Venue Solutions Groups is pleased to welcome Richard Andersen, CVE as Chief Illuminations Officer. In his new role, Andersen will be responsible for the VSG Advantage Training, a portfolio of customizable training programs designed to maximize human potential. Andersen will draw on his 35 plus years of experience in professional sports, venues and hospitality management to design and facilitate leading edge training and development programs.

“Richard brings that rare combination of insight, creativity and relatable experience, combined with specialized adult learning techniques, to deliver those ‘aha moments’,” said VSG Managing Partner, Russ Simons. “He is an outstanding addition to our VSG team. Richard fits our culture and mirrors our commitment to the industry.”

Andersen was most recently President and CEO of Seafair, a premier festival management organization in Seattle. He previously served as President and CEO of Northlands, one of Canada’s largest multi-purpose entertainment and meeting complexes, and as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of Petco Park.

“I am excited to be joining the Venue Solutions Group Team as we launch Advantage Training,” Andersen said. “The true ‘Advantage’ is our ability to tap into a wealth of experience in professional sports, venue, and hospitality management, coupled with leading-edge programs that deliver those ‘aha moments.’ Nothing cookie cutter – our customized facilitations focus on issues identified by you. Because we know the business, our training is uniquely relevant and specific, leading to illuminating results.”

Andersen is highly respected throughout the venue management industry for his leadership as Chair of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Venue Managers and Chair of the Board of Regents of the IAVM Venue Management School. He serves on the faculties of VMS and the Venue Management Association (VMA Asia Pacific) School and Leadership Institute in Australia. He also led classes in Business Operations and Strategic Planning at San Diego State University.

Formed in 2011 by three former senior facility managers, VSG advises clients in all aspects of venue operations, including but not limited to, design and startup, budgeting, organizational assessments, facility condition assessments, guest experience benchmarking programs, security & safety, and expense reduction.

Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center, announced an unprecedented partnership in Detroit as the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority (DRCFA) has awarded the naming rights of Cobo Center to Chemical Bank, the largest bank headquartered in Michigan. Chemical Bank and the DRCFA will announce the new name of the world-class convention center by the end of 2019, and the name will remain Cobo Center until that time.

“This unprecedented naming rights agreement is a great win for all parties,” Molinari said. “Chemical Bank makes a strong statement of commitment to the region and secured naming rights to a convention center that is growing in notoriety every day.”

The 22-year, $1.5 million-a-year agreement gives the bank exclusive naming rights for the center and sets a new industry standard reflective of the world-class facility and Detroit’s rise in the national market.

“This is the kind of unique collaboration and long-term commitment to the city of Detroit and greater region that can make a real, meaningful difference for Michiganders,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “I’m eager to partner with the business community to make sure we bring more investment to our state, boost local economies in cities like Detroit, and connect more Michiganders to good-paying jobs.”

Chemical Bank being warded the naming rights of Cobo Center comes at an exciting time for the company. Chemical Financial Corporation recently announced its merger with TCF Financial Corporation which will be headquartered in a new 20-story building in downtown Detroit. The combined holding company and bank will operate under the TCF name and brand following the closing of the merger.

“Today’s announcement continues to build on our bank’s investment in the city, its neighborhoods, the region, and our state,” said Gary Torgow, Chairman of the Board for Chemical Financial Corporation. “Along with our recently announced merger with TCF Financial Corporation that will bring the headquarters of the combined company and the TCF brand to downtown Detroit, we look forward to contributing to make this Center a vibrant destination for our city and our region for many years to come.”

“Our world-class convention center now has a world-class corporate partner in Chemical Bank,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “We couldn’t be more proud of the investments Chemical Bank is making in our city, from its new headquarters to its support for our Strategic Neighborhood Fund. Today’s announcement will help ensure our convention center remains a facility Detroiters will be proud of for years to come.”

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has named Rocsean Spencer as Small Business Program Director. The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, the Convention Center’s governing board, created the position to promote the importance of diversity, inclusion, and small business development at the convention center. Spencer will be tasked with managing the Business Opportunity Program, and will serve as a liaison between the Authority, internal stakeholders, and the community.

Spencer comes to the convention center from the City of New Orleans, Office of Supplier Diversity. She served as Certification Officer, where she reviewed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification applications and attended State and Local DBE (SLDBE) program outreach events. She was later promoted to Compliance Officer, where she managed a portfolio of $150 million of Public and Private Sector funds. In that role, she also supervised the DBE program, where she managed the SLDBE Certification Department as SLDBE Certification Coordinator.

Spencer recently earned certification as a Certified Compliance Administrator from the American Contract Compliance Association (ACCA) through Morgan State University in Baltimore.

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced the promotion of Senior Research Director Nancy Drapeau, PRC, to CEIR Vice President of Research. In addition to conducting trend studies and building research agenda each year in consultation with the CEIR Research Council, Drapeau’s duties have expanded to include a more active role in public speaking, webinar facilitation, and press interviews. She will also play a more active role in CEIR Index and CEIR Census initiatives.

“Nancy is a highly experienced research professional with a unique background of being familiar with the exhibitions industry from her previous job,” said CEIR CEO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE. “Since Nancy’s arrival at CEIR in 2011, the exceptional quality of CEIR’s research products is evident as anyone who knows Nancy can attest to her passion for producing high-quality research reports. Over the past two years she has taken on new strategic responsibilities, and this promotion recognizes the work Nancy does on behalf of CEIR as well as the exhibitions and events industry.”

New studies to be launched in 2019 include a Sponsorship Practices Study, an Exhibition Performance Metrics Study and Industry Insights Series reports, in addition to the release of remaining reports in the Attendee ROI Playbook Series.

“I never take for granted the tremendous privilege and responsibility of serving the divergent information needs of stakeholders in the B2B exhibition industry,” said Drapeau. “What remains close to my heart is CEIR’s mission to provide objective research that helps stakeholders understand trends in this amazing industry to support their business success. I look forward to assuring this mission is fulfilled in this new role.”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in January 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.

Caldwyn Abbott, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Jeremy Adams, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Wanda Adams, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Heath Adams, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
Joiel Alexander, Levy Restaurants, Chicago, IL
Brandi Allgier, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Olivia Ancell, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Michael Anthony, Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL
Gary Arlitz, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Jessica Armstrong, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Dyllan Avery-Smith, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Cody Ball, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Kevin Barnard, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Brenda Bazan, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Deniccia Bell, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Max Benner, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
Alec Beyers, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Kallie Bilyeu, Missouri State University, Nixa, MO
Monica Blake, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Julia Blatchford, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Mike Boschert, Budweiser Events Center, Loveland, CO
Jane Bunkers, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Samantha Burger, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Brookelyn Burk, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Megan Busse, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Omar Castillo, San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center, San Francisco, CA
Rosalie Celestial, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Andrew Christensen, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Liz Collins, Fairgrounds Event Center, Hamburg, NY
Kamryn Combs, Missouri State University, Republic, MO
Sara Cook, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Eric Cornman, Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO
Alyssa Cowell, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Shenequa Crockett, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Pedro Cuevas, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Jordy Dale, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI
Nick Darby, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Brett Davidoff, Clutche Tech Inc, Houston, TX
Edward de la Garza, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Chris De Leon, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Michael Del Vecchio, Mayo Center for Performing Arts, Morristown, NJ
Christopher DeLoach, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
Cortney Denbow, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Robby Derrington, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Matthew DeWalt, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Cody Dierkes, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Charlotte Dunworth, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Steve Dwyer, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Erik Eisenberg, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Aaron Elder, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Chris Elliston, ParkHub.com, Dallas, TX
Emily Emilien, Landers Center, Southaven, MS
Kymberly Epperson, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Brook Falkenstein, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
William Falls, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Janet Fukuhara, Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles, CA
Susan Garbett, The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
Martha Garza, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
James Gemma, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Sydney Gibson, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Nick Gillett, Levy Restaurants, Chicago, IL
Hali Gillingham, Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
John Gillis, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Phillip Ginocchio, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Shane Glatz, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Kevin Gober, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Jeffrey Goddard, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Matt Gradala, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Sasha Gwin, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Brianna Hall, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA
Grant Hall, Ohio University, Cambridge, OH
Matthew Hankins, Harvester Performance Center, Rocky Mount, VA
Alex Hargis, Coppell Performing Arts Center, Coppell, TX
Melissa Harkavy, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Kaylyn Harter, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Ethan Harting, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Leon Hawkins, SDCCU Stadium, San Diego, CA
Jennifer Hickey, Missouri State University, Clever, MO
Jacalyn Hill, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Todd Holloman, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Karen Hopp, Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
Reid Horton, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Allie Hudson, TaxSlayer Center, Moline, IL
Aline Ibanes, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Rachel Johnson, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Charles Johnson, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Hans Juergens, Argus Event Staffing LLC, Denver, CO
Carrie Keck, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Mark Kinsey, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Erickson Krieger, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Pierre Landaiche, Memphis Sports Hall of Fame, Memphis, TN
Monica Landry, CAJUNDOME, Lafayette, LA
Michael Lecavalier, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Theresa Lloyd, Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Courtney Lockmiller, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Don Logan, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Isaac Long, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Logan Long, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Fausto Lopez, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Deborah Lowell, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
Peter Loza, David H. Koch Theater, New York, NY
Patrick Lynch, Levy Restaurants, Chicago, IL
Monti MacMillan, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
Cassie Makinson, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Christophe Malsang, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Bailey Martin, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Shay Matyja, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Ryan McGillicuddy, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Molly McWilliams, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Todd Medley, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Kyle Mercury, Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles, CA
Daniel Mohan, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Vivian Montejano, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Scott Montes, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Eric Morgan, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Katherine Morton, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
John Mosley, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Raymond Mullin, Revolution Hall, Portland, OR
Jeannette Murrietta, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Tariana Navas-Nieves, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Robert Nicklin, Levy Restaurants, Chicago, IL
Ethan Niemann, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Maddison O’Hayer, EMSEAL Joint Systems, Ltd., Westborough, MA
Ashley Oppermann, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Katelyn Orenchuk, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Rufus Organ, Andy Frain Services, Memphis, TN
Richard Osuagwu, Earth Networks, Germantown, MD
William Overly, WeServe, Las Vegas, NV
Doug Parr, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Patrick Pavao, SAP Center at San Jose, San Jose, CA
Ashley Paxton, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Patrick Perez, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX
Julie Pomerantz, Arts and Venues Denver, Denver, CO
Rafael Ramirez, Chicagoland Speedway/Route 66 Raceway, New Lenox, IL
Gilbert Ramos, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Erik Rasmussen, Grobstein Teeple, LLP, Woodland Hills, CA
Carlo Rebello, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Lane Reid, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Matthew Reisner, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Shareka Rhodes, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Ali Ribordy, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Alexander Richards, Viejas Arena at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Mary Rollins, Weber County Ice Sheet, Ogden, UT
Rachel Rosas, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Claudia Rubio, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Adam Rush, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Mariah Saffa, Budweiser Events Center, Loveland, CO
Madison Saulsbury, Verizon Arena, North Little Rock, AR
Sarah Schmitz, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Brandon Scholfield, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Aaron Schwartzbord, Patron Technology, New York, NY
Gianna Seeney, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Vallory Smeltser, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Ali Stark, TaxSlayer Center, Moline, IL
Mark Steffen, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill, NC
Siobhan Steiermann, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Geoffrey Stiles, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Todd Stoudenmire, T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV
Andrea Strong, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Analisa Terrell, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Zach Thompson, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Carly Tribout, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Nick Vacchio, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA
Austin Van Treuren, University of Delaware Athletics, Newark, DE
Madison Vickers, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Isaiah Villarreal, Missouri State University, Branson, MO
Haley Voss, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Kendall Vowels, Missouri State University, Joplin, MO
Ben Walker, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton, OH
Nola Warnica, Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium, Brandon, MB, Canada
Amanda Watson, University of Central Florida, St. Cloud, FL
Jason Weber, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Stephanie Weston, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Kyara Williams, Irving Convention Center, Irving, TX
Dylan Williams, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bri Wills, Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles, CA
Brian Winslow, Las Vegas Ballpark, Las Vegas, NV
Kelly Wolf, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Andrew Worthington, Lynnwood Convention Center, Lake Stevens, WA
Mark Woytisek, Foodbuy, Charlotte, NC
Yingying Xu, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Brock Yocum, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO