “We take this responsibility seriously and do everything we can to include the local and event communities in our efforts to hit as many of the UN Sustainable Development Goals as we can each year, reducing our carbon footprint and enriching the lives of residents and visitors.”
TCF Center is a 2.4-million-square-foot convention center in downtown Detroit that achieved LEED Gold in October 2019 under LEED v4.1 O+M. It is one of only a few convention centers in the world to certify under that rating system. TCF is a high-performing green building, and the team is dedicated to ongoing performance measurement through Arc. It invests in educating employees, vendors, customers, partners and visitors on its efforts and the importance of sustainable practices.
The center is also a steward of human health and in response to this year’s pandemic, was designated an alternate care site where it remains prepared to provide medical care space for the overflow of local Detroit hospitals. It continues to clean and sterilize PPE for local hospitals, has distributed 2.5 million pounds of food to the local Detroit community from its docks in partnership with Food Rescue US and is periodically a site for Red Cross blood drives as needed.
For more than a quarter century, USGBC has been defining global standards for designing, constructing and operating healthy, resilient and sustainable buildings and spaces through LEED. LEED is the world’s most widely used green building rating system and promotes strategies that reduce environmental impact, enhance human health and support economic development. USGBC’s Leadership Award recipients are a model for how LEED and other sustainability practices can be used to improve communities, support business, and contribute to a better future for all.
The USGBC said in a statement, “This year’s Leadership Award recipients are a model for how LEED and other sustainability practices can be used to improve communities, support business, and contribute to a better future for all.”
Mary Klida, is Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for TCF Center.
30|UNDER|30 Spotlight: Marina Jaramillo
Director of Ticketing, Spectra Venue Management
Marina Jaramillo is passionate about and finds deep fulfillment in working in the Ticketing Industry. Whether it’s building shows, managing on-sales, greeting customers, implementing policies and procedures, or traveling to assist other venues; she relishes the opportunity to provide a positive experience to promoters, guests, and employees.
Having worked at an array of venues, she takes pride in being courageous and innovative with each new task various markets bring. Like many, she doesn’t believe she chose the dream of working in the entertainment industry, rather the dream chose her. Marina strives to perpetually impact the future of the Ticketing and Event Industry by driving strategy and innovation.
“After a challenging few months, being named to the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2020 was a positive reminder that hard work and determination always matter in the long run to accomplishing and achieving your goals.”
Join your Foundation in congratulating Marina on being honored as one of the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2020 and don’t forget to come back each Thursday as we spotlight another honoree!
A Warm Welcome To Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in October 2020. 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.
Aymen Al-Ani, Walter E Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, United States
Alex Arellano, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Alyssa Blumling, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Catelyn Booth, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
Sheila Brannock, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Charles Burge, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
Ruben Burgess, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA, United States
Jon Carvell, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR, United States
Ashley Christopher, Kings Theatre, an Ambassador Theatre Group venue, Brooklyn, NY, United States
Johnny Cooper, Genatek Global, LLC, Flint, MI, United States
William Corder, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Joshua Curtis, Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District, Seattle, WA, United States
Jon DeMarco, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Adarryll Dent, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN, United States
Patrick Doherty, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Kate Dordick, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Karen Duncan, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA, United States
Steve Ebner, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Amy Forgerson, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
Eric Gold, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
David Handwork, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR, United States
Francine Harris, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Michelle Hedegard, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Tyler Higgins, Allen Event Center, Allen, TX, United States
Kristen Hoover, Fayetteville Public Library, Fayetteville, AR, United States
Michael Johnson, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Seth Kagy, Navy Pier, Inc., Chicago, IL, United States
Sharlene Lambert, Allen Event Center, Allen, TX, United States
Jason Lemiere, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Hannah Lowney, Minnesota Orchestra, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Jarod Matheney, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR, United States
Natalia McDonough, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Matt McInnis, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Marie McLean, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Khaly Merot, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Michael Miller, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA, United States
Melissa Mitro, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Brian Mulligan, Bohemian Foundation, Fort Collins, CO, United States
Jasmine Noldon, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Mike Oberst, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Shelby O’Neal, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Darcy Pease, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Morgan Pitman, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Joel Poppert, Artis-Naples, Naples, FL, United States
Brittany Roberts, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA, United States
Jeff Rodgers, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Jaime Rosner, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, United States
Jamie Saul, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL, United States
Lindsay Scherer, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
Andy Silverman, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Adrian Silverstein, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Reginald Smith, Walter E Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, United States
Jordan Smyth, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA, United States
Marina Soffer, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, United States
Megan St John, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
Dallas Stark, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Lisa Strong, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Cori Talbot, The River View at Occoquan, Alexandria, VA, United States
Matthew Tamindzija, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Rosco Thomas, Bush Convention Center, Midland, TX, United States
Sarah Tisinger, Bohemian Foundation, Fort Collins, CO, United States
Kelly Vickers, Walter E Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC, United States
Lorenzo Vigliante, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Brenda Walker, Kirkegaard, Chicago, IL, United States
Sheena Way, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Jeff White, American Airlines Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Joshua Williams, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR, United States
Nicki Wilmot, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA, United States
Terry Wilson, Southern Methodist University, Melissa, TX, United States
You Have GOT to Read the Big News From This Week!
By R.V. Baugus
Hear about the big news this week?
Gotcha! No, we are not talking about the presidential election, although Lord knows it has been battered and filleted every which way since Tuesday. Instead, we are talking about something that is so under the radar it could not be located by a Hubble Space Telescope.
Interestingly, it was called to my attention in a text message on Wednesday from former IAVM colleague Dana (Glazier) Hoffman, who shared a Facebook post she made on November 4, 2010, that stated, “We have a new name! I now work for the International Association of Venue Managers.”
Yes, these 10 years have flown by, have they not? There was plenty of news about the change, including the Association’s statement that the change was “to better reflect members’ jobs and current industry vernacular.”
Indeed, just a change of one word, but a word that most all can agree makes perfect sense today. “Our annual conference 
is now called VenueConnect, our new proprietary social network platform is VenueNet and our new awards are the Venue Excellence Awards. The concept to change our association’s name made perfect sense,” said Shura Lindgren, immediate past chair at the time. Even the letters of CFE after Lindgren’s name would change to CVE as the industry’s premier designation went from Certified Facilities Executive to Certified Venue Executive with Certified Venue Professional also joining the ranks.
“Changing ‘assembly’ to ‘venue’ does not change who or what we are. We will preserve all that our brand represents and yet reflect all we can become in the future,” said then IAVM President and CEO Dexter King, CVE, in a comment to Successful Meetings. “Regardless of our name, this organization is committed to being relevant by encouraging and equipping today’s venue professionals worldwide. Through its many program offerings, IAVM will continue to assist its members with commerce, advocacy, research and education.”
John Siehl, CVE, IAVM Board Chair at the time, also added to Successful Meetings: “Our new name clearly characterizes our industry and aligns the organization with what our members do — manage and operate thousands of venues in communities, metroplexes, cities, counties, territories, countries and more worldwide. We will likely witness other changes as we continue to evaluate our brand portfolio to ensure that it is nimbly meeting the needs of our members and the industry it serves.”
And there were other changes. The Public Assembly Facility Management School (PAFMS) became the Venue Management School. As recent as this past July, the association’s 35-year-old magazine moved from Facility Manager to Venue Professional.
More than 85 years old, IAVM was started in 1924, when it was called the Association of Auditorium Managers. Over the years, the organization’s name has changed several times. It became the International Association of Auditorium Managers, for instance, in 1934 and IAAM in 1996.
The name change 10 years ago was actually voted on electronically prior to the annual conference and trade show in July in Houston, where the results of the ballot were made public during the keynote address.
Venue so easily now rolls off the tongue and is certainly less bulky than some of the predecessor names for the association’s schools and programs.
Dexter King, always a very dear friend as much as a boss at the time, brought some humorous perspective to the IAAM logo etched outside World Headquarters. Even as a member as a venue manager, King would visit the association office and upon seeing the logo had an immediate thought to what it resembled.
“With the two A’s sticking up, it looks like Felix the Cat,” he would say.
Just one more reason to love Dexter, and one more reason 10 years ago this week to celebrate the formal name change to your International Association of Venue Managers.