AEG Presents, LLC, a global leader in concert promotion and venue management, announced that it has entered into an agreement with Chris Zitterbart to acquire the operating rights to the historic Agora Theatre and Ballroom in Cleveland, Ohio. The acquisition adds the Agora to its portfolio of over 60 theaters and clubs and underscores AEG Presents’ strategy to expand its portfolio of iconic venues and footprint in key music markets across the country.

AEG, who produces, promotes or books nearly 10,000 events worldwide, plans to invest capital in the historic theatre which first opened in 1966. In addition to restoring some of the most iconic and identifiable features of the Agora, AEG Presents will also oversee upgrades to the theatre’s acoustical design, lighting and sound systems, hospitality spaces, dressing rooms and guest amenities.

“Given its history and the litany of legendary acts that have played the room, the Agora has been the heart and soul of Cleveland’s live music scene for the past 50 years. It’s a truly unique concert venue and we look forward to bringing a wide array of artists to the live music loving city of Cleveland,” said Shawn Trell, Chief Operating Officer of AEG Presents.

Located in downtown Cleveland and with a capacity of 2,000 (theatre) and 600 (ballroom), the Agora Theatre was founded by legendary club operator Henry “Hank” LoConti Sr., who was a driving force in the early rise of rock ‘n’ roll. In the 1970s and 1980s, LoConti gave exposure to hundreds of artists including such icons as Bruce Springsteen, U2, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, The Clash, Duran Duran and ZZ Top among other, and established the Agora’s global reputation as one of the premier music venues in the world.

“The opportunity to work with AEG Presents and to have them enter the Cleveland music scene is significant. They represent the best of having not only the resources necessary to grow the business, but because they also remain independently and privately owned they can afford to be patient and do things the right way. That combination bodes well for the future of the Agora Theatre and the types of shows they will bring to this market,” said Zitterbart, operator of the Agora Theatre for the past four years.

By Pollstar/Oak View Group

Oak View Group has acquired Pollstar, the long-running publication covering the concert and ticketing industries, cofounders Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff announced at the company’s inaugural VenuesNow conference in Los Angeles on July 12. Through the acquisition, Oak View has taken ownership and operational control of Pollstar’s weekly print publication, Pollstar.com, Pollstar Pro and the Pollstar Live conference.

Founded in November 2015, Oak View Group is global advisory, development and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries. Based in Los Angeles, the company is helmed by Leiweke, formerly CEO of AEG, and backed by Azoff MSG Entertainment. Its acquisition of Pollstar has been rumored for several months; Oak View already owns Pollstar’s main competitor in the live-entertainment field, Venues Today.

“Pollstar has represented the voice of record for the live music and ticketing industries for over three decades and bringing them into the OVG family is a true honor for all of us,” said Leiweke. “Working hand-in-hand with Pollstar’s leadership team, we’ll look to greatly optimize the reach of the its print, digital and conference assets.”

“Pollstar has served our industry as a trusted and invaluable resource during an era where music and ticketing have evolved dramatically,” added Azoff.

Gary Bongiovanni, Pollstar’s president and editor in chief, and CEO Gary Smith will continue their positions within the company and play key roles in its day-to-day operations.

“We’re so proud of our team and everything we’ve accomplished over the years, and are looking forward to our next chapter with OVG,” said Bongiovanni. Added Smith, “joining OVG gives us an opportunity to take Pollstar to an entirely new level and realize the brand’s full potential as the benchmark for our industry.”

“Pollstar concert data is the gold standard for the live entertainment industry and the Pollstar Live! conference is the epicenter of the concert business each winter,” said Ray Waddell, president, Conferences & Publications, Oak View Group.

Founded in 1981, Pollstar joins a number of recent investments by Oak View Group in media companies, including VenuesToday, VenuesNow and SportTechie. According to a release, the company “will leverage its sponsorship division and Arena Alliance to generate advertising sales efficiencies across each publication and conference.”

By Alison Crumpton

Russ Simons, Chief Listening Officer/Managing Partner at Venue Solutions Group, was presented with the Distinguished Leadership Award during the 2017 National Sports Safety and Security Conference & Exhibition on July 11-13 in Orlando, Fla. The event is presented annually by the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The Distinguished Leadership Award recognizes a professional in the field whose career includes multiple achievements and contributions with respect to sport safety and security. To warrant this prestigious honor, the recipient’s service, commitment, ingenuity and integrity must have elevated the profession to new levels.

“To be included in the same conversation as the past winners of the NCS4 Distinguished Leadership Award is very humbling to me,” said Simons. “I also feel that I now have additional responsibility to continue my personal and professional commitment to elevating security performance in our industry.

“We live in a time where we cannot afford to become complacent in any way. I enthusiastically join the past winners of this award in a combined effort to keep our facility staff, participants, performers and guests safe.”

For more than 36 years, Simons has been involved in nearly every facet of the sports and entertainment facility industry including design, construction and management. At Venue Solutions Group (VSG), Simons directs the firm’s safety,
security, risk and crowd management operations. He works with operators at every level from colleges and universities to every major professional sports league. Additionally, Simons works on industry safety and security issues, having recently lead webinars on Ebola and protests, civil disobedience and demonstrations.

“Russ is a tireless worker who exemplifies professionalism and passion. His commitment to the profession is evident in career accomplishments that we have all benefited from,” said NCS4 Director Lou Marciani. “He has forged a major change in how we manage venue operations, engineering, safety/security, guest services, and administration.”

Simons is the current chair of the Department of Homeland Security Public Assembly Facility Sub-Sector Council. He serves on the IAVM Safety and Security Committee, and leads a Cyber Security Working group for the organization.

Simons is a 2004 recipient of the GIGI Award of Excellence in event marketing and PR and member of the Arena & Event Marketing Hall of Fame. He is an architect of the Walmart “Black Friday” crowd management plan, including the development and training of more than 1.6 million Walmart associates in more than 4,000 Walmart stores in the United States. His plan is now standard operating practice for all Walmart “Retailtainment” events.

Prior to creating Venue Solutions Group, Simons was a senior principal with the global design firm Populous. There he managed the firms’ facility operations, evaluation and analysis group which assisted public assembly venues in the renovation and development of new facilities. He works closely with a wide variety of facility designers, architects and operators as they create functional and secure sports and entertainment facilities.

Simons is the former SVP and COO of Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, home to the NHL Nashville Predators. He has provided services to more than 86 colleges and universities.

Alison Crumpton is Director of Communications and Logistics for the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4).

IAVM’s Foundation has once again partnered with Western Kentucky University to bring UpStart: Emerging Leaders Experience to VenueConnect in Nashville, TN August 7-9.  The program is in its third year and will afford Young Professional and student attendees the opportunity to network and connect with experienced industry professionals throughout the three day conference.

“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, we are extremely pleased to be offering the third year of UpStart: Emerging Leaders Experience,” stated Bob Hunter, IAVM Foundation, Chair. “This program’s success is due in large part to Western Kentucky University, our founding partner and sponsor. We are grateful for their investment in these young professionals through their continued support of the program” 

UpStart was designed by IAVM’s Foundation, IAVM and WKU as a means to provide professional development to future leaders of venue management by providing young professionals the chance to build relationships with current industry leaders, engage in transformative learning opportunities, and interact with other students and young professionals in a conference setting.

 “WKU is honored to play an instrumental role in the program,” said Dr. Evie Oregon, Assistant Professor and Coordinator of the Master of Science in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration with the School of Kinesiology, Recreation, & Sport at Western Kentucky University (WKU).  “We believe this program is a great opportunity for up and coming young professionals to learn and network. This program also gives a chance for well-seasoned professionals to give back and help the future leaders. I had the honor to be a part of the first two UpStart programs, and I believe this year will be the best yet.”

This year’s UpStart will be three days of content:

UpStart: Game Changer 
Monday, August 7 | 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM | Room 201

Breakfast will be served before everyone’s favorite Game Changer session starts. Game Changer brings together Students and Young Professionals with Industry Leaders for fast paced (think speed networking) Q&A. Every 15 minutes you change to another table to ask more questions all the while learning from some of the industry’s best! Industry leaders who are participating this year are Jason Rittenberry, CFE President & CEO Kentucky Venues, Kim Stone, GM American Airlines Center, Michael Marion, CFE GM Verizon Arena, Bob Hunter, CFE Chief Project Development Officer, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Air Canada Centre, Adina Erwin, CFE VP and COO Fox Theatre Atlanta,  Kelly Shea Senior Booking Director FELD Entertainment and many more! 

UpStart: Keynote Speaker
Tuesday, August 8 | 3:30 PM – 4:15 PM | Room 206

Come and learn about how to get into the industry and how to be one of the best in the industry from one of the best Paul Turner, CFE, CSSP, Senior Director of Event Operations AT&T Stadium. Paul will have the attendees learning and excited from the moment he starts with an interactive session. Taking away tips on how to be a leader and succeed in our industry attendees are sure to come out of the room armed with what it takes!  

UpStart: Panel Discussion
Wednesday, August 9 | 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM | Room 206

A panel discussion  will be led by past and current 30 | UNDER | 30 and Young Professional Industry leaders – Mac Campbell, CVP Deputy Director Baltimore Convention Center, Max Long, Event Coordinator Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ashley Keen, CVP Technical Director/Production Manager Mesa Arts Center and Annie Wilson Assistant Production Supervisor Portland’5 Center for the Arts. Come ready to ask questions during the  45 min session to those who were in your shoes not too long ago! 

IAVM’s Women in Leadership program is pleased to welcome Jeanie Buss, CEO and Governor for the Los Angeles Lakers, as part of a panel of industry leaders to address attendees at VenueConnect on Tuesday, August 8^th, in Nashville, TN. The session, which is sponsored by ABM, will be moderated by Kim Stone, Executive Vice President and General Manager for American Airlines Arena in Miami, and cover important topics and trends facing today’s venue management industry.

Entering her fifth season as Chief Executive Officer after 15 seasons as Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Buss is responsible for running all aspects of the Los Angeles Lakers organization. Buss, who not only leads all Laker business operations, which include managing team marketing and sponsorships as well as relationships with broadcast partners, also oversees the team’s basketball operations, working closely with President of Basketball Operations Earvin “Magic” Johnson and General Manager Rob Pelinka.

LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 2: at Staples Center on April 2, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

In addition to her role as CEO, Buss also serves as the Lakers’ Governor, representing the team on the NBA’s Board of Governors. She is currently a member of the NBA Advisory and Finance Committee and has served on the NBA Labor Committee during collective bargaining with the NBA Players Association.

Buss, who spent four years serving as President of the Great Western Forum before joining the Lakers, began her career at the age of 19 as general manager of World Team Tennis’ Los Angeles Strings. While guiding the team to two league titles, she also created the Forum Tennis Challenge Series, which became a regular part of the Great Western Forum calendar for years. Buss was responsible for bringing in players such as John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jimmy Connors, Steffi Graff, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and many other top professionals.

Named by the Sports Business Journal in October of 2011 as one of the Game Changers-Women in Sports Business, Buss serves as a board member on the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games working to bring the Olympics back to Los Angeles. She also is a co-host of Lakers All Access, a yearly event presented by the LA Sports and Entertainment Commission, a nonprofit organization, which draws events and attractions to Los Angeles.

Actively involved in the community, Buss lists Canine Companions for Independence, The Amanda Foundation and the Best Buddies organization among her many charitable endeavors, while also working internally with the Lakers Youth Foundation to raise money for Southern California Youth charities.