The Allen (TX) Event Center hosted the first Overwatch League home games in esports history. The Bud Light Homestand Weekend was held April 27-28 and attracted more than 9,000 people, the largest spectator crowd ever to watch a live regular season Overwatch League event. The weekend featured 100 of the world’s best esports players from eight international teams including the hometown Dallas Fuel.

“With teams coming in from across the globe including London, Paris, and Seoul, we knew that Allen Event Center would be in the international spotlight,” said Bill Herman, general manager of Allen Event Center. “Our staff began focusing on this event as soon as it was announced in December and put in countless hours to meet and exceed the high expectations of the league and the team.”

With a focus on communication and coordination, Allen Event Center staff worked closely with several event partners including
production companies, labor providers, television broadcast teams, game server and networking crews, and a pyrotechnics team.

“More coordination was required on this event than pretty much any other event we’ve done at Allen Event Center,” said Ross
Girouard, CVP, assistant general manager of Allen Event Center. “Our Event Leads stayed in constant communication with their
contacts at all the various organizations and agencies involved to make sure everything was covered and accounted for.”

To accommodate the event’s tech-savvy and mobile-driven fan base, Allen Event Center provided 10 times its usual internet
capacity to help with increased demands for streaming and social media connectivity.

The social buzz and economic impact of the event were felt throughout the city of Allen as fans patronized area restaurants, bars, and especially hotels, which saw a 25 percent occupancy pickup over the weekend.

More than a first-of-its-kind event, The Bud Light Homestand Weekend at Allen Event Center proved to be an experience to
remember.

“Working with the Dallas Fuel, Overwatch League and their partners was a fantastic experience,” said Girouard. “Their
professionalism and execution of their work is on par with professional leagues like the NFL or NBA and it showed in the event.”

“This was an incredible weekend on a number of levels,” said Geoff Moore, president of the Dallas Fuel. “We showcased this
region’s passion for esports and delivered a high-energy, unique debut among the storied Dallas sports franchises.”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2019. 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 http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

 
 
Lisa Abbott, Paramount Fine Foods Centre, ON, Canada
Peter Abrabatzis, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, VIC, Australia
Jamie Abraham, AEG Ogden – RAC Arena, WA, Australia
Mala Alvey, Sponsor Fee Pro, CO, United States
Brianna Amaro, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Chris Anderson, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, MI, United States
Edward Anstee, ICC Sydney Pty Ltd/AEG Ogden, NSW, Australia
Ben Ashcroft-Dinning, Melbourne Cricket Club, Yarra Park, Jolimont, VIC, Australia
Kelly Austin, Budweiser Gardens, ON, Canada
Nick Bacon, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia
Natasha Bakker, Melbourne Cricket Club, Yarra Park, Jolimont, VIC, Australia
Marissa Bateman, AT&T Performing Arts Center, TX, United States
Steve Bayliss, Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC, Australia
D’Juan Bell, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Scott Belowsky, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, FL, United States
Edward Beven, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Alana Bicknell, NZICC – New Zealand International Convention Centre, , New Zealand
Jon Bockstruck, Riverfront Spokane, WA, United States
Samantha Bohlin, Indiana University, IN, United States
Ross Borgmeyer, Missouri State University, MO, United States
Mark Braby, Adelaide Venue Management Corporation, SA, Australia
Alex Bradford, Adelaide Convention Centre, SA, Australia
Andreas Breitfuss, ANZ Stadium, NSW, Australia
Peter Bretherton, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, QLD, Australia
Rebecca Brodie, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Daniel Brooks, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW, Australia
Dan Brown, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Devin Burns, T-Mobile Park, WA, United States
Matthew Burton, Sport & Recreation QLD, QLD, Australia
Damian Bush, Singapore Sports Hub, , Singapore
Courtney Byelich, Wisconsin Union, WI, United States
David Byrne, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Adam Callender, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Marty Camino, Center for the Arts, WY, United States
Brooke Campbell, NZICC – New Zealand International Convention Centre, , New Zealand
Iain Campbell, AEG Ogden Pty Ltd – Allphones Arena, NSW, Australia
Scott Carey, AT&T Center, TX, United States
John Casadonte, American Tower Corporation, NC, United States
Giovanni Caserio, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, FL, United States
Charlotte Casey, AEG Ogden – Suncorp Stadium, QLD, Australia
Aleena Castanos, Constant Group Pty Ltd., NSW, Australia
Ash Chauhan, Armored Things, MA, United States
Brandon Chik, Westpac Stadium, , New Zealand
Mal Christie, C.R. Kennedy & Company Pty. Ltd., QLD, Australia
Brooke Cima, Budweiser Gardens, ON, Canada
Seth Clancy, OzTix, QLD, Australia
Emily Coe, Indiana University Bloomington, IN, United States
David Collier, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Kathryn Coneys, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Tess Craige, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Jim Cunningham, OzTix, QLD, Australia
Michael Cusack, Canberra Town Planning, NSW, Australia
Andrew D’Alessandro, Prudential Center, NJ, United States
Prue Daly, NZICC – New Zealand International Convention Centre, , New Zealand
Donna Daniels, Prudential Center, NJ, United States
Stephanie Davis, TCF Bank Stadium, MN, United States
Ben Dayman, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW, Australia
Jason Degen, University of Florida Performing Arts, FL, United States
Chad DeWeese, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Brooke Doherty, Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC, Australia
Gary Doyle, Sport & Recreation QLD, QLD, Australia
Ethan Dudenhoeffer, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, OK, United States
Philomena Duffy, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Hilbert Circle Theatre, IN, United States
Elissa Duke, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, VIC, Australia
Katherine Dunn, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Caiti Farquharson, Edmonton Convention Centre, AB, Canada
Francis Feeney, San Diego State University, CA, United States
Brian Feldman, Tessitura Network, TX, United States
Carin Fleming, Hard Rock Stadium, FL, United States
Brandon Flynn, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Darrell Foley, Emerald Coast Convention Center, FL, United States
Angela Fonti, Melbourne Cricket Club, Yarra Park, Jolimont, VIC, Australia
Riccardo Furnari, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia
Luke Galle, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Stephanie Garcia, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, NV, United States
David Ghatan, CM KLING + ASSOCIATES INC, VA, United States
Kathryn Gidluck, Vancouver Convention Centre, BC, Canada
Nicole Gomizel, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Caitlin Gosling, Auckland Stadiums, , New Zealand
Debbie Gossett, Austin Convention Center, TX, United States
Amanda Gray, Georgia Expo Mfg Corp, GA, United States
Trent Gray, Altria Theater, VA, United States
Bradley Green, Melbourne Cricket Club, Yarra Park, Jolimont, VIC, Australia
Justin Guck, Southeastern Tactical, GA, United States
Charles Haisler, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Jordan Haitsma, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Renae Hanson, Ticketek, NSW, Australia
Chris Hart, Holland Civic Center Place, MI, United States
Lorenz Hassenstein, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, ON, Canada
Amy Hills, EventAid Pty Ltd, VIC, Australia
Debbie Hogan, ANZ Stadium, NSW, Australia
Chris Holdsworth, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, GA, United States
Tom Hongthong, Qline Products Corp., FL, United States
Darren Horne, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, VIC, Australia
Jason Hove, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Chris Jacquot, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Steve James, Ungerboeck Software International, QLD, Australia
Emmaline Jasionowski, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, FL, United States
Michael Jeanes, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, , United Kingdom
Tyler Johnson, Reed Arena – Texas A&M University, TX, United States
Andrew Johnson, USQ Artsworx, QLD, Australia
Danny Jones, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Laura Jones Robertson, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Haley Keays, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW, Australia
Phil Kelley, Arts Centre Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Shaun Kelly, USQ Artsworx, QLD, Australia
Colin Kidd, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia
Debbie Kirton, Auckland Stadiums, , New Zealand
John Klingelhoets, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, WI, United States
Amanda Kneebone, AEG Ogden – Suncorp Stadium, QLD, Australia
Kim Knight, Regal Theatre, WA, Australia
Rob Kostecki, Indiana University, IN, United States
Malcolm Lancaster, Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre, NSW, Australia
Katy Lavender, Manchester City F.C., , United Kingdom
Belinda Leaver, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Kendall Lee, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Gary Levy, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Aimee Libri, Western Australian Cricket Association – WACA, WA, Australia
Michael Littlewood, AEG Ogden – Suncorp Stadium, QLD, Australia
Craig Livingstone, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, QLD, Australia
Emily Longmire, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Juan Lopez, Tampa Convention Center, FL, United States
Colleen LoSauro, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Megan Love, Melbourne Stadiums Limited, Marvel Stadium, VIC, Australia
Nicole Luebbers, Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., MO, United States
Derek MacMinn, Ungerboeck Software International, QLD, Australia
Nick Macolino, Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC, Australia
Callum Mallett, NZICC – New Zealand International Convention Centre, , New Zealand
William Markus, Cotton Logistics, TX, United States
CJ Marshall, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, FL, United States
Neil Mather, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, VIC, Australia
Kyle May, Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP, AR, United States
Deb Mazzuca, Essity Professional Hygiene North America, CA, United States
Michelle McDonnell, TCF Bank Stadium, MN, United States
Warren McGhee, Qudos Bank Arena, NSW, Australia
Mike McNeill, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Frank McVey, Prudential Center, NJ, United States
Andrew Meeks, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Matthew Mehler, Madison Square Garden, NY, United States
Michelle Morris, MI Associates, VIC, Australia
Theresa Mullan, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia
Lanazah Murray, Prudential Center, NJ, United States
Maureen Myers, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Thomas Neary, PCL Construction, CA, United States
Dale Niblett, Western Australian Cricket Association – WACA, WA, Australia
Rachel Nichols, Emerald Coast Convention Center, FL, United States
Lawrence Noccolino, Roland E. Powell Convention Center, MD, United States
Katie Oberholz, Grand Ole Opry House, TN, United States
Michael Ocego, The Trusts Arena, , New Zealand
Jared Oelmann, TCF Bank Stadium, MN, United States
Kyle Olsen, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Inc., TX, United States
Craig O’Shaughnessy, ANZ Stadium, NSW, Australia
Megan O’Toole, State Netball & Hockey Centre, VIC, Australia
Hadley Owen, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, FL, United States
Emily Pavelich, Oilers Entertainment Group Canada Corp., AB, Canada
Alexa Peal, AAMC Learning Center, DC, United States
David Peet, Emerald Coast Convention Center, FL, United States
Greg Perles, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Melissa Peterson, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, FL, United States
Natalia Pisani, Premium Media Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia
Stephen Reed, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Isaac Risbrudt, TCF Bank Stadium, MN, United States
Zachary Roberts, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, FL, United States
Kim Roberts, Gladstone Entertainment Convention Centre, QLD, Australia
John Roloff, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, WI, United States
Omar Ropele, El Paso Sports Commission, TX, United States
Victor Saavedra, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Dale Salmon, Sport & Recreation QLD, QLD, Australia
Michael Sanz, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, NSW, Australia
Grace Schumacher, Indiana University, IN, United States
Clare Schutte, Indiana University, IN, United States
Alex Scott, Reed Arena – Texas A&M University, TX, United States
Brian Semmens, Oracle Hospitality, VIC, Australia
Stephen Sgro, Prudential Center, NJ, United States
Brandon Shaffer, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, FL, United States
Junaid Shams, Rooam, DC, United States
Cara Sharenko, Zoo Atlanta, GA, United States
Gerard Siegler, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, FL, United States
Adam Sigman, Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, WV, United States
Glenn Simpson, Auckland Stadiums, , New Zealand
Kelsey Smith, T-Mobile Park, WA, United States
Glenn Smith, Melbourne Showgrounds, VIC, Australia
Colin Smith, Sport & Recreation QLD, QLD, Australia
Callie Sokoloski, Berklee College of Music, MA, United States
Thomas Soto, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, FL, United States
Cara Speakman, University of British Columbia, BC, Canada
Daniel Speed, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Cynthia Spencer, San Mateo County Event Center, CA, United States
Kate Stevens, Melbourne Sports & Aquatic Centre, VIC, Australia
Michael Stout, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, QLD, Australia
Daniel Straley, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, FL, United States
Laura Sturrock, Sydney Opera House, NSW, Australia
Trent Sullivan, Sport & Recreation QLD, QLD, Australia
Hannah Sutton, AEG Ogden – Suncorp Stadium, QLD, Australia
Ben Svensen, Eden Park, , New Zealand
Chuck Thomas, AT&T Performing Arts Center, TX, United States
Lisa Thornton, Oregon Convention Center, OR, United States
Cat Traina, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Taylor Traversari, Booth Amphitheatre, NC, United States
Jason Velez, Priava Group Operations Pty Ltd, NY, United States
Adam Walker, Western Australian Cricket Association – WACA, WA, Australia
Wayne Ward, Tampa Sports Authority, FL, United States
Robert Watkins, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, FL, United States
Ryan Watt, University of Notre Dame, IN, United States
Rodger Watts, AEG Ogden – Suncorp Stadium, QLD, Australia
Ginger Weathers, Emerald Coast Convention Center, FL, United States
Heather Wenz, Indiana University, IN, United States
Steve West, Auckland Stadiums, , New Zealand
Rachiah Whipple, City of Maple Valley, WA, United States
Amber White, Kennesaw State University, GA, United States
Scott Williams, Ice-America, CA, United States
Terry Winter, Sport & Recreation QLD, QLD, Australia
Marie-Claire Wood, Ungerboeck Software International, QLD, Australia
Michael Wray, AEG Ogden – Suncorp Stadium, QLD, Australia
Erika Wysong, Shreveport Convention Center, LA, United States

Donna Dowless has just about seen it all during her almost 40 years of membership in IAVM. Just about, but when she received a phone call from IAVM Chair Michael Marion, CVE, and Board of Regents Chair Todd Hunt, CVE, to tell her she had just been selected to receive the distinguished Ray Ward Award, she admitted to a feeling unlike any other.

“I was beyond words, literally beyond words,” Dowless said upon receiving the news. “Literally over the moon.”

Dowless, who serves as chair of XOXO Media Group in Orlando and doubles as her city’s Ambassador of Love, said that receiving the honor that has been given since 1996 when award namesake Ray Ward was the first recipient means so much not only because of the impact that the iconic Ward had on her career but that it is presented at the Venue Management School, of which Dowless was involved very early in the formation and launch years of getting the school off the ground to the point it had students on a waiting list desiring the education available at VMS.

“Ray has meant so much to so many people,” Dowless said. “He was someone you could turn to for encouragement, support, mentoring, everything. I don’t know that he ever said no to anybody. He was always there to help.”

The same can be said of Dowless, who taught at the school for some 10 years and to most in the industry is remembered for her career with Ticketmaster. And when it comes to IAVM, hers is the familiar face at VenueConnect always around the IAVM Foundation’s Silent Auction booth. She served on the Board of Trustees from 2002-05 and remains a staunch supporter of the Foundation and the VMS as drivers for professional development in the industry she so loves.

“We put the base work and ground work together and continued to build on the school and then others continued to step up and take interest in it,” Dowless said. “The industry took notice because it was important to have continuing education. There weren’t many specific degrees at the time that universities currently have, so this was a place where industry professionals could go and continue their education. Ray brought a broad sense of knowledge to the table when we were putting this together. It was important to have the sessions be relevant to the running of venues.”

Dowless said that she remains proud of the school and continues to follow the progress that industry professionals and leaders put back into the school. As for her time spent teaching at Oglebay, Dowless calls it a commitment she made to give back to the industry.

“This industry has given so much to me,” she said. “I enjoyed seeing the staff and also going to Wheeling. It was such a special place to go. I also looked forward to the new people who would become involved and who the guest lecturers and keynote speakers were going to be. It was everything. It was business. It was some recreation. It was exploring new ideas and listening to other people’s opinions. You had people new in the industry and then the veteran and industry icons that were committed to continuing to grow this.”

Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President and CEO, has fond memories of those early years as well and the impact of Dowless.

“My first year at VMS was the second year of the school,” he said. “Donna was an instructor and I remember how creative she was presenting her classes. She made it fun, used interactive activities, props, and other means to ensure everyone was engaged in the learning process. The students enjoyed the class while learning the subject.”

Dowless, in turn, again gives credit to Ray Ward for how he interacted and passed along those lessons.

“He is extra special in many ways,” she said. “He did take the time to check in on you. He would always take the call if you were to call him about something. He always made me feel like he wanted to help me. It would be, ‘What do you need, friend?’ I cared for him and loved him very much and am thankful I had the opportunity to know Ray, learn from him, and now receive this award.”

Dowless said that after receiving the good news that she looked at the list of recipients since 1996 when the award was created. As she perused the names, she said that feelings of honor and joy overtook her.

“Ray Ward is still with us,” she said. “The guidance, the mentoring, the love, and support is still there. When Ray committed to something, it was 100 percent. When he was in, he was in.”

And now Dowless is in as well with a special group of people who call themselves Ray Ward Award recipients.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is pleased to announce the nomination of Eric D. Hart, CVE, for Second Vice Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors. Hart will serve a four-year term, taking on the Chairman position in 2021-2022.

Hart currently serves as the President/CEO of the Tampa Sports Authority (TSA) in Tampa, Florida and the current Dean of IAVM’s Venue Management School Graduate Institute. The TSA manages Raymond James Stadium, home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls, the Hillsborough County Tournament Sportsplex, the Fairway Cafe and three City of Tampa municipal golf courses. The TSA also serves as the landlord for Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Steinbrenner Field, spring home for the New York Yankees. 

“I’m really excited to have our stadiums represented in our leadership, and I am especially excited, because it is Eric Hart,” stated Michael Marion, CVE, IAVM Board of Directors Chair. “Eric is a committed leader in IAVM, and he will be outstanding in his new role. I look forward to having his voice added to the outstanding leaders already on the Board and Executive Committee.”

Hart has been a member of IAVM since 1998.  Previously to his tenure with TSA, he served as the President and CEO of the Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority. Prior to Lansing, Hart served as the Director of Event Services for the Minneapolis Convention Center and as Associate Director for the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. He began his career at the Iowa State Center in Ames, Iowa, where he served as the Guest Services Manager and was later promoted to Event Coordinator.

“One of the benefits of reporting to the Board and its Executive Committee is that IAVM has quality leaders in the officer positions that care about our industry and IAVM’s members,” said Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President and CEO. “Eric Hart has been involved in passionate and successful volunteer leadership roles for IAVM and is a great choice to serve as an officer of IAVM’s Board of Directors. The current executive committee has excelled in the new governance, and I have no doubt Eric will be successful in his new role of upholding the policies and vision for the association with fresh eyes on what matters to the association’s membership.”

“I am humbled and honored to be considered for Second Vice Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors,” said Hart, “IAVM’s leadership is critical to the growth of our industry and I look forward to being part of the team that helps our President and CEO move this organization into the future!”

IAVM members will vote electronically in June on Hart’s nomination, and, if elected, he will take office in July during IAVM’s VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show, July 21-24, in Chicago.

SMG-managed Van Andel Arena was awarded the title of 2018 Biggest Loser in the Michigan Battle of the Buildings competition. Over one thousand buildings across the state competed in the year-long energy and water reduction competition hosted by the U.S. Green Building Council of West Michigan (USGBC-WM) and sponsored by Consumers Energy, DTE Energy and the Michigan Energy Office.

Van Andel Arena reduced energy consumption by a total of 12% to take home first place in the Entertainment category. SMG staff at Van Andel Arena engaged in action to cut their energy waste in a variety of ways. Among many initiatives, SMG completed a four-year project of compressor rebuilds and installed new LED aisle lights in the bowl of the arena as well as various office and meeting spaces. New variable frequency drives were installed on motors to increase energy efficiency, and the maintenance department utilized more ways recycle indoor air and use the outdoor air for cooling when possible.

“We are always looking for ways to reduce waste and be more energy efficient,” said SMG Assistant General Manager Eddie Tadlock. “It’s gratifying to know we reside in a community that places a high priority on environmental impact. We are honored to be recognized for our efforts in reducing our carbon footprint. It is a privilege to be a part of this competition with other organizations that are actively working to make better and more efficient use of our energy resources.”

“Deep reductions like this are a great example of what can be accomplished when you take a deliberate approach to energy efficient operations,” said Cheri Holman, Executive Director, USGBC-WM. “Dollars saved on energy conservation will filter straight to the company’s bottom line.”