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.”

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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.

Tacoma Venues & Events announced a multi-year alliance designating Heritage Bank as title sponsor for the Heritage Bank Box Office at the Tacoma Dome.

Through this partnership, guests will see new Heritage Bank Box Office signage on the exterior of the venue and branding will be incorporated throughout ticket sales materials.

Heritage Bank was founded in 1927 with the belief that when banks and neighbors work together, great communities grow stronger. Heritage has remained true to this vision—and close to its roots—offering financial solutions that put their customers first. Their business bankers in downtown Tacoma are dedicated to understanding customer’s business and providing personal expertise and products that they need to be competitive in today’s marketplace.

“We are honored to partner with an organization that reflects our core values including providing an outstanding and unique experience for every customer,” said Tacoma Venue & Events Director Kim Bedier, CFE.

“Heritage Bank is excited to partner with the Tacoma Dome,” said Nigel English, SVP, Commercial Banking Regional Manager for Heritage Bank. “The Heritage Bank brand is centered on community roots. Partnering with one of the community’s best gathering places was a natural fit with our commitment to stability, strength and longevity.”

Ticketmaster will continue to operate the Heritage Bank Box Office. More than 500,000 tickets are sold annually to Tacoma Dome events. Events currently on sale include Maroon 5, Monster Jam, Jeff Dunham, Shania Twain, Katy Perry, and more.

This exterior change is one of many scheduled for the Dome. Renovations, including state-of-the-art telescopic seating, modified loading docks and dressing rooms will provide an enhanced experience for guests, promoters and artists. Construction will be completed fall of 2018.

Following its best-ever year of business, Populous has appointed more than a dozen staff members to Principal and Senior Principal status and added Senior Principal Bruce Miller to its global Holdings Board. An accomplished leader of Populous, Miller has led numerous successful baseball and professional soccer projects since joining the firm in 1989, including Target Field and Orlando City Stadium.

Miller is often cited as an expert source on stadium design for media including Sports Business Journal, Urban Land Magazine, National Public Radio, Design Intelligence, The Business of Sports, and Athletic Business. He has been guest lecturer at NYU and has spoken to industry leaders at the Freitas Seminar during the Winter Baseball Meetings. He was named a Sports Business Journal 40 Under 40 winner in 2003.

Promotions to Senior Principal:

Bob Gillcrist, Kansas City
Shireen Hamdan, London
Jonathan Mallie, New York
Brian Mirakian, Kansas City
Sherri Privitera, Kansas City

Promotions to Principal:

Brad Albers, Kansas City
Marc Bertolino, Kansas City
Steve Boyd, Kansas City
Steve Caudle, Kansas City
Tiric Chang, Beijing
Rhys Courtney, London
Jeanette Johnson, Denver
Marc Klein, Denver
Whitney Williams, Kansas City

“It is an exciting time for Populous – we are very much looking forward to the future. The promotion of these gifted individuals around the world signals a bright future for us,” said Earl Santee, Managing Director of Populous Americas.

Populous experienced a 15 percent increase in staffing for 2017, and expects to grow by another 15 percent through 2018.