Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 2018. 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.

Scott Abts, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Marketing Coordinator, Portland
Lucy Albers, Denny Sanford Premier Center, Senior Marketing Manager, Sioux Falls
Lee Alberts, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Food & Beverage Manager, Eugene
Allison Alfano, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Assistant Director of Marketing, Portland
Gillian Antopol, Rose Brand, Marketing Manager, Seacaucus
Nicole Barnes, Suncorp Stadium, Senior Event Manager, Milton, Australia
Maurio Bates, FedExForum, Conversion Coordinator, Memphis
Darcy Beal, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Finance Manager, Eugene
Jason Beam, Boyd Gaming / Orleans Arena, Director of Operations, Las Vegas
Natalie Belman, Yonge-Dundas Square, Manager of Events & Partnerships, Toronto, Canada
Sean Bianchini, Prospera Place, Event Manager, Kelowna, Canada
Libby Buick, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Business Improvement Advisor, South Wharf, Australia
Hannah Bulkley, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Booking and Marketing Coordinator, Eugene
Quinn Burgoyne, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Custodian, Eugene
Jill Caldwell, Raleigh Convention Center, Event Coordinator, Raleigh
Erin Calhoun, MGM Resorts International, Director of Booking, Las Vegas
Tommy Cantrell, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Direct of Front of House Operations, Charlotte
Dana Catchpole, Belmont Abbey College, Adjunct Professor, Charlotte
Gabriela Cervantes, Ascension, Sales Manager, Tucson
Joe Chynoweth, City of Tacoma, Venues & Events, Operatoins Supervisor, Tacoma
Cameron Cooper, FedExForum, Arena Ops Intern, Memphis
Kellie Cosner, University of North Florida Fine Arts Center, Events Coordinator, Jacksonville
Kurby Court, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Vice President, Experience, Calgary, Canada
Jennifer Cumberworth, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Sr. Administrative Specialist, Eugene
Wendy Delano, Salem Civic Center, Director of Civic Facilities, Salem
Fred Dennis, Bossier Civic Center, Operations Manager, Bossier City
Adam DeVries, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Assistant Box Office Manager, Eugene
Cody Disbennet, Houston Texans, Event Operations Manager, Houston
Jeffrey Doggett, Austin Convention Center, Event Coordinator, Austin
Kala Dralle, City of Tacoma, Venues & Events, Program Development Specialist, Tacoma
Chris Dyer, FedExForum, Ticket Operations Coordinator, Memphis
Scott Earl, DeJoria Center, Director of Security, Kamas
Chris Engler, MGM Resorts International, Director of Operations, Outdoor Venues, Las Vegas
Nicole English, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Financial Program Specialist, Eugene
Brian Ference, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Technical Director, Eugene
Patrick Fitzmaurice, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Concessions Coordinator, Eugene
Robert Flournoy, STAPLES Center, Operations Manager, Los Angeles
Jim Foss, Jim Foss Consulting, Owner, Peoria
Nikki Haffner, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Facilities Manager, Eugene
William Harris, University of Central Florida, Student, Orlando
Lachelle Harrison-Cook, Walter E Washington Convention Center, Event Manager, Washington
Rich Hobby, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Marketing Director, Eugene
Ursula Hunting, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Events Manager, Facility Rentals, San Francisco
Vicki Infinito, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Booking Manager, Eugene
Marcia James-Gluz, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Box Office Manager, Eugene
Emily Jensen, City of Tacoma, Venues & Events, Marketing Coordinator, Tacoma
Tessa Jimenez, El Paso County Parks and Special Events, Special Events Coordinator, El Paso
Nate Johnson, FedExForum, Operations Manager, Memphis
Felita Kahl, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Supervisor of Security Services, Portland
Thomas Kaucheck, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Security Systems Supervisor, Phoenix
Rebecca Kaufeld, Grand Wayne Center, Guest Experience Manager, Fort Wayne
Susan Klinedinst, York College of Pennsylvania, Assistant Professor, York
Stephen Koetter, Palm Beach County Convention Center, Marketing Manager, West Palm Beach
Mike Krewson, SMG/Savor, General Manager, Waco
Rebekah Laibson, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Audience Services Manager, San Francisco
Amy Lindsey, City of Spokane Parks and Recreation, Park Programming & Marketing Manager, Spokane
Naomi Link, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Event Manager, Dallas
Nicole Loh, Ungerboeck Software International, Software Consultant, CHERMSIDE, Australia
Julie Mae Lopez, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Interime Director of Human Resources, San Francisco
Corrine Lucas, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Production Manager, San Francisco
Vince Macoline, Melbourne Cricket Club, Yarra Park, Jolimont, Venue Presentation Coordinator, East Melbourne, Australia
Devin Maddox, FedExForum, Assistant Manager of Ticketing Operations, Memphis
Stephen Marquez, Broadmoor World Arena and Pikes Peak Center, Event Services Manager, Colorado Springs
Abby Marr, Hartman Arena, Director of Sales & Marketing, Park City
Kyle Matlock, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, IT Administrator, San Francisco
Herschal McCathern, FedExForum, Guest Relations Coordinator, Memphis
Melvin Merritt, The Baltimore Convention Center, Human Resource Generalist II, Baltimore
Anna Milne, Melbourne Cricket Club, Yarra Park, Jolimont, Event Workforce Coordinator, East Melbourne, Australia
Rafael Miranda, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Desktop Support Administrator, San Francisco
Nick Morales, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Production Supervisor, Portland
Stephen Muoio, Kennesaw State University, Facility Operations Manager, Kennesaw
Clifford Olson, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Director of Volunteer Services, Charlotte
Raymond Pan, Pacific National Exhibition, Event Manager, Vancouver, Canada
Kendra Pannell, Kennesaw State University, Box Office Manager, Kennesaw
Margie Paolacci, Stateguard Integrated Solutions, Client Relationship Manager, Craigieburn, Australia
Elizabeth Paul, UC Davis Conference and Event Services, Event Manager, Davis
Eric Perry, Prismview – A Samsung Electronics Company, Marketing Coordinator, Logan
Carlos Pittman, Park Theater at Monte Carlo, Event Manager, Las Vegas
Shelby Poindexter, BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center, Social Media Manager, Tupelo
Hans Pregler, Young Auditorium, Technical Director, Whitewater
Michelle Puckett, Center Stage, Director of Operations, Atlanta
Katherine Putnam, Levy Convention Center Restaurants, Vice President of Operations, Austin
Victoria Radford, Raleigh Convention Center, Event Coordinator, Raleigh
Chautebriand Redding, Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Senior Event Manager, Washington
Paula Richmond, FedExForum, Senior Staff Services Manager, Memphis
William Robinson, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Parking Venues Manager, Phoenix
Michael Rose, FedExForum, Manager of Ticket Operations, Memphis
Heath Sampson, Ticketek Pty Ltd, State Manager, Hindmarsh, , Australia
Neil Sandhoff, Evolv Technology, Vice President, Gainesville
Paul Scherzinger, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Senior Operations Supervisor, Portland
Will Shaw, Conservatory of Flowers, Public Events Coordinator, San Francisco
Jeremy Slavens, Arrowhead Events & Kansas City Chiefs, Director of Events, Kansas City
Lisa Smith, FedExForum, Assistant Manager of Ticketing Operations, Memphis
Mendy Solorzano, City of Port Saint Lucie Civic Center, Sales Specialist, Port St Lucie
Debbie Storey, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Interim President and CEO, Dallas
Michael Sullivan, FedExForum, Event Services Manager, Memphis
Scotty Swanger, FedExForum, Conversion Supervisor, Memphis
Seth Tackett, FedExForum, Event Manager, Memphis
Allison Taylor, Centennial Management Group, Inc, Event Services Manager, West Valley City
Anastasia Volsko, SMG, Director of Operations, Cleveland
Sidney Walker, City of San Angelo, Civic Events Manager, San Angelo
Jayson Wasielewski, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Security Manager, Milwaukee
Kim Weiland, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Concessions Coordinator, Eugene
Candace Whitehead, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Senior Event Manager, Charlotte
Jenna Wilson, Viking Pavilion, General Manager – Viking Pavilion, Portland
Jennifer Wolcott, Hot Springs Convention Center & Bank of the Ozarks Arena, Director of Operations, Hot Springs
Louise Woodward, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Production Supervisor, Portland
Aubrey Zhou, Ungerboeck Software International, Software Consultant, CHERMSIDE, Australia

When the Atlanta Hawks tip off the 2018-19 season in a few weeks, they will do so at the State Farm Arena rather than Philips Arena. It is the same venue, but a new naming rights deal covering 20 years for $175 million will be in place.

When the building opened 20 years ago it was Philips that had a similar term on naming rights, which is sext to expire next year.

The venue has been quite busy lately after going through a $192.5 million renovation project that has taken place the last two years and on track for an October completion just in time for the NBA schedule.

In a statement, Principal Owner Tony Ressler commented, “We are honored to work with State Farm, one of the nation’s most recognizable and civic-minded organizations and want to thank Michael Tipsord and Rand Harbert for their leadership and commitment to this exceptional collaboration. Our ownership group considers the Atlanta Hawks Basketball Club a community asset, and we are excited to have found a partner that shares our vision and has committed to working with us to expand on the community engagement and philanthropic initiatives we do that benefit the many communities that make up this great metropolitan area. Generations will be positively impacted by the work we do throughout Georgia, and we could not be prouder to have the State Farm name on our new arena.”

The Visit Anaheim Customer Advisory Board (CAB) in conjunction with the Anaheim Convention Center recently underwent situation awareness training under the guidance of IAVM Director of Education Mark Herrera.

“This was a great group of industry leaders sharing best practices,” said Charles Harris, senior vice president, marketing at Visit Anaheim.

“It was truly a pleasure presenting the importance of elevating our security posture to such an awesome group in Anaheim,” Herrera said. “The entire group plays a key and integral role as it pertains to assuring that all events are carefully planned with security at the forefront. I appreciate the fact that emphasis is going to be placed on service contractors to also take a proactive stance in coordinating and raising the security baseline. Their concerns regarding emergency planning/recovery consistency amongst all venues is something that IAVM through its respective committees will continue to work on.

“I’m excited that several attendees are interested in membership and taking part in our various committees. Having representation from the customer advisory board and service contractors on our venue safety and security committee would most definitely contribute to solid collaboration as we move forward to coordinate our security efforts.”

The NAIA announced the second year of the NAIA National Championship Host Excellence Awards. Seven honors were awarded to championship site hosts that have gone above and beyond in the execution of their event during the 2017-18 school year. Glenn Walinski has received the Championship Legacy Award for his role in NAIA tournaments at the Spectra-managed Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Championship Legacy Award is given to a person who has advanced NAIA National Championships and has helped elevate the NAIA brand.

“Our hosts deserve every bit of recognition for all of the work that they put into making our NAIA Championships better each year,” said NAIA President and CEO Jim Carr. “The 2017-18 season is no exception with another outstanding group of hosts that did an excellent job of creating experiences for our student-athletes that will last a lifetime.”

Walinski has been at every NAIA Tournament in Sioux City since his arrival in 2005 (10 volleyball, 14 DII WBB, 2 softball) up until his retirement in December 2017. The long-time IAVM member was the primary facilities contact and was always willing to do what needed to be done to make sure that the student-athletes, coaches and fans were safe and able to have an even better championship experience.

“Glenn worked closely with his staff, local committee members and championship coordinators to make sure each event was championship caliber,” said Mike Skaggs, Women’s Volleyball and DII Women’s Basketball Championships Co-Tournament Director. “He worked tirelessly to make sure that the arena and playing surfaces were championship ready. He strived to provide first class treatment to all players, coaches and fans during each tournament. Glenn was always available to make any adjustments that any coach or player felt needed to be made in order to improve the experience and provide maximum safety.”

Georgia and Florida Fans traveling to TIAA Bank Field now have access to premium, reserved pre-game tailgating packages through Tailgate Guys.

Tailgate Guys is expanding its presence in the state of Florida as the official tailgate provider for the historic Georgia-Florida football rivalry at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville on October 27, 2018. This partnership will provide Tailgate Guys’ renowned, hassle-free premium tailgating service to Georgia Bulldog and Florida Gator fans traveling to Jacksonville for the 2018 game and beyond. These offerings will bolster the game day experience for fans and reinforce one of the best pre-game environments in college athletics.

For the first time in Jacksonville, Tailgate Guys’ premium tailgating service will be located in the outfield of the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. Their tailgating packages are suitable for various group sizes and needs ranging from corporate hospitality events to small groups of family and friends. Georgia and Florida fans will now have access to various gameday packages in Tailgate Guys’ reserved community which include amenities such as tents, DISH Media packages, coolers of ice, tables, chairs and more. All packages also have access to bellhop services, onsite concierge, exclusive catering by the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and a unique tailgating atmosphere before, during and after the game. Only steps away from the TIAA Bank Field, the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville is the ideal location for this inaugural Georgia-Florida Tailgate experience.

“We love serving Gators and Jags fans already, so it’s only natural that we would open up our premium experience and services to Georgia-Florida in Jacksonville,” said Parker Duffey, CEO of Tailgate Guys. “We also look forward to introducing Georgia fans to our premium services, and it’s exciting for us to be part of one of the best rivalries in all of sports.”

“On behalf of the City of Jacksonville and SMG, we look forward to another exciting year of Georgia-Florida Football,” said Bill McConnell, General Manager of SMG Jacksonville. “In an ongoing tradition to create unforgettable events for fans, we are thrilled to partner with Tailgate Guys to offer a one-of-a-kind tailgating experience – which fans won’t want to miss.”