By Detra Page, APR

GES, a global, full-service provider for live events, and the Edmonton EXPO Centre announced the appointment of GES Canada as the Centre’s official general services provider. Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC), the operator and manager of the Edmonton EXPO Centre, selected GES Canada following a thorough bid process and review.

“After we conducted a detailed review of potential general services providers in the market, it became clear to us that we already have the best solution in place,” said Vice President of Venue Management for EEDC Arlindo Gomes. “GES has proven their commitment to the service and support of the Edmonton EXPO Centre and our mutual clients, and we look forward to continuing this partnership.”

GES and the Edmonton EXPO Centre have partnered since 2000 to create world-class events. As the leading events provider for Canada’s top shows, GES is a trusted partner of the Edmonton EXPO Centre. Through this agreement, GES is the preferred official services provider for exhibitions, conventions, trade shows, corporate events, sales meetings, and special events.

“We share the commitment of the entire Edmonton EXPO Centre team of providing exceptional service,” said GES Canada Sr. Vice President and General Manager Patrick Lukan. “We are proud to be associated with this facility and look forward to continuing to provide high-impact, worry-free execution to our mutual clients.”

Edmonton EXPO Centre is one of Western Canada’s premier trade show and convention facilities, offering 522,000 square feet of flexible, adaptable, indoor space to make room for the biggest and best in trade and consumer shows, conferences and special events. It boasts seven exhibit halls, a grand ballroom and world-class conference and catering services. The new three-year agreement builds on the organizations’ long and successful partnership.

Detra Page is senior manager of corporate communications for GES.

By Angela Keeven

The Spectra-managed St. Charles (MO) Convention Center and We Love St. Charles are partnering up to host the 12th annual Helping Hands for the Holidays charitable event on December 12, 2019. More than 1,600 men, women, and children in need will gather at the St. Charles Convention Center for this free event to celebrate the holidays.

In 2018, a remarkable 1,625 individuals enjoyed a warm holiday meal free of charge at the event. Thanks to hundreds of generous volunteers and donors, 500 personal care bags and 1,350 winter coats were distributed to those in need. Community partners and exhibitors also played a huge role in the event’s successes, helping to provide 225 flu shots, 45 haircuts, free books for all ages, photos with Santa and fun holiday crafts.

Over the past 11 years, Helping Hands for the Holidays has hosted more than 13,275 individuals in need. In joining forces with We Love St. Charles, the St. Charles Convention Center expects to see as many as 2,700 people in attendance at this year’s event.

More than 6,000 people are currently living below the poverty line in St Charles, Missouri, according to the United States Census Bureau.

Angela Keeven is marketing manager at the St. Charles Convention Center, managed by Spectra.

By Diane Schoeffler-Warren

Victoria Theatre Association (VTA), based in Dayton, Ohio, announced the appointment of Andre Bennington as Director of Programming and Licensing. With more than 20 years of buying, booking, and event promotion experience, Bennington comes to VTA from the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul, MN, where he was Director of Programing.

Bennington is enthusiastic about bringing his industry knowledge and experience to Dayton and making a positive contribution to the revitalization of Dayton’s downtown area.

“I have always believed that performing arts centers were essential to stabilizing and enriching communities,” Bennington said. “If I can help make Victoria Theatre Association a community magnet by booking fresh and compelling events that attract new audiences, then I am honored to do so.”

“Ty Sutton and the VTA team have been terrific in discussing a vision which includes diversifying audiences and changing the ways people think about the organization,” he added. “I see bright things in the future for all of us and am eager to get to work.”

Originally from Minneapolis, MN, Bennington earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. He has also served as General & Booking Manager for the landmark Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, and as Sales Manager for the Lincoln Center in Fort Collins, CO.

Bennington begins his new role at VTA on Oct. 14, 2019.

Diane Schoeffler-Warren is Media and Public Relations Manager for the Victoria Theatre Association.

By Ian Cox

Robert Bell has been named Director of Expositions at the Kentucky Exposition Center. After overseeing the Office of Veterinary Livestock Field Operations and previously working at Irvington Stockyard, Bell maintained livestock events and schedules for years.

“I’m honored to have the privilege to join the Kentucky Venues team, and I think the shows and events we produce will be great,” Bell said.

Bell graduated from Western Kentucky in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. To kick off his career in agriculture and livestock, he spent six years working at Irvington Stockyards, where he sorted and graded livestock to be bought and sold, and even purchased livestock himself.

For the next 20 years of his career, Bell worked at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture. Starting as an agricultural inspector in 1999, Bobby climbed the hierarchy to be promoted as an administrative branch manager in 2008, where he stayed in the position for 11 years. In this role, Bell prepared livestock schedules and room reservations for the Kentucky State Fair, the World’s Championship Horse Show, the North American International Livestock Exposition and all other livestock events at the Kentucky Exposition Center.

“I think what benefits me the most is the fact that I have been around agriculture and livestock all my life,” Bell said. “I was raised on a farm and have been traveling the country for different shows all my life, so this is nothing new to me.”

Ian Cox is assistant director of communications for Kentucky Venues.

By Jana DeGeorge

Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas, was the latest venue to receive quality Situational Awareness and Trained Crowd Manager training from IAVM Director of Education/Life Safety Mark Herrera.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Situational Awareness:
This course is designed to enhance situational awareness by providing training to enhance mental preparation, response and mitigation to Environmental Threats. Employees, Key Stakeholders and security teams will receive the tools of survival by learning to scan the environment and sense danger, challenges and opportunities, while maintaining the ability to conduct normal activities.

Learn how to assess your surroundings through the eyes of a security expert. This session is designed to teach the non-security professional how to identify potential threats and dangers in public locations, community spaces, and places of business. This session will provide you with best practices, tools and insights that will allow you to be more in tune with your environment, so that you can better prepare yourself and your team for potential emergency situations. We will discuss the current threat level and current industry security measures and resources.

Trained Crowd Manager:
You will learn the role, responsibilities, and general requirements for crowd managers. You will come to understand the different hazards that can endanger spectators within public assembly venues. You will be introduced to life safety equipment and the best practices for improving life safety within venues. You will learn about crowd dynamics and how to manage and control crowd movement. And, at the end of the course, you will completed a post course assessment where you will be able to demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities you have learned along the way. Next you will learn venue-specific and will focus on the unique characteristics of a single venue and/or event.

Module 1: Administration and Introduction
Module 2: Risks and Remedies
Module 3: Crowd Movement
Module 4: Moving People with Disabilities
Post-Course Assessment and Student Course Evaluation

Phase Two includes:
Module A: Venue Overview and Familiarization
Module B: Venue Emergency Operations Plan
Venue Knowledge Assessment

Jana DeGeorge is director of marketing at Verizon Arena in North Little Rock, Arkansas