The University of Texas at Arlington Special Events Facilities announced that Keith Schobert has been promoted to Director of College Park Center beginning September 1, 2018. He succeeds Jeff Davis, CVE, CVP, CMP, who has been named Executive Director of UT2Arlington Special Events Facilities.

A highly accomplished facilities and event professional with more than 14 years of experience, Schobert has been instrumental in his performance of venue operations for a wide variety of events at College Park Center during the last seven years, along with his support, assistance, and encouragement of his team. He has been influential in planning, scheduling, and directing all event support and operational functions, establishing relationships with vendors, University and athletic personnel and staff members as well as coordinating bids, proposal, planning, and execution for capital improvement projects.

Schobert joined UT-Arlington in 2011 as assistant director of event services and operations during the opening of College Park Center, a $78 million, 7,000-seat multipurpose arena. In January 2013 he was named assistant director of facilities and operations of CPC. His background includes operations manager for SMG—INTRUST Bank Arena in Wichita, KS, director of facilities for Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, event coordinator at University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, director of facilities and events at University of North Texas, Denton, TX. He also served as event security assistant and technical assistant for several facilities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Tabor College and a master’s degree in sports administration from Wichita State University. In 2016 he graduated from IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security and Venue Management School in 2014.

“Keith has been an integral part of our team since the opening of the arena, covering nearly every aspect of venue operations in his time here,” Davis said. “He has demonstrated his leadership ability and is often the ‘go-to’ person for staff and clients. I am confident in his ability to lead all aspects of CPC operations in this new role.”

In his new position as director of the College Park Center, Schobert is responsible for day-to-day operations of the venue, including contract negotiations, tenant relations, event services, guest services, building operations, and renovation planning and oversight.

Speaking of College Park Center, nearly 5,000 kids were the first to see an amazing WNBA single-game scoring record. It was the Dallas Wings’ Kids Day at College Park Center on Tuesday, July 17 when Liz Cambage smashed the scoring record with 53 points during a Wings’ win over New York Liberty, 104-87. Her previous career high was 37, set earlier in July against Chicago.

“It was an exciting game day,” Davis said. “A big win with an amazing scoring record that enhances College Park Center as a DFW world class sports and active entertainment destination.” Cambage, a 6’8” center, was drafted No. 2 by the franchise as a 19-year-old, but only played for two separate seasons back in 2011 and 2013. She averaged 11.5 and 16.3 points, respectively, in those two seasons but took some time away from the WNBA to work on her game in China and her native Australia.

Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California, has five concession stands on the Main Concourse. A whole new look will greet guests this fall when placing an order for food and beverage.

“We wanted to add some fun, color, and new themes to the concession stands,” said Michael K. Krouse, President & CEO. “When we took over management of the arena in July of 2016 we committed to improving the food offerings. Now we have taken the next step, the remodel of 10-year-old concession stands. We want our guests to have the best entertainment experience and part of that is enjoying some great food. By investing in updates, thru capital improvements provided by the City of Ontario, Citizens Business Bank Arena guests will not only appreciate the efforts but take pride in their home for entertainment.

The food and beverage options have continued to change with new menu choices and quality products designed for the palates of our guests. Surveys are sent after each event to ticket holders. These surveys are reviewed by management and taken seriously. We make changes or adjustments where possible to improve the overall guest experience. The new, bright colors, and fun attitude of the concession stands will bring a visual improvement. New menu items are being developed for all locations, but some fan favorites will remain.”

The rendering in this article offers a sneak peek at the new look and feel of the concession stands located on the main concourse of Citizens Business Bank Arena. There may be some slight changes to the final design and many of the concessions have adjoining wall décor to enhance the overall look. Designed by Acrobat Ant, the transformation is scheduled for completion by the end of summer.

When IAVM comes to Chicago for VenueConnect in 2019, there will be a new artistic look to the area.

MPEA and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, in partnership with area cultural organizations, announced the City’s newest Cultural District adjacent to McCormick Square. The announcement accompanied the unveiling of the newest art installation, “The Bots,” with MPEA CEO Lori Healey and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Commissioner Mark Kelly in attendance.

The installation of “The Bots” was designed by New York-based David Weeks Studio in collaboration with Chicago-based Anderson Miller, Ltd., and manufactured at Chicago-based Vector Manufacturing. David Weeks Studio is the designer of the famous Cubebot toy and this installation is the largest “Bot” design to date. The standing Bot is 23 feet tall with a 23-foot wingspan, while the reclining Bot is 16 feet long. The giant installation kicks off the neighborhood’s Cultural District, adding to the more than 100 pieces of public art on campus.

“As we continue to enhance the McCormick Square community, MPEA is honored to be part of the new Cultural District. The music, art, and cultural attractions surrounding McCormick Square campus are important to our clients and visitors,” Healey said. “Furthermore, ‘The Bots’ are a wonderful addition to our public art collection, and we can’t wait for out-of-town visitors and Chicagoans alike to not only see our newest installation but to experience it as they use this interactive art as a place to sit and enjoy all that McCormick Square has to offer.”

“McCormick Square is home to diverse businesses, works of art, events, and much more, and we are thrilled that area cultural organizations are partnering to form the new Cultural District,” Kelly said. “The rich culture in this area deserves to be recognized by residents and visitors from around the world.”

The new Cultural District will feature more art than just “The Bots.” Starting August 15, McCormick Square will be the site of “Rooted In Greatness” a first-of-its-kind video art exhibit. Working with Luma8, chaired by Lou Raizin of Broadway in Chicago, “Rooted in Greatness” celebrates Illinois’ Bicentennial with video biographies of notable Illinoisans projected into the trees at the corner of Cermak and Calumet. The installation will run through February 2019.

With a commitment to public art on campus and a long-standing foundation of art and culture in the area, the Cultural District is a new epicenter of arts and culture. Attracting millions of visitors each year, McCormick Square brought $1.6 billion in economic impact in 2017.

“The Bots’ will be on permanent display outside of the Marriott Marquis Chicago. For more information on the new installation and the Cultural District, visit mccormicksquarechicago.com

Claude Molinari, general manager of SMG/Cobo Center, announced that Cobo Center will host the Events Industry Council’s training for the Sustainable Event Professional Certificate (SEPC) September 11-12, 2018. This is the first offering to event planners for the certificate in the state of Michigan.

Mariela Mcllwraith, director, industry advancement for the Events Industry Council, will conduct the SEPC training for Cobo Center employees and other event professionals as part of the Cobo Center Green Committee’s efforts to implement new and innovative green initiatives throughout the facility and community. The committee was established in 2011, and has garnered several community awards for Cobo, including the Keep Michigan Beautiful President’s Plaque in 2016.

“The sustainable practices that the Cobo Center has implemented over the last several years, including energy management, food recovery, and intensive materials reuse & recycling, are potent examples to all institutions, businesses, and residents in Detroit that we can, and indeed we must, all play a part in creating a sustainable future in Detroit for current and future generations,” said City of Detroit Director, Office of Sustainability, Joel Heeres. “I laud their leadership on these issues.”

Cobo Center became the ninth U.S. convention center to achieve the Events Industry Council’s (EIC) ASTM/APEX Sustainable Event Standard Certification in 2015. Venues are certified after implementing a set of voluntary standards to create more sustainable meetings and events. Cobo successfully re-certified in 2017 and will apply again for re-certification in 2019.

“Organizing our facility operations around the EIC sustainable event standard helps us create an ecosystem for our events that supports sustainability and encourages the industry to engage in green efforts,” said Molinari. “We set audacious goals each year for the Green Committee, and hosting the SECP training was one of them. Helping our employees achieve this certificate strengthens our commitment to the environment.”

Combining active learning and experiential elements, the SEPC program is designed to enable participants to implement their own sustainable events. Topics will include understanding the business value of sustainability for the events industry; practical solutions for improving your environmental performance in areas such as food and beverage; transportation; supply chain management; and effective methods for achieving corporate social responsibility goals. As part of the program, the participants will customize a roadmap for their own sustainable event.

“The Events Industry Council is pleased to be offering this certificate program for the first time in Michigan,” said Karen Kotowski, chief executive officer for the Events Industry Council. “Hosting the event in Detroit’s Cobo Center, a venue that has received our third party audited venue certification, will allow us to reinforce the sustainability curriculum with experiential elements.”

You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: senior leader of a company in any related hospitality business. Either hotels, resorts, golf courses, or any type of tourism business. I would choose that field because it is all front-line service, and that is what I really enjoy. Training front-line staff, monitoring their performance, and measuring customer service success is something that I do enjoy and would enjoy in those types of businesses.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: Paul McCartney. He was so down to earth, so humble and even showed interest in what I was doing. It was a 10-minute session at best, but he was just an amazing guy. One of the few artists that were appreciative of what he had and not who he was.

I unwind by: playing golf. I love to walk the courses, be with friends, and be in the fresh air. As frustrating as the game might be some times (and it is frustrating!), you just have to remind yourself that you are very lucky to be where you are that day. You have your health, your family, and friends, and the ability to enjoy aspects of life that others do not.

On my desk right now is: way too much paperwork! A bunch of projects are all coming due and just getting through those has generated more paper than normal. I also have a couple of Facility Manager magazines which I haven’t got to yet and a few Sports Business Journals still to read.

My favorite IAVM program/conference/event/session I ever attended was: the Arena Management Conference a couple of years ago in Tampa. There were some great speakers and really interactive sessions. I was also involved with the Arenas Committee at that time, and it was a very busy but inspiring few days. Plus, the weather, the golf, and the hotel were all great.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be: an ardent basketball fan. Most people think that Canadians are only into hockey. Not so true anymore. The diversity of our country lends itself more to basketball and soccer fans, especially when new Canadians are from nations where hockey is never played. So, although born here, I took to basketball so much quicker than hockey, and I REALLY don’t like the cold!

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: to always outwork your boss and outwork your peers. Although that may seem a little old fashioned to the millennial generation, I believe it demonstrates your passion, commitment to your work, and your seriousness about getting ahead.

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is: Vince Bozzo, the general manager right here at the Air Canada Centre. Although still quite young, he has been in the business almost 20 years. Vince is a dedicated, passionate, loyal employee who brings the right attitude to work every day. He has common sense, a practical approach to almost every issue and simply just gets it.

One of my goals for this year is to: work smarter. I truly want to improve my technology understanding and be more efficient in today’s IT driven world. I believe, maybe, maybe not, that it should allow me to work less. And, yes, like everyone else, would like a little more work-life balance.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? Continue to learn, grow my base knowledge, and then transfer that knowledge through teaching at the VMS at Oglebay. Also, to do more presentations at VenueConnect and at other conferences, which forces you to be a subject matter expert to intelligently pull off those sessions.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? Tough question. Venues need to certainly be developing their talent from within their organizations and committing the necessary time and resources to send their employees outside the organization for continuing education programs. That is what keeps your employees happy.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? I try to read a lot. Generally, our industry trade magazines are top of the list. Facility Manager has been great since R.V. Baugus came back, but the other trade magazines are good as well. I also like to read leadership books which give you new and interesting ideas on how to address your people’s issues and the many challenges of work these days,

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? Are you kidding? Donald Trump would be number one. It was would be the most interesting couple of hours. PINK would be number 2. I met her a few years ago for a short few minutes, and she was so amazing. Friendly, outgoing, interested in what YOU had to say and not her. A fine Lady. Third would be Morgan Freeman. I have just always admired his acting and appreciated what a great talent he was.