US Representatives Garret Graves (R–Louisiana) and Mark Pocan (D–Wisconsin) have announced the launch of the Historic Stadium Caucus. The caucus will bring together a bipartisan group of Congressmembers to work on preserving the legacy and protecting the integrity of these treasured venues across America while enhancing their capabilities, so they are able to continue to host world-class sporting events and concerts for generations to come.

“When Tiger fans walk into Death Valley on Saturday nights, they do more than watch a football game – they walk into a 99-year-old local icon that supports our regional economy. Every bowl of jambalaya scooped and Tiger Dog served injects jobs and resources into our community,” said Rep. Graves, who represents Louisiana’s 6^th Congressional District which includes Tiger Stadium, home of the LSU Tigers. “I am proud to join Rep. Pocan to preserve the legacies of some of our most historic landmarks and create new memories for future generations.”

In launching the Historic Stadium Caucus, Reps. Pocan and Graves recognize the significance of these iconic venues and are seeking to protect their value while adapting them to meet evolving needs. The caucus will bring much-needed attention to historic stadiums that were among the first major athletic venues in the United States and continue to host some of sport and entertainment’s most marquee events each year. Furthermore, these historic venues are economic catalysts for their local economies and emergency preparedness centers for local, county and state agencies.

“Historic stadiums, like Camp Randall Stadium where the University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers play, serve a vital role in our communities,” said Rep. Pocan, who represents Wisconsin’s 2^nd Congressional District. “Not only are they where memories are made and young people get inspired to play sports, but they’re often hubs of economic activity. We must do everything we can to protect these iconic venues in our communities. I’m glad to join Representative Graves in forming the bipartisan Historic Stadiums Caucus and look forward to the work we’ll accomplish together.”

Among the stadiums that the caucus includes is the oldest remaining football stadium in the United States, University of Penn’s Franklin Field that opened in 1895. The Rose Bowl Stadium, built in 1922 in Pasadena, California, has hosted five Super Bowl games, gold medal matches for two Olympic Games with a third coming to the venue in 2028, two FIFA World Cup Finals, the 1982 Army-Navy Game, UCLA Football since 1982, and the annual Rose Bowl Game® since 1923. Now in its centennial year, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will host its third Olympic Games in 2028 after hosting in 1932 and 1984. The Rose Bowl Stadium and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will become the first venues in history to host the Olympic Games three times. Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium has been home to the Wisconsin Badgers football team since 1917 and witnessed the rise of football icons like Heisman Trophy winner Alan Ameche and J.J. Watt. Entering its centennial season in 2024, LSU’s Tiger Stadium has seen multiple NFL superstars jumpstart their careers, from quarterbacks Y.A. Tittle in the 1940s to Joe Burrow in the 2010s.

“Historic stadiums, such as Tiger Stadium at LSU, play an important role in the environment that makes college athletics special. The game day traditions in iconic venues around the country are unique and are worthy of discussion,” said LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward. “I appreciate the Historic Stadium Caucus co-chairs, Garret Graves and Mark Pocan, for recognizing the need for healthy dialogue around the protection of historic stadiums.”

The launch of the Historic Stadium Caucus marks a pivotal moment in the preservation and modernization of historic stadiums. The caucus’ commitment to protecting some of America’s national historic landmarks will help focus attention on the infrastructure needs of historic college football stadiums throughout the country.

“Since I was 10 years old, the Rose Bowl, the Coliseum and so many others have truly been pillars in what they represent to so many people around the country,” said Ronnie Lott, College and Pro Football Hall of Famer who won four Super Bowls in his career and former USC Trojan. “We must protect these historic buildings around the country due to what they mean in their communities and to those who use them daily. The infrastructure is truly important to keep these iconic places going for many more years to come.”

“I’ve had the honor of playing in so many historic stadiums over the course of my career, from the Rose Bowl to Cotton Bowl, and a variety in between. It’s not just about the athletes taking the field, but the environment that these iconic stadiums create for the fans – the energy feels electric and as a soccer player, creates the ‘12th man,’ so to speak,” said Cobi Jones, a National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee and the all-time leader in international appearances for the United States Men’s National Soccer Team. “The preservation and appropriate infrastructure developments of these stadiums should be front and center, as they are a link to our past and a gateway to our future for families, sports, entertainment and more.”

At the launch, eighteen of the most iconic college football venues are committed to participating in the Historic Stadium Caucus. These include:

• Beaver Stadium (Penn State University, State College, Pennsylvania),
• Camp Randall Stadium (University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin),
• Cotton Bowl (Dallas, Texas),
• Davis Wade Stadium (Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi),
• Franklin Field (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania),
• Husky Stadium (University of Washington, Seattle, Washington),
• Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama),
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California),
• Memorial Stadium (University of California, Berkeley, California),
• Memorial Stadium (University of Illinois, Champaign, Illinois),
• Memorial Stadium (Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina),
• Nippert Stadium (University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio),
• Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, California),
• SJSU Spartan Stadium (San Jose State University, San Jose, California),
• Tiger Stadium (Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana),
• Vaught–Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field (University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi),
• Wallace Wade Stadium (Duke University, Durham, North Carolina), and
• Yale Bowl (Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut).

“Historic stadiums like the Rose Bowl have been the backbone of American sports and entertainment for over a century, but their viability and continued operations are in jeopardy with the evolving landscape and expectations of modern-day sports and entertainment,” said Jens Weiden, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Rose Bowl Stadium. “History is the soul of these stadiums, and they hold a special place in the heart of our communities as valuable engines for economic impact and emergency preparedness. We thank Representatives Graves and Pocan for their leadership in the formation of the Historic Stadium Caucus and are grateful to the other members who have joined the caucus. The Rose Bowl has been a critical voice and a leader in the need for the Historic Stadium Caucus. We believe the launch of the caucus will be a crucial step forward in protecting these iconic venues from being overshadowed and will undoubtedly work towards the appropriate preservation and infrastructure necessities that can continue to energize their existence.”

The mission of the Caucus is to assist representatives of historic stadiums – and those who are passionate about safeguarding iconic venues – in ensuring the stadiums can stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and security measures, as well as environmental practices, all while preserving their rich historical legacy.

Some of the key areas that the Historic Stadium Caucus will focus on are:

• Security and Safety enhancements: With growing concerns about safety and security in public spaces, the caucus will focus on how the historic stadiums are able to implement cutting-edge security measures without compromising the historical character or footprint of the stadiums. This will enable these venues to continue to host events with an iconic energy, such as major college and professional sporting events, national and globally-significant competitions, and concerts by world-class musicians.
• Technological Upgrades: Given the amount of fans each venue welcomes annually, the Historic Stadium Caucus will help focus attention on the fact that these stadiums – many of which are over or nearing 100 years old – are in need of technological upgrades to ensure that these iconic venues can meet the modern-day patron standard as well as the expectations put forth to remain leaders in compliance related to local, state and federal safety standards.
• Funding for Infrastructure Updates: As with many historic buildings, some stadiums could benefit from essential infrastructure upgrades. While these venues have stood the test of time, ensuring their continued functionality and longevity requires investments in their infrastructure not just for significant sports and entertainment events, but for the appropriate use by the communities that they serve in times of positive togetherness, but emergency needs, as well.

The historic stadiums are not only the locations for some of the most significant sporting events of all time, but they are also where sportsmanship, leadership, and teamwork are fostered and on display from the student-athletes, coaches and administrators that steward their continued existence.

“It is important to remember that these historic stadiums are not just grass, goalposts, and concrete. They are a point of pride for cities and states where generations have come together to cheer, celebrate, and create lasting memories,” said Dedan Brozino, President of the Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation, which has a mission of protecting, preserving, and enhancing the future of the Rose Bowl Stadium. “By investing in infrastructure, we are not only preserving the physical structures, but also strengthening the cultural heritage, sense of identity and sportsmanship initiatives that these stadiums represent. This effort will undoubtedly ensure that these hallowed grounds continue to serve as symbols of unity, passion, and community for the next generation.”

The Historic Stadium Caucus’ co-chairs, Reps. Graves and Pocan, will circulate a “Dear Colleague” letter to ask other members of Congress to join, and move forward discussing strategies to preserve the historic stadiums across America.

For more information on the Historic Stadium Caucus, please contact the following:

• For Rep. Pocan: Erin Schnell at erin.schnell@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-2906
• For Rep. Graves: Logan De La Barre-Hays at logan.delabarrehays@mail.house.gov or (202) 225-3901

For more information on America’s historic stadiums, please contact Rose Bowl Legacy Foundation President Dedan Brozino at dbrozino@rosebowlstadium.com or (626) 577-2540.

As part of its rapidly expanding ASM Global Acts worldwide sustainability and equity program, the world’s largest entertainment- and venue- operating company has announced granting a record number of U.S. college scholarships and additionally unveiled a major global university student program — “GROW” — providing unprecedented opportunities for the industry’s next generation of leaders.

Funded by the ASM Global Acts Foundation, ASM Global Stars Scholarship gives students in under-resourced communities across the U.S. educational and career development opportunities, creating accessible pathways to pursue their education and career goals. The program this year has awarded 50 scholarships valued at $125,000 (up from 28 and $70,000 last year) to students in 39 cities (up from 14 in 2022).

The new GROW program focuses on cultivating similar experiences worldwide. It provides the world’s largest portfolio of venues with the necessary resources to create internship programs and meaningful work experiences for university students. It fulfills ASM Global Acts goal to provide job opportunities, experienced networks, purposeful work and entry opportunities in the live entertainment business throughout the world.

GROW career experiences are available in marketing, operations, event management, human resources, finance, IT, sales, procurement, guest service, security, and food and beverage.

By the end of 2023, GROW will be hosting over 100 university students around the globe and looks forward to growing that number significantly in 2024.

ASM Global’s President and CEO Ron Bension said, “GROW is an acronym for gathering knowledge, realizing your potential, opportunities awaiting and engaging in work that matters. We intend to deliver all of that and more to students who want to be a part of the next generation of leaders in one of the world’s most exciting and fulfilling careers: live entertainment.”

Shauna Elvin, chief human resources officer, said, “We’re committed to curating introductory opportunities and exposure in the universe of venue management throughout our business units internationally. Through engaging hands-on opportunities, students from diverse backgrounds will develop business acumen, grow their professional network, and meaningfully contribute to the organization and brand’s growth.”

As it continues to elevate the guest experience in its portfolio of arenas, stadiums and theaters, numbering over 350, ASM Global recently completed its second international virtual “collaborative job fair” encompassing five continents that shattered the record for live entertainment job fairs with over 3,000 applicants.

ASM Global leadership hopes that such unique global searches will surface new talent and expand the company’s reach within its local communities as the live-entertainment experience continues to prosper.

To learn more and to apply, visit: https://learnmore.scholarsapply.org/ASMGlobalStars

Shopping the trade show floor at VenueConnect 2023 in Pittsburgh had special purpose for Randy Brown, CVE,  Michelle Frank and Steve Knight. They are in the group planning a $40 million, 8,000-seat amphitheater in Elkhart, Ind., which is on a fast track to open in July 2025.

Brown, retired manager of the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Ft. Wayne, Ind., was brought on board as a consultant by promoters David Bucksner of Exceptional Artists and Jeff Fortier of Mammoth. Fortier provides booking for about 25 boutique amphitheaters in the U.S., Brown noted.

Both promoters are catalysts in this project, Frank said. Frank is general manager of The Lerner Theater, 1,700 seats, in Elkhart and will also manage the new amphitheater. She added that she had a great time at VenueConnect becoming even more educated about this new venue type.

From her perspective, the project started during the pandemic, when the business was on lockdown. She used that time to keep the conversation going with as many promoters as she could find, including some new ones. “When things started to open again, we took a risk on a couple shows together,” she said of Bucksner. “He loved the Elkhart market and the Lerner…He called me one day and said. ‘I don’t know what you are doing at the Lerner, but I want to replace the Fort Wayne market with outdoor shows. Can we look at your green space?’”

Knight, managing architect, David M. Schwarz Architects, came on board because of a relationship that group has with Stefanos Polyzoides of Notre Dame, dean of the School of Architecture and independent urban planner. Polyzoides had been engaged to do a comprehensive master plan for downtown Elkhart.

“It’s a bit of chicken and egg. As I understood it, a major piece of that master plan was putting an amphitheater downtown or else they already wanted it and it was up to Stefanos to find a place to put it,” Knight said.

Schwarz was also architect on 8,000-capacity The Orion amphitheater in Huntsville, Ala., which opened last year and is already one of the top in the country, Knight said.

Stakeholders in the community formed a 501-C3, The Amp Group, and work began in earnest just months ago. Per the downtown masterplan, the amphitheater will be part of a mixed-use development, which includes a park, which will serve as a festival area as well as lawn seating for the amphitheater, Brown said. The amphitheater will have 3,200 fixed seats with a 300-capacity pit in front of the stage.

A 400-capacity club is also part of the plan, as is an 8,000-sq.-ft. multiuse room for everything from company meetings to wedding receptions.

Elkhart boasts a built-in clientele. The city is known as the RV and boat manufacturing capital of the world, Brown said. “Major manufacturing companies do major shows.  Brooks and Dunn performed there last year. We built the flexibility into this venue so we can do dealer trade shows at the same time we can do concerts.”

To date, those dealer shows have taken place outdoors at Elkhart’s RV Hall of Fame, a couple miles north and a little west of downtown, he added. “They bring in major artists every year. This will be a significant improvement in facilities and amenities.”

The architect of record is American StructurePoint of Indianapolis. Majority Builders out of South Bend is construction manager.

The area being developed is a full city block next door to The Lerner.

The masterplan was completed in January and the architect was on board by March, Knight said. Construction is set to begin one year later, March of 2024. Normally masterplans take years, but this project is refreshingly unusual in that there is a major alignment of operators, the city and all major stakeholders, Knight added. “They really do see it as a catalyst for downtown development.”

It will be “a true civic venue in the middle of downtown, which is unusual for an amphitheater,” he added. “They are bullish on making it more than a summertime, fair weather venue. They do see it as an opportunity to galvanize the community with programming throughout the year.”

Architecturally, it will be rooted in the community. Elkhart has a wonderful architectural heritage, Knight said. “We want there to be a strong sense of intimacy between artist and audience. And a real sense of place. You know you are in Elkhart.”

The Amp Group is led by Lori Harris, president, and Rex Martin. Martin is the fifth generation CEO of NIBCO, a world renowned plumbing parts manufacturer.

“Rex is spearheading this as a legacy piece, a gift to the community,” Brown  noted. “Lori is making sure we do it right. Right now, we even have a swimming pool on the roof for artists.”

Elkhart Mayor Rod Roberson is 100 percent on board, “our biggest cheerleader,” said Brown, which Frank confirmed.

Funding is primarily private donations. More than half of the project cost has been raised, Brown added.

Elkhart proper is 50,000 people. But the amphitheater, like The Lerner, will draw from all of Michiana. “We have two million people in a 60-mile radius,” Frank said. “The Lerner consistently pulls its patron base from Indiana, Michigan, Illinois and Ohio.”

The artists love The Lerner and Elkhart already, Frank added. Over and over again, she has seen postings on social media of artists sitting under a tree in the current green space, writing music, or going into boutique shops and buying what they might wear on stage that night. Besides Main Street, the city’s riverwalk is an attractive downtown feature.

“We’re full steam ahead,” Frank said. “It’s going to be transformative for this region.”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 2023. 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 here to share your story and photo.

Jo Ellen Albanese, Ohio Expo Center & State Fair, Columbus, OH
Louis Belasco, Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority, Wildwood, NJ
Andrea Biggins, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Josh Blackford, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Avery Cain, Brintons, Kennesaw, GA
Christina Carter-Mallory, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Sabriya Chaudhry, Elysian Park Planning, Chicago, IL
Jonnathan Clark, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Del Cook, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Kayliana Cox, OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK
Jason Dann, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Stephane Delisle, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
James W.E. Dixon, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Tori DuBois, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Emily Eigenmann, Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis, MO
Brynn Farwell, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks, CA
Sam Franklin, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC
Benjamin Gallegos, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
EG Garcia, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC
Michelle Giancaterino, United Center, Chicago, IL
Kasey Gieschen, Infor, Alpharetta, GA
Jeff Gogerty, Credit Union of Texas Event Center, Allen, TX
Michelle Graham, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Olivia Guerrero, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Ally Haynes-Hamblen, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Sarah Hendricks, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Bryan Hickey, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Dawn Humphrey, East Montgomery County Improvement District, New Caney, TX
Christian Irving, United Center, Chicago, IL
Madeline Jones, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Craig Kaufmann, Wisconsin Union, Madison, WI
Annemarie Kennedy, Momentus Technologies, O’Fallon, MO
Gabe Klein, Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis, MO
Jennie Lavis, Hamilton City Council, Hamilton, New Zealand
Phoebe Lawrence, Adelaide Oval SMA, North Adelaide, SA, Australia
Sarah Leonardo, Brisbane Racing Club Limited, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia
Aquallo Lewis, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Nikki Longhurst, Brisbane Racing Club Limited, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia
Gareth Lott, Weslo Holdings Pty Ltd, Torrensville, SA, Australia
Peter Loxton, Sydney Opera House, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Nolan MacGregor, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Amy Mackie, Ticketek Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Brady Madsen, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Kayely Marriner, Marriner Group, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Angie Martin, Momentus Technologies, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Casey Martin, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Heidi Mason, Bundaberg Regional Council, Bundaberg, QLD, Australia
Joey Matthys, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Muhammad Maulana, Uno Kapital, Jakarta, Indonesia
Adam May, Basketball SA, Richmond, SA, Australia
Tarshi McCoy, Riverfront Convention Center, New Bern, NC
Tom McDowell, Marvel Stadium – Melbourne Stadiums Limited, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Colin McEvoy, MAP Co, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
James McKee, Ticketek NZ, Auckland Central, New Zealand
Kyle McKendry, Cedar Mill Group, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Andrew McKinnon, Cedar Mill Group, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Nadine McLean, Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney Markets, NSW, Australia
Bonnie McMackin, Melbourne Racing Club, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia
Ryan McQuicken, HOTA, Home of the Arts, Gold Coast Mail Centre, QLD, Australia
Kim McRae, Adelaide Venue Management Corporation, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Josh Meagher, Spokane Public Facilities District, Spokane, WA
Rebekka Meyers, Australian Theatrical Promoters Pty Ltd, Perth, WAu, Australia
Jordan Moore, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Alexis Moorer, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Katy Morris, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada, Australia
Evelyn Murphy, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Julian Paez-Magsino, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Krystal Pennuto, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Nathan Rhyne, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC
Frank Schaefer, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
David Schneider, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Logan Sleight, Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts & Corporate Presentations, Richardson, TX
Austin Smith, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID
Caroline Stacey, Elysian Park Planning, Chicago, IL
Ellis Stafford, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Brayden Swathwood, Chaifetz Arena, Saint Louis, MO
Jasmine Tyler, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Nic Vajen, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Kylar Walker, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Kyle West, Sporting Kansas City, Kansas City, KS
Ashley Young, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
Darby Young, Level Playing Field Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada

The IAVM Mentor Connector Program is getting ready to launch the Fall 2023 Cycle. We’re looking for members who want to invest time in their careers through one-on-one mentoring.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Mentor or Mentee to further your professional development, please join our informational webinar Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM ET.

Mentor Connector creates the opportunity for an experienced professional (Mentor) to provide guidance and encouragement to a member who has an identified professional development need (Mentee). Anyone at any stage of their career can be a Mentor or Mentee. There are no restrictions or qualifications, just an IAVM membership and a desire to participate – and, it’s free!

Applications are due October 6, 2023. Click here to learn more!