As we come to the close of 2018, it is time for — what else? — reflecting.

We here at IAVM wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2019 and look forward to another year of serving you, our valued members.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your editor of Facility Manager magazine and to contribute each week to the IAVM News newsletter. As I have said many times over, I consider myself one of the luckiest dudes around who gets to match his passions of writing and as a frequent customer of events held at our member venues.

As you continue recharging those batteries in preparation for another busy year, I wanted to share with you a brief two-minute video that highlights my 2018, my marriage on June 16 to Charlotte Cariker. I never thought I would be marrying again at age 61, but as those of you who know my story, I never thought I would lose my wife four years ago at age 48 during an otherwise unremarkable day surgery procedure.

God blessed me by finding a Grief Share class I needed to deal with the loss of the love of my life while at the same time introducing me to a lady in the class who had lost her husband just two months prior to my loss. We had plenty in common and share many a night on the phone talking through our grief, often through sobs and tears.

Today, I stand fortunate as someone who has gone from mourning to joy and now along with my wife pay it forward by leading a Grief Share class at our church. Yes, 2018 has been good to me, and it would have been regardless of whether I had remarried or not, for I know I have never been left to go through this alone by God as well as our wonderful IAVM members who have been at my side for these several years.

See you in 2019 and enjoy the video!

State Farm Arena in Atlanta (formerly Philips Arena) will enjoy a serious Wi-Fi network upgrade following an agreement announcement along with Comcast Business.

Oh, and this is not just any run-of-the-mill upgrade. Far from it as according to Comcast it will deliver 10 times the current speed and will nearly double the number of access points that existed before the home venue of the Atlanta Hawks was renovated. The deal was announced recently for Comcast Business to both provide and manage the arena’s Wi-Fi network.

“We view renovation as innovation,” Marcus Wasdin, chief information officer for the Hawks,” said in a statement. “This is the perfect opportunity to solidify a core component of the fan experience. Connectivity is the foundation to our digital initiatives where we seek to allow fans to enjoy the arena in new and immersive ways tailored to them. As an organization, we want to create a one-of-a-kind digital experience to engage fans, and this partnership with Comcast Business will provide the foundation for us to do so.”

Infinite Energy Center partnered with Daktronics to update their double-sided LED video marquee along Interstate 85 in Duluth, Georgia. The upgrade was recently completed as both signs now use premier outdoor LED technology.

“The 85 sign has become a valuable asset to our campus,” says General Manager Joey Dennis. “Not only is it a key locator for visitors, but it is also an excellent promotional tool for our upcoming events and venue partners. We are excited about the new look and technology that Daktronics has brought to the marquee.”

Each display measures approximately 20.5 feet high by 26.5 feet wide and features 15HD pixel layouts to bring excellent image clarity and contrast with wide angle visibility for maximum appeal. The technology features rigorous environmental testing to ensure the display stands the test of time in the outdoor elements.

“We’re excited to continue our partnership with the Infinite Energy Center to help them get their messages out to the thousands of drivers that pass by the display every day,” said Glen Marts, Daktronics sales representative. “The new technology will improve the image quality of their messaging to help them connect with viewers. We look forward to this installation helping them achieve their goals for years to come.”

These signs can promote upcoming event information and presale ticket opportunities as well as live video for special events outside the venue. Daktronics Venus Control Suite provides an easy-to-use, robust control solution to schedule and run content for the event center.

Daktronics

One of Seattle’s better known institutions, T-Mobile, made its biggest splash yet with the announcement that the telecommunications has secured a 25-year, $87.5 million naming rights deal for the stadium of the MLB Seattle Mariners to now be known as T-Mobile Park.

The annual value comes to $3.5 million, which the Mariners indicate will go toward maintenance and capital improvements that the team and venue is obligated to. The deal is subject to approval by the Washington State Major League Baseball Stadium Public Facilities District.

“The Un-carrier is always shaking things up for the better, and this time we’re going BIG with the Seattle Mariners for all their fans,” said John Legere, T-Mobile CEO. “T-Mobile Park isn’t just some corporate-branded sponsorship to us … this is about supporting the community and our hometown Mariners in building a World Series-caliber team!”

“T-Mobile has a deep commitment to this community, a passion for customer service and a well-earned reputation as a leader in innovation. These are the qualities that make T-Mobile the right partner to name this iconic ballpark,” said John Stanton, Seattle Mariners Chairman and Managing Partner.

Mariners President and CEO Kevin Mather said, “Fans have come to expect a great experience at this ballpark and we have made a commitment to invest substantial Club revenues over the next 25-years to make sure that continues. This partnership with T-Mobile will help us meet that obligation so that fans will have a first-class experience at T-Mobile Park for decades to come.”

All fans can get early access to the ballpark on game days via the T-Mobile ‘Pen. This popular gathering place for fans spans from the bullpens behind Left Field to Center Field. Opening 30 minutes before all other gates, the T-Mobile ‘Pen gives fans the chance to watch Mariners batting practice and pitcher warm ups. And with this partnership, T-Mobile ‘Pen will now feature a variety of new perks including surprise giveaways and a live DJ on select game days, to go with the destination food and beverage offerings.

At the end of the new lease agreement, the total investment of Mariners revenues into the publicly owned ballpark since 1999 will add up to over $1 billion.

The process of incorporating the T-Mobile branding assets throughout the ballpark will take place over the coming months. Much of it is expected to be completed by Opening Day on March 28, 2019, when the Mariners meet the Boston Red Sox.

Signage will take on the magenta hue of T-Mobile, as will lighting around the ballpark and accent lighting in the roof trussing. Permits have been requested of the City of Seattle, and upon those approvals, fabrication will begin. Exterior signage is being targeted by Opening Day. Some internal branding could continue after. Some external lighting at the street level is planned for 2020.

In 2017 the Mariners announced that long-time partner Safeco Insurance would not be extending their naming rights deal past 2018 for the ballpark. That naming rights deal had been in place since 1998 and on the ballpark when it opened in July of 1999. Signage related to the name “Safeco Field” began coming down off the ballpark in November.

Click here for the Mariner website.

The City of Garland (TX) approved a variance that will allow the Curtis Culwell Center the rights to sell alcohol. The
Curtis Culwell Center is a Garland Independent School District (GISD) owned facility.

“This is great news that will allow us to attract more events,” said John Wilborn, venue director. “We fully expect to have more of a national presence in terms of what we book into the center.”

As a GISD owned venue, the Culwell Center will not sell alcohol at school-related events. The facility hosts numerous high school graduations, high school regional basketball tournaments, volleyball tournaments, and more.

The opportunity to give guests the opportunity to enjoy alcohol at all non-school related events, however, was too great to pass up. It was analyzed that there were 60 events that would have been appropriate for alcohol to be sold at those events.

“The projections are that by having alcohol to be sold at the CCC, we will be even more attractive to mainstream shows for national promoters,” Wilborn said.