The Arena Network announced that Natalia Caplan has been promoted to the position of vice president of entertainment. The move was effective April 17. Caplan was previously director of entertainment for Arena Network since she began her career there 14 months ago. Caplan previously worked for Nederlander Concerts in Los Angeles for 14 years as director of artist relations at the Greek Theatre. She assumes the position left vacant when Tina Suca left the company to take a new position with Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment in Los Angeles.

Additionally, Denise Gonzales has been hired as director of entertainment for Arena Network. Gonzales takes her new position after working for Live Nation in their Los Angeles office for the past seven years in increasingly responsible positions. For the past six years, she has been project manager of touring where she has worked with agents, managers, and Live Nation promoters in booking/routing tours, preparing offers, negotiating deals, and covering shows. Gonzales will start in her new position on May 8.

Arena Network is an association of more than 30 arenas throughout North America. It works with its arena clients to identify and help direct content into each of its member venues. Theater Network is a division of Arena Network and includes 13 performing arts centers throughout North America. The company provides the same services for its theatre clients. Arena Network also routes and administers various tours throughout North America that primarily are presented at Arena Network and Theater Network venues.

Schuler Shook announced the appointment of Nicolò Brambilla, IALD, to the company’s Melbourne office as senior lighting designer. Nicolò is expanding Schuler Shook’s award-winning specialty lighting services to Australia where Schuler Shook currently provides theatre planning and AV design.

Nicolò has nearly 14 years of experience in the lighting industry. His clients benefit from his experience working in Australia and internationally in Milan, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, China and Southeast Asia. His specialty lighting design work for the past seven years in Melbourne has encompassed a range of project types including hospitality, retail, worship and sport.

Nicolò believes in designing lighting that is well-integrated with the architecture, and he is motivated by the impact of light on emotion and on the human being as a whole.

When he is not designing lighting, Nicolò enjoys playing drums with his rock band and riding the Victorian countryside on his motorbike. He lives in Melbourne with his family.

Schuler Shook’s Melbourne office comprises a group of creative, well-respected designers, including Jim Hultquist, ASTC, LEED AP, senior theatre consultant; Simon Austin, AV and theatre systems consultant; and Nicolò Brambilla, IALD, senior lighting designer.

Recent and current projects in the office include Sydney Opera House Concert Hall Renewal, Hamer Hall, Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Bunjil Place Theatre, Sydney Lyric Theatre, and Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide.

Just One is an initiative created by IAVM’s Membership Committee. The leaders of IAVM – the Board of Directors, Trustees, Regents, committees and task forces – are all challenged to help us achieve a bigger, more diverse network.

You represent the very best of venue management. Now, it’s time to identify the next round of leaders that will propel IAVM to new heights, but more importantly, provide you with expanded connections to give you more vibrant experiences and discussions at our schools and conferences. By having a larger more diverse network, everyone benefits.  

GOAL: We have 234 individuals involved in IAVM’s governance. Our goal is to have 100% participation by our leadership; if successful, we will add 234 new members.

REWARD: The committee and individual that refer the most new members will be recognized in Nashville at VenueConnect.

To receive credit, give your new member these directions for completing the online membership application:

1. “How Did You Hear About Us” – enter “Just One”
2. The committee you want to receive credit should be referenced; important if you serve on multiple committees
   • Example: Just One-Membership Committee
3. Provide the name of your referral:
   • Example: Nick Zazal, Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP
4. One-time initiation fee will be waived if your new member joins by July 31, 2017
   • In the payment information section, enter the promo code: JUSTONE
   • If applying for Professional or Supplier membership, only the dues will remain (savings of $150)

Just One affords you the opportunity to encourage a colleague, star employee, customer, professor, or student to become a member of our unique community at www.iavm.org/membership/join. So, get your competitive juices flowing and help us meet our goal, 234 volunteers connecting 234 new members with IAVM. The campaign ends July 15, 2017.

Contact Member Services at 972.906.7441 and ask for Gina or Summer. Thank you for your support!

Industry veteran Thomas Tingle has joined the DLR Group Sports studio in Kansas City as a Client Leader. He will develop new relationships with professional organizations and collegiate programs across the country and create long-term value for new and existing clients.

Tingle brings 30 years of diverse experience in the sports industry and has been responsible for the development of several high profile sports venues across the U.S. He has an invaluable knowledge of the sports industry that will benefit student-athletes, universities, communities, and the fan bases they serve.

“Tom is an architect who has been a leader in the sports industry for many years and is well known and respected across the country,” said DLR Group Global Sports Leader Don Barnum, AIA. “His breadth of experience in design, construction, and development will continue to elevate the sports studio at DLR Group.”

Nationally recognized projects Tom has worked on includes the Commonwealth Stadium Renovation at the University of Kentucky, the Mackey Arena Renovation at the University of Purdue, Durham Bulls Athletic Park for the Triple-A Durham Bulls, Auto Zone Park for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds, Time Warner Arena for the Charlotte Hornets, and Petco Park for the San Diego Padres.

DLR Group is an integrated design firm delivering architecture, engineering, interiors, planning, and building optimization for new construction, renovation, and adaptive reuse.

We were recently notified of the passing of Alvin Richards, a long time IAVM member, passed away on April 8^th at the age of 79.

While he began his career in the Canadian Forces and spent some time in the oil business, Richards’ was a long time tourism promoter and sports fan. He served over 20 years with the Calgary Convention Center, first as the assistant general manager and ending his career as the general manager.

Richards’ wife, Muriel, stated that his heart lay with serving the Calgary North Hill Lions Club, especially with their service program Make a Child’s Dream Come True. He served as a member of the Lions Club for over 50 years.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, and he enjoyed helping others, especially children. His family have asked that any memorial contributions be sent to the Make a Child’s Dream Come True charity by contacting clagarynorthhillions.ca. A tree in his memory will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park in Calgary. A memorial guest book is also available online at http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/calgaryherald/alvin-richards-al-condolences/185111283.