From allegiantstadium.com

As part of its commitment to sustainable policies and programs that minimize its environmental footprint, Allegiant Stadium — home of the Las Vegas Raiders — announced it has been awarded LEED Gold Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green-building rating system and is an international symbol of excellence. Allegiant Stadium is now one of seven NFL stadiums to achieve LEED certification.

In addition to the LEED Gold Certification, Allegiant Stadium was recently recognized by the Green Sports Alliance at its annual summit, receiving a 2023 Play to Zero Award for its waste diversion program. These recognitions cement Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Raiders as leaders in sustainability in sports, entertainment, and the corporate event market.

“Allegiant Stadium is thrilled to reach the tremendous achievement of LEED Gold Certification for our sustainability efforts,” said Samantha Johnson, Senior Vice President of Sales and leader of the sustainability efforts at Allegiant Stadium. “As sports and entertainment industry leaders, our comprehensive sustainability initiatives have set the bar and greatly benefited the Las Vegas community and our clients.”

“The Las Vegas Raiders commit to excellence in everything we do, including sustainability efforts,” said Christopher Sotiropulos, Vice President of Stadium Operations at Las Vegas Raiders. “The LEED Gold Certification is a testament to our commitment to creating a healthy and environmentally conscious space at Allegiant Stadium for Raider Nation, our players, fans, and the community we call home.”

The stadium’s sustainability initiatives excelled in several areas in its LEED certification application. Those areas include:

Materials and Resources: For its enhanced waste diversion practices, community support through materials donations and the stadium’s green products purchasing policy.

Sustainable Sites: For its integrated pest management planning, minimizing the use of herbicides and pesticides, invasive species controls, minimizing air pollution from maintenance equipment, reducing stormwater runoff and erosion, and efficient irrigation systems.

Water Efficiency: For its utilization of high-efficiency indoor faucets and toilet fixtures, active monitoring of water uses towards improved efficiencies, and minimal landscape irrigation.

Energy and Atmosphere: For its use of low-impact refrigerants, energy-efficient LED lighting, robust systems monitoring and management, and maximized efficiency in indoor climate control.

Indoor Environmental Quality: For a robust tobacco-and-smoke-free facility, rigorous green cleaning protocols, effective ventilation for improved air circulation, low-impact materials, and high visitor satisfaction feedback.

Transportation: For its advocacy and availability to pedestrian access, shuttle services to and from nearby hotels, adjacent public transit express bus stops, and isolated ride-share pick-off and drop-off locations.

“Alder Tree Consulting is beyond proud to be part of such a passionate and driven group of individuals who care about the environment and health of the community,” said Krystle Johnson, owner of Alder Tree Consulting, who consults Allegiant Stadium on its sustainable efforts. “Throughout the Allegiant Stadium LEED application process, we saw firsthand the dedication put in by multiple stadium departments to achieve this goal. This award directly reflects the staff’s combined efforts and dedication to the Allegiant Stadium Sustainability Program, and we are only just beginning.”

“Achieving LEED certification is more than just implementing sustainable practices. It represents a commitment to making the world a better place and influencing others to do better,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC. “Given the extraordinary importance of climate protection and the central role buildings play in that effort, Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Raiders are creating a path forward through their LEED certification.”

From celebrityaccess.com

Notes Live, the rapidly growing music venue and hospitality company, has signed a binding purchase and sale agreement for land for a planned construction of one of the most stunning outdoor amphitheaters in its collection. Modeled after Notes Live’s thriving food and music center in Colorado Springs, the Mustang Creek Crossing development is projected to be a world-class outdoor amphitheater in Oklahoma City, just off John Kilpatrick Turnpike and I-40.

The project plans to feature 120 luxury firepit suites (on sale now), a landscaped grass berm, traditional reserved seating, and premium hospitality offerings for a cumulative projected capacity of 12,000 seats. The company hopes to break ground in early 2024 and open the outdoor amphitheater for Summer 2025 tours.

“Building world-class music venues is our passion and mission at Notes Live,” said JW Roth, CEO of Notes Live. “With the upcoming construction of our expansive 12,000-seat amphitheater in Mustang Creek Crossing, we are excited to bring unforgettable concert experiences to Oklahoma City. Our commitment to unbeatable sound, sightlines, and elevated hospitality offerings will create memories that last a lifetime. We look forward to breaking ground in early 2024 and welcoming music enthusiasts to our stunning outdoor amphitheater in Summer 2025.”

“It is our great pleasure to welcome The Sunset Amphitheater to Mustang Creek Crossing,” said Sam Coury, principal owner of Mustang Creek Crossing. “Our family strives to grow this district into an entertainment and experience hub for the city’s west side and encourage investment for a stay-and-play destination that families from across the state and region will embrace.”

Owner/Agent representing Mustang Creek Crossing Development, Carol Coury Hefner, added, “It was an honor to find common ground in the Notes Live ownership as we share vision for this substantial mixed-use development and expand the future for Mustang/Yukon and Oklahoma City communities.”

Oklahoma Lieutenant Governor Matt Pinnell said, “I am thrilled about the partnership between Notes Live and Mustang Creek Crossing in bringing The Sunset Amphitheater to our great state. This state-of-the-art venue will not only enhance our entertainment landscape but will also serve as a catalyst for economic growth and tourism. With its capacity to host the largest touring acts in the country, The Sunset will draw music enthusiasts from far and wide. Oklahoma’s allure as a premier entertainment destination is growing stronger, and the Sunset Amphitheater will be a testament to our commitment to providing unforgettable moments for residents and visitors alike.”

“I’m extremely excited our county has been chosen for this high-quality development, bringing top-shelf entertainment and dining venues to Mustang Creek Crossings. I’m certain The Sunset will be a tremendous addition to our incredible and rapidly growing community,” said Chris West, Canadian County Sheriff.

In the last 12 months, Notes Live, Inc. announced new music and entertainment complexes in the growing markets of Colorado Springs, CO; Murfreesboro, TN; Tulsa, OK; Roanoke, TX; and Gainesville, GA, which just opened for business this month.

By Gloria Fong

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“HKSAR”) Government announced on July 1 that Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”), has been awarded Medal of Honor. The medal will be presented by John Lee, Chief Executive of the HKSAR Government, at the 2023 Honors & Awards Presentation Ceremony at Government House later this year.

“I am very honored to receive this recognition,” Lee-Muller said. “The medal underscores the recognition of the important role that the exhibition and convention industry has played in driving Hong Kong’s economic, social, and human capital development. This honor belongs to the entire HML family whose resourcefulness and teamwork have made it possible for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to continuously enhance its competitiveness.

“This is a humbling experience. I will continue to dedicate my efforts to fostering the development of Hong Kong’s exhibition and convention industry and facilitating communication with our peers in global markets with a view to pushing the boundaries of innovation and sustainable development.”

Lee-Müller has been awarded Medal of Honor in recognition of her dedicated and valuable contributions to promoting the development of the convention and exhibition industry in Hong Kong. She was President of UFI – The Global Association of the Exhibition Industry with over 800 member organizations worldwide, for the 2011-2022 term. After stepping down from presidentship, she became a member of the Presidential Trio to support the President for the 2022-2023 term in managing UFI at the highest level. She is also an Executive Committee member of the Hong Kong Exhibition & Convention Industry Association.

Gloria Fong is Head – Corporate & Marketing Communications for the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

By Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM, and tradeshowexecutive.com

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced the departure of current President and CEO, David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA, effective October 1, 2023. DuBois is leaving his position earlier than anticipated due to a new opportunity presented that he has accepted at Exhibitor Group.

“I could not be happier for David and his new role,” said IAEE Chairperson of the Board Dennis Smith. “David has worked tirelessly for the past 11 years to keep IAEE relevant in the global exhibitions and events industry and has always held the best interests of our members in mind on a daily basis.”

The IAEE Board of Directors has retained SearchWide Global, a full-service executive search firm that specializes in C-level positions in the event, convention, travel, tourism, hospitality, trade association, venue management, and experiential marketing industries. Interested individuals are encouraged to review the job description and application process on the SearchWide Global site by clicking here.

Exhibitor Group is a provider of education, commerce, and insights for the global events industry and offers solutions and services for exhibitors to generate more success at events through its Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) program, EXHIBITORLIVE, the annual trade show, and its bi-monthly EXHIBITOR magazine.

Nicole Bowman, MBA, CEM, is Vice President, Marketing and Communications at IAEE.

By Britaney Wehrmeister

The Overland Park Convention Center announced the OPCC Exhibition Advantage, a full-service program designed to show appreciation, reduce costs, and elevate the show experience for convention and trade show producers, exhibitors, and general service contractors.

The first of its kind, program details include a cash back loyalty program, 50% discount at concessions, free internet access and digital content displays, live camera feeds in show office, time lapse video, equipment and tool sharing, swag bags, complimentary coffee and snacks, and much more.

“Venues have always talked about the tremendous economic benefit exhibitions have on destinations,” said Brett C. Mitchell, CVE, general manager of the Overland Park Convention Center. “Our team wanted to do more than talk—we wanted to make a difference, so we created the Exhibition Advantage program. By listening to our clients and service partners, we identified areas we could add value and eliminate pain points. The program targets the three key members of the exhibition industry: show producers, exhibitors, and general service contractors.”

Benefits for show producers include:

Cash back loyalty program
50% discount at concessions
Live video feeds and time lapse footage
Free access to digital marketing displays
Referral program (up to $10,000)
Concierge service for local food and attractions
Complimentary marketing services to cultivate growth
Free high speed internet access
Swag bags and complimentary coffee/snacks

Benefits for exhibitors include:

50% discount at concessions
Referral program (up to $10,000)
Free high speed internet access (wireless)
Tool sharing (drills, wrenches, ladders, etc.)
Dedicated exhibitor utility room
Concierge service for local food and attractions
Swag bag giveaway and complimentary coffee/snacks

Benefits for general service contractors include:

50% discount at concessions
Referral program (up to $10,000)
Dedicated storage for show equipment
Equipment sharing (lifts, vacuums, flatbeds, etc.)
Free high speed internet access (wireless)
Complimentary coffee and snacks

“As a show producer, I’ve been organizing our biannual events at the Overland Park Convention Center for the last two decades,” said Jonathan Mize, CEO & president of Blish-Mize Co. “I can’t think of any convention center in the United States who is providing what Overland Park is offering today with this new service. The Exhibition Advantage program is a game-changer for us, with so many amenities and providing good return on investment for all involved. It’s just another reason why they are the Best Small Convention Center in North America. With top-notch facilities, great staff, and this new program, we look forward to returning to the center for many years to come.”

To qualify for the Exhibition Advantage program, the event must have at least 60,000 gross square feet (exhibit hall space) with a minimum required spend of $80,000 or more, and peak room nights of at least 150 or more.

For detailed information about the Overland Park Convention Center Exhibition Advantage program, please click here.