The staff of the San Diego Convention Center was honored to receive IAVM’s 2017 Venue Excellence Award for Convention Centers during this year’s VenueConnect in Nashville. Venue President & CEO Clifford “Rip” Rippetoe, CFE, Executive Vice President & General Manager Karen Totaro, CFE and Senior Vice President & CFO Mark Emch, accepted the award and proudly brought the hardware back home to share with the full staff, which every day lives out the venue’s core values of Accountability, Integrity, Courage, Collaboration and Service.

On October 19, the San Diego Convention Center’s Executive Leadership Team organized three celebrations so that each employee on the three shifts could celebrate the win. It was a great team-building event that instilled pride for this prestigious recognition. It was important that the overnight shift be included, because even though they don’t interact as much with the daytime shifts, they have played a role in helping the facility attain this achievement, and their hard work does not go unnoticed.

At the event, staff enjoyed games, music, and photo booths, while eating pizza and ice cream served by their director-level peers and executive

staff. Each shift was treated to a raffle drawing for a chance to win certificates to local restaurant or attraction. The highlight was the photo booth where coworkers could celebrate the VEA trophy and the role each of them has played in our successful role as the region’s premier gathering place.

The San Diego Convention Center has had other notable recent achievements including:
Receiving several sustainability recognitions for environmental leadership, most notably, LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council
Securing a historic $25.5 million state loan that is being used to finance several vital infrastructure projects as part of the largest series of upgrades in the building’s history
Combining SDCCC’s award-winning communications strategy with a newly launched community outreach plan to educate the impact of our facility on the local economy and helps support our transparency.

Also recognized at the Nashville event were SDCCC Event Manager Daren Smylie and Facilities Services Supervisor Bahiah Odeh-Eppig. Both were both named among IAVM’s 2017 class of 30 Under 30 award, a program that focuses on identifying and developing the talent of venue industry professionals 30 years of age and under. In an effort to nurture the growth and development of our staff, the SDCCC team advocates for industry-wide education.

SDCCC has multiple graduates from IAVM’s Venue Management School, IAVM’s Academy of Venue Safety and Security and IAVM’s Senior Executive Symposium. Rippetoe currently serves on three different IAVM committees and Totaro is a past board chair of IAVM. Many of SDCCC’s senior staff sit on a number of industry boards and committees and readily volunteer their insights for future generations. Convention center staff is working to share best business practices with IAVM’s brand new Energy Management Council, setting policy for green meetings all around the world.

Historic Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York, has entered into an agreement with facility solutions provider ABM as a facilities services partner for the venue. The agreement, brokered by AEG Global Partnerships, strengthens and expands ABM’s longstanding relationship with AEG, a world leader in sports and live entertainment, and follows AEG’s recent announcement of its long-term booking and promotion relationship with the iconic venue.

“We’re excited to bring industry best practices and standards to this recently revived, historic entertainment space. We look forward to aiding them in their continued efforts to be both stewards of the environment and good neighbors to their Forest Hills community,” said Art Rodriguez, Vice President, Business & Industry and head of Sports & Entertainment at ABM.

The contract encompasses cleaning services prior to, during and after events. It also includes sustainable practices – ABM will be responsible for recycling and composting. Additionally, given the stadium’s location, ABM will also maintain the neighboring blocks during high traffic events.

“As we continue to restore and renovate this historic stadium, it’s important to us to have a true partner, a member of our ‘home team,’ who can help us deliver a fantastic fan experience that will keep people coming back. ABM’s stadium and arena experience, combined with the dedicated facilities team members they will provide, will be invaluable to us as we continue to establish Forest Hills as a premium and unique live event experience,” said Jason Brandt, Forest Hills Stadium General Manager.

Lansing Entertainment and Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA) announced the hiring of new talent in the areas of food and beverage, human resources, and event coordination. LEPFA provides professional management toward the administration, operation, marketing and maintenance of the region’s convention center, the Lansing Center; minor league baseball stadium, Cooley Law School Stadium; public market, Lansing City Market; and other community/regional interest events in Lansing, Michigan.

Emily Anomanni was hired in August of 2017 as an event coordinator. She works closely with the client and other departments to create a variety of successful events. Anomanni brings experience to the position from her internship as an events and marketing coordinator, as well as several jobs in the hospitality industry. She holds a degree in hospitality and tourism management from Purdue University.

“As a recent graduate of Purdue University Northwest in hospitality and tourism management, Emily brings innovation and a fresh perspective to the sales and services team. We look forward to her contribution to enhancing the service experience for our customers,” said Scott Horgan, VP of sales and services for LEPFA.

Also in August of 2017, Amy Denyer-Grey was hired to fill a vacant event coordinator position. Denyer-Grey is an experienced event coordinator, having planned events at several venues in the Lansing area. She attended Western Michigan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications with an emphasis on public relations. Denyer-Grey is originally from the Metro Detroit area.

“Amy brings experience both in a country club and dining services setting. Her service experience will be a valued addition to our team as we focus on enhancing the customer experience,” Horgan said.

Natalie Glisson was hired to fill the HR/payroll coordinator position in July of 2017. She assists the accounting manager in the processing and coordination of payroll and assists the vice president of administration in the processing, coordination, and administration of LEPFA’s human resource practices. Glisson holds a bachelor’s degree in English and sociology, as well as a master’s in human resource management. She brings to the position experience gained from previous positions of office manager/HR coordinator at Canada Dry Potomac and personal banker at Huntington National Bank. Glisson belongs to the Society for Human Resource Management, in which she is a SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP).

“Natalie’s multi-faceted experience in payroll and human resources in the banking, food service and beverage industries; as well as her education and SHRM affiliations uniquely complement LEPFA’s payroll and human resource functions,” said Heidi Brown, VP of administration at LEPFA. “Natalie’s enthusiasm, as well as her desire to learn, enhance and evolve LEPFA’s payroll and HR functions is invaluable. LEFPA is fortunate to have Natalie Glisson join our team and we look forward to Natalie’s overall contribution to our organization.”

Kevin Powless was promoted from banquet captain to catering sales coordinator in September of 2017.

The catering sales coordinator works with clients to plan their food and beverage needs for their event at the Lansing Center. Powless brings to the position unique experience with LEPFA’s food and beverage department, as he has held several positions in the department for well over a year. Powless holds a general associate’s degree and a photographic imaging associate’s degree from Lansing Community College. He co-owns a photography business, Powless Brothers Photography, with his twin brother, Kyle, also a LEPFA employee.

“LEPFA takes a lot of pride in promoting from within and we are very excited on Kevin’s promotion,” Horgan said. “As a Banquet Captain, his commitment to service excellence has given him high reviews from our customers. Kevin is a great addition to the catering team and it will also be a smooth transition for our customers.”

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.

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The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada announced the appointment of Richard Wong to the position of general manager. The move became effective on November 6.

“We are excited to welcome Richard to the EEDC family as the new general manager of the Shaw Conference Centre,” said Brad Ferguson, president & CEO, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation. “Richard brings an exceptional history of leadership experience, augmented by deep community involvement and passion for our city. I am confident the Shaw Conference Centre will continue to thrive and grow under his leadership.”

“It’s an honour to be trusted with the public stewardship of one of the city’s most iconic assets,” Wong said. “I look forward to joining the world-class team who has positioned the Shaw Conference Centre as a premier convention facility and community destination for over 34 years.”

Wong comes to the Shaw Conference Centre with more than 30 years of experience in the venue, event management and hospitality sector. He has previously held executive roles with Nova Hotels, Travel Alberta and Sutton Place Hotels Group.

Wong is proud to call Edmonton home and this is reflected through his many contributions to the community. He has previously served on the boards of the Edmonton Destination Marketing Fund, Edmonton Downtown Business Association, Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation, Edmonton Police Foundation, and more.