Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex today unveiled the architectural renderings of the new Raleigh Convention Center expansion. This transformative 298,100 sq. ft. facility adds significant event capacity in downtown Raleigh, bringing the center’s total square footage to 798,100. The building’s modern design and world-class amenities further solidify the Raleigh Convention Center’s position as a leading venue globally.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the future convention center designs today! This expansion will allow us to host events and conferences we were unable to previously accommodate, allow our loyal customers to expand and grow, while opening doors to new conventions and events for years to come,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “Conventions bring the world to Raleigh’s doorstep, and we’re delighted to have a part in that knowledge exchange and downtown growth.”

This expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, designed by architect joint venture RATIO | TVS, includes a large new 50,000 sq. ft. divisible flex space and 18,000 sq. ft. ballroom to accommodate diverse event needs, in addition to 13 new meeting rooms and welcoming pre-function spaces. The design highlights Raleigh through expansive windows that provide picturesque views of the city on all sides, offering visitors an immersive experience of downtown Raleigh’s energy and character. 

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

“We’re eager to welcome our community and visitors alike to this expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center. This thoughtfully designed space integrates community input while better serving the conventions and gatherings that bring vibrancy to the city. This is truly a first-class venue for our first-class city,” said Marchell Adams-David, Raleigh City Manager

This marks a significant milestone in Raleigh’s strategic downtown growth, with the Raleigh Convention Center expansion, the new 600-room Omni Hotel, the new iteration of the Red Hat Amphitheater and improvements to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts all poised to bring significant increases in economic impact to Downtown Raleigh.

“This state-of-the-art convention center expansion is a transformative investment in the future of downtown Raleigh,” said Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Visit Raleigh. “It will bring thousands of new visitors, driving more restaurant reservations, hotel stays, and traffic to local businesses. This facility strengthens Raleigh’s position as a vibrant, nationally competitive destination for meetings, events, and tourism.”

Nearly 57,000 Guests, 11,394 Gallons of Beer, 349,341 Pounds of Rigging, and Thousands of Production Hours Power a Historic Two-Week Stretch at Coachella Valley’s Premier Entertainment Destination

• Paul McCartney (Sept. 29) — Launch of the “Got Back” tour.
• The Who (Oct. 1) — Final North American show on “The Song is Over” tour.
• Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns (Oct. 3) — NBA preseason action; Lakers return for the third time to the Desert Duel, continuing a growing tradition of preseason excitement in Palm Desert.
• blink-182 (Oct. 4 & 5) — Two sold-out nights closing the “Missionary Impossible” tour.
• Maroon 5 (Oct. 8) — Second show at Acrisure Arena, following New Year’s Eve grand opening performance.
• Coachella Valley Firebirds Home Opener (Oct. 10) — Start of the 2025–26 AHL season.

• 7 shows in 12 days — record-breaking run.
• 56,981 total attendees — fans from all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico.
• Maroon 5 rigging – 82 points, 83,000 pounds, 2,400 labor hours.
• 2.82 people entered the arena every minute throughout the run.
• 487 stagehands worked a combined 2,435 labor hours behind the scenes.
• Maroon 5 stagehands – 73 hands for an additional ~121 labor hours.
• 34 semi-trucks of equipment loaded in and out.
• 349,341 pounds of rigging across 374 points and 358 motors — equivalent to the weight of a Boeing 747.
• 14,570 gallons of water used to create the arena’s professional-grade ice sheet (for hockey).
• Averaged 3.8 guests per vehicle — sustainability win.
• CVF Home Opener parking – 2,113 cars
• Magnificent 7 total — averaging just under 3.5 guests per car, highlighting sustainable transportation

• Collected 31.67 tons of trash.
• Diverted 15.85 tons of material to recycling.
• Achieved a 50% diversion rate.

• Sold a half ton or 1,036 pounds of pretzels alone.
• Sold 8.5 tons or 17,070 pounds of food.
• 4,104 gallons of water used to produce ice for concessions.
• 8,175 labor hours.
• 1,759 slices of pizza.
• 11,394 gallons of beer or enough to fill an above ground pool.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in September 2025. 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 here to share your story and photo.

Brian Adkins, Alpha Event Medicine, Lexington, KY
Evan Albaugh, Moody Center – OVG, Austin, TX
Sean Aldrete, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Lauren Allen, The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Albion, QLD, Australia
Edward Alvarado, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
John Armstrong, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
David Balderaz, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
George Batayias, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Elana Belton, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Carigan Bennett, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV
Sydney Bradley, McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater, OK
Sharon Brawner, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Megan Brown, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Matthew Bryant, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile, AL
Kimberly Carson, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Brendan Cary, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Jolyssa Cass, Stranahan Theater and Great Hall, Toledo, OH
James Cherry, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Paul Cicero, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, Hartford, CT
Joe Clark, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company, Dallas, TX
Steve Clark, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Macon, GA
Jennifer Clarke, Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
Jolynn Cota, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ
An Dang, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Shantell Daniel, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Alyssa Dezell, City of Stockton, Stockton, CA
Katie Dillow, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Kylie Donahue, OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK
Dylan Dotson, Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH
Lisaann Dupont, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Clint Eastman, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Raul Escobedo, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Amy Frost, Lup Events, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Jayden Garner, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Thomas Geale, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
Jacinta Gee, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Sarah Gerschwitz, Northern Territory Major Events Company, Darwin, NTe, Australia
Savanna Gifford, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Kevin Giglinto, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Alan Grady, AGP Consulting Services, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Liv Graham, Waka Pacific Trust, Manukau, New Zealand
Thomas Graham, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Torrie Hardcastle, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Sophia Harris, Netball Queensland/Nissan Arena, Upper Mount Gravat, QLD, Australia
Ben Harvey, Bendigo Stadium Ltd, Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Shelby Heath, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Tres Hefter, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Hailey Hice, Lower.com Field, Columbus, OH
Michael Hodgson, Carsingha Investments Pty Ltd, Moore Park, NSW, Australia
Dan Howlett, Spark Event Group, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Anthony Huerta, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
David Hutchison, Legends Global, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Kristi Isbell, Colleyville Center, Colleyville, TX
Chloe Johnson, Football Victoria, La Trobe University, VIC, Australia
Chris Johnson, RIEDEL Communications Australia Pty Ltd, Rosebery, NSW, Australia
Derrick Johnson, Growth Tech Marketing, LLC, Columbus, GA
Kramer Kales, Angel of the Winds Arena – OVG, Everett, WA
Allan Keefe, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Joshua Kennedy, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Natalie Keon, Australian Museum, Sydney, Australia
Suketu Khabaria, Event Health Management, Singapore
Michael Kraft, At Your Service, LLC, Chicago, IL
Peter Kubow, MadisonAV, Silverwater, NSW
Kristin LaPorte, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Lauren LaPorto, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Lewis Lemoine, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV
Freda Lester, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Ebony Linnell, MyState Bank Arena, Glenorchy, TAS, Australia
Kayla Lueck, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Martha Dorothy Maafu, Drivers4Australia Pty Ltd, Rosebud, VIC, Australia
Patricia Madsen, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Chris Mahoney, Sebel, Minto, NSW, Australia
Jesse Manoussakis, SKG Services, Miranda, NSW, Australia
Bruce Martin, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
David Martin, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT
Jillian May, The Royal National Agricultural & Industrial Association of Queensland (RNA), Albion, QLD, Australia
Ella McNeilly, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Jonathan Medina, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Chincie Mouton, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Lori Muench, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Devon Murray, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Jillian Negen, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Nadia Olker, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI
Victoria Ortega, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Sarah Pease, Alameda County Fair & Event Center, Pleasanton, CA
Alexis Pinon, Toyota Center, Houston, TX
Abed Pompa, Tampa Convention Center, Tampa, FL
Mariah Pryor, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Will Reeves, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Rodney Richardson, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Jordan Richbourg, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Morgan Robinson, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Samantha Santana, Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, WA
Katrina Saumell, Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
Te’Wana Smiley, Belmont University, Strategic Venues and Event Services, Nashville, TN
Alli Srygley, Harding University, Searcy, AR
Michelle Synan, Georgia-Pacific, Middleboro, MA
Ale Tamez, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Angelique Temple, JustPark, Dallas, TX
Lisa Truitt, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA
Therese VanderPutten, CPKC Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Lisa Vignola, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Marco Villareal, American Airlines Center/Center Operating Company, Dallas, TX
Kelly Walden, Kellogg Arena, Battle Creek, MI
Josey Warnick, SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Martheshia White, Vicksburg Convention Center, Vicksburg, MS
Lily Worden, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Ellen Young, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

AI can help you save time, work smarter, and boost ROI. But choosing the right tool and incorporating them effectively can be a daunting process. In a joint webinar, hosted by Advantage Training and Venue Solutions Group, AI industry expert, Jim Spellos and Venue Solutions Group, Russ Simons, will do a deep dive into different AI strategies, tools, and tactics that can transform your venue operations. 

Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 12 pm ET | 11 am CT 10 am MT | 9 am PT

Key takeaways include: 

• How to identify 20+ low-cost AI tools designed for venue management
• How to apply expert-level prompting techniques for higher-quality outputs
• How to implement at least 3 tools immediately to impact operations and bottom line
• How other venues and event spaces are leveraging AI

Don’t miss the chance to learn first hand about the tools and techniques that are already changing how venues operate!

REGISTER NOW!

MSE celebrates the first milestone in arena’s $1B transformation with opening of world-class space designed to meet the needs of today’s elite athletes

As the Washington Capitals gear up for their 2025-26 season opener on Wednesday night against the Boston Bruins, Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) is debuting the team’s fully reimagined locker room and in-arena game preparation facilities—offering a first look at the massive upgrades taking place inside Capital One Arena. The opening of these world-class player spaces mark a major milestone in Phase One of MSE’s $1 billion arena transformation project, focused on elevating the athlete experience and redefining the future of fan engagement in downtown Washington, D.C.

“Our goal at Monumental is to build championship-caliber teams, and that starts with providing the elite resources athletes need to perform at their best,” said Jordan Silberman, President, Venues at MSE. “This project is a full-scale reinvention of what a modern professional sports facility should be. We are creating an environment that prioritizes performance, recovery, and well-being for our athletes and coaching staff, while also delivering an unparalleled experience for fans, media, and visiting teams.”

The Capitals’ new team compound—more than double the size of their previous footprint at Capital One Arena—features a holistic redesign tailored to every facet of a professional hockey player’s game day rhythm:

• Custom Ergonomic Lockers with integrated drying systems, personalized gear storage, and upgraded dressing areas.
• Recovery and Performance Facilities, including specialized hot and cold tubs, compression therapy zones, and functional strength and conditioning spaces.
• Integrated Video & Analytics Hub for immersive film study and game planning, with cutting-edge media and data infrastructure.
• On-Site Equipment Optimization, including state-of-the-art skate sharpening and repair stations for best-in-class gear tuning.
• Dedicated “Hype Zone” creating a dynamic, energy-inducing arrival sequence for players as they enter the arena bowl for gameplay.

The upgraded compound also includes a reimagined family lounge, enhanced media facilities, and improved visiting team locker rooms, creating an infrastructure that mirrors MSE’s pursuit of excellence at the highest level.

The Washington Wizards’ locker room and athlete areas are undergoing a similarly transformative upgrade, and details will be shared ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season.

Today’s announcement comes as Phase One of the Capital One Arena transformation – focused on the arena’s event level – is nearing completion as fans return for the 2025–26 season. Additional upgrades include new escalators and initial modifications to fan seating areas. New premium fan experiences including the United Globe Club and Lounge and the Lexus Vaults are also being completed in this phase and will be available to fans early in the 2025-26 season.

The result of a groundbreaking partnership between MSE and the city of Washington, D.C., the arena transformation will deliver a high-tech, high-touch, and community-focused arena designed to serve millions of visitors annually for decades to come. The fully modernized arena will be delivered in time for the 2027-28 NBA and NHL seasons.