By Jim Yeager

The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority (PCCA) board of directors has approved a five-year contract renewal for ASM Global as its venue management company with the convention center poised as the launch location for a dramatic series of innovations in ASM Global’s convention and conference portfolio — the largest in North America and worldwide.

The new agreement will commence on Dec. 1, 2023, for five years, through Nov. 30, 2028, with the international entertainment leader planning to bring many of its most innovative designs to a leading group of convention centers beginning with PCCA. It will be the first in a program creating unique environments such as immersive LED moments, speed-action offerings to accelerate business strategies, elevated VIP lounges, and quiet spaces for business connectivity.

“We are thrilled to announce the continued partnership between the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and ASM Global as the venue-management provider for the Pennsylvania Convention Center,” said David A. Nasatir, Esq., chair of the board, PCCA. “For 10 years, ASM Global has been a valued collaborator and, because of their outstanding contributions, has elevated the Pennsylvania Convention Center to world-class status.”

In 2013 the PCCA first made the decision to privatize management of the center with an initial contract being awarded to SMG, which was subsequently rebranded to ASM Global following the 2019 merger of AEG Facilities and SMG. The merger created a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries and more than 350 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers and has positioned ASM Global as the world’s preeminent venue-management and live-experiences company.

“The ASM Global team at the Pennsylvania Convention Center is, without exception, the finest in the industry,” said John J. McNichol, president and CEO, PCCA. “Their innovative leadership and commitment to delivering an unmatched customer experience have positioned the center, globally, as an industry trailblazer and venue of choice, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as we take the Pennsylvania Convention Center to the next level.”

Under the management of ASM Global, the Pennsylvania Convention Center has already implemented several cutting-edge and industry-changing initiatives such as the 2014 execution of the Customer Satisfaction Agreement, a document that guides the relationship between the center and the labor unions that work at the facility with the goal of providing a more productive, customer-centric and cost-effective worksite for guests and the ASM Global Acts program, under which the center has successfully executed a robust sustainability and social impact plan.

Dan Hoffend, ASM Global executive vice president, convention centers, said, “We’re excited to begin the next chapter for the convention universe beginning with the Pennsylvania Convention Center. This includes sustainability features that create substantial movement toward carbon neutral; new Flex-space exhibit halls that can adapt to the needs of our diverse attendees; and LED walls that provide sponsorship, wayfinding, and entertainment.

“We’re bringing our proven best features from our stadiums and arenas directly to our convention centers to create a premium line of facilities like no other in the industry. Our attendees require entertainment as a part of their business paradigm. We are changing the industry by creating a unique environment for all of our guests,” Hoffend said.

PCC’s ASM Global general manager, Tony Hodgins, said, “We thank the PCCA for their continued trust in our ASM Global team and for their unwavering support over the years. Our team at the center remains focused on our goal of providing a first-class customer experience to all our guests, and we are honored to be able to continue working with our key partners to showcase all that Philadelphia and the Pennsylvania Convention Center have to offer.”

Jim Yeager is with breakwhitelight (for ASM Global).

From Globe Newswire

Blue Federal Credit Union, a fast-growing credit union serving Colorado and Wyoming, has announced it will take over the naming rights of the Budweiser Event Center in October 2023 at the expiration of the current contract with Larimer County.

The facility will be renamed Blue Arena with a 10-year naming rights agreement. Blue Federal Credit Union has partnered with the arena operator, Oak View Group, for the past three years in a sponsorship capacity and is very excited to expand this collaboration. Blue, Oak View Group, and Larimer County finalized the deal with County approval Tuesday, January 31st.

With Blue Federal Credit Union’s heightened efforts in Colorado, the 1.8-billion-dollar credit union is thrilled to invest in Larimer County and the many opportunities the arena offers communities from Wyoming to Denver and beyond. Working together, Blue will be able to better support the Arena and its efforts to provide opportunities to fulfill its purpose of creating a community built around authentic connections. This agreement deepens the strong relationship they have with Larimer County while advancing its people-centric focus. Blue Federal Credit Union’s increasing presence will amplify its passionate work to be a lifelong champion for every member to realize their possibilities.

“As a well-known staple in Northern Colorado, we are thrilled and honored to partner with Larimer County and to have the Blue name on The Center,” said Blue Federal Credit Union President/CEO Stephanie Teubner. “Blue has been serving communities for 70+ years, and we’re proud to be a key partner in this exciting project that will benefit our members and the community. We are confident Blue Arena will not only serve as a community gathering space but also as an important economic driver for the area.”

The Budweiser Events Center is preparing for its 20th anniversary this year and will retain the name until the current contract expires on September 30, 2023. The Center, located as the focal point of The Ranch Events Complex, can accommodate more than 6,000 fans for sporting events and up to 8,000 at concerts. It is home to the American Hockey League Colorado Eagles, concerts, family shows, graduations, Larimer County’s PRCA Rodeo, as part of the Larimer County Fair, and many other exciting events.

From utsports.com

Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced a multi-year naming-rights agreement with longtime Tennessee Athletics corporate champion Food City that rebrands UT’s on-campus arena as Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center.

The agreement with Food City was negotiated by Tennessee Athletics’ multimedia rights partner, LEARFIELD/The Vol Network. Food City’s overall commitment to Tennessee Athletics will allow the University to invest in excess of $20 million over the next 10 years and will aid new and needed renovations of the arena and upgrades to the facility’s interior and exterior. These improvements will significantly enhance the fan experience while attending any Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center event on the UT campus.

Among the planned additions to the venue will include new club amenities, updates to the Ray Mears Room and a state-of-the-art center-hung video board. The exterior façade of the facility will be modernized, and the look will be more in line with Tennessee’s other athletics venues.

Complete details of the enhancements to the venue will be announced at a later date.

“We are thrilled to partner with Food City on this transformative naming rights opportunity, the first of its kind for Tennessee Athletics,” White said. “Food City is a neighborhood partner who knows our state and region extremely well and has been a key partner for Tennessee Athletics for nearly 30 years. Food City is a valued member of our community and bleeds orange, and we look forward to taking this partnership to another level. I want to thank the Smith family, as well as the Food City team for this long-term partnership.”

Food City’s longstanding commitment to supporting Tennessee Athletics and the department’s mission of leading the way in college sports dates to 1997. The privately held family-owned company is headquartered in Abingdon, Virginia and currently operates 152 retail locations throughout Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, and Alabama.

“Food City is proud to be a long-time supporter and the official supermarket of the University of Tennessee Athletics. We’re excited to take our partnership to the next level with the naming of the Food City Center, which will serve as a hub for UT Athletics, as well as other key events within the Knoxville community,” said Steven C. Smith, Food City president and chief executive officer.

Opened in the Fall of 1987, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is home to Tennessee’s volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball programs. The arena is named for the late B. Ray Thompson and former UT President Dr. Edward J. Boling.

“I’ve long said that Thompson-Boling Arena gives us an elite homecourt advantage, and Food City clearly recognizes that,” men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes said. “This is an extraordinary commitment by a wonderful partner that will not just elevate Tennessee gamedays, but it’s an investment that will also enhance the student-athlete experience across all our sports. We appreciate Food City for stepping up and supporting Tennessee Athletics in a way that is truly transformational.”

The venue has undergone multiple phases of renovations throughout its 36-year history, most notably an overhaul in 2007 that included the addition of two levels of premium suites and one level of premium loge seating spanning the arena’s north end.

“Tennessee Athletics is fortunate to have an amazing relationship with a community-oriented company like Food City,” women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper said. “They have a legacy of support for our student-athletes, coaches, and programs, and their latest commitment illustrates an incredible investment toward competitive excellence by the Vols and Lady Vols. Pairing Thompson-Boling Arena, our teams and the best fan base in the country with Food City is a winning combination.”

In addition to delivering an incredible homecourt advantage for the Vols and Lady Vols, the facility hosts dozens of highly attended events annually, including concerts featuring world-famous recording artists, professional wrestling showcases, monster truck and professional bull-riding competitions, conferences, and more.

For basketball specifically, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center stands as one of the country’s biggest and brightest stages for college hoops. Tennessee owns a combined basketball home record of 947-196 (.829)—where the court is named in honor of legendary eight-time national champion head coach Pat Summitt—with the Lady Vols boasting a 508-56 (.901) mark and the Vols going 439-140 (.758).

“Thompson-Boling Arena has been a special place to play, and home to the best fan base in college sports,” volleyball head coach Eve Rackham Watt said. “We are really excited about this new partnership with Food City and believe it will continue to push Tennessee volleyball forward. All of us are excited to get in the arena this fall and start competing.”

The first event set to take place in the newly named Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is the Tennessee volleyball program’s season-opener against Texas State in the Tennessee Classic on Friday, Aug. 25.

ASM Global has selected Paul Bowles as the new General Manager (GM) of Mountain Health Arena and Convention Center, the largest multipurpose arena with attached convention center in the tri-state area.

Bowles has worked in the industry for nearly three decades and brings a wealth of experience to Mountain Health Arena. Before coming to Mountain Health Arena, Bowles was the GM at Appalachian Wireless Arena in Pikeville, KY, where he drove the expansion of national acts and substantially increased annual revenue by 50%. Bowles was also recently the Executive Director of Tourism for the City of Pikeville, overseeing tourism, special events and outdoor recreation for the city.

A part of the ASM Global portfolio, the 7,000+ capacity Mountain Health Arena and Convention Center overlooks the Ohio River in downtown Huntington. The multipurpose arena hosts numerous concerts, family shows, trade shows, and athletic competitions year-round. In addition, the convention center has more than 15,000 square feet of flexible space for meetings, weddings, and training sessions.

“Between his decades of experience and proven track record in the arena and convention space, we are confident that Paul is the perfect candidate to manage this venue,” said Doug Thornton, ASM Global’s Executive Vice President of Stadiums, Arenas, and Theaters. “In this new role, Paul will be able to work closely with our partners, sponsors, and the city to create new opportunities and continue the growth of the arena, bringing significant value to the area.”

“I’m excited for the opportunity to work with the experienced team at Mountain Health Arena and to collaborate with our clients and municipal partners, as they are critical in helping us surpass our goals — not only at the venue level but throughout the region,” Bowles said. “The arena and convention center has been a mainstay of this community for more than 45 years, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success in the future.”

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams said, “During the past several years, the City of Huntington has partnered with ASM Global to make significant investments and advancements for Mountain Health Arena. These include a lucrative naming rights agreement and upgrades to the conference center, the inside of the arena, and a full renovation of the outdoor plaza to become a viable space for the community. I look forward to working with Paul and observing how his 30-plus years in the arena industry will further elevate Mountain Health Arena’s operations and entertainment offerings.”

By Sports Video Group

Oak View Group (OVG) announced the appointment of Ade Patton as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of OVG, where he will direct and oversee the global financial and accounting activities of the firm. Based in Denver, Colorado, Patton will report to OVG chairman and CEO Tim Leiweke. He assumes his new role effective immediately.

“I’m pleased that Ade will be joining OVG as our new Chief Financial Officer,” Leiweke said. “Ade is a seasoned financial executive who has helped lead world-class companies, and I look forward to having him on our team to help guide OVG’s continued strategic and sustainable growth at scale.”

“I am both proud and excited to join Oak View Group at this moment,” Patton said. “We truly have an opportunity to transform the sports, live entertainment, and hospitality industries globally, and I am eager to join the world-class management team that Tim and Irving Azoff have assembled.”

Patton is a seasoned Fortune 500 executive, serving most recently as Chief Financial Officer of HBO Max/Global DTC at WarnerBros Discovery and previously in investment management roles at Millennium Management LLC and Citadel LLC. Patton earned a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.