By Communications Department

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) is replacing 1.9 million square feet of traditional roofing with a new, energy-efficient roofing system. The $40 million roof replacement project is part of a $557 million capital improvement plan and will be under construction until mid-2024.

“We are taking a comprehensive approach to enhancing and transforming our massive facilities in order to elevate the visitor experience and reduce our environmental footprint here at the Convention Center — from new technology inside to new exterior greenspaces and a fantastic new heat-deflecting roof,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President/CEO. “This is an essential upgrade to not only improve and protect our facilities, but also to significantly advance our sustainability goals.”

Utilizing new commercial roofing technology, robots have begun spraying polyurethane foam insulation directly onto the roof’s surface to maximize efficiency, safety, and savings. The coating of insulation is expected to raise the energy efficiency rating, or R-value, by nearly 10 points and deliver significant energy savings. Once insulated, a “cool roof” material will seal the upgraded system. The highly reflective sheen will divert heat away from the building. It’s similar to a process used on the roof of the Caesar’s Superdome and is especially effective in urban areas where temperatures are usually higher than in suburban and rural areas.

The new roof will advance the Convention Center’s sustainability goals and help maintain its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification status while still meeting all requirements for durability and safety in all weather conditions, including hurricanes. In addition, the contractors are recycling approved materials from the previous roof. The existing rock ballast has already been cleaned and reused in parking lots. Recycling this material has saved approximately 1,600 tons of rocks from landfills. We are also improving select gutters and downspouts so they can continue to divert up to 90 percent of rainwater runoff directly into the Mississippi River, reducing strain on New Orleans’ drainage system.

Roof construction will not impact Convention Center guests or events. The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority authorized funding for the roof project in January 2023.

By SportsBusiness.com

Washington DC’s Capital One Arena is to open a new premium guest experience lounge featuring a food offering from renowned chef and restaurateur José Andrés.

The Signature Club & Lounge, set to debut in the autumn, offers early entry and exclusive access to the space ahead of Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards games. Membership also carries the privilege of presale priority for the hundreds of concerts and events at Capital One Arena.

The nearly 5,000 sq ft space, located at the corner of 7th Street and Gallery Place, has been designed by global architecture, design, and planning firm Gensler to be the new arrival point to the arena for Signature Club members and guests.

Among the features across the lounge is the food and beverage design developed by José Andrés Group, the company led by the established Spanish-American chef who has partnered with Aramark Sports + Entertainment, the venue’s hospitality provider.

“We invite fans to become members of this exclusive club to enjoy a true VIP experience with first-class amenities for games, concerts, and events,” said Jim Van Stone, president of business operations at Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE).

“We are excited to offer another high-value, high-quality experience for fans to enjoy time with family, friends, and colleagues and we expect it will drive businesses in search of a go-to destination in downtown DC to entertain clients.”

The new Signature Club & Lounge will have a limited number of memberships to maintain a premium experience for guests. Members may take advantage of a dedicated point-of-entry to the Signature Club to enjoy its hospitality and then travel directly across the concourse to the Signature Cocktail Lounge within a redesigned mega-suite before heading to their seats. Members’ seat locations have been hand-selected to be closest to center court/ice for 15 Wizards and 15 Capitals games in the first year, elevating to 20 games per team each season after. Members will also experience presale preference for any concert or event at the arena, with seats located with exceptional views of the artists and stage.

The lounge benefits from extensive glazing and will feature top-of-the-line finishes, color-changing lights and ample gathering space.

Sam Bakhshandehpour, president of José Andrés Group, said: “We are thrilled to announce this exciting partnership between José Andrés Group and Monumental Sports & Entertainment. This collaboration represents a powerful union of culinary excellence and sports and entertainment innovation.

“Together, we aim to create unforgettable experiences that will delight and inspire our guests, fans, and the entire community.”

The Signature Club & Lounge joins a collection of premiums spaces in Capital One Arena including the Etihad Airways Lounge, Caesars Sportsbook Lounge, Ultra Club, and Players Club for all sporting events, and the Michelob Ultra Courtside Lounge and Courtside Premium Lofts available for Wizards games.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) announces the retirement of Brad Mayne, CVE, President & CEO, effective July 31, 2024.

Mayne took the helm of IAVM in 2016, and under his leadership has led membership to a historic high. He also led IAVM and the venue management industry successfully through the COVID-19 pandemic, tirelessly advocating for state and federal assistance to keep venues open.

“Brad has made tremendous strides in not only advancing the membership of IAVM, but also in revitalizing the events we offer and the success of our Foundation,” stated Kerry Painter, CVE, CEM, CMP, Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors. “The Board of Directors are grateful to Brad for his ongoing dedication to the success and growth of our industry, as well as to the members of IAVM. IAVM has been extremely lucky to have had his guidance and leadership, especially during the past few years through the pandemic. Brad was absolutely the right person at the right time leading the charge of the association and industry.”

Mayne was a member of IAVM for over 30 years, prior to being appointed as the President and CEO, and was the 2009 recipient of the Charles A. McElravy Award and the Foundation Legacy Award winner in 2011. He previously served as the President and CEO of both MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, NJ) and American Airlines Center (Dallas, TX).

“IAVM has been a tremendous part of my professional career,”said Mayne. “As both a member and serving as the President and CEO, my mission has always been to enhance venue professional careers by generating hope through proper resources. I look forward to continuing working with IAVM leadership and our numerous volunteers during the next 11 months.”

Following a detailed plan of succession for leadership, a Board CEO Selection Committee will be established in the coming months to begin paving the way to identify the new CEO and President.

Mayne will officially step down at the conclusion of IAVM’s VenueConnect Conference and Trade Show, which will be held July 28-31, 2024 in Portland, Oregon.

By Michael Gatto

On Wednesday, July 26th, the Greater Columbus Convention Center provided the backdrop for the Columbus Venue Security Summit, an event that facilitated a crucial opportunity for a diverse group of community members from across Columbus to unite, learn, strategize, and bolster guest safety. This gathering drew attendees from a spectrum of Columbus’ sports and entertainment venues, in addition to representatives from the Columbus Police and Fire Departments. At the heart of this summit was Mark Herrera, a powerhouse in the Safety and Security field with an impressive background with the International Association of Venue Managers and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. With his guidance, this event centered on preparing for the unexpected – arming event center staff, law enforcement, and first responders with the tools they need to respond effectively to difficult situations.

But what truly stood out was the emphasis on collaboration. In today’s world, safety is a collective endeavor that goes beyond departmental boundaries. From Nationwide Arena to The Schottenstein Center to Lower.com Field and beyond, venue staff members joined forces, recognizing their shared responsibility to ensure safety. Herrera’s message hit home: “We are all vicariously liable for the safety and wellbeing of any event and all facilities.”

Brooks Imhoff, the Director of Event Services at the Schottenstein Center, perfectly encapsulated this spirit of collaboration. He played a pivotal role in organizing the summit and highlighted the importance of training event staff as the first line of response. Their ability to handle issues before they escalate further is vital, and this summit empowered them to do just that.

While the training wasn’t a typical hands-on drill, it was equally impactful. Herrera’s approach focused on programming the subconscious mind, ensuring that every staff member had a mental “hazard library” to draw from in challenging situations. This kind of preparation is invaluable, helping individuals respond swiftly and effectively when it matters most.

The event was a reminder that no matter our role – whether security personnel, event staff, or attendees – we’re all part of a larger community with shared goals. Collaboration was the true hero of the day, reinforcing the idea that safety is a collective effort.

Michael Gatto is Chief Operating Officer for Columbus Arena Management and Senior Vice President, Nationwide Arena.

Patrick Lally McGrew, 55, of Pompano Beach, FL passed away on Sunday, May 21, 2023. He was survived by his three children: Jordan (25), Declan (13) and Aidan (13); as well as six siblings, Colleen, Myles, Shawn, Brian, Erin, and Megan, and nine nieces and nephews.

Patrick was a native Floridian growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. You could always catch him with a bottle of Banana Boat Dark Tanning Spray Oil SPF 4. Nobody loved Jimmy Buffett or Tommy Bahama more than him. Patrick graduated from FAU School of Business and later moved to New York where he worked for the Yankees. He couldn’t stay away from Florida long, and eventually he took a job at the Bank United Center as General Manager.