By R.V. Baugus

Gene Smith is in his 15th year as director of athletics at The Ohio State University. He is widely recognized among the leaders of his profession and has been named “one of the most powerful people in collegiate sport.”

Attendees at this year’s virtual VenueConnect will be able to hear Smith as he headlines as the Arenas Keynote Speaker. Smith leads athletics at an institution and in a Big Ten Conference which will be starting its football season soon and thus able to have a say in the final College Football Playoffs, as well as having one of the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy in quarterback Justin Fields.

Smith’s athletic department sponsors 36 fully-funded varsity sports with more than 1,000 student-athletes competing for Big Ten Conference and NCAA championships.

Smith has additional oversight responsibility for the Business Advancement division of Ohio State which includes: Schottenstein Center, Nationwide Arena, Blackwell Hotel, Drake Union, Fawcett Center, and Trademark & Licensing.

While gearing up for football and the myriad responsibilities on campus, Smith took some time to visit with us on a number of topics in advance of his keynote presentation.

May I ask the obvious at the outset about how important it is to have a football schedule starting up for the conference?

Its critical. First and foremost it’s about our student-athletes. They have worked hard for the opportunity to play. They wanted a chance to play and we have created a safe process to allow them to play. For our community, all of Buckeye Nation, and the 11 states and 14 schools in the conference, this is a positive social activity for all of the students, alumni, and fans to support these programs.

How have your fans been assured that the conference-member stadiums are providing the best in safety and sanitization for them?

Some of the states in our conference have restrictions that make it difficult to host fans in their stadiums, so we agreed to be consistent across the conference and not host fans, even though some schools could safely. Only families of players, coaches, and support staff will be in attendance. We are adhering to all the protocols of distancing, masks, sanitation, and hand washing accessibility to ensure our fans feel safe and protected while they are in our stadium.

As it relates to Arenas in which you are speaking, how are things progressing for basketball at the Big Ten venues as they prepare for their season?

The conference is currently working on schedules that we hope to announce soon for our teams to compete. We will have 20 Big Ten games and teams will be allowed to play a total of 27 games total – 20 conference and 7 non-conference games starting 11/25. Consistent with the state and county regulations we are still determining whether or not we can have fans at our venues. We are comfortable at The Ohio State University that our facilities could safely host fans, be it the Schottenstein Center or Nationwide Arena. Our mechanical systems allow our facilities to create the positive air flow needed to create a safe environment. We will still follow all protocols of masks, distancing, reduced capacity, sanitization, and hand washing, etc.

Shifting gears now to the IAVM VenueConnect, what are some topics you plan to speak on for our venue members to hear?

Leading through the adversity that we are experiencing with the pandemic and the social issues we have been dealing with in our society.

You obviously have venue members on your campus, many of which are long-time IAVM members such Xen Riggs, Mike Gatto, and Colin Thompson, among others. Talk some about the critical role these individuals play as venues begin to reopen around the country.

We are blessed to have people like Xen Riggs and Mike Gatto and Colin Thompson and others who have many years of experience. Their understanding of how to run venues and their understanding of how to host entertainers or other groups and fans in our venues is a significant asset for us. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the collective talent and expertise that we enjoy because of the people in those positions. They are leaders for us on campus, in Columbus, the state of Ohio and nationally. They have a strong voice in how to safely reopen our facilities and allow our events to return.

What are some takeaways that VenueConnect attendees can expect from your presentation and as they return to their own venues?

Most importantly, understanding people matter more than the facilities themselves. It is critical that in all spaces, through good times and challenging times, that we always keep at the forefront of every decision – people are the heart and soul of all that matters. Without our people we have nothing. Leading with integrity, collaboration, transparency, and being humanistic during these challenging times will help us get through this. And we will come out of this stronger and better for the experiences we have all endured and the challenges we have risen to overcome during this time.

In your mind’s eye, what will the venues of tomorrow look like as fans attend in what will certainly look nothing like what they have been accustomed to?

One of the things we have done prior to the pandemic is to continue to enhance technology. Technology continues to emerge and our ability to respond and learn about whatever platforms or devices that emerge is critical. That is one of the benefits we have in our people; they are trying to always learn about those things and how we can better serve our fans and guests. At some point we will move past this. All of the measures we are putting in place now to improve safety and sanitation and the overall experience will help us create even better experiences for our guests in the future.

By ISSA and R.V. Baugus

The Global Biorisk Advisory Council® (GBAC), a Division of ISSA, launched its GBAC STAR Facility Directory. This new web-based tool allows users to identify facilities that have earned or committed to achieve GBAC STAR accreditation, the designation reserved for facilities that have demonstrated a thorough approach to cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention.

“We’re excited to unveil this new tool to help the public discover which facilities are taking important steps forward with their approach to cleaning,” said GBAC Executive Director Patricia Olinger. “The GBAC STAR program has more than 250 facilities accredited and 3,000-plus committed to accreditation in more than 80 countries, with additional facilities added daily. This results in an impressive directory that is easily searchable and always accessible.”

The GBAC STAR Facility Directory is a searchable listing of facilities around the world, including stadiums and arenas, convention centers, hotels, restaurants, airports, commercial facilities, and more. Users can search the directory by facility name, facility type, location (region, state/province, country, or zip/postal code), or keyword. Each resulting pin provides the property’s name, address, website, facility type, and accreditation status.

GBAC STAR accredited facilities have completed a rigorous screening process to ensure they are truly committed to championing cleanliness; have established goals and risk mitigation strategies; implemented effective tools, equipment and supplies; and prioritized training, prevention, and preparation.

“GBAC STAR accreditation indicates that behind the scenes, facilities are properly conducting cleaning and disinfection to keep employees and visitors safe,” said ISSA Executive Director John Barrett. “This new directory is a visual resource that instills confidence in consumers as they aim to normalize their daily lives during this pandemic and into the future.”

To apply for GBAC STAR facility accreditation or for more information, click here.

For a full and current listing of accredited facilities, click here.

By Sarah Maio

The Wisconsin Center District (WCD) Governance Committee has unanimously approved a resolution to finance the $420 million convention center expansion project. This is the final approval needed in order to begin the planning phase of the project, which will be led by CAA ICON as the owner’s representative, the architecture firms tvsdesign and EUA and the construction team of Gilbane and C.D. Smith. An anticipated ground-breaking date will be in late 2021, and the new building is expected to open in early 2024.

This project will support at least 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs and $100 million in on- and off-site construction wages during construction. Additionally, the plan includes an already-approved 31 percent minority-owned-business clause (25 percent minority, 5 percent women-owned, 1 percent disabled veteranowned), and 40 percent of on-site construction jobs will be dedicated to the Residents Preference Program for city and county resident-held positions. Once completed, the new convention center is projected to attract an additional 100,000 out-of-state visitors annually, stimulate at least $6.5 billion in total spending in the state over a 30-year period, and generate at least $150 million in incremental state income.

“The Wisconsin Center expansion has been years in the making, and today is an exciting day,” said Marty Brooks, president and CEO of the WCD. “Meetings and convention business acts as the economic foundation for hospitality and tourism in our region. I applaud the WCD Board and Governance Committee for the actions they have taken in the last two years and the trust they have placed in me and our team to lead the Wisconsin Center District toward Building More for the city we love.”

“When the Board authorized the expansion in April it was with the stipulation that final financing approval must come from the Governance Committee. The package which was approved today meets strategic financial goals including building the right facility to accommodate the WCD’s needs, and supporting the debt structure within the District’s restricted taxes. It also allows the WCD to construct a facility that will be an aesthetically compelling addition to the development and renaissance of Westown.”

By doubling the square footage of the convention center, the WCD will be able to host multiple, overlapping, and simultaneous events. The facility will emphasize flexible space arrangements which will meet the needs of meeting and event planners locally, nationally, and globally. Increased meeting and convention business will result in greater demand for downtown hotel room night usage, which will increase tax revenue and cause compression, driving visitors to neighboring communities. These visitors will patronize Milwaukee’s restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, boosting support industries.

Wisconsin Center District owns & operates the Wisconsin Center, UWM Panther Arena & Miller High Life Theatre.

“The WCD Board has invested countless hours over the last two years providing input and guidance on the expansion project,” said Jim Kanter, WCD Board Chairman. “From creating jobs to attracting visitors, this project sets our city up for immediate and future success. The WCD will serve as a sign of economic strength for the city of Milwaukee and join the rest of the development taking place west of the river. From ground-breaking to grand-opening, the expansion of the Wisconsin Center will be a real source of pride for all of Milwaukee.”

According to a study by third-party consulting firm, HVS, convention business will see 2019 booking numbers again in 2023, which means having a new facility open and available to book in 2024 will make Milwaukee an even more desirable destination.

“I am thankful for and applaud the WCD Governance Committee for approving the resolution today to support the bonds needed to build the Wisconsin Center expansion,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “This is an investment in the future of Milwaukee that is long overdue. We know that meetings and conventions will return, and we want to be assured that Milwaukee makes the short list when they do. We know that this is the time to set ourselves up for future success. Meeting planners are booking now for 2023 and beyond, and we want to position the Wisconsin Center as the newest and best convention space amongst our peer group.”

Additionally, the WCD is in the process of getting its Global Biorisk Advisory Council (GBAC) STAR accreditation, which is the cleaning industry’s only outbreak prevention response and recovery accreditation for facilities. GBAC-compliant features will be integrated into the building and include touchless designs, efficient HVAC systems, self-sanitizing escalator railings and more.

Sarah Maio is Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Wisconsin Center District.

Pabst Theater Group (PTG) and AXS announced that they have entered into an exclusive ticketing partnership. The deal extends to all four of the venues in the Milwaukee-based company’s portfolio: The Pabst Theater, The Riverside Theater, Turner Hall Ballroom and The Backroom At Colectivo. PTG will utilize AXS’ state-of-the-art, wide-ranging solutions that cover every level of the event lifecycle, including the “Fansight” purchase flow with 3D maps for seat selection, integrated venue website by Carbonhouse, premium dynamic pricing solutions, the ”Fan Account” membership solution, paperless entry with AXS Mobile ID, “AXS Anywhere” with the AXS open distribution API, and more.

The AXS Platform allows PTG to operate its fast-paced business at scale, self-sufficiently but with the backing of AXS’ white glove client support team.

“Welcoming AXS as our exclusive partner is the next step in our commitment to an even greater ticketing experience for our customers,” said Gary Witt, CEO of Pabst Theater Group. “Between 3D seat maps, ease of use app compatibility and seamless ticket transfer options, AXS offers our customers a host of features that make the ticket buying process easier and more secure. From day one of The Pabst Theater Group, our focus has been on the customer experience and AXS is the next step in our continuing effort to make it the best it can be.”

“Pabst Theater Group and AXS are coming into this partnership with identical goals,” added Dean DeWulf, Senior Vice President, Music Division, AXS Ticketing. “AXS is an excellent fit for music venues looking to maximize customer experience, distribution, revenue potential and data insights. We are incredibly proud to be partnering with Gary Witt, Matt Beringer and everyone at PTG as they continue their commitment to bring the best entertainment to the people of Milwaukee.”

The AXS Platform supports the entire event lifecycle starting with discovery and the AXS Anywhere API which allows for promotion and purchasing on major social media, streaming, and discovery sites such as YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, Songkick, and Bandsintown.

The purchase step begins with the new fully-integrated Pabst Theatre Group website by Carbonhouse, which connects automatically to the venue-branded “Fansight” purchase flow enabling 3D “view-from-seat”, premium dynamic pricing and upgrade offerings that ensure PTG can maximize ticketing gross potential and boost ancillary revenues.

AXS’ patented ID-based ticket delivery solution, “AXS Mobile ID,” powers seamless and secure paperless entry into the venues, ensuring that PTG knows who is attending their events and fans know their tickets are genuine.

Post-event, PTG can continue the fan relationship with the Fan Account membership platform, offering rewards and personalized offerings for future events.

The AXS platform also brings greater data insights and communication opportunities with customers, leading to augmented sponsorship opportunities and a constantly evolving user experience.

By 49ers.com

In keeping with the organization’s history as a leader in leveraging technological innovation to enhance the fan experience, the San Francisco 49ers announced that Levi’s® Stadium will be among the first wave of NFL venues to complete the transition to a cashless payment model whenever fans are able to return to the venue. The 49ers, while also announcing a multi-year partnership extension with its long-time official payments partner Visa, are making the move to only accept card or mobile payments for concessions, merchandise, and other purchases to improve the fan experience through increased speed of service, safety, and security.

Last year, the 49ers announced they would become the first team in global professional sports to include a dedicated menu

of food and (non-alcoholic) drink options in the price of tickets for all season ticket members. Coupled with introducing what the team refers to as its Member Inclusive Menu this year, the shift to digital payments will enable Levi’s® Stadium to minimize touchpoints for fans while reducing interactions with stadium concessions staff members in an effort to help all parties stay safe and healthy. While these changes have become essential in the COVID-19 environment, the benefits will serve customers long after the pandemic has ended.

“While the move to fully cashless transactions in venues has advanced more quickly due to the ongoing health emergency, this is a direction we have been heading for several years and we know it’s one that will further improve the fan experience at Levi’s® Stadium,” said Al Guido, 49ers President. “Six years of operational data here at Levi’s® Stadium tells us that mobile payments are increasing while cash transactions decrease annually. And through our friends at Visa, we know contactless payments reduce transaction times, concessions lines, and some costs.”

In preparation for Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s® Stadium in 2016, the 49ers and Visa completed an overhaul to upgrade the venue’s concessions infrastructure to make it the first fully contactless enabled stadium in the NFL. With close to 600 contactless terminals around the stadium, fans can quickly pay without missing any on-field action.

For fans without any payment options other than cash, the 49ers are installing four on-site cash-to-card kiosks that will enable fans to exchange cash for a Visa-branded prepaid card, up to $100 with no transaction fee. Users will be able to swipe the prepaid card for payments inside and outside of the venue and check their balance anywhere, anytime at RCbalance.com. The cards are not reloadable. The kiosks feature English and Spanish language prompts and will be located at various locations inside the stadium security perimeter; locations to be announced at a later date.

“The 49ers offering a fully digital payment experience for each and every fan is a game changer. Whether buying at concessions in between plays or ordering from their seats, all fans will now be able to quickly and safely tap to pay, ultimately minimizing touchpoints at checkout,” said Mary Ann Reilly, senior vice president of North America Marketing, Visa. “Visa is happy to extend our partnership with the 49ers and provide the ultimate game experience whenever fans return.”