VenuWorks announced the addition of a new division, the VenuWorks Agency, to its existing
group. Based out of company headquarters in Ames IA, and with offices in New York, the VenuWorks Agency establishes itself as a boutique booking group, whose primary function is to create and develop complete touring strategies for the artists it represents and to work in close collaboration with performing arts centers, promoters, civic and municipal stages, festivals, and state fairs across the United States.

The principal agents behind the company are VenuWorks founder and CEO. Steve Peters, CVE,
internationally renowned artist and Emmy® nominated producer Michael Londra, and marketing and public television specialist Jean Clancy.

The headline acts represented by VenuWorks Agency include Ireland’s biggest star Nathan Carter, who since catapulting to fame with five #1 albums, two #1 singles, and three #1 music DVDs in his native country, is now blazing a trail to international success.

Chloë Agnew, an original member of Celtic Woman supergroup, who toured the world with Celtic Woman for almost a decade as the group’s youngest soloist and performed to over three million fans worldwide before setting out on a solo career.

Noël The Musical, the uplifting Holiday musical from international top-selling children’s author Eoin Colfer (Artemis Fowl) and preeminent Irish film composer Liam Bates. NOËL is directed by award-winning director Sam Scalamoni (Disney’s Elf National
Tour, Beauty & The Beast) and produced by VenuWorks Theatricals.

Emmy® nominated performer and the voice of Riverdance on Broadway, Michael Londra. Michael has toured globally and recorded with artists such as Luciano Pavarotti
and Andrea Bocelli. Londra recently filmed a television special for broadcast on public television in the Fall 2019/Spring 2020.

Drawing on their collective and extensive experience in all aspects of booking, mounting and marketing shows in the performing arts world, the founders of VenuWorks Agency bring their expertise in tour creation and management to their artists and a commitment to excellent service with high caliber content to the venues with whom they will partner.

Adopting a personal and dynamic approach, the company’s main focus will be on helping the artists it represents develop and grow their careers on a national and international stage, while working hand in hand with presenters to provide comprehensive
marketing support for each show they contract.

The VenuWorks Agency represents a select group of world-class artists and theatrical shows, offering culturally enriching programming to Fine Arts presenters. The company’s roster spans a wide spectrum of art forms from music acts to musical theatre and dance. VenuWorks Agency intends to introduce its artists to presenters at upcoming conferences in North America such as Arts Midwest, South Arts, PAE, APAP and IEBA for the 2020/21 season.

For more information please visit https://www.venuworkstheatricals.com/agency

Football is just around the corner, and the NFL Washington Redskins are ready with a number of initiatives designed to enhance the game-day experience at FedExField during the upcoming season.

Suite holders will benefit from six new catering packages, including P.F. Chang’s, which specializes in Asian food. Fans will also be able to order food digitally and stay in their suites for up to two hours after games.

Season ticket members at FedExField will receive Redskins Gold benefits such as fast-lane entry into the stadium and at selected concession stands, as well as pre-game field access and the chance to visit members-only lounges on the stadium’s Club Level.

Following the success of a fan pavilion opened in the west end zone of the stadium last year, the Redskins will add another open-air Bud Light Party Pavilion and concourse in the east end zone. The space will open three hours before kickoff and feature a 90-foot bar, live bands, and outdoor suites.

FedExField is also set to add a new Chicken Guy restaurant, which will mark the chain’s third location and its first outside of Florida. Fans will be able to choose from 22 sauces at the restaurant.

“This is all based on feedback from our fans,” said Chris Bloyer, the Redskins’ senior vice president of stadium operations and guest experience. “We listen to our fans. We ask them what they want. We take their feedback seriously, and we try to deliver on what they ask for.”

The stadium’s Boardwalk Fries outlet is also set to add funnel cake fries, while Johnny Rockets will offer a stadium-exclusive avocado burger.

Healthy-food options will also be improved, with Alexandria’s Territory Foods to offer refined gluten-, dairy- and sugar-free options, and Ben’s Chili Bowl serving a veggie dog and vegan chili.

The team will also offer a cocktail called Burgundy Crush, which is similar to a sangria. Additionally, Paisano’s will deliver pizza to fans seated on the main concourse during games.

“We hear a lot that we need fun food,” Bloyer said. “It’s a football game. Let’s have fun food.”

​As the Texas Rangers continue to build Globe Life Field, Daktronics has been asked to provide a complete audiovisual control solution throughout the ballpark. This includes the company’s robust Show Control System featuring new Live Clips and Camino technology. Also, all of the new LED displays will be HDR capable to bring the very best contrast and image quality to Rangers fans.

“The new home of the Texas Rangers, Globe Life Field, will have the most comfortable seat in baseball, and with this new technology from Daktronics, that seat just got better,” said Texas Rangers Executive Vice President, Ballpark Entertainment Chuck Morgan. “The Daktronics Show Control System, coupled with Live Clips and Camino, gives the Texas Rangers a complete control system and powerful platforms to create a game presentation for Rangers fans that will be second to none in all of baseball. We are looking forward to bringing this game changer in the industry to our fans and enhancing their experience at Globe Life Field.”

Daktronics Show Control System brings control software, video processing, data integration and playback hardware into a powerful, but easy-to-use, production solution to entertain fans and generate revenue.

Live Clips, a dual channel multimedia broadcast server designed for live production, plays both clips and graphics. Built on a broadcast hardware platform, it delivers reliable clip playback and attention-grabbing graphics using layers, effects and transitions.

Camino, along with its real-time render engine, brings another level of control to the Rangers production room by allowing for real-time, non-linear, 2D and 3D template editing and server playout. This makes real-time rendering of data-driven graphics a reality for in-game productions at Globe Life Field.

“We are excited about our continued partnership with the Texas Rangers in making Globe Life Field into a destination for Rangers and major league fans, alike,” said Tony Kuck, manager for Daktronics control systems. “Our new Live Clips and Camino technology will be key in transforming the Rangers production vision into a fan experience we can all be proud of.”

After more than 25 years in state government, Paul Herberg, the Kentucky Venue’s Director of Human Resources, is retiring. Amanda Cloyd will step into the role following Herberg’s departure.

Herberg has overseen hiring for both the Kentucky International Convention Center and Kentucky Exposition Center, as well as the seasonal workers who support the Kentucky State Fair, National Farm Machinery Show and the North American International Livestock Exposition.

“I’ve enjoyed working with so many people at a wide variety of events and shows over the years,” Herberg said. “My work at Kentucky Venues has given me decades of great memories and I’m proud of the team I’ve worked with.”

“Paul has been a valuable leader to our team,” said David Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues. “He has helped guide the direction of Kentucky Venues through hiring and nurturing our outstanding team. He’ll be missed at our organization both personally and professionally, but we’re also excited to welcome Amanda on board. She brings a wealth of experience that will serve our organization as we strive to continue to grow our business.”

Prior to joining Kentucky Venues, Cloyd served as the Human Resource Commander/Executive Advisor for the Kentucky State Police. Previously, she also worked in human resources at the Kentucky Court of Justice and Kentucky Department of Agriculture. In total Cloyd has more than 20 years of experience.

“I’m excited to join the Kentucky Venues team as the Human Resource Director,” Cloyd said. “I have big shoes to fill, but I look forward to promoting and developing Kentucky Venues’ most valuable asset: its people. For the last 20 years, I’ve focused on servant leadership and working alongside colleagues to problem solve and improve.”

Herberg’s last day with Kentucky Venues is July 31, 2019. Cloyd will start on July 19, 2019.

My ticketing contract is up for renewal next year. I’ve been with the same ticketing company for several years. There is an automatic renewal and I have been asked to extend the deal “as is”. Other than replacing some hardware, my ticketing deal is essentially the same as its always been. What do I do? 

Don’t just rollover and check the box! 

Understanding your value.

If you were selling your business or home, would you use 5-year old data to determine the value of your business or home?  I would certainly hope not. Market conditions, your successes, where you are located, and industry dynamics ALL can have a significant impact on your valuation. So why wouldn’t you follow that logic with your ticketing company? In most venues, ticket revenue is one of largest sources of revenue. Your building has a value, and you need to understand it!

Some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Go through a disciplined evaluation process. Don’t just call your buddy that operates a venue in another market, change the date, and name of the venue and issue the RFP. An RFP evaluation process should reflect your venue’s needs, not someone else’s.
• Give your primary stakeholders a seat at the table (GM, Director of Marketing, Box Office Manager and Director of Finance). Give them an opportunity to tell you:

• • Must Have’s-You currently have this functionality and it is a crucial component to your department’s daily operation.
  • Would Like to Have-You either don’t have it, or you have partial functionality.
  • Pie in the Sky-Don’t have it, but gee should would be great if we could do “x”. 
• Don’t send your RFP out or start talking to ticketing companies 3 months before your agreement expires. That’s an instant tip off you’re not serious, let alone sincere about the process and are just “checking the box” You should start the “tire kicking” process 12-18 months before prior the expiration of your agreement.
• Keep It Simple-Are you really going to read a 100+ page response that may take a respondent several weeks to respond?
• •  

Happy shopping!

Marshall Pred is the Director of Business Development with Etix