The Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) announced an extended contract with its decade-long venue management partner, Spectra. The extension comes as the MBCC reopens after a $620 million renovation.

Jimmy Morales, city manager for the City of Miami Beach, said, “I feel confident that this partnership with Spectra, along with the investment we have made in reimaging the MBCC, will bring Miami Beach into the international spotlight as an elite destination for large-scale events of all kinds. I’m excited for what’s to come.”

The MBCC renovation includes the addition of a 60,000 square foot Grand Ballroom, 20,000 square foot roof top sunset view ballroom, 125,000 square feet of meeting space, along with roof top parking. In 2019, the six-acre parking lot right across the street will be converted into a public park, adding 1,287 trees to the city’s landscape. The renovated building is also LEED-certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

“We are very proud to carry on our partnership with the City of Miami Beach as we reopen one of the top convention centers in the world,” said Dave Anderson, Spectra’s senior vice president of convention centers. “The investment that the City of Miami Beach has made in the MBCC will set the standard from an operational standpoint, but also treat attendees to one of the most beautiful convention center facilities you will ever see.”

The convention center hosted the American Health Information Management Association as its first citywide event on September 26 and the first major consumer show on October 5 with the Miami International Auto Show. Other upcoming highlight events include the International Society of Plastic Surgeons in October and the world-renowned Art Basel Miami Beach, which attracts more than 90,000 attendees from around the world in early December.

“Over the past 10 years in Miami Beach, Spectra has developed strong working relationships with the community and local stakeholders, the industry’s top event organizers, and this renovation gives us the ability to host high-profile events from around the globe. It’s a world-class facility in a first-class, international destination,” said Freddie Peterson, general manager of the MBCC. “Our Spectra team is committed to excellence in customer service and exceeding expectations at the MBCC.”

Orlando Venues Chief Venues Officer Allen Johnson, CVE, announced Mike Weeman has been named security manager with oversight of Amway Center, Camping World Stadium and Tinker Field. In this position, Weeman’s primary focus will be ensuring the safety and security of all patrons, players, entertainers, and staff.

For more than 10 years, Weeman has specialized in safety, security, and guest experiences at hundreds of sports and entertainment events. In 2010, he was hired by Andy Frain Services as an assistant security manager to open the newly built Amway Center. Over the ensuing eight years, Weeman held multiple roles and in 2017, he became the vice president of operations for Andy Frain Services’ Sports and Entertainment Division. In this capacity, he provided strategic leadership for all U.S. sports and entertainment operations with a notable client list including the Chicago Cubs, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Astros, Memphis Grizzlies, Orlando Magic, and the University of Alabama.

“We have been fortunate to work closely with Mike over the many years he was employed by Andy Frain Services, our longtime venues security partner. We are thrilled he is now joining our team,” Johnson said. “Mike knows our culture, priorities, and venues intimately through working countless concerts and events. His professional knowledge and experiences make him instrumental to keeping our patrons safe and venues secure.”

“I am looking forward to building upon the foundation that has been established throughout Orlando Venues. As the security market continues to evolve, I hope to bring new insight in accordance with industry best practices,” Weeman said. “I am excited to work with an unbelievable team where together, we will continue to create legendary experiences for our guests.”

Weeman is a member of IAVM, National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), and the Florida Facility Managers Association (FFMA). His passion for training and development is reflected in his roles helping create the Amway Center Legendary Playmakers Program and Andy Frain Services’ First Impressions Customer Service Training.

Weeman obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Sports Administration from Ohio University and his Master of Science in Sport and Leisure Commerce from the University of Memphis. While working toward his degree from Memphis, he served as a graduate assistant in arena operations for the Memphis Grizzlies. Following his time in Memphis, he interned with the United States Golf Association at both Bethpage, New York and Pebble Beach, California. Weeman lives in Mount Dora with his wife, Karla, and baby daughter, Quinn.

SMG-managed Van Andel Arena teamed up with the Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion Studies of Kendall College of Art & Design of Ferris State University (KCAD Fashion Studies) to design something special for Elton John’s visit to Grand Rapids, a garment for Elton himself inspired by the many looks he has flaunted throughout his career.

Ten KCAD Fashion Studies students submitted a collection of three different outfits, and each collection was displayed and voted on by the public on Van Andel Arena’s Facebook page. Student #2, Danielle Cavinder, received the most fan votes for her Elton John Collection inspired by his Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour. Cavinder will receive a $1,000 scholarship for her work, and one of her winning garments will be displayed backstage near Elton John’s dressing room on Monday, October 15, at Van Andel Arena.

“It’s a really awesome opportunity to be exposed through this contest as a designer. To be a winner is a great opportunity and solidifies that this is what I’m supposed to be doing and that my work is appreciated,” Cavinder said. “To be able to present my work to Elton, as a legend and as someone whose aesthetic I identify with, is amazing. I want to thank Lori Faulkner, Kelly Muschiana, Stephanie Wood, and everyone at Van Andel Arena.”

In addition to Cavinder’s winning garment all 10 KCAD student’s design sketches will be on display backstage at Van Andel Arena for Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour on October 15.

“Collaborative thinking makes great things happen and partnering KCAD Fashion Studies and Van Andel Arena/SMG is no exception,” said Lori Faulkner, Fashion Studies Chair of the Pamella Roland DeVos School of Fashion at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University. “This collaboration is a fantastic opportunity for student designers to use Elton John as their muse and let their creativity run wild.”

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina, announced the promotion of Joe Dolan to assistant general manager. Dolan joined the venue in January 2015 as director of event services. Prior to joining the Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Dolan spent seven years in various roles with Comcast Spectacor and Spectra Venue Management, most recently as general manager of the Mullins Center on the campus of the University of Massachusetts.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in September 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.

Matthew Agrotis, SICO South Pacific Ltd, Regional Sales Manager, Lower Templestowe, VIC, Australia
Chynnon Albeck, Alamodome, Senior Administrator/ Suite Sales, San Antonio, TX
Frank Anaya, Alamodome, Parking Supervisor, San Antonio, TX
Jeremiah Astin, Victoria Theatre Association, Director, Ticketing, Dayton, OH
Doreen Austin, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Facility Services Manager, Memphis, TN
Kristi Avalos, Accessology Too, LLC, President/CEO, McKinney, TX
Garrett Barkley, Allen Event Center, Guest Services Coordinator, Allen, TX
Stephanie Baxter, Rice-Eccles Stadium/Jon M. Huntsman Center, Administrative Assistant, Salt Lake City, UT
Kristina Bilbrey, Victoria Theatre Association, Director of Outbound Sales, Dayton, OH
Jason Bippert, Alamodome, Telecom Manager, San Antonio, TX
Michelle Brady, Alamodome, Senior Customer Service Representative, San Antonio, TX
Tony Brown, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Event Set-Up Manager, Memphis, TN
Jeffrey Byers, Allen Event Center, Box Office Supervisor, Allen, TX
Domenic Candiloro, Melbourne Stadiums Limited, Etihad Stadium, Senior Corporate Sales Executive, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Estela Cantu, Alamodome, Senior Event Coordinator, San Antonio, TX
Jonathan Carroll, UTA Special Event Facilities, Box Office Manager, Arlington, TX
Mikki Carver, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, National Convention Center Sales Manager, Memphis, TN
Will Choyce, UTA Special Event Facilities, Administrative Assistant, Arlington, TX
Terry Cooper, Victoria Theatre Association, House Manager, Dayton, OH
Manuel Corales, Alamodome, A/V Production Supervisor, San Antonio, TX
Andrew Coyer, Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Assets Manager, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Deidra Dorsey, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Sales Manager, Memphis, TN
Anthony Dukes, UTA Special Event Facilities, Building Attendant, Arlington, TX
Claire Eder, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Event Coordinator, Virginia Beach, VA
Tim Evans, NQativ, Brand Advisor, Lubbock, TX
Marc Farrand, Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC), Director of Operations, Englewood, NJ
Joe Fletcher, UTA Special Event Facilities, Facility Crew Leader, Arlington, TX
Shane Froling, Riverway Stadium Townsville, Team Leader, Condon, QLD, Australia
Rick Garcia, Alamodome, Design Communications Coordinator, San Antonio, TX
Phillip Gavriel, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, Facilities, Sydney, NSW, Australia
MJ Gilfillan, Miller High Life Theatre, VP of Human Resources, Milwaukee, WI
Ally Glickman, MetLife Stadium, Executive Assistant to the CEO, East Rutherford, NJ
Michael Goodwin, Dog Force Australia, CEO, Picton, NSW, Australia
Karyn Gottschalk, Rogers Centre/Toronto Blue Jays, Director, Stadium Operations, Toronto, ON, Canada
Betty Gould, Victoria Theatre Association, Group Sales Manager, Dayton, OH
Phillip Green, Victoria Theatre Association, Operations Manager, Event Services, Dayton, OH
Alia Gustafson, Dolby Theatre, Senior Human Resources Business Partner, Hollywood, CA
Kayla Hall, Miller High Life Theatre, Event Manager, Milwaukee, WI
Michael Hammer, Oracle Hospitality, Sales Manager, Cremorne, VIC, Australia
Antionette Harris, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Event Services Assistant, Memphis, TN
Ben Harris, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, AV Tech, Charlotte, NC
Kara Harter, Victoria Theatre Association, Volunteer & Audience Services Manager, Dayton, OH
Eric Heilman, Victoria Theatre Association, Director of Food & Beverage, Dayton, OH
Jasmine Hirt, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Marketing & Event Services Coordinator, Memphis, TN
Chris Horne, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Events Manager, South Bank, QLD, Australia
Angela Hunter, Allen Event Center, Concession Manager, Allen, TX
Brinton Jackson, du Forum, General Manager, Abu Dhabi,
Lisa Japs, Victoria Theatre Association, Vice President, Ticketing, Dayton, OH
Mark Jeckavitch, SMG Tulsa, Director of Events, Tulsa, OK
Laura Johnson, National Rugby League, Senior Coordinator – Event & Venue Operations, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
Alexia Jones, Brisbane Racing Club Limited, Operations Manager, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia
Jason Jordan, Ungerboeck Software International, Account Executive, O’Fallon, MO
Kevin Kane, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, President/CEO, Memphis, TN
Blake Kaplan, Georgetown Preparatory School, Director of Facilities and Operations, North Bethesda, MD
Natalie Katona, Victoria Theatre Association, Coordinator, Education & Engagement, Dayton, OH
Alan Keen, UTA Special Event Facilities, Stage Manager, Arlington, TX
Lelani Kroeker, SilverLakes Park, Executive Director, Norco, CA
Alexandra Lehmann, Perth Theatre Trust, Manager, Venue Operations, Cloisters Square, WA, Australia
Joshua Linares, Alamodome, Graphic Designer, San Antonio, TX
Shanon Lisle, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Assistant Manager – Food and Beverage, South Bank, QLD
Nate Little, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Director of Communications and External Relations, Boston, MA
Chewi Lockhart, Dixie State University, Tech Coordinator, St. George, UT
Anna Magdalinos, Eventfinda New Zealand, Head of Ticketing – NZ & Australia, Auckland, New Zealand
Mark Maldonado, Dolby Theatre, Operations Manager, Hollywood, CA
Steve Marsh, Miller High Life Theatre, CFO, Milwaukee, WI
Michale Maxwell, Miller High Life Theatre, Executive Assistant, Milwaukee, WI
James Megna, BBVA Compass Stadium, Event Services Coordinator, Houston, TX
Gary Minyard, Victoria Theatre Association, Vice President, Education & Engagement, Dayton, OH
Leah Monks, Sydney Cricket & Sports Ground Trust, Stadium Club Manager, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Fiona Moore, AEG Ogden – RAC Arena, Event Coordinator, West Perth, WA, Australia
Damon Murray, U.S. Cellular Center, Assistant General Manager, Asheville, NC
Matthew Neylon, Mount Vernon Presbyterian School, Director of Visual and Performing Arts, Atlanta, GA
Julianne Nicola, The Fox Theatre – Atlanta, Guest Experience Manager, Atlanta, GA
Ragain Pace, Off Duty Services, Account Executive, Katy, TX
Kenzie Page, Western Kentucky University, Student, West Jordan, UT
Tesha Payet, Townsville City Council, Senior Venues Officer – Venue Management, Townsville, QLD, Australia
Leslie Peckham, Miller High Life Theatre, Social Media, Milwaukee, WI
Andrea Robson, Alamodome, Event Coordinator, San Antonio, TX
Carmella Rogers, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, IT Manager, Memphis, TN
Andrew Schlaer, The Events Centre, Caloundra, Conference and Events Manager, Caloundra, QLD, Australia
Carlos Seara, , Sales Manager North America, North Caldwell, NJ
LeeAnn Shewbart, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Event Manager, Memphis, TN
Larry Simmons, Victoria Theatre Association, Security, Dayton, OH
David Simpson, The Fox Theatre – Atlanta, Director of Ticket Sales & Service, Atlanta, GA
Richard Sims, Alameda County Fairgrounds, VP, Operations, Pleasanton, CA
Ben Slatter, H3 Group, Venue Manager, Hamilton, Ne Zealand
Corissa Smith, AECOM Hunt, Vice President – Client Services, Phoenix, AZ
Dave Snyder, Miller High Life Theatre, Marketing Communications, Milwaukee, WI
Catherine Soto, UTA Special Event Facilities, Box Office Manager, Arlington, TX
Wilonda Spratley, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Retail Services Manager, Virginia Beach, VA
Cynthia Stone, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Director, Charlotte, NC
Aaron Talbot, Melbourne Stadiums Limited, Etihad Stadium, IT, Docklands, VIC, Australia
Trisha Tatro, Austin Convention Center, Assistant Director, Austin, TX
James Taylor, Allen Event Center, Conversion Specialist, Allen, TX
Leah Thomas, Victoria Theatre Association, Assistant Director, Education & Engagement, Dayton, OH
Tommie Thompson, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Cannon Center Sales & Service Manager, Memphis, TN
Ryan Thormaehlen, Toyota Center, Event Coordinator, Houston, TX
Kavan Threadgold, tappit Technologies (Australia) Pty Ltd, Head of Sales (Australia), Torquay, VIC, Australia
Anthony Timms, Townsville RSL Stadium, Team Leader, Oak Valley, QLD, Australia
Steve Totzke, Miller High Life Theatre, Director of IT, Milwaukee, WI
Aalia Visram, UWA Sport, Facilities Officer, Balcatta, WA, Australia
Alan Waxman, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Senior Event Manager, Memphis, TN
Jamie Webb, UTA Special Event Facilities, Assistant Director – Box Office, Arlington, TX
Pam Webb, UTA Special Event Facilities, Director, Marketing and UTAtickets.com, Arlington, TX
Camille Wellington, Cook Convention Center and the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, National Convention Center Sales Manager, Memphis, TN
David Welsh, Alamodome, Box Office Manager, San Antonio, TX
Abigail Wheaton, ASB Theatre Marlborough, Event Coordinator, Blenheim, New Zealand
Josh Whereatt, Indiana Convention Center, Security Coordinator, Indianapolis, IN
Diana Younts, Midlothian Conference Center, Director, Midlothian, TX