BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, one of the world’s busiest venues, is set for a future new revenue stream as a naming rights sponsor is sought for the first time. PavCo, facility owner and operator, will issue the RFP to launch the process.

The stadium hosts more than one million people each years to a wide-ranging schedule of events in resident anchors BC Lions of the Canadian Football League and Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer. The 54,000-seat stadium is also home to the annual Canada Sevens, part of the World Rugby Sevens Series.

As with other naming rights deals, finding a suitable partner is huge in helping to offset the venue’s operations costs. PavCo is managing the overall consultation process along with approvals from government. A field of finalists is expected to be announced at some point in June with the eventual winner named in July.

“This naming rights sponsorship opportunity will make more funds available for government to improve the services that British Columbians count on,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in a release. “We believe this is an excellent time to look for the right corporate partner for this important facility in B.C., and through that sponsorship, generate significant benefit for British Columbians.”

BC Place Stadium opened in 1983 and through the years has had only one naming rights consideration before the latest approval to move forward.

The early bird gets the worm, or in this case, up to $200 in savings when you register for VenueConnect 2019 before March 31, 2019!

The 94th VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show will be hosted at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. VenueConnect hosts professionals from a spectrum of public assembly venues including arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, fairgrounds, performing arts centers, stadiums, universities, and more. This is the only industry conference that inspires industry leaders, provides targeted education, and brings attendees together creating relationships that last a lifetime.

This year’s VenueConnect offers 100+ education sessions, over 30 networking opportunities, and a better than ever trade show experience.  Visit the conference website, to learn more!

From Business Wire

AEG Facilities, the venue management subsidiary of AEG, and SMG, an Onex portfolio company, announced they have signed a definitive agreement to merge. This combination will create a new, standalone global facility management and venue services company that will operate as ASM Global (“ASM”). Onex and AEG’s subsidiary will each own 50% of the company following the completion of the transaction. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ASM will be headquartered in Los Angeles with key operations based in West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. Led by the most experienced team in the industry, the company will operate a diversified portfolio of arenas, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts centers, with more than 310 venues across five continents.

Wes Westley, Chief Executive Officer and President of SMG, said, “This merger is a major step for our industry. We are excited to bring together these complementary businesses to further elevate the standard of excellence in venue management. We plan to accelerate innovation by combining our expertise to deliver increased value and offer enhanced capabilities to municipalities and venue owners worldwide. At the same time, we expect that this transaction will offer employees at both our corporate headquarters and field operations tremendous new opportunities.”

Bob Newman, current President of AEG Facilities and formerly a Regional Vice President at SMG, said, “It is an honor and privilege to be a part of this exciting new company, which brings together the two organizations where I have worked for the bulk of my professional career. This transaction draws upon the depth of our combined talent and resources to create an organization that will deliver value and long-term success, as well as innovative services to our clients around the world.”

Following the completion of the transaction, Newman will be named President and CEO of ASM. Westley will join ASM’s Board of Directors, where he will actively support the merger integration.

Dan Beckerman, President and Chief Executive Officer of AEG, said, “AEG Facilities has flourished under Bob’s leadership since it was established a decade ago and this combination will position ASM for growth by joining the resources and talents of these two companies. ASM will offer an impressive array of capabilities that will accelerate the development and deployment of new services and bring diverse business, sports and entertainment experiences to municipalities, partners, and fans around the world.”

Amir Motamedi, a Managing Director of Onex, added, “With Wes at the helm, SMG became a gold standard in venue management. We are grateful for his stewardship over the last 25 years and look forward to his continued involvement on the board. Looking forward, we are thrilled to be partnering with Bob Newman and the talented AEG team to create a larger, more diverse company to better serve ASM’s clients.”

AEG will retain ownership of its real estate holdings outside of this venture, including its entertainment districts and owned venues in Los Angeles, London, Hamburg, and Berlin, as well as its extensive development, sports, music, and sponsorship divisions. Onex is contributing its entire equity investment in SMG into the merger. The transaction is expected to be completed later this year subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

Please follow IAVM for further updates and comments regarding the merger.

Several IAVM members participated or served as observers for the Des Moines Performing Arts Tabletop Exercise with Department of Homeland Security/Office of Infrastructure Protection. Laura Sweet, Vice President & COO of the Des Moines Performing Arts, organized the event. She also serves as vice chair for the IAVM Performing Arts Committee.

Back Row (from left)
Scott Braudt – Adler Theatre/VenuWorks
Heather Brummel – Adler Theatre/VenuWorks
Craig Spillman – Stephens Auditorium/VenuWorks
Natalie Stroud – Lied Center for Performing Arts
Joe Levy, CVE – Apollo Theater
Tammy Koolbeck, CVE – Stephens Auditorium/VenuWorks
Todd Duesing – Cincinnati Arts Association
Justin McDaid – Carlsen Center/Johnson County Community College

Front Row (from left)
Janet Albanese – Des Moines Performing Arts
Ebeth Campbell – Carlsen Center/Johnson County Community College
Laura Sweet – Des Moines Performing Arts
Jacqueline Goetz – Overture
Heather Goforth – Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Kelly Wilson – Cincinnati Arts Association

Photo provide by Tammy Koolbeck, CVE

Moo TV announced the appointment of Jason Rittenberry, CVE, as Executive Vice President and General Manager. In this position, Rittenberry will oversee the day-to-day operations and lead the Nashville-based team that supports artists such as Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, and other top tours. He will direct the senior leadership team and be responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of all current business initiatives while assisting with the future growth of the company.

Moo TV is an award-winning video and live events production company offering live video-production for concerts, touring, special events, and corporate events. Moo is the eight-time Pollstar Video Company of the Year, 2018 Nashville Business Journal Business of the Year, and reigning Parnelli Award winner for Video Production Company of the Year.

“Jason is the real deal. A straight shooter with a fantastic history of success, while at the same time being the kind of guy who will fit right in to our culture. He has that elusive combination of a stellar track record and more importantly a guy whose head and heart are in the right place,” said Scott Scovill, Founder and CEO of Moo TV. “He brings an extensive background of experience in live events, venue management, and event production and I could not be more pleased to welcome him to our Moo family. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead and represent Moo TV.”

As one of the industry’s forward-thinking executives, Rittenberry is a proven successful senior level entertainment leader with extensive experience in the sports, entertainment, and music industries. Most recently he served as Managing Partner of MSG Strategy, a full-service event production and strategic consulting firm. Previously, the President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, overseeing the operations of all state owner entertainment venues. He also had a 15-year career in venue management, during which he led Circuit of The Americas and Austin360 Amphitheater in Austin, Texas, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of IRG Sports + Entertainment, the privately held parent company of multiple sports and entertainment properties.

“I’m excited to become a part of the Moo TV team,” Rittenberry said. “Moo is not only the best in the business, but the culture here is why our clients trust us as their partner. Scott has built an incredible company and I am honored to be leading it into the future.”