By Erin Jepson, CMP, CVP

(The following was written on Tuesday, October 27)

Once again, I was knocked down a few notches today by a simple assignment. Yesterday kicked off 5 days of virtual VenueConnect. This is the annual conference I attend put on by the International Association of Venue Managers. This year was supposed to be in Long Beach back in July, but you know how that story goes. Going into this week, I was both excited and hesitant. If you’ve been following along, you know that I have a love/disappointment relationship with my industry right now.

I love it.

I love working in it.

I’d love to keep working in it.

But I’m disappointed by the situation COVID has forced me in as it relates to that industry.

So perhaps more of a love love love/disappointment relationship. For the most part, I’ve remained positive. Participating in meetings and projects… wearing my board member hat with the same professionalism, seriousness and pride that I did pre-COVID. However, every now and then, I’m knocked down and it’s getting harder and harder to get up, brush myself off, and keep going.

Yesterday went by just fine. We were all in the same boat, working to make the industry stronger. We were all just faces and names on a screen… no titles… no place of employment… no category of employed or looking for work. But today, right out of the gate, the blow came.

“We’re going to split you up in small groups, introduce yourself, introduce your position and venue…”

And there it is. Another opportunity to let people know that they are still bringing home a paycheck and I am not. Another opportunity to open the door for people to wonder “geez, I wonder what she did that she lost her job and I didn’t”. Another opportunity for my self-doubt to settle in like it seems to LOVE to do lately. I kept it positive, as I do, spinning it that I’m looking for the next exciting opportunity. However, I left that 5 minute small group intro session thinking about how I’d phrase that question if it were me arranging the session. After all, inclusive leadership requires thinking like this. It’s actually quite simple.

“Introduce yourself, introduce your role within the industry and where you make an impact…”

Now there’s a question! Instead of “I’m Erin, I was director of events and guest services at blah blah blah venue… but I’ve been laid off because of COVID”, my answer is much better and I can celebrate my career rather than my temporary situation.

“I’m Erin, convention center sector director on the IAVM Board of Directors and during my 16 years in the industry I’ve developed teams and helped professionals further their careers at both a non-profit performing arts center and a mid-sized convention center… I can’t wait to add more venues to that list in the future…”

And it’s that simple.

During this time, when so many of the professionals in our industry are in the same situation I am, why do we keep asking the first version of this question? Because it’s how it’s always been done. Two of the 6 people in my small group were like me, facing an uncertain future because their decades long career was pulled out from under them in the blink of an eye. So it may be time for a change. It’s time to stop asking people to present themselves as their job and rather present themselves as their impact to this world.

By Cara Vanderhook

President of STAPLES Center, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE and arena industry veteran Lee Zeidman has been selected by the Association of Luxury Suite Directors (ALSD) to receive their ALSD Bill Dorsey Visionary Award. This prestigious venue industry award is presented annually to a respected executive for his innovation, vision, character and loyalty and whose lifetime of leadership and achievement merits the sports and entertainment industry Association’s highest individual honor.

Although the ALSD postponed their 2020 [in-person] conference, Zeidman received his award as part of a special on-line virtual event on October 28.

“Lee has long been just about the busiest and most respected people in the facility business,” said Bill Dorsey, Chairman of ALSD. “He manages not one but multiple tenants as well as major concert venue. Literally, if it is Sunday it must be the GRAMMY Awards and that Tuesday night a sold-out Lakers game. It goes on and on and Lee handles it all line water rolling off a duck’s back.”

Earlier in the week, Zeidman was surprised with a congratulatory video with messages from colleagues past and present, journalists and several famous friends who wanted to pass along the best wishes. To view the video, click here.

“I am incredibly grateful to the leadership of the ALSD for the honor of being named the 2020 Bill Dorsey Visionary Award recipient,” Zeidman said. “It is humbling to join such an impressive list of industry leaders who have previously received this award. I have had an amazing career and have been fortunate to worked with and learned from so many visionaries who have helped me get to where I am today.”

There are few events that take place in arenas, theatres or other venues that Zeidman has not been involved with during his career that has spanned four decades. As President of STAPLES Center, Microsoft Theater and L.A. LIVE the sports, residential and entertainment district, Zeidman oversees the venues event operations, production, including guest services, booking, box office, event security, event staffing, guest relations, facility presentation, marketing, communications, hospitality and food and beverage services. Along with his hard-working team, Zeidman also supervises STAPLES Center’s overall day-to-day support for its tenants, sponsors, clients and partners including the Los Angeles Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Sparks franchises hosting seven NBA Finals, two Stanley Cup Finals and five WNBA Finals.

Zeidman was a crucial member of a team that oversaw the overall development of L.A. LIVE, the 4 million square foot / $3 billion sports, residential & entertainment district featuring Microsoft Theater (7,100-seat live theater) and Club Nokia (2,300 capacity live music venue), a 54-story, 1001-room convention “headquarters” destination (featuring The Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels and 224 luxury condominiums – The Residences at The Ritz Carlton – all in a single tower), a 14-screen Regal Cineplex, “broadcast” facilities for ESPN, along with entertainment, restaurant and office space. Microsoft Theater has been named Pollstar’s national “Theatre of the Year” in 2008, 2009 and 2010 with Zeidman having been nominated nine times for “Facility Executive of the Year” and honored in both 2008 and 2016. In June 2018, Zeidman was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the Stadium Business Awards in Manchester, England, which recognizes an individual that has shown exceptional commitment service and leadership to the stadium industry over a sustained period of time.

During his time with AEG, Zeidman has also played a substantial role in the development, construction, and operation of Dignity Sports Health Park in Carson, California which includes a 27,000-seat soccer stadium, 8,000-seat multi-sport stadium and other major facilities for tennis, boxing, track & field, cycling, beach volleyball and other sports which has been designated as an Official U.S. Olympic Training site. Zeidman was also a part of a team that developed and opened The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, a 4,000-seat theatre which was the home of Celine Dion’s A New Day as well as assisting in the opening of such iconic AEG venues such as the O2 in London and the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin.

Prior to joining AEG and STAPLES Center, Zeidman was the Great Western Forum’s Vice-President, Operations, overseeing all areas of that facility’s management. During his 10-year tenure, he coordinated operations for all Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers games, concerts and special events. Previously, he directed operations for the 6,000-seat special event center at the University of California at Santa Barbara.

The ALSD was established more than 30 years ago as the industry leading advocate and source for premium seating in the sports and entertainment venue space. They are the clearinghouse of information on premium sports business and a platform for teams, venues, leagues, and product- and service-partners to come together and elevate the industry’s operation and service. Their mission is to cover the venue landscape, in recent years creating the Design & Build Forum to do so more comprehensively from a design, architectural, and innovation standpoint.

Previous ALSD Bill Dorsey Visionary Award Winners:

Tom Wilson, current President, Chief Executive Officer, Olympia Entertainment
Bernie Mullin, current Chairman and Founder, The Aspire Group
Tod Leiweke, current Chief Executive Officer, Seattle Kraken
Richard Krezwick, current Chief Commercial Officer, ASM Global
Tom Glick, current President, Tepper Sports & Entertainment
Derrick Hall, current President & CEO, Arizona Diamondbacks
Brad Mayne, current President & CEO, IAVM
Jon Spoelstra, current American author, sports marketer
Andy Dolich, current Founder, Dolich & Associates

Cara Vanderhook is Vice President Marketing & Communications for STAPLES Center and Microsoft Theater for AEG Worldwide.

Photo from ALSD website.

The Herberger Theater Center (HTC) in Phoenix is excited to announce its new outdoor stage, The Pavilion at the Herberger Theater. Built on the recently cleared land on the east side on the theater, The Pavilion will host performances November 2020 through April 2021, including the 11th annual Festival of the Arts on Saturday, November 14, which will be the opening performance for the new space.

“The opening of The Pavilion outdoor stage is about hope and giving an opportunity for companies to meet their audiences in a new way,” said Mark Mettes, CVE, President and CEO of the Herberger Theater. “We have heard from our guests that digital offerings are just not the same. We want to answer the call and provide a live arts experience for the community. These outdoor performances are about being together, yet safely apart, in order to experience performances in a safe and socially distanced way.”

The collection of performances scheduled on The Pavilion are part of The Art of Celebration series, which focuses on celebrating community and creativity in the space. From festivals and concerts to fully staged productions and performances, The Art of Celebration will unite artists and audiences through diverse experiences that ignite emotion, stimulate conversation and inspire connections – all while following safe and healthy protocols related to physical distancing, face coverings and cleanliness. The Art of Celebration kicks off with a re-imagined 11th annual Festival of the Arts, followed by Arizona Opera, who will present a new collaboration with The Metropolitan Opera on an outdoor opera film festival staged on The Pavilion in late-November, adding another family-friendly program to its Reimagined 2020/21 Season. In December, the sights and sounds of the holidays will fill The Pavilion as one of the Valley’s most celebrated actresses, Katie McFadzen, brings to life Charles Dickens’ holiday classic A Christmas Carol presented by Childsplay under the stars, lights, and chandeliers. The Herberger Theater will also host Lunch Time Theater, a concert series and Performance Discoveries by local performers and organizations.

A generous donation from Arizona Artificial Lawns will allow HTC to install turf to prepare a more welcoming outdoor space for guests. At its current capacity, the stage will seat approximately 160 guests, who will follow social distancing guidelines. As restrictions loosen, the space could accommodate more than 300 guests.

Spanning 36 feet wide and 20 feet deep, the stage will be the largest ever constructed on the Herberger Theater plaza and will provide a space for performing companies to once again welcome guests to enjoy live arts experiences at the Herberger Theater.

With generous donations from the Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, Billie Jo and Judd Herberger, Perkins Coie, the Arizona Community Foundation and Downtown Phoenix Partnership, HTC can focus on bringing audiences and art back together at the Herberger Theater, where audience meets art.

The continued health and well-being of guests, artists, volunteers, and staff is of the upmost priority. Cleaning procedures will be in line with CDC guidelines for gatherings, as well as state and local ordinances. All surfaces will be completely sanitized between performances and high contact surfaces will be cleaned frequently. Face coverings will be required at all times within the venue for guests, volunteers, and staff. At the outdoor performances, guests will be seated six feet apart from other patrons, as well as space to socially distance throughout the venue. Signage will be posted throughout the outdoor space to remind guests to socially distance and follow safety procedures. More information about enhanced safety procedures can be found at HerbergerTheater.org.

To find more information on The Pavilion, visit HerbergerTheater.org/The-Pavilion/

By Nadia Vanderhoof

Exhibitor Magazine has recognized the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando as a Center of Excellence in its 2021 list of the nation’s best convention centers for trade shows and events.

Honoring the best large and small trade show venues, this prestigious list judges based on a variety of criteria from facility and functionality, location and accommodations, service and execution, upgrades and expansions, and awards and industry participation.

“The OCCC continues to drive our industry forward with world-class facilities and innovative solutions to the current challenges,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “We are home to some of the most esteemed conventions and trade shows across the nation, and this award further affirms our competitiveness and industry standing.”

The Centers of Excellence list is an important resource for event planners, show organizers and exhibition managers throughout the U.S. Recognized for two consecutive years, the OCCC continues to enhance its facility and lead the conventions and trade show industry, particularly in response the current climate.

Among the first in the industry to release a strategic set of data-driven Recovery and Resiliency Guidelines, the OCCC continues to take extensive measures to secure a safe, functional and controlled environment for guests, attendees, planners and exhibitors.

In line with its three-pronged recovery strategy, the OCCC earned its Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation earlier this year. As one of the largest accredited venues in this nation, this highly esteemed certification provides third-party validation for the safety practices employed at the Center, alongside providing a comprehensive framework for cleaning, disinfection and infectious disease control and prevention.

Furthermore, the OCCC released a first-of-its-kind medical concierge program with its destination partner Visit Orlando and Orlando Health. Offering personalized medical services and resources to all meetings and convention groups through 2020, this pioneering program further enhances the OCCC’s reputation for excellence.

Nadia Vanderhoof is Marketing and Communications Manager | Marketing and Communications Division for the Orange County Convention Center.

By Julian M. Bowman

The Dallas City Council unanimously approved the 2020 Fair Park Master Plan Update, which outlines the vision and future planned development for Fair Park. The announcement comes on the heels of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board approval this past summer. The Master Plan Update was presented by Fair Park First, Biederman Redevelopment Ventures, and Spectra—the team tasked with Fair Park’s management, operations, and development.

“We’re proud of all the work that our collective team has put into this plan in less than 18 months,” said Darren L. James, President of the Fair Park First Board. “Today’s approval puts us one step closer to putting the park back into Fair Park for the citizens of Dallas and sets up a living framework for impactful Park improvements over the next couple of decades.”

“We are excited that the City Council was so supportive of this project, and sees the value in restoring and revitalizing Fair Park,” said Brian Luallen, Executive Director of Fair Park First. “This transformative project represents a new path forward for the historic property. With the Council’s overwhelming support, we’re now focused on securing corporate partners, individual donors, and sponsors to make this vision of a greener Fair Park a reality.”

The recommendations in the Master Plan Update reflect the needs and interests of the resident institutions at Fair Park, the surrounding neighborhoods, and park users from the DFW Metroplex, which were gathered through dozens of meetings with the surrounding communities, user groups, and various stakeholders.

“The 2020 Master Plan Update is a guide for reestablishing Fair Park as Dallas’s premier park, a year-round destination for the best of Dallas history, culture, entertainment, and recreation, and a welcoming place of opportunity for neighboring communities,” said Dan Biederman, President of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures.

The approval precedes an upcoming announcement of the park designer for the new Community Park within Fair Park’s 277-acre campus, which is one of the Master Plan Update’s first priorities. The planned Community Park design will include a large lawn, a children’s play area with an interactive water feature, naturalized plantings, remembrance gardens, a pavilion for gatherings, and movable tables and chairs. The Community Park will also provide free programming for children, adults, and seniors. A typical calendar of events during a week might include fitness classes, musical performances, art workshops, drum circles, a reading room, and outdoor movies.

“The City Council’s support and confidence in our vision show that we are on the right track to revitalizing and renewing this National Historic Landmark,” said Spectra’s Peter Sullivan, General Manager of Fair Park. “The proposed greenspaces will be a welcome addition to showcase Fair Park in our mission to activate the entire park year-round.”

Find out more information on the planned revitalization of Fair Park by visiting www.fairparkfirst.org.

Julian M. Bowman is Senior Director of Marketing Fair Park, a Spectra Venue Management facility.

Photo by City of Dallas.