AEG Presents Launches First Office In France
AEG Presents, the live music division of global entertainment company AEG, announced the opening of their first office in France. The creation of an AEG Presents office in the country builds on their already impressive track record in the UK and marks a key expansion into one of Europe’s most important and vibrant markets for live music. Operating out of Paris, the team will be led by leading promoting executive Arnaud Meersseman, who will report directly to the CEOs of AEG Presents London, Steve Homer and Toby Leighton-Pope.
Meersseman’s career in live music promotion began in 2004 and has seen him work with some of the leading music promoters in France,
Arnaud Meersseman
Since entering the UK market more than a decade ago, AEG Presents have built a strong presence across concert touring, festivals and venues. In 2017 alone, AEG promoted over 800 live events in the UK. Through festivals such as Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park, AEG has brought a new level of world-class talent and outstanding customer experience to this world-renowned central London location. The venue portfolio for AEG Presents includes the iconic Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith (jointly owned with partner, CTS Eventim). Through a multi-million pound refurbishment completed last year, AEG Presents continues to proudly deliver a level of excellence across the live event space in the UK to meet, and often exceed, the needs of today’s music fans.
The creation of AEG Presents France follows AEG’s significant investment in the Accors Hotel Arena in Paris, as well as the recent acquisition of the highly regarded Rock En Seine festival (jointly acquired with French media investment group, LNEI).
Steve Homer and Toby Leighton-Pope, joint CEO’s AEG Presents, said The live music scene in France is incredibly vibrant and one “we very much admire and it’s a real privilege to be able to set up our Paris office. In Arnaud we have a highly experienced leader and look forward to achieving great things together.”
“I’ve worked with Toby and Steve since they became involved in Rock en Seine and I’m very proud and excited to become part of the AEG Presents team with this new venture,” Meersseman said. “I have always considered AEG to be best in class in developing venues and festivals that both meet the needs of today’s consumers and in the development of the Hyde Park festival build something truly befitting of the London Park, I am looking forward to taking this passion for excellence into the French market and I’m confident we can do some excellent work with both international and French artists as the new office gets underway.”
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The Art Of Guest Relations
By Ethan Honaman
There are many variations said by many different people that all convey the same message, that “everyone is fighting a battle that you know nothing about, be a caring and kind person.” This is a message that our more than 400 strong guest relations staff here at Sports Authority Field at Mile High try and remember while interacting with every guest. From the gentleman who screamed at me for five minutes for something that I had no control over and didn’t fall into the category of customer service to the wonderful lady who wouldn’t miss a game all season and who just went back into cancer remission but lights up like we won the Super Bowl when I stop by to simply say hello, this is the art of guest relations.
Before I had the ability to work for (and I may be a bit a biased) the best organization in sports, you could find me at the friendly
confines of the neighborhood Target. A more accurate representation would specifically be in the Produce department. It would be in this mix of vegetables and fruits that I learned more about the set of circumstances that put people into different situations. I witnessed families in a hurry caught up in the hustle of the holiday season and the ever-important vegetable tray that was a must for all family gatherings getting into arguments because they were already running behind. Sometimes, families would be in an all-out war against each other just as they passed through, grabbing a bundle of apples before moving on to another department. Life that day just wasn’t treating them well and they snapped back at me when I asked if I could help them in any way.
There was also the nice man who was on the first day of his diet, motivated to change his life for the better and looking for advice on health food and grateful for any knowledge I might have. Yet all three examples to the normal observer would suggest they were all simply shopping at Target because they were out of produce and needed more for whatever reason. Comprehending the differences of frustration at myself for the situation at hand or a lingering issue in the background helped me progress into a future role for the Broncos.
Fast forward to Section 520-521, formerly known as Thunder, Colorado, in our upper sections at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. It was a two-year stint that I held as a part-time usher taking care of some of the greatest fans in the world. From the casual greetings, remembering names and faces, to simply talking sports that I learned one of the biggest takeaways and to which I enjoy the aspect of Guest Relations so much.
When patrons walk through our gates and see the field for the first time or returning for the big Sunday Night Football matchup, all problems are forgotten. People come to our venue to escape life’s little issues for four hours at a time and, hopefully, enjoy a Broncos’ victory. Having the perspective as an usher introduced me to these stories and have kept me in touch season after season. I still remember an elderly couple that drove multiple hours through all wintery conditions in the mountains to make each game just because it was a tradition together as a couple. I have my handful of regulars that I try and make it up to see each season. I regret to say that it doesn’t happen as much anymore, but when I do see those smiling faces, it’s like no time has passed and we catch up. There is a catalyst; all those problems eventually do come back. It is at this point when interacting with fans that you must decipher when other key contributing factors that you don’t know about take hold. Knowing these fans individually taught me this important trait.
The purpose of a Guest Relations staff is to take care of the fans at each game. We are that smiling face, that person to answer questions and direct fans where they need to go. We report information, good or bad, for the betterment of everyone attending the event. We reiterate as much as possible to take care of the fans. We encourage fostering relationships and creating memories. We enable our staff to make the best experience possible.
As you walk into our office, we broadcast our intentions. However, we are not perfect. Nobody is perfect. Nevertheless, having the ability to connect to the fans and dealing with guests with the understanding that life may be effecting their activities will only better everyone’s interactions and make Mile High Memories. What do you do in your facility to make each experience unique for your guests? How do you convey the message that the issue may not truly be the issue at hand and how do you handle it? For our staff, if you can alter a guest’s experience in a positive way and make it enough to have a great time regardless of the outcome on the field, you have mastered the Art of Guest Relations. Just always remember, “everyone is fighting a battle that you know nothing about, be a caring and kind person.”
Ethan Honaman is Guest Relations Assistant Manager at Sports Authority Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
Industry Veteran Mark Emch Retires From San Diego Convention Center Corporation; Mardeen Mattix Promoted
The San Diego Convention Center Corporation has appointed a new Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.
Mardeen Mattix was selected and unanimously ratified as the new CFO during the meeting of the Corporation’s Board of Directors on 
Wednesday, January 24, 2018. She will succeed outgoing Senior Vice President & CFO Mark Emch, who announced he will be retiring from SDCCC following a 24-year career.
Mattix, who was previously the Corporation’s Controller, was selected following a nationwide search. She graduated from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and moved to San Diego in 1998. Shortly thereafter, she started her career at the Convention Center as a Division Assistant in Event Management, had a brief stop in Sales and Marketing as an analyst and then worked her way up in the organization through Accounting and Finance.
“We are thrilled to have Mardeen as our new CFO,” said Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, President & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. “She joins our executive team, having been promoted through the ranks within the facility. Mardeen leads by example and is well respected within our organization.”
“There are so many exciting opportunities coming our way in the industry and here in San Diego,” said Mattix. “I look forward to my role as a member of leadership and I’m proud to be part of such a talented team planning strategy for the San Diego Convention Center. I plan on using innovative ideas to help us drive success to the next level.”
Mattix has led the Convention Center through many successful audits, has served leading roles in system technology integrations and has been instrumental in improving business processes throughout the Corporation.
Emch announced his retirement plans in the Fall of 2017. He joined the San Diego Convention Center Corporation in 1994. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Los Angeles and received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University.
“I’m very proud to have been a key part of a dynamic and incredible team that has had a huge positive impact on San Diego and brought smiles to hundreds of thousands of people per year as they have attended our events,” said Emch. “It’s been a remarkable 24-year long ride.”
“Mark has been key in the efforts of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation to promote transparency as well as the economic benefits that come from hosting conventions. He is known for his ambition to find ways to improve not just our business, but the convention and tourism industry as well,” said Rippetoe.
Mattix began her role as Senior Vice President and CFO immediately upon the ratification by the Board of Directors. Emch will transition out of his former role by assisting on special projects.
Allison Alfano Named Assistant Director Of Marketing At Portland’5 Centers For The Arts
Allison Alfano has joined Portland’5 Centers for the Arts as the new Assistant Director of Marketing.
Alfano recently moved to Portland from Los Angeles where she worked at Staples Center and Microsoft Theater as the Senior Director of 
Marketing. She also has a background in radio promotions and worked as a marketing manager for the Anaheim Ducks. Portland’5 Centers for the Arts is very fortunate to have her on the team to share her diverse experience and skill set, said Robyn Williams, CVE, Executive Director.
As the Assistant Director of Marketing, Alfano will be responsible for overseeing marketing efforts for Portland’5 Presents programming, as well as marketing for our many promoters and local arts organizations.
Williams added that Portland’5 Centers for the Arts hires a workforce representative of the communities it serves, understanding that a diverse workforce strengthens the organization. “We value diversity and support a positive and welcoming environment where all of our employees can thrive,” Williams said.