The NBA Cleveland Cavaliers have named Cleveland-native Kevin Clayton as Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Engagement, a newly created position for all organizational properties including the NBA Cavaliers, AHL Cleveland Monsters, G-League Canton Charge, AFL Cleveland Gladiators, NBA 2KL Cavs Legion, and Quicken Loans Arena.

In his new role Clayton will lead the strategy, program planning, and execution for diversity and inclusion initiatives to strengthen and expand the organization’s efforts to maintain a robust, welcoming, and inclusive workplace culture. He will also work closely with the organization’s senior leadership group and serve as a mentor, promoting additional educational programs and perspectives on the importance and value of diversity and inclusion throughout the organization. In addition to facilitating a deeper engagement internally, Clayton will also work to further enrich the organization’s community relationships externally.

The Cavaliers have a long-standing respect and appreciation for diversity and inclusion. The team is proud to have one of the highest minority full staff percentages across all major league sports, as well as ranking in the NBA’s top five franchises for women and women of color at the Vice President level and above. Additional efforts were recognized in 2018 when the team was awarded the “Best-in-Class Award” for Senior Management Diversity by the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP).

Clayton comes to the Cavs from Bon Secours Mercy Health in Cincinnati, where he served as the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Prior to that, Clayton was the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the United States Tennis Association. He also served as the Corporate Vice President of Global Diversity at Russell Corporation and as the National Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion with the American Cancer Society.

Clayton earned his Bachelor of Arts in business administration and psychology from Wilmington College (Ohio). He has four daughters, a granddaughter and a grandson.

Corey James will also step into a new role as Senior Manager of Community Engagement and Foundation Development. He begins his 12th year with the Cavaliers organization in this new position after spending the last five seasons as the Senior Manager of Partnership Marketing. James originally joined the Cleveland Cavaliers as a Ticket Sales Account Executive in June 2007.

James’ heavy involvement and leadership with the Cavaliers annual Black Heritage Celebration and the Marcus Graham Project, an organization whose mission is to create opportunities for diverse individuals in the fields of media, marketing and advertising, has helped inspire and lead him into this new role, where he will continue to use his passion for engaging underrepresented groups.

James is a graduate of The Ohio State University. He currently serves on the board of ­the Ohio State Alumni Association and Associate Board of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. He is also active with Black Sports Professionals (BSP), The Real Black Friday and is a member of Kaleidoscope Magazine’s 40/40 Club.

“The Cavaliers understand that strong and focused diversity and inclusion efforts are critical for success and we are going to take our existing internal and external engagement to an even more dynamic level,” said Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena CEO Len Komoroski. “We welcome Kevin and Corey into their new roles as we continue to increase our business-wide support and programming with respect to this very important and impactful area of our organizational culture.”

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.  

• It’s for a good cause:  this event is a significant IAVM Foundation fundraiser that allows us to fund Foundation programs such as the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship & Internship Program and the 30 UNDER 30 Program and bring professional development opportunities to the IAVM members.
• Facility Managers you need to meet and get to know better will be there.  Industry professionals who are the backbone of what make our facilities great will be playing or sponsoring holes and give-always.  This is a relaxed setting to make new acquaintances and it’s geared towards making new industry contacts.  
• It’s going to be an epic day…with a view of the Chicago skyline in the distance, we will be making the Harborside International Golf Center an extension of the city with Chicago Dogs, Capone-a-ritas, great food and of course, lots of chances to win golf fame and fortune with our contests.  

So go ahead, stop right now and click the link to sign up to join us on sun day, July 21^st 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.