The Wisconsin Center District (WCD) has named Steve Marsh as senior vice president and CFO, effective immediately. The WCD owns and operates the Miller High Life Theatre, UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, and Wisconsin Center.

WCD president and CEO, Marty Brooks, has been tasked by the WCD Board to increase both utilization and profitability of all properties, especially the Miller High Life Theatre.

“Deciding what shows and events to bring to our facilities is more than just identifying popular acts,” Brooks said. “It’s also about making sure we can have complete faith in the flow of financial information to help guide future decisions. Steve will bring ample experience in this field from the very specialized perspective of entertainment and venue management.”

Marsh has his BBA from University of Wisconsin, Madison, and his MBA University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. Marsh was with the Bradley Center for 12 years, most recently as senior director of financial operations and business strategy.

“My real passion is the sports and entertainment industry,” Marsh said. “To be part of Marty’s team which has so much energy and experience is a great opportunity. It really feels like we are on the ground floor of a major WCD revitalization and that is very exciting.”

The Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta recently completed a major renovation of one of its event spaces, the Gallery.

Complete with finely appointed décor, tile floors and dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows, this unique, 5,500-square-foot venue is well-suited for wedding receptions, corporate events, holiday parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, quinceaneras, and more. Steps away from Cobb Galleria Centre’s exhibition hall, ballroom, and meeting space, The Gallery accommodates up to 450 guests for a reception or 270 people for a seated banquet in an elegant and intimate setting with its own exterior entrance and direct access to parking.

The floor to ceiling renovation includes new tile floors, fresh paint, new lighting, and refurbished doors. All of the upgrades make for an even lighter, brighter space.

Martha Shaker, chair of Dayton, Ohio’s Victoria Theatre Association’s Board of Trustees, announced the selection of Ty Sutton as VTA’s new president and CEO. Sutton replaces retiring president and CEO Ken Neufeld.

Sutton joins VTA after three years as the inaugural executive director of the Butler Arts Center at Butler University. He brings more than 20 years of arts venue management experience, as well as extensive fundraising, marketing and programming knowledge to VTA. Sutton starts his new position Aug. 13.

“My philosophy has always been that the arts bring people together,” Sutton said. “I am very impressed with the level of commitment and financial support the Dayton community has given the Dayton arts scene, especially in embracing Victoria Theatre Association’s world-class facilities and arts programming. With the addition of the new Arts Annex, I believe our venues can accommodate any type of performance and allow us to grow the diversity of our shows while broadening our audiences. I am eager to lead an organization with such an outstanding record of success. Continuing to grow our offerings and making a positive impact in people’s lives will be at the top of my priority list. Dayton will be a great place for my family to call home.”

Sutton was chosen after a six-month international search, conducted by leading arts executive recruiting firm Management Consultants for the Arts. VTA Board of Trustees Vice-Chair Chris Wyse served as the chair of the six-member Search Committee.

“I am thrilled to welcome Ty as the new VTA President & CEO,” Wyse said. “His ideas around the new Arts Annex are very progressive as are his thoughts on programming and diversity. These characteristics, combined with extensive experience and proven track record of growing performing arts centers, will ensure everyone in Dayton is able to experience the numerous offerings from VTA.”

Monday, July 23rd’s kick-off performing arts session, The History of Theatre in Toronto, is the seventh installment of ASTC Presents The History of Theatre and is a do-not-miss session. Be there for the humorous and informative history of development, and sometimes demise, of theatre buildings in our host city of Toronto. Continue your fun and edification at a meet-and-greet with Robert Long and Scott Crossfield in the Business Lounge on the trade show floor. Get a picture and autograph with Professor Long and Professor Crossfield while you’re there.

Let’s just say that after sitting in on this session at the Performing Arts Managers Conference last year in Chicago, I can personally attest to the educational and entertainment value of this particular presentation. Rob and Scott work incredibly well as a pair and keep the presentation moving at a brisk pace while dropping in nuggets of information simply not found anywhere else.

Both gentlemen know their history quite well, and some of the visuals they bring out from some venues decades old will impress all attendees. I highly recommend and urge really anyone’s attendance at the session to help get IAVM’s outstanding series of education meetings off to a bang.

You will definitely learn a thing or two while having quite a few chuckles along the way courtesy of Robert and Scott!

Ellen Schwartz has been promoted to general manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center, announced Bob Newman, President, AEG Facilities, operators of the downtown Los Angeles facility.

Additionally, Brad Gessner, who has held the position of general manager of the Convention Center since AEG Facilities was awarded the management contract in October of 2013, has been promoted to senior vice president of the LACC, responsible for contract administration, strategic planning, and participating on the expansion and modernization team for the LACC.

In her new role, Schwartz will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the 867,000 square foot facility including sales and marketing, public relations, operations, guest services and security, event services, human resources, food and beverage, and parking operations while also overseeing the convention center’s operating budget, and revenue maximization.

Having joined the staff of the Los Angeles Convention Center in October 2013, Schwartz has held a variety of executive and management positions including vice president of sales and marketing before being named assistant general manager in July 2017.

“Ellen has played a key role in the Los Angeles Convention Center setting records for event bookings, occupancy, and overall revenue generation in each of the last four years,” Newman said. “Ellen’s knowledge of the industry, leadership, and extensive experience makes her the ideal executive to become the next general manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center.”

Gessner, who was named General Manager of the LACC in 2013 will continue to retain the position of Senior Vice President of Convention Centers, AEG Facilities where he oversees several of the Convention Center properties managed by AEG Facilities including the Hawaii Convention Center, Puerto Rico Convention Center as well as the Los Angeles Convention Center.

“With the successful overall performance achieved at each of the properties overseen by Brad and the ongoing expansion of our North America Convention Center portfolio, his diverse depth of experience will continue to be a valuable asset in the AEG network,” said Newman.