Please join us in supporting the IAVM Foundation’s 2023 Diversity & Inclusive Leadership Committee’s “Celebration for the Cause” to be held during VenueConnect in Pittsburgh. There are several price-point opportunities for you to participate as follows.
Backstage Pass Sponsor ($12,500)
• Backstage Pass Sponsor mention on all print & electronic communication about reception (hyperlinked)
• Backstage Pass Sponsor mention on all social media posts about reception (hyperlinked)
• Name/logo as Backstage Pass Sponsor on VC23 website & mobile app (hyperlinked)
• Name/Logo as Backstage Pass Sponsor on all VC23 General Session sponsor decks
• Name/Logo as Backstage Pass Sponsor on all reception signage
• Recognition as Backstage Pass Sponsor on all post reception communication (hyperlinked)
Ballad Sponsor ($5,000)
• Name/logo as Ballad Sponsor on VC23 website & mobile app (hyperlinked)
• Sponsor mention on all social media posts about reception (hyperlinked)
• Name/logo displayed as Ballad Sponsor on signage at reception
• Name/Logo on all VC23 as Ballad Sponsor on VC23 General Session sponsor decks
• Recognition as Ballad Sponsor on all post reception communication (hyperlinked)
Song Sponsor ($2,500)
• Name/logo as Song Sponsor on VC23 website & mobile app (hyperlinked)
• Name/logo displayed as Song Sponsor on signage at reception
• Name/Logo on all VC23 as Song Sponsor on VC23 General Session sponsor decks
• Recognition as Song Sponsor on all post reception communication (hyperlinked)
Lyric Sponsor ($1,500)
• Name/logo as Lyric Sponsor on VC23 website & mobile app (hyperlinked)
• Name/logo displayed as Lyric Sponsor on signage at reception
• Name/Logo on all VC23 as Lyric Sponsor on VC23 General Session sponsor decks
Is your organization unable to sponsor, but want to give? You can reserve a table for your guests. It will include a table for 8 with cocktail service and your name on the table. Table reservations for 8 are $5,000.
To secure your sponsorship or purchase a table, please contact: Cindy van Rensburg at cvanrensburg@Levyrestaurants.com, Shura Garnett at sgarnett@oakviewgroup.com, or Evelyn Ingram at evelyn.ingram@gomomentus.com
John Rhamstine, CVE, most recently served as Director of Cultural Facilities, Arts and Entertainment, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia before his retirement earlier this year.
The venue held a retirement for the industry veteran and IAVM friend in which several of his friends from the Association were in attendance. Pictured from left: George Cook, Allied, Steve Moore, Hampton Coliseum Retired, Bill Holland, CVE, Virginia Beach Pavilion Retired, John Rhamstine, CVE Norfolk Seven Venus, Joe Tsao, CVE, Hampton Coliseum Retired, Courtney Dyer, CVE, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Retired.
“The power of IAVM has kept these guys from Southeastern Virginia together for years who tell stories at dinner together monthly,” Dyer said.
ASM Global has selected Emilia Mikkola as the new General Manager of the venue Kulttuuritalo in Helsinki, Finland, as part of their expansion into the Finnish market.
Mikkola brings extensive experience in the event industry, having held senior executive positions and contributed to over 30 events and festivals across Europe. Notably, she served as the event director for Assembly, Finland’s largest gaming event, and worked as the production manager for Flow Festival for over a decade.
Marie Lindqvist, SVP of Operations Europe at ASM Global, expressed enthusiasm for Mikkola’s addition, saying: “As ASM Global expands into Finland, we’re delighted to have Emilia on board to plant the flag in this exciting new market. Kulttuuritalo is a culturally rich and much-loved venue in Helskinki, and at this important time in its redevelopment, it is key that we have a best-in-class team on board to relaunch the venue with great success and phenomenal impact. Emilia comes with real, on the ground experience working across a huge array of live events of all sizes and scales, making her a perfect fit for a venue like this, which is prided for its varied and diverse program of events. Welcome to the team, Emilia.”
Mikkola commented, “Leading and developing the operations Kulttuuritalo is my dream job! I am extremely grateful and motivated for the opportunity I have been given. Kulttuuritalo is iconic, prestigious, and full of endless possibilities, and our goal is to provide diverse and high-quality program and experiences throughout the year. In recent years, several concert halls in Helsinki area have closed their doors, resulting in a shortage of event venues. We want to strengthen the position of the Kulttuuritalo as the most exciting event arena in the capital region and invest in its functionality.”
(Picture by Marek Sabogal)
From Celebrity Access
The Event & Arena Marketing Conference announced that it has rebranded as the Event & Venue Marketing Conference (EVMC) in a bid to become more inclusive for venues of all sizes amid the evolution of the live events industry.
“For over forty years EAMC has brought together professionals from across the world to network and share ideas for the live sports and entertainment industry,” said Kim Allen, EVMC President. “As the conference continues to grow, we felt it was time to refresh the brand to reflect the diverse mix of our attendees that represent venues of all sizes with the mission to cultivate education, collaboration, and innovation.”
The conference debuted in 1980 in Minneapolis as the Arena Sales and Marketing Conference and transitioned to a non-profit as the Event & Arena Marketing Conference in 2001.
Since then, the conference has toured North America with different venues hosting each year, attracting nearly 500 attendees and presenting a weeklong annual conference for over forty years. The conference has added a DEI Committee, LEAD mentorship program, Awards Luncheon, and bi-weekly “Adventures In Venueland” podcast.
Unlike other conferences, EVMC is entirely organized by volunteers in the industry, with the common goal to network, educate, and innovate the live entertainment industry.
The 2024 edition of the Event & Venue Marketing Conference will take place at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver on June 5-7, 2024.
By Maddison Devoy
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) Food and Beverage team were recognized at the prestigious National MEA Awards for the bespoke retail and catering menus designed for THE LUME Melbourne.
THE LUME Melbourne, created by Grande Experiences and permanently located at MCEC, is an immersive digital art gallery, incorporating design, sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes.
MCEC’s award-winning team showcased their expertise and creativity in designing premium lunch and dinner menus for the dedicated café, as well as customized menus for events that align with and elevate the exhibit, delivering an authentic experience for visitors.
In line with MCEC’s strong sustainability focus, the café and event menus were designed to be 100% sustainable. Menus feature high-quality Victorian seasonal produce, locally sourced beers, seltzers, spirits, and wines. Food waste is donated for redistribution through food rescue organization, OzHarvest, or processed onsite in MCEC’s organic dehydrator.
For corporate event organizers, MCEC offers opportunities to host events on the mezzanine level as well as exclusive events throughout the gallery. MCEC’s culinary experts design customized event menus to align with the theme of the exhibition or to meet the customer’s specifications. MCEC was honored to host the 2022 AFL Season Launch and collaborate with Indigenous Chef and founder of Mabu Mabu, Nornie Bero to deliver a unique menu for the event.
MCEC’s Head of Food and Beverage, Paul Kanaan, was proud to accept the National MEA Banqueting and Catering Award. “Developing an immersive food and beverage menu is no easy task. Thank you to MEA and the awards committee for continuing to recognize the critical role that F&B play in elevating the event experience.”
“The MCEC team pours their heart and soul into creating unforgettable experiences for guests. This award is a testament to their tireless efforts to push boundaries, raise the bar, and deliver memorable experiences for everyone who visits our centre” he added.
The next instalment of THE LUME Connection opening later this month is the largest representation of First Nations people and culture ever assembled. The menu will showcase Australian native and locally grown ingredients. Each dish carries a cultural legacy and extends the experience of the exhibition, playing a vital role in educating and connecting visitors to the oldest living culture in the world.
Maddison Devoy is Corporate Communications Specialist – Media at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.