ASM Global has appointed Alex Bowen as vice president of live entertainment.

In his new role, Bowen will manage event procurement and live-entertainment bookings for ASM Global venues in New Orleans, including Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, Champions Square and Shrine on Airline as well as the new Thunder Ridge Nature’s Arena in Ridgedale, Missouri.

Alex Bowen, Vice President of Live Entertainment, ASM Global

He will also oversee live-content development and booking responsibilities for venues in the Southeast U.S. region, including Brookshire Grocery Arena (Bossier City, Louisiana), Raising Cane’s River Center Arena (Baton Rouge, Louisiana), The Buddy Holly Hall (Lubbock, Texas), Pensacola Bay Center (Pensacola, Florida), Boeing Center at Tech Port (San Antonio, Texas) and more.

With more than a decade of live-event experience, Bowen has expertise in many areas, ranging from concert production, artist management and marketing to operations, event procurement and talent booking. With prior stints at several well-known entertainment venues throughout New Orleans and Baton Rouge, such as the House of Blues and Fillmore, Bowen has become a key player in Louisiana’s entertainment industry, eventually earning his most recent role as senior talent buyer for events promoter Live Nation, overseeing multiple markets and large-scale venues.

“As a native of Louisiana, Bowen has been intertwined in every aspect of the state’s rich live music and entertainment culture and throughout his career has even helped to revive venues with the caliber of talent he brings to the stage,” said John Boyle, ASM Global’s chief content officer. “Between his knowledge of Louisiana and southern U.S. regions and his deep understanding of what it takes to produce great shows, we are confident that his transition to ASM Global will be seamless; and we are excited to have him join our world-class team.”

The fact that California has officially ended its publicly funded travel ban to states with laws that discriminate against LGBTQ+ people is good news for all venues in those states, particularly meetings and sports venues. The actual impact of the 2016 legislation had been supplanted already by COVID-19, post-COVID policies and other state’s legislative action, but nevertheless, it opened the gates to some prospecting that had been on hold for years.

Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s Senate Bill 447, known as the BRIDGE Project, Sept. 13. It repeals the 2016 law that banned state-sponsored travel to as many as 26 states, the number reported to discriminate on the basis of “sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression” per the American Civil Liberties Union.

Governor Newsom alongside Assemblymember Zbur, Pro Tem Atkins, Senator Eggman and Assemblymember Ward for SB 447 signing (left to right.)

Seven years ago, North Carolina venues were hit hard by California’s ban because of their own state’s HB2, dubbed the “bathroom bill” but officially the Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act, which, among other mandates, compelled schools and state and local government facilities containing single-gender bathrooms to limit access to people of the corresponding sex as listed on their birth certificate.

When that 2016 bill was signed into law by N.C. Governor Pat McCrory, the sales team at the Raleigh Convention Center took a hit. Mara Craft, currently director of sales there, remembers: “Honestly, it was a midnight session. I remember our former director of sales texted me at 11 P.M. saying, ‘This is not going to be good.’ That morning it’s like our emails and phones had exploded.”

“It was hard that first year. Even if you traveled, we had a rule you couldn’t travel alone, because there were folks that would take it out on us, sales people or service people, because they were so — rightly so — upset about it. Then other states made poor decisions, and it became less and less prominent. That [HB2] law sunsetted, but people just don’t know that.”

Kerry Painter, CVE, CEM, CMP, director of the Raleigh complex, summarized the impact of California’s new legislation succinctly: “If you were still leery or holding a grudge, it takes it away.”

There is a list of HB2 groups who would not consider Raleigh until California and other boycotts go away, “and we will add them back into our prospecting list. A lot of them are in D.C., so the CVB and our team have already started reaching out to them,” Craft said.

The impact of COVID overshadowed any boycotting that was obvious, she added, but there were still associations “we would chat with that would say, ‘Oh, we have a big California contingency that wouldn’t be able to travel there.’ Typically, that happened in higher ed or government.”

Timing is coincidentally great for arenas hosting sports, and North Carolina hosts more than its fair share of college sports tournaments. With Stanford and Cal joining the ACC in 2024, it’s even more apropos.

Pressure from sports organizations, like the ACC, had a lot to do with dropping the original HB2, Craft noted, adding that they were lucky that Raleigh is a progressive city and had other legislation and ordinances that protected them. Still, the state as a whole was looked on unfavorably, which hurt places like Greensboro Coliseum Complex early on.

Scott Johnson, deputy director in Greensboro, recalled the venue lost a whole year of NCAA tournaments when HB2 and the resulting boycotts hit. When the bill was repealed, most of Greensboro’s youth sports and college basketball came back.

“Every state had a different rule or different tolerance for what they would accept. North Carolina took the brunt of it for awhile,” Johnson said.

Even with business back, Gov. Newsom’s move is “symbolically a good move,” Johnson said.

Not only did Greensboro lose NCAA events the year of HB2, they lost the next scheduled series in 2020 because of COVID.

“We just had a 2022 Women’s Regional and 2023 Men’s First and Second round, and it all went flawlessly. There were no problems from any states,” Johnson said.

California’s new law, which is effective immediately, replaces the travel prohibition with an outreach campaign that encourages LGBTQ acceptance and inclusivity.

“In the face of a rising tide of anti-LGBTQ+ hate, this measure helps California’s message of acceptance, equality, and hope reach the places where it is most needed,” Newsom said in a news release.

Jodi Cobalt, General Manager, Shalleck Collaborative

After more than 16 years with the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco, California, where she held the roles of Director of Production and Chief of Operations, Jodi Cobalt has taken a new path in her professional journey…General Manager for the Shalleck Collaborative.

“Bringing Jodi onto our team gives us a significant boost, as she not only brings her valuable operational, business, and management skills but also enriches our work as Theatre Consultants with her extensive Venue Management experience,” said Adam Shalleck, FAIA, Principal/President of Shalleck Collaborative.

A seasoned theater manager with over two decades of experience in the industry, Jodi’s unique blend of leadership, hands-on knowledge, and a thorough understanding of theater give her a wealth of insight from which to draw on in her new position.

“I’m genuinely excited about this next step in my career,” stated Jodi. “It’s a chance to expand upon and share my venue management expertise with an organization that actively cultivates an amazingly healthy company culture. I really enjoy collaborating with this fantastic team and can’t wait to continue to grow together!”

A member of IAVM for over a decade, Jodi is the Past Chair of the IAVM Performing Arts Committee

Nomination deadline for 2024 Charles A. McElravy Award, Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award, and Foundation Legacy Award is December 1, 2023

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written and addressed to Brad Mayne, CVE, President & CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically.  The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business December 1, 2023.  Each award’s criteria process can be found below.  If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke.

CHARLES A MCELRAVY AWARD:

The Charles A. McElravy Award may be awarded annually to a Professional, Honorary, or Retired member of IAVM who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of the Association or profession.

The following criteria are established for the McElravy Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been a Professional, Honorary, or Retired Member of the IAVM in good standing for at least fifteen (15) years total (though not necessarily consecutively).
2. The nominee needs to meet the minimum service to IAVM requirements for Honorary Membership, but is not required to be retired. The following criteria must be met for a member to be eligible for consideration for Honorary Membership:  1) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) during the past 15 years; 2) Attendance at no fewer than 5 Region Meetings during the past 15 years;  3) Service as chair of at least three international or two Region committees during the past 15 years;  4) Service as:  Director of IAVM or officer in a Region at least once during the member’s tenure with IAVM or b) Program chair for an IAVM venue-specific or specialty meeting during the member’s tenure with IAVM or c) Member of Board of Regents, Board of Trustees, or Board of Governors during member’s tenure with IAVM.
3. Any member in good standing may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
4. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination letter.
5. No Chairman of the Board (or Past President) of IAVM is eligible for consideration until the third Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).

JOSEPH J ANZIVINO DISTINGUISHED ALLIED AWARD:

The Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Directors to an individual currently or previously employed by a firm which is or was an Allied member in good standing.  The President and CEO will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Anzivino Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been an IAVM member for at least ten (10) years total, which need not be consecutive.
2. Any member may make a nomination, which must provide a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s exemplary service and contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
3. The nominee must have served IAVM by: 1) Attendance at no fewer than 6 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect); 2) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Region Meetings; 3) Being chair of at least 2 IAVM committees or sub-committees; 4) Being a member of IAVM Board of Directors, IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees, Board of Regents or Board of Governors during the members’ tenure with IAVM; 5) Being a member of an IAVM program, campaign or task force/committee.
4. No Chair of the Allied Committee is eligible for consideration until the second Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
5. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
7. The award may be given posthumously.
8. Selection of recipients will be made by an 80% vote of the Board of Directors; Recommendations to the Board of Directors for nominees shall be made by the Allied Committee.

FOUNDATION LEGACY AWARD:

The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:

1. The nominee may be from any membership category of IAVM or from outside of the Association in a related field.
2. Any current or past contributor to the IAVM Foundation may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the IAVM Foundation.
3. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
4. No Chair of IAVM or Chair of the IAVM Foundation is eligible for consideration until the third VenueConnect following his/her term of office.
5. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
6. The award may be given posthumously.

By Maren Dougherty, San Diego Convention Center 

The San Diego Convention Center Corporation welcomes Paul Turner, Certified Venue Executive (CVE), to the role of General Manager. He will oversee event management, venue operations, public safety, and guest services for the 2.6-million-square-foot waterfront facility. Turner previously served as Vice President of Venue Management and Entertainment Operations for Caesars Entertainment in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“After 26 years and five states, this is a return to Southern California for me and an opportunity to work with an amazing team at an award-winning venue,” Turner said. “I look forward to sharing my expertise and passion for building great operations that benefit our clients, guests, business partners, and the greater community.”

Paul Turner, CVE

Before Caesars, Turner held leadership positions with the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium, Philadelphia Eagles, Portland Trail Blazers, and Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. Active in the international venue management industry, Turner is a Founding Distinguished Fellow for the Innovation Institute for Fan Experience. He is a former Chair of the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) schools, the Academy for Venue Safety & Security and the Venue Management School. Known for developing industry standards and practices for customer service, event management, security, and venue operations, Turner has created numerous training programs and has presented at industry conferences around the world. He is originally from Torrance, California.

Turner begins his new role on October 2, 2023, reporting to Corey Albright, SDCC Chief Operating Officer. Albright oversees all aspects of operations, engineering, procurement, and capital projects.

“Managing the strong demand for our building’s space, our exceptional quality of event activity, and the high service expectations of our customers requires skillful and strategic leadership,” said Rip Rippetoe, CVE, SDCC President and CEO. “The combined expertise of Paul and Corey, along with the professionalism of our entire staff, will propel our success as we enter our 35th year of operation. We are thrilled to add a leader of Paul’s caliber to our team.”

In fiscal year 2024, SDCC will host more than 100 meetings and conventions. Those events are projected to generate a record-breaking $1.7 billion in regional economic impact, including $39 million in hotel and sales tax revenue for the City of San Diego.