The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) is announced that Jan Szabat, the convention center’s director of engineering services, has been recognized by Venues Today Magazine, Venue Solutions Group and the Venue Operations Summit Board of Advisors for excellence in venue management. The award recognizes one engineer working in a venue in North America who has gone above and beyond in solving problems, instituting new programs and maintaining their facility.

For the past 30 years, Szabat has overseen all maintenance for Edmonton’s iconic, 34-year-old convention center. From flood restoration to multi-million dollar escalator modernization and managing the team that keeps the building running, Szabat has ensured the Shaw Conference Centre continues to be a destination for the meetings, conventions and events industry.

“We’re thrilled Jan is being recognized for leading the way in engineering services and expertise,” said Lisanne Lewis, general manager of the venue. “Jan’s stewardship of our landmark facility helps to build Edmonton’s brand and reputation as a leader in sustainability and venue management. This award is a testament to his dedication and passion for his craft.”

Szabat has played an instrumental role in fulfilling the convention center’s brand promise of sustainability. Under his leadership the Shaw Conference Centre has become BOMA BEST certified, the first conference venue in Canada to receive Green Key level 5 certification, and one of five venues in Canada to receive the prestigious ASTM International sustainability certification.

Pictured: Jan Szabat, Lisanne Lewis

Centerplate, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s exclusive food and beverage provider, hosted a “Zero Waste Lunch” at the 2017 WasteExpo convention on May 10. Chef Brandon Felder, executive chef, and his team served industry attendees a menu of Beet Salad, Abita Amber BBQ Shrimp, and Bananas Foster Bread Pudding, made with parts of food that would otherwise be discarded.

The lunch was created in partnership with the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Centerplate, GES, Salvage Supperclub, The Green Project and The Composting Network. The event took place inside a rented dumpster equipped with salvaged wood seats and flooring and rescued doors for a table, all of which came from local companies.

WasteExpo is a regular visitor to New Orleans, convening here nearly every three years using approximately nearly 600,000 gross square feet of exhibit space and attracting over 11,000 waste management professionals.

5/9/2017; New Orleans, LA.; Waste Expo 2017 at the Ernest N. Morial convention center in New Orleans

The “Zero Waste Lunch” consisted of the following ingredients:

•Beet Salad – Mixed greens, goat cheese, candied pecan bits and beet puree with champagne vinaigrette. Pureed beet scraps, trimmed tops and bottoms were turned into confit. Pecan bits that would otherwise be disposed of topped the salad. Remaining champagne from Centerplate’s bars department was combined with white vinegar to create the dressing.

•Abita Amber BBQ Shrimp – Pan-seared gulf shrimp and yellow stone-ground grits topped with grilled peppers and onions. Shrimp shells were ground down and used for stock with remaining Abita Amber Beer product, which were combined and used as the sauce. The grits were a combination of remaining yellow stone-ground grits and pureed cauliflower curd and stems (otherwise tossed pieces).

•Bananas Foster Bread Pudding – French bread, bananas and rum sauce. French bread (otherwise considered stale) was used for the bread pudding, and salvaged bananas that would otherwise be considered “too old” to sell/display was caramelized and added to the dish. The sauce was made from the rum leftover from Centerplate’s bar inventory.

Tacoma Venues & Events, the managing department for the City of Tacoma’s prolific venues, announced the rebranding of the Greater Tacoma Convention Center (removing “& Trade”) and presenting a new brand identity. The fresh brand celebrates the Pacific Northwest, downtown Tacoma, and the culture of service offered at one of Washington State’s largest convention centers.

The brand image enhances marketing and sales efforts by defining what is appealing about the facility and region. The ‘greater than’ symbol seen within the new logo illustrates the service provided by the team of experts that collaborate with clients in all aspects of event planning from safety to audio visual, catering to ticketing. The symbol and tag line “Something Greater” evokes the transformative nature of events held at the facility.

“The launch of our new brand reflects the artful, modern style of the facility and connects us with our clients in our promise to provide ‘something greater’,” said Kim Bedier, CFE, director for Tacoma Venues & Events, City of Tacoma. “Every event presented here holds a promise of something greater for the guest. Whether they are getting married, performing in a competition, supporting a non-profit, or networking at a conference, we hope that everyone comes away with something greater after a visit to the Convention Center.”

Hemisphere Design & Marketing of Tacoma was engaged to develop a memorable and distinct brand. Through their research interviews with stakeholders and focus groups, the Convention Center’s brand was identified for the greater value it provides, the overall experience customers expect, and the personality of the venue and the region. Download the new logo here.

“The Public Facilities District (PFD) was formed to construct the Greater Tacoma Convention Center to act as an economic engine for the entire region. With PFD participants that include Fife, Lakewood, University Place and Pierce County, I am pleased to see the focus on the greater Tacoma area conveyed throughout the facility’s strategic communications,” said Connie Ladenburg, president for the PFD and Pierce County Council Member.

Construction began in April to prepare the building site for a new 4-star hotel. In coordination with the brand change, the venue’s official address has also been changed to 1500 Commerce Street. Aramark’s Executive Chef Brooks Magnuson will also be releasing a new menu this month.

“Tacoma is earning a reputation as a convention destination nationally. Our team is looking forward to using these tools for continued growth in the number, diversity and the scope of the events we book,” said Bennish Brown, president and CEO for Travel Tacoma + Pierce County, the area’s destination marketing organization.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2017. Thank you for being a part of the association!

Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

Kevin Twohig, CFE, chief executive officer of the Spokane (WA) Public Facilities District, was given Visit Spokane’s Leadership Excellence in Tourism award last Thursday.

The award honors “significant achievement and historically significant contribution by someone who has impacted Spokane’s tourism industry for more than 10 years.” Visit Spokane’s board of directors selects the recipient.

“Kevin’s leadership for the last 40 years serving the Spokane region’s hospitality community is impressive,” said Cheryl Kilday, President and CEO at Visit Spokane. “Our board recognizes his hard work and dedication resulting in a significant impact on tourism to the region.”

Twohig was honored at the group’s annual meeting at the Davenport Grand.

Among his accomplishments:

•Strong leadership in the expansion of the Spokane Convention Center.

•Improvements to the Spokane Veterans Arena.

•Fostering partnerships with the Spokane Sports Commission.

Twohig has served in his capacity with the Spokane Public Facilities District since 2001.

Visit Spokane generates economic growth for Spokane County by successfully marketing the Spokane region as a preferred destination for conventions and leisure travelers from around the world. Visitors to Spokane County spent an estimated $995 million in 2016 providing jobs for more than 10,000 residents in the region.