The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by AEG Facilities, was recently honored with the Los Angeles Better Buildings Challenge (LABBC) Innovation Award for its significant energy savings.
Recognized in the public buildings category as the “Walk the Walk Energy Award” recipient for achieving the most significant, ongoing energy savings and demonstrating innovative strategy, the LACC was honored at the fifth annual award ceremony on March 27, 2019 at The California Endowment in Los Angeles.
“The Convention Center isn’t just talking the talk; when it comes to sustainability, they’re walking the walk,” said David Hodgins, Executive Director, LABBC.
The LACC was acknowledged for its 2.21 megawatt solar panel array, bringing the facility’s total solar power to 2.58 megawatts, making it the nation’s largest array on a municipal convention center. Since April 2018, the array has generated more than 3.3 gigawatt hours (GWh) and reduced facility energy use by 11.4 percent.
“Mayor Eric Garcetti has set the goal of making Los Angeles the most sustainable city in the United States,” said Doane Liu, Executive Director, City of Los Angeles Department of Convention and Tourism Development. “We are proud that the Los Angeles Convention Center is committed to operating in an environmentally responsible manner and is continuously seeking ways to reduce our environmental footprint and promote sustainable efforts within the tourism industry and with the millions of visitors to our great city.”
Other acclaimed LACC initiatives include the upgrade of more than 3,000 interior and exterior lights to LED lamps, saving over 1.5 million kilowatt hours annually and the installation of a 525,000-square-foot “cool roof” that reflects sunlight and heat away from the building.
The LACC team credits their success in sustainability to being innovative, leading by example and utilizing all resources. “Clear goals and a 100 percent commitment drive the team’s formula for success which includes buy-in from all stakeholders,” said Estella Flores, Interim Vice President of Operations, LACC. “As sustainability is ever growing and changing, we must embrace change and build the road to a sustainable future.”
Under the management of AEG Facilities and by employing AEG 1EARTH strategies, the LACC has elevated and expanded its sustainable practices with the goal of decreasing its carbon footprint across five areas: Energy and Climate, Water, Waste and Recycling, Responsible Purchasing, and Education and Communication.
“We are honored to be recognized by LABBC for our energy conservation efforts,” said Ellen Schwartz, General Manager, LACC. “This award is a perfect celebration of the one-year anniversary of the solar array project and all of its success.”
In continuation of the LACC’s sustainability education and engagement, the facility will go dark for one hour on Saturday, May 30 in honor of World Wildlife Fund’s Earth Hour. From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m., the LACC will turn off its nonessential lights to join millions of individuals and organizations in support of climate action and protecting nature.
For more information, contact Michelle Riehle-Ludtke at mriehle@lacclink.com.
Comcast Spectacor, The Cordish Companies and Populous announced plans for a $50 million, next-generation esports and entertainment venue in the heart of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. Fusion Arena, future home to the Philadelphia Fusion esports franchise, will sit up to 3,500 guests and stand as the western hemisphere’s largest ground-up, purpose-built esports venue. In addition to serving as a premier destination for competitive gaming events and elite training, Fusion Arena’s flexible and adaptable design lends the opportunity for 365-day activation to host a variety of live entertainment programming and experiences, truly a first-of-its-kind venue for the next-generation consumer.
“Fusion Arena represents a watershed moment for the competitive gaming market,” said Populous Senior Principal Brian Mirakian. “We’re taking our 36 years of designing iconic experiences for traditional sports – settings like Yankee Stadium – and applying those same principles of design to the virtual world of gaming.”
Eliciting the venue’s first wow is the arena’s exterior, a sleek and dynamic skin that draws inspiration from the hardware powering esports’ meteoric rise around the globe. The incorporation of industrial materials throughout Fusion Arena’s design pays tribute to Philadelphia’s heritage as the “workshop of the world.” A captivating 6,000-square-foot public entry will greet guests as they enter the space with 2,000 square feet of interactive media surface hovering 30 feet above them.
The arena itself will offer unique seating experiences such as balcony bars, club seats with USB ports, flexible loge boxes and exclusive suites. Additionally, nearly 10,000 square feet will be dedicated to a training facility, broadcast studio and team offices. The training facility separates the Fusion from the pack, offering an unrivaled experience and development opportunities for players.
“We’re thrilled to introduce a venue like no other as we move forward with the next phase of development within the Philadelphia Sports Complex,” said Dave Scott, Chairman and CEO, Comcast Spectacor. “Fusion Arena gives esports fans a best-in-class venue to call home and be proud of. Beyond competitive gaming, it’s a stunning facility that will host a wide array of events.”
“Fusion Arena will set the gold standard for competitive gaming and debut on one of the country’s most exciting platforms of sports and entertainment amid Philadelphia’s Sports Complex,” said Blake Cordish, Principal of The Cordish Companies. “Today’s announcement marks an exciting moment for the Comcast Spectacor-Cordish partnership as the next phase of Xfinity Live! continues to unfold.”
“We are thrilled to bring this ambitious idea to life and celebrate the arrival of Fusion Arena with gaming enthusiasts throughout the region and beyond,” said Joe Marsh, Chief Business Officer of Spectacor Gaming and the Philadelphia Fusion. “This project places esports alongside all the major traditional sports that call South Philadelphia home.”
Construction on Fusion Arena is set to begin this summer. Fusion Arena continues Populous’ global footprint in esports venue design. Populous debuted Esports Stadium Arlington in November, the most robust esports venue in North America. And earlier this month, Brian Mirakian spoke at SXSW and discussed how esports venues can bring cities and sports teams new revenue streams, increased commerce and development and reinvigorated neighborhoods.
COMMENTS
In early March, the Foundation Trustees issued a challenge to all 29 of the IAVM committees to achieve 100% participation in Foundation giving by committee members by March 31. With the help of the committee chairs and IAVM staff liaisons, we were successful in raising the percentage of committee giving for the fiscal year 2019 with 4 committees hitting the magical 100% participation! The first committee to reach 100% was the Governance Committee, followed closely by the Executive VenuConnect Program Committee, the Board of Regents, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. See the end- of-challenge percentages below.
Challenge % Committee
30%. Allied
57% Amphitheaters & Fairgrounds
31% Arenas
85% Audit
33% AVSS Faculty
71% Board of Directors
44% Board of Governors
100% Board of Regents
94% Board of Trustees
55% Certification Board
29% Convention Centers
70% Diversity
50% Editorial Advisory
100% Executive Committee
100% Executive VC Program Committee
100% Governance
18% Guest X
71% Industry Affairs
71% Leadership Development
42% Membership
66% Mentoring
60% Performing Arts
28% Research
35% Stadiums
69% Strategic Leadership & Resources
72% Universities
62% VenueConnect Program Committee
53% Venue Safety & Security
Whether you’re a member of a committee or not, it’s not too late to make a donation to the Foundation today.
Thank you to everyone who invested and all who worked to make this challenge a success.
By typing the word Golf Tournament, a dozen people just stopped scrolling and mentally putted that dimpled white ball across a green oasis towards the tinking sound at the bottom of the cup…happy place found. So when I tell those golf enthusiasts that we are golfing in Chicago this year, they pencil in the date, click on the REGISTER link, and it’s a done deal.
But what about You?
That twice a year golfer who likes the camaraderie of a tournament but hesitates to commit to time away from the conference you’ll have taken time out of your busy schedule to attend. Well… here’s why you should make time to join us.
So go ahead, stop right now and click the link to sign up to join us on sun day, July 21st for a morning round of golf with plenty of time to get back to the conferences evening events.
Join the fun, help the cause, and find your happy place with us in Chicago! Fore!!!!
Jenifer Johnson
The Golf Committee
*****Early Bird Registration Special – Register to play golf by May 15 and be entered in a drawing for a Scott Cameron Putter. Drawing to take place at the tournament.
Today, we are announcing that we are back, we are stronger than ever, and we are COMMITTED to getting and giving to the POWERFUL WOMEN in the industry. Starting today…right now… we are getting back together to continue what we started – 100+ WOMEN of IAVM | DONATE 100+.
Launched three years ago by your IAVM Foundation, the 100 + WOMEN of IAVM Campaign 2019 is committed to generating funds for five (5) women, one from each sector, to attend VenueConnect conference and two (2) women to attend AVSS (one woman for each year). The idea is simple – 100+ Women (or Men) each giving $100 (or any other amount), which means $10,000+ each year!
Together we will bring $10,000+ annually to this amazing initiative, and change six women’s lives. So commit right now and be the catalyst to change the future of women in our industry!
There is a new generation of female students, young professionals, and future female leaders, and this is OUR chance to help these women in our industry further develop their career and skill set. Support your IAVM Foundation and your industry by making a donation today. The process is fast, easy, and secure… and you can be sure that it will benefit a great cause. CLICK HERE to donate!
Thank you to Kerry Painter, CVE, CEM, CMP, for announcing our 2019 launch with THIS VIDEO!
2018 100+ Women Donors
Lori Marshall, Cow Palace
Brad Mayne, IAVM
Susan Jordan, Spectra
Chris Kibler, INTRUST Bank Arena
Leslee Stewart, Paramount Theatre
Jennifer Norris, San Francisco War Memorial and Performing Arts Center
Courtney Egg, Lesher Center for the Arts
Dana Stoehr, San Mateo County Event Center
Lisa Elliott, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Kerry Painter, SMG Tulsa
Suzanne Goodman, SMG/Moscone Center
Antony Bonavita, Cavaliers Operating Company
Valorie Jones, Walton Arts Center
Amanda Gain, VenuWorks of Racine
Jodi Feder, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Kimberly Mahoney, University of New Haven
Daniel Huerta, Fair Park, TX!
Troy Thorn, VenuWorks/Chesapeake Conference Center
Jenn Poret, Female
Carly Cuene, PMI Entertainment Group
Paula Kirchman, Resch Center
Elisa Putman, Music City Center
Shannon Heaney Terrill, Ungerboeck Software International
Jennifer Turner, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Amy Rahja, VStar Entertainment Group
Wendy Riggs, Walton Arts Center
Laura Sweet, Des Moines Performing Arts
Abbie Jo Lady, Show Me Center
John Siehl, VenuWorks
Beth Wade, Berry Center
Kathryn Carlson, Infinite Energy Center
Maura Gast, Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau
Terry Funk, Smart City Networks
Dorothea Lischick, Broadmoor World Arena
Julia Slocombe, Smat City Networks
Robyn Williams, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts
Anastasia Volsko, Huntington Convention Center of cleveland
Lynda Reinhart, O’Connell Center-UF
Heather McAvoy, Schuler Shook
Carol Moore, Newnan Centre
Kim Bedier, City of Tacoma
Donna Miller-Brown, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
Michele Swann, Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority
Joan LeMahieu, Retired
Carolyn Satter, San Diego Theaters, Inc.
Kelly Hadsall, City of Oklahoma City
Tammy Koolbeck, Iowa State Center/VenuWorks
Anne Wheat Castro, MetLife Stadium
Heidi Snyder, Female
Tom Hansen, SFJAZZ
Kristie Haney, Resch Center
Mary Klida, Cobo Center
John Bolton, SMG-Sports & Entertainment Division
Jody Ulich, Sacramento Convention Center
Kim Stone, American Airlines Arena
Barbara Hubbard, ACTS
Courtney Holcomb, BancorpSouth Arena & Conference Center
Patricia (Trish) Jelinski, BC Place
Donna Julian, Hornet sports & Entertainment/Spectrum Center
Tammy Turnipseed, City of San Jose
Alexis Berggren, Old National Events Plaza
Carolyn Gibson, Tortessa Tableware Solutions
JoAnn Armstrong, Honda Center
Donna Dowless, XOXO Media Group
Carol Wallace, Carol Wallace & Associates
Laura Womack, The Fairgrounds Nashville
Lisa Woods, City of Tacoma, Venues & Events
Rip & Leah Rippetoe, San Diego Convention Center
Julie Bunker, Portland 5 Center for the Arts
Vicki Key – Retired, Lubbock Memorial Civic Center
Lynne King Smith, Ticketforce
Omolara Adelusi, Sheba Center LTD
Michele Powell, Capital One Arena
Robert Hunter, Scotia Bank Arena
Ashley Rose Schneider, Kentucky Center for the Performing Arts
Cheryl Swanson, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Bill Powell, Feld Entertainment
Tom Tingle, DLR Group
Joyce Leveston, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority