By Justin Aquino

When athletes become champions and actors and actresses are announced as winners at award shows, it is common for them to acknowledge mentors that have helped them to achieve the highest honor in their respective fields. The venue management industry is no different. I have spoken to many who have achieved IAVM’s Certified Facilities Executive’ (CFE) designation, the industry’s most distinguished recognition, and most tribute their mentors in motivating them to become one of the industry’s finest.

IAVM offers its members a free 12-month long mentoring program called Mentor Connector. Partnerships start in April and October annually and provide personal one-on-one mentoring. No matter how long you’ve been in the industry, no matter your age and role (mentor or mentee), participants use this opportunity to enhance and grow in our profession. As an IAVM member since graduating college, I have always sought ways to take full advantage of my membership. Not having the opportunity to go to the many schools and conferences our association provides, I looked for other opportunities to interact with IAVM members. The Mentor Connector program immediately stuck out and I applied to be a mentee. The application process was quick and easy; the form asks questions to determine career aspirations and the type of mentor preferred. My answers assisted the Mentoring Committee in matching me with the right mentor.

I have been fortunate enough to complete one 12-month cycle. After achieving my goals I had set during that year and gaining new knowledge and skills, I was hooked. So I signed up again and I am currently participating in another cycle with a new mentor. The goals have changed but the new knowledge and skills I have acquired so far makes this program very worthwhile. The support my mentor gives me in achieving my goals has given me more confidence in my job. Mentorships don’t have to last for the official term of your partnership. I look at them as life-long relationships that will endure throughout a career…industry colleagues you can always reach out to for advice and assistance.

Now, as I share my experiences and successes in the industry, mentors throughout my career are always mentioned – just like athletes, actors and actresses – give recognition to their mentors. To my mentors who have seen my potential and took a risk, those that have seen my mistakes and tutored me to improve and the many mentors who have supported and applauded me in my successes. I can’t thank you all enough and I’m certain you know who you are.

A new cycle begins in October with the mentoring committee hosting an informational webinar on Friday, September 22 at 3:30pm (EST). Register here. Visit iavm.org/mentor for more details.

Air Canada Centre in Toronto will transition to a new naming rights holder when the venue officially becomes Scotiabank Arena on July 1, 2018. The deal is for 20 years with a hefty price tag of $40 million a year, making it one of the most lucrative naming rights deals in professional sports. The venue is home to the NHL Toronto Maple Leafs and the NBA Toronto Raptors and has been known as the Air Canada Centre since opening in 1999.

Bob Hunter, CFE, chief project development officer for Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Air Canada Centre, termed the deal a “20-year marriage,” while acknowledging at the same time that it is not a divorce from Air Canada as they will remain the official airline.

“Scotiabank has been a partner of ours for a long time and at varying degrees over the years,” Hunter said. “They were originally even a small owner of the Raptors when the franchise was purchased, so they have been connected for a long time.”

Hunter said that as the naming rights deal was reaching its end with Air Canada that looking at one of the institutions in the downtown area of Toronto made sense, especially with the chops of a Scotiabank.

“They already have their brand on a number of buildings,” he said. “It was a great opportunity for both sides and gives us another great Canadian establishment to work with. It was sort of a natural.”

Hunter said that the association for Scotiabank with both professional teams and the building itself are major benefits for the client.

“There are a lot of associated pluses with that,” Hunter said. “There are a bunch of different premium services that we will go with them on in the next 12 months to ensure that their clientele will be getting a few extra perks such as special entrances and such.”

Already a Maple Leafs and Raptors sponsor, Scotiabank seized an opportunity that was available for more prominence on the local landscape.

“The key part is the title, but that’s not the total story,” Hunter said. “There’s a lot in the deal.”

As for the timing of the name change next July 1, it happens in the month that IAVM will be coming to Toronto for VenueConnect 2018. Could the timing have been strategic?

“We’re rolling the carpet out for IAVM,” Hunter said with a laugh. “No one else counts!”

Further expanding its global footprint, AEG Facilities has been selected by Antel, Uruguay’s leading telecommunications company, to manage and operate a new state-of-the-art arena in Montevideo, Uruguay. Set to Open by mid-2018, the 10,000-seat state-of-the-art indoor venue will be home to world class competitions in basketball, tennis, futsal and other sports, as well as concerts, family shows, festivals, corporate and special events.

The project will be overseen from AEG’s office in São Paulo, Brazil, with additional resources provided by AEG’s offices and venues globally.

Javier Emicuri, Antel´s CEO commented, “This new state-of-the-art arena is destined to be the home of the most important sports, music and entertainment events, fairs and conventions, said Javier Emicuri, Antel’s CEO. “Our goal for this venue is to provide Uruguay with the best infrastructure to become a reference place in South America to host these major events, and with a strong partner like AEG at our side, we are confident we will achieve this.”

As part of the comprehensive management agreement signed by representatives of Antel and AEG, AEG Facilities will be responsible for all aspects of the arena’s operations beginning with directing all pre-opening functions including overseeing the hiring and training of the venue’s full staff and planning and executing the arena’s grand opening while managing key departments such as event operations, sponsorship and premium seating sales, booking, security, ticketing, guest services, marketing, public relations, finance, human resources and overall event management.

Chuck Steedman, AEG Facilities’ Chief Operating Officer who joined the Antel Board of Directors at the announcement said, “We applaud Antel and the government of Uruguay for designing and building this great indoor arena. Antel Arena will immediately take its place at the head of the class for indoor venues in South America and will set the standard for excellence on the continent. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with Antel and the people of Uruguay to provide the best in world-class sports and entertainment.”

Leading AEG Facilities’ team in South America is Venancio Castro, who joined the company in 2014 as Executive Director, AEG Facilities. In this role, Castro is responsible for day-to-day management of AEG Brasil’s corporate staff and office in São Paulo, as well as overseeing AEG Facilities’ venue growth and operations throughout the region.

As Hurricane Irma sets her sights on Region 5, know that all on the Region Board, as well as your colleagues throughout the association, IAVM leadership, and staff, are keeping you in our thoughts and prayers. Many of you have lived through previous storms and are no doubt prepared to tackle the inherent challenges. Know that you have a caring professional support group standing by to offer any assistance you might need. First and foremost, stay safe!

The IAVM staff have been in contact with emergency agencies, and have compiled the information below to help you and your immediate families, as you begin to prepare.  Know that we are here if you need anything, and encourage you to reach out to your fellow IAVM family through VenueNet, to let us know you are safe, as well as any immediate needs you may have.

Doug Booher, CFE, IAVM Chair of the Board

Todd Hunt, CFE, IAVM Region 5 Director

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Smart City Networks, the nation’s leading telecommunications provider for the convention industry, hosted Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Tuesday to review the communications infrastructure at the George R. Brown Convention Center and NRG Park.

“Smart City began in Houston more than 30 years ago,” said Mark Haley, President of Smart City Networks. “It was a top priority for us to keep emergency response teams and those affected connected when it matters the most. We had a productive meeting with Chairman Pai to give the FCC a thorough update on not only our efforts at our Houston facilities to support the local community, but also in how we design networks that work reliably for both tradeshows and unexpected events like Harvey.”

Telecommunication infrastructures at the George R. Brown Convention Center and NRG Park include automated redundancy and safeguards that have been built into the networks to ensure reliability in natural disasters such as Hurricane Harvey. Also, Smart City has opened up Wi-Fi throughout both facilities and have deployed telephones, internet drops, and power drops as required by city officials and the Red Cross.

In addition to the two shelters in Houston, Smart City has also played an essential role in telecommunication efforts at shelters opened in the Fort Worth Convention Center and the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas. Smart City provided Wi-Fi throughout both venues along with hardline phones, internet drops and VLAN connections for emergency responders and the Red Cross.