By Jorge Perez

Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC), operated by AEG Facilities, announced fiscal year 2018-2019 as the most successful year in its 14-year history. Driven by the PRCC focus on delivering memorable and positive guest experiences, the Convention Center realized increased financial and operational performance across many key metrics; increase in total attendance of 26%, 644,000 visitors came through PRCC’s doors in comparison to the previous 13-year average, 96% overall customer satisfaction ratings along with a 21% increase in total events, 417 events in comparison to previous 13-year average. The PRCC has also further established itself as the main space for all types of events, including conventions, sports and entertainment events, corporate events, galas and other events that generate a significant economic impact on the local economy.

Since it opened its doors in 2005, PRCC has become a cornerstone of Puerto Rico’s offerings as a tourist and event destination, being an anchor of the Convention District that has gradually continued to develop with new investments and related projects, and that soon will expand its offer with the opening of El Distrito San Juan complex, scheduled for early 2020.

“We are honored to report our most successful year at PRCC, 2018-2019 was a triumphant year full of amazing events. The commitment and hard work of our team along with our continued leadership and forward-looking approach to creating great experiences to our clients and guests is delivering these returns. When we consider the impact that each event generates in terms of number of visitors, hotel nights, use of services and products, and other added activities, the balance is a very significant impact for the local economy, and that should be a source of satisfaction for everyone in the industry, “said Jorge Pérez, general manager of the Center.

Another of the important elements of the AEG operation at PRCC is the continuous investment in improvements to maintain the space in optimal conditions, achieve operational efficiencies and offer customers and visitors a quality atmosphere and excellence in services. “The commitment of AEG and the Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority have been instrumental to our success,” Perez added, noting a $3.3M investment for improvements to the venue’s infrastructure, aesthetic remodeling work and periodic renovations such as carpet replacement, the revamping of meeting spaces and the integration of art work are important elements that customers notice and appreciate, and ultimately contribute to the total experience at the venue.”

“We operate a state of the art facility in a first-class destination.” Pérez said. “Staying at the top of a global industry that constantly searches for new elements, more and better service and innovation, requires an extra passion that can only be credited to our excellent team, a group of committed employees who always go above and beyond.”

“There is no doubt that the Convention Center will continue to be the protagonist of our efforts to promote Puerto Rico as the best destination for events of all kinds, relying precisely on the potential economic impact this has for the island. We already have highly important events on the global stage, such as the twenty-second World Travel & Tourism Council Global Summit that we announced recently and which will take place in the spring of 2020. This event is expected to bring to Puerto Rico more than 1,500 visitors from 180 countries, “said Noelia García, appointed executive director of the Convention District Authority of Puerto Rico.

“We’re very proud to have the Convention Center as one of our key partners in helping catapult our meetings and conventions business and elevating the Island’s status as a high quality, service-oriented destination in the Caribbean. Our leads and contracted events and rooms are the highest they have been in five years, and the Puerto Rico Convention Center plays a significant role in achieving this goal”, said Brad Dean, CEO for Discover Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Destination Marketing Organization.

Jorge Perez is general manager of the Puerto Rico Convention Center

By Barbara Cosio Moreno

San Diego Theatres, Inc. (SDT), which operates and manages San Diego Civic Theatre and the historic Balboa Theatre, has announced a new addition to its leadership team.

Kelly Bargabos (left, in photo) joins the organization in a new position, as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. She will serve alongside Carol Wallace, the President & CEO of the San Diego Theatres.

Bargabos was most recently the Vice President Finance for Road Runner Sports, a multichannel retailer of specialty footwear, apparel and accessories based in San Diego. After earning her CPA in New York, Kelly’s successful career has included roles in both finance and operations in a variety of industries and organizations.

“I am excited to join the dynamic team at the San Diego Theatres,” Bargabos said. “I have great respect for the arts community and look forward to working collaboratively with the Board of Directors and staff to affect change and drive results.”

Bargabos believes in giving back to the community, serving in volunteer capacities with organizations working on global and local issues such as poverty and homelessness, as well as programs dedicated to children. She is also a published author.

“We are excited to have Kelly join us,” said Jim Waring, Chair of the SDT Board of Directors. “Her diverse skillset will serve the organization and the community well as we set strategic goals that will deliver on our commitment of providing top-tier performing arts for the San Diego region.”

Wallace became SDT’s President and CEO in July 2018. She was previously President and CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation until 2015. Under her tenure, the Corporation oversaw the operations of San Diego Theatres, Inc. until 2012 when SDT became an independent 501(C)(3) non-profit.

Barbara Cosio Moreno is Director of Communications & Marketing at San Diego Theatres

By Mike Klompstra

Thursday, August 22, 2019 was a special day for Dave Broekstra, SMG Chief Engineer for DeVos Place® and Van Andel Arena®. Broekstra, a military veteran, was presented with a handmade quilt from the Quilts of Valor Foundation during an award ceremony at the American Quilter’s Society QuiltWeek held at DeVos Place August 21-24.

Quilts of Valor’s mission is “to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.” Veterans and service members can be nominated to receive a quilt handmade by one of thousands of volunteers. Broekstra was nominated for his service in the United States Marine Corps. After a brief opening, volunteers from Quilts of Valor presented Broekstra with his own handmade quilt by wrapping him in the quilt as a thank you for his service, sacrifice, and valor in serving the United States.

“I am incredibly grateful to the women and men from the Quilts of Valor Foundation who spend their time to create such amazing quilts,” Broekstra said. “Their effort and care is truly appreciated.”

Broekstra entered the United States Marine Corps in June of 2001 and served active duty until June of 2006. During his service, Dave was awarded with the Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, along with other ribbons, commendations, and badges. He worked as a Fixed Wing Aircraft Airframe Mechanic and later became Work Center Supervisor/NCOIC responsible for the wellbeing and professional development of nine junior marines while deployed to Iraq. During his deployment, he was the only KC-130J Airframe Collateral Duty Inspector (CDI) responsible for the repair, inspection and maintenance of all deployed KC-130J aircraft. In 2008, Dave was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. He has been with SMG since 2012 and is responsible for overseeing everyday maintenance operations, renovations, and implementation of new technology at both DeVos Place and Van Andel Arena.

Founded in 2003 by a Blue Star Mother, Quilts of Valor grew from a few friends sending quilts to soldiers in active duty to honoring veterans and service members with over 11,000 members and 600 groups volunteering their time and energy to the cause. With just five full-time staff, Quilts of Valor has awarded over 200,000 quilts in all 50 states and are on track to present a quarter-million quilts by the spring of 2020. Over 17,500 quilts have been awarded in 2019 alone.

To nominate a veteran for a Quilt of Valor, you can submit his or her name at the following online form through the Quilts of Valor website https://www.qovf.org/request-qov/.

Mike Klompstra is Digital Marketing Coordinator for SMG – Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place

Just what is technology? Technology is a tool—it’s that simple. It’s more than the newest gadget. It’s a tool with a purpose. And when the right tool is in the hands of the right people, using it the right way—impactful results can be seen and felt. When correctly used, the right tool has the power to improve processes, increase productivity, and improve work quality at your venue.

But what is the right tool? Well, that depends on what you want to do. Technology is not “one and done,” otherwise we would still be using Palm Pilots instead of Iphones and Androids. Like it or not, change is constant and technology constantly changes. If it doesn’t, it becomes obsolete. So the tech we use should adjust and adapt—not simply for the sake of change, but for the sake of being purpose-driven. It should keep up with our ever-evolving industry and the goals, needs, and priorities associated with it.

In other words, mindfulness and strategy should be the driving force behind the decisions you make about the technology in your venue.

To determine if a certain piece of technology is right to implement, one needs to consider:

1. What is the current state of your organization? Your current strategy and tools?
2. Where do you want to go? How do you see things changing, shifting and growing over the next year, or five years?
3. How will you get there? How do you plan to shift your strategy and tools from becoming obsolete and inefficient?

A case might be made for maintaining the “status quo” rather than adapting to new technologies and confronting change, as change sometimes means stepping into unfamiliar territory. But true growth happens outside of our familiar comfort zones.

Remember the days of being comfortable and content with the Palm Pilot and dial-up internet?

I think I’ll keep my high-speed internet and smartphone (that is, until a better tool comes along)!

Evelyn Ingram is an Allied Member and the VP of Sales for EventBooking, a venue management software company.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in July 2019. 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.

Tony Abbruzzo, Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex, Birmingham, AL, United States
Darrell Abner, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton, OH, United States
Dave Allison, Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL, United States
Nicholas Banach, Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Julie Bathgate, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Peder Berg, Accredit Solutions, London, , United Kingdom
Megan Bloomfield, Napier Municipal Theatre, Napier, , New Zealand
Andy Boulton, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, , New Zealand
Gary Bradshaw, Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, UT, United States
Michele Brixius, Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, UT, United States
Michael Burnell, Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Turlough Carolan, Vbase Ltd, Christchurch, , New Zealand
Shelby Chase, Utah Valley Convention Center, Provo, UT, United States
Tony Clements, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
Cindy Collins, Big Sandy Superstore Arena, Huntington, WV, United States
Sarah Conley-Smith, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Tom Dacey, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, United States
Amanda Delotelle, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton, OH, United States
Xavier Demaneuf, Griffith University, Biggera Waters, QLD, Australia
David Dial, Calvin Simmons Theatre – Orton Development, Inc., Emeryville, CA, United States
Colleen Dickson, Arts Commons, Calgary, AB, Canada
Julie Dyar, Redding Civic Auditorium, Redding, CA, United States
Elizabeth Ecoff, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Tina Eilers, Seaside Civic and Convention Center, Seaside, OR, United States
Peter Fawcett, Ticketek, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Jason Fields, Menominee Nation Arena, Oshkosh, WI, United States
Jeremiah Fitzgerald, PanoScape by DesignCentrix, Elmhurst, IL, United States
Trey Giuntini, Memphis Cook Convention Center, Memphis, TN, United States
Ryan Gray, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Katelyn Griggs, Fiserv Forum, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Emily Hahn, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Justin Hall, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View, CA, United States
Lisa Holmes, Florence Center, Florence, SC, United States
Nadine Hutchins, St John Ambulance Australia (VIC), Mount Waverley, VIC, Australia
Blake Indof, Center Stage, Sandy Springs, GA, United States
Jeffry Jackson, Seaside Civic and Convention Center, Seaside, OR, United States
Brian Jackson-Major, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX, United States
Courtney Johnson, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ, United States
Otto Johnson, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
Scott Jones, Yates Enterprises, Chicago, IL, United States
Jessica Jones, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX, United States
Corey Juniewicz-Fogle, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton, OH, United States
Christy Kerekes, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS, United States
Hope Kicak, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, United States
Lane Kjellsen, K2 Solutions, Inc, Southern Pines, NC, United States
Michelle Kucharczyk, New World Symphony, Miami, FL, United States
Brent Lackey, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS, United States
Jamie Lane, Gateway Center, Collinsville, IL, United States
Belen Leyva, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Andrew Macarthur, Clean Vibes Pty Ltd, Strawberry Hills, NSW, Australia
Stacy Magee, Center Stage, Atlanta, GA, United States
John Marchant, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View, CA, United States
Alyssa Mason, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, United States
Andrew McIntyre, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, United States
Becky Meacham, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Paul Meena, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL, United States
Biliana Milanova, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jody Miller, The Holmes Center, Boone, NC, United States
Sean Murray, FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, , New Zealand
Michael Newhouse, FPC Live, Madison, WI, United States
Stacy Nupoff, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Matt O’Connor, Australian Grand Prix Corporation, South Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Mark O’Leary, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA, United States
Steven Pangburn, Centerplate, Stamford, CT, United States
Nixon Patterson, Columbus Civic Center, Columbus, GA, United States
Idalis Payne Mason, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
Ed Penman, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Jennifer Perry, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Aaron Pickett, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
Lisa Posson, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Phillip Ransford, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Eric Rivers, Arup Pty Ltd, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Jason Rodriguez, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Isaiah Salgado, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Catherine Sarrazin, Locketgo, Montreal, QC, Canada
Jeff Scott, MityLite, Orem, UT, United States
Ben Shipper, ARX Perimeters, Hodgkins, IL, United States
Alexandra Sinclair, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Michelle Smith, Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City, MO, United States
Gail Steffen, Crossroads Consulting Services, St. Petersburg, FL, United States
Dorothy Strahley, Durham Convention Center, Durham, NC, United States
Bailie Stuart, Cache Valley Center for the Arts, Logan, UT, United States
Andrew Swokowski, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI, United States
Mark Truett, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Harold Ulich, Schuler Shook, Pleasanton, CA, United States
Kari Van Leeuwen, Logan Entertainment Centre, Logan City, QLD, Australia
Laura Varnau, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Brett Veit, Grand Wayne Center, Fort Wayne, IN, United States
Marissa Wagley, US Weight, Inc., Olney, IL, United States
Joseph Wharton, Center Stage, Atlanta, GA, United States
Josh Woods, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS, United States
Kelli Yeloushan, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL, United States
Brenda Zeller, The Spence School, New York, NY, United States