By Stacie Bauer

Momentus, the global leader in venue and event management technology, is raising the bar on an extraordinary high note and showcasing a series of monumental achievements as the company solidifies its position as the preferred end-to-end venue and event software partner for convention centers, higher education, corporate entities, stadiums and arenas, and arts and culture centers. Bolstered by an exceptional 70% increase in bookings year over year and solid growth in subscription revenue, Momentus has set new industry benchmarks and leaves no doubt about its unstoppable growth trajectory.

Momentus is working with a number of customers looking to modernize manual processes or outdated systems to contend with evolving complexity in venue and event management.

“We needed a best-in-class solution that could address all top-line business objectives – streamlining

operations, improving delivery, improving the efficiency of our financial program, and optimizing our online customer journey, which was spread across several disparate systems. Momentus Technologies was the only provider that checked all our boxes. Momentus helped us achieve several of our target KPIs and now nearly 90% of our stack organization-wide is Momentus Technologies,” said Mark Velders, Project Manager for IT, Jaarbeurs, one of the most renowned event venue and organizers in Europe.

Organizations equally focused on venue and event management execution excellence, like Google, University of Denver, Allegiant Stadium, and the Apollo Theater to name a few, are among Momentus’ growing customer base focused on modernizing their operations. Momentus’ remarkable momentum sets the stage for continued success, as the company remains steadfast in its mission to empower businesses worldwide with innovative solutions that drive growth and success.

Strategic WeTrack Acquisition: Enhancing Capabilities for Incident Management, Sustainability and Risk
Momentus further cements its commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions with the strategic acquisition of WeTrack, a leader in incident management, sustainability, and risk. This transformative move expands Momentus’ portfolio, empowering the company to deliver even more comprehensive and tailored offerings to clients worldwide. The synergies between Momentus and WeTrack’s specialized expertise create exciting possibilities for customers seeking innovative solutions in these critical areas.

Top-Notch Executive Appointments: Strengthening the Leadership Team
As Momentus accelerates its pace, the company is proud to welcome two accomplished industry veterans to its executive team. Joel Sackett joins as Chief Product Officer, bringing a proven history of spearheading product innovation and a relentless dedication to customer-centric design. James Hughes assumes the role of Chief Technology Officer, equipped with a stellar background in leading high-performance teams and an unwavering vision for technology. These key additions to the executive leadership team ensure Momentus stays at the forefront of innovation and continues to deliver excellence to its customers.

Revolutionary Roll-out: Offering Vertical-Specific Venue and Event Management Solutions
In a groundbreaking move, Momentus is proud to unveil the industry’s first vertical-specific venue and event management solution offerings later this year. This revolutionary roll-out is set to modernize the way venues operate, offering tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of specific industries. With these pioneering offerings, Momentus reaffirms its commitment to elevating industry standards and empowering businesses with tools designed for their success.

“The turning point for venue and event management is already underway and that is proven by the exceptional growth achieved by Momentus in exiting Q2,” said Alex Alexandrov, CEO of Momentus. “Our team’s relentless dedication to innovation and customer success, coupled with the strategic acquisition of WeTrack, has paved the way for transformative growth. Our organization is profoundly committed to the markets we serve and the addition of Joel Sackett and James Hughes to our leadership team further strengthens our ability to drive innovation and deliver unparalleled value to our customers. We are thrilled to empower venues with the industry’s first vertical-specific solution offerings announced earlier, setting a new standard of excellence in the venue and event management SaaS landscape.”

Stacie Bauer is Global Events Manager for Momentus Technologies.

The Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Downtown Jacksonville is undergoing renovations to improve appearance and functionality for its convention and meeting spaces.

The renovations include the Grand Lobby and Ballroom, which will see new carpet, cabinetry, marble walls resealing, programmable uplighting, and fresh paint, and the main concourse area features a new digital display system. Additionally, several meeting spaces will receive new lighting systems, fresh carpet, and acoustic panels. Exterior building updates include painting trim and a new roof.

What is now known as the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center originally opened in 1919 as the largest railroad station in the south, the Jacksonville Union Terminal. It featured more than two dozen rail tracks, a restaurant, gift shop, and other amenities. Today, the Prime maintains some of its historical features including a retired rail car, train bumpers, and signage.

“The Prime” features 78,000 square feet of exhibit space with 33 foot ceilings and 22 meeting rooms of various sizes. The Grand Lobby is a special event space, with 75 foot ceilings and marble walls, overlooking the grand fountain and expansive terminal columns.

The Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre precinct development is a step closer to reality with the selection of the preferred bidder to deliver the much-anticipated project, along with the unveiling of proposed designs.

Minister for Regional Development Harriet Shing joined City of Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan to announce Plenary Conventions has been appointed to lead the project and will soon start on what will be one of the biggest developments in regional Victoria.

“With a waterfront precinct that rivals any in the country, this convention center precinct will add to Geelong’s status as a UNESCO City of Design and attract even more people to come and explore all this wonderful city has to offer,” Shing said. “Delivering the project will also be a major boost to the region, generating hundreds of jobs and injecting millions of dollars into the local economy.”

The Victorian Government is investing more than $260 million into the project as part of the Geelong City Deal, with additional contributions of $30 million from the Australian Government and $3 million from the City of Greater Geelong.

The Plenary Conventions consortium will transform the 1.6-hectare waterfront car parking site into a precinct that welcomes locals and visitors alike as part of the Public Private Partnership. The consortium comprises the Plenary Group as sponsor and investor, Built as builder, Woods Bagot as architect, BGIS as services contractor, and Quintessential Equity as developer.

The development of this world-class facility and precinct has included extensive stakeholder consultation and ongoing work with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation on critical aspects of the precinct’s design, identity, and recognition of local cultural heritage.

It will include the construction of the purpose-built convention and exhibition space, incorporating a 1000 seat venue, two large exhibition spaces, meeting rooms, conference facilities, and flexible event spaces.

The precinct will also be home to retail spaces for food and beverage offerings and a large public plaza that promises to become a feature of the Geelong waterfront. In a boost for Geelong’s up-market accommodation stocks the development will also include a 200-room hotel under the internationally renowned Crowne Plaza brand.

The investment will be a major driver of jobs and economic growth for the City of Greater Geelong and surrounding areas. It will support 600 jobs during construction and an additional 270 ongoing jobs once the precinct is complete.

To ensure lasting benefits to the region beyond the centre itself, the Government is supporting local organisation gforce to recruit up to 30 new local apprentices and trainees who are experiencing disadvantage in entering the workforce.

Apprentices will be employed full-time for the duration of their apprenticeship and until they secure full-time employment with private contractors.

The Plenary Conventions consortium has a proven track record developing and maintaining the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and enhancing the South Wharf precinct for nearly 20 years.

The Trust that operates Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre will also manage and operate the new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre, once complete. The two centres will cement Victoria as a premier global destination for events.

Preliminary works on the site are underway and construction is set to begin shortly, with completion of the convention centre and hotel in early 2026.

The precinct development is the centerpiece of the Geelong City Deal – a $500+ million commitment between the Australian and Victorian governments and the City of Greater Geelong. It is revitalizing the city and regional economy, encouraging visitors to spend more time in the region by capitalizing on its natural assets.

By nhl.com

Fanatics Betting and Gaming, the online and retail sports betting division of the Fanatics digital sports platform, announced upcoming plans to open a retail sportsbook location in partnership with the Columbus Blue Jackets in Columbus’ Arena District.

“The Columbus Blue Jackets are constantly seeking new and exciting ways to engage with our fans,” said Blue Jackets Sr. Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cameron Scholvin. “We believe this collaboration with Fanatics Betting and Gaming on a world-class sportsbook location just outside the doors of Nationwide Arena in the heart of the Arena District does just that.”

The Fanatics Sportsbook will be located at 401 North Front Street adjacent to Nationwide Arena. The main entrance is located in the alleyway immediately north of the entrances to Buca di Beppo and Starbucks. It is scheduled to open its doors at the end of August.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with the Blue Jackets to bring a world-class retail experience to the arena district in downtown Columbus,” said Ari Borod, Chief Business Officer, Fanatics Betting and Gaming. “The Jackets are one of the youngest teams in the league, and we are excited to leverage our partnership to grow with them and complement our online sports betting experience that is currently being beta-tested in Ohio.”

The newly designed sportsbook is more than 5,000 square feet and features four betting windows, 14 self-service betting kiosks, one giant LED Video Wall, 16 TV monitors and a full-service restaurant with food options that every sports fan will enjoy. The Fanatics Sportsbook Columbus will offer viewing experiences and legal betting markets for all major sports including professional and college football, basketball, hockey, baseball, alongside tennis, soccer, golf, MMA and boxing. The development and trading of sports betting markets will be done in-house at Fanatics Betting and Gaming and supported by a number of world-class trading suppliers.

The Fanatics Sportsbook continues its online beta testing with Fanatics customers in Ohio. The Fanatics Sportsbook app is available for download on iOS and Android, but a code is needed to access the sportsbook and is currently only available to Fanatics customers at this time.

By R.V. Baugus

Adina Erwin, CVE, wrapped up her productive year as IAVM Chair by passing the gavel to Kerry Painter, CVE, to for the most part conclude activities during VenueConnect.

Erwin recounted her most recent column in Venue Professional magazine in which she equated the role of chair to a four-person relay race.

“The role (of chair) is like running a relay race to emerge stronger out of the pandemic,” Erwin said. “Each leader has a different role. Coming out of the pandemic we were blessed to have four people who had a different role in the race but with the same objective — win the race.” Those four, of course, were Eric Hart, CVE, Tammy Koolbeck, CVE, Rip Rippetoe, CVE, and Painter.

“IAVM navigated this tough time in keeping its promises to its members,” Erwin said.

Painter took the stage and accepted the gavel from Erwin before beginning her remarks. “Our focus is continued sustainability of IAVM,” she said. “Instead of new themes, like the relay race it continues on.

“My word is ‘belonging,'” she added. “In collaboration with the CEO (Brad Mayne, CVE), my intention is to make the group members feel this organization is a benefit to them. This membership is your way in. We want to make sure this membership is beneficial to all.”

Painter talked about diversity initiatives and the work that consultant Zoe Moore and University of Kentucky’s Jill Schinberg is doing for IAVM in this area.

Finally, Painter talked about how IAVM has benefited her through the years.

“I know in my heart that I owe every job I have had to IAVM,’ she said. “All I know about running first-class venues has been due to IAVM.”