Scott Cruickshank is the new general manager of visitor venues for Metro Zoo, Convention Center, Expo and Portland’5. He replaces Teri Dresler, who retired last year. Cruickshank, currently serving as interim general manager, will begin his new role immediately.

“Each of Metro’s venues has key projects that Metro needs to tackle during the next few years,” said Martha Bennett, Metro’s chief operating officer. “Scott is the right person to lead us. From the Convention Center Hotel Project to expanding the success of our First Opportunity Target Area to increasing our contracting with minority owned and small businesses, Scott has the commitment, leadership and vision to help us succeed. Having Scott in the general manager position is a huge win for greater Portland.”

Cruickshank joined Metro in 2012 as executive director of the Oregon Convention Center. Prior to joining the Convention Center, Cruickshank worked for the Grand Heritage Hotel Group where he oversaw the Governor Hotel and Avalon Hotel and Spa in Portland.

“My time at the Convention Center taught me Metro has a lot to offer our community,” Cruickshank said. “I am excited to help all of Metro’s venues excel. We are experts at what we do: welcoming people and providing memorable experiences and opportunities for everyone.”

Cruickshank previously served as director of Operations for Martin Hospitality, a management company overseeing properties in Cannon Beach, Ore., including the Stephanie Inn, Surfsand Resort, Wayfarer Restaurant and Lounge, and The Lumberyard Rotisserie and Grill. Prior to that, he was general manager of The Resort at the Mountain in Welches, Ore., and general manager of Stuart Anderson’s Restaurants in various locations. Cruickshank holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications Management from the University of Portland and was certified by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

Metro’s four venues — Portland’5, the Oregon Convention Center, the Oregon Zoo and the Portland Expo Center – provide nearly 10,000 jobs and generated nearly a billion dollars in economic activity in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties last fiscal year. That’s an increase of more than 50 percent since 2012, and it means more jobs and more support for businesses around the Portland region.

“As stewards of these facilities, it is our responsibility to invest wisely to generate healthy returns for our community,” said Metro Council President Tom Hughes. “Scott Cruickshank has a strong track record of doing this.”

Completing the Hyatt Regency Portland, attracting more multiday conventions and tradeshows to the Oregon Convention Center, bringing more visitors to Portland’5 and the Expo Center with new offerings, and completing eight major capital projects at the Oregon Zoo are among Cruickshank’s initial priorities.

Event tickets, hotel stays and restaurant meals are just part of the venues’ financial picture. They also contribute to greater Portland’s economy through employee salaries, capital investments and, in the Oregon Zoo’s case, purchasing hundreds of tons of food.

“We are fortunate to have someone like Scott Cruickshank help our public venues create good jobs and great experiences for people who live in greater Portland and out of town visitors alike. Scott’s leadership will help maintain our competitive advantage over other places and help build trust with people right here at home,” Bennett said.

This year’s IAVM Venue Management School at Oglebay is not only special because it celebrates its 30th anniversary, but will get a boost with the addition of Rebecca Barry, head of human resources at Perth Stadium in Burswood, Western Australia, who comes as a guest instructor for the school.

“I have the privilege of delivering the sessions for the subject Delivering Human Resources, borrowing the subject from the very great Kim Bedier for this year,” she said.

The subject matter is one obviously close to Barry in her own professional capacity. She has taken her basic knowledge to Australia’s Venue Management Association (VMA) School, where students are able to better grasp all the nuances surrounding the often nebulous term of human resources.

“Having been in HR in venues for many years, I have supported our Australian School by enrolling students in the School because the difference it makes to them, professionally, is amazing,” Barry said. “Additionally, I am currently a Committee member of the Australian School and have been for two years. I have been an instructor at the Australian school for three years.

As Barry prepares for her newest adventure speaking before a different crowd, she cites the fact that she too will gain an education in a new way.

“I can’t wait to learn about the American venues, the challenges faced and meeting some wonderful people,” she said. “I have really enjoyed meeting the visiting instructors to the Australian school over the past few years.”

Barry understands whether she is speaking before an American audience or back home in Australia, the value of professional development at the schools goes far beyond dollars and cents.

“Any school is vitally important when it comes to educating our public assembly venue managers,” she said. “Last year I was appointed general manager, human resources for VenuesLive and Perth Stadium. I have 72 permanent staff to recruit and 2,200 casual staff. So far, in our permanent events and operations team, all but one are graduates of the Australian School.

“Graduating the School sets candidates apart and so far these appointments have been star performers – we are building a high performing team and the skill base of some of the key roles is critical. The VMS validates on-job experience and ensures a depth of understanding of the complexities and challenges of our venues and events. In a start-up, as we are at the new Perth Stadium, we have to get things right from the start, and the graduates are delivering beyond expectation. On top of that, the School brings the industry together and allows for stories to be shared, experiences to be learned from and relationships to be established and developed. Its very important in educating our current and future leaders and firming up industry links.”

Next week we look forward to introducing IAVM members to more individuals who are new to the VMS faculty.

Steve Peters, CFE, president of VenuWorks, announced the appointment of Valerie Devine as the new executive director of the VenuWorks-managed Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, Illinois.

“We are thrilled to announce Val as the new executive director of the Rialto Square Theatre,” Peters said. “She is exactly the confident and talented leader we had hoped to attract to this beautiful theatre. With her contagious energy, I have no doubt she will make a positive impact on the community and the venue.”

Devine, a 25-year industry veteran, joins VenuWorks after serving as the vice president of production of the Paramount Theatre, Copley Theatre and RiverEdge Park in Aurora, Illinois.

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join Venuworks and the beautiful Rialto Square Theatre during a new and exciting time for the organization,” Devine said. “I have had the privilege of witnessing first-hand the incredible impact that can come from a thriving and busy arts organization, particularly on a downtown. With the support of VenuWorks, the city of Joliet, the Rialto’s new board leadership, the staff and a tremendous group of volunteers – the possibilities are endless.”

“We were looking for someone who could appreciate the Rialto Square Theatre and its specialness within our community,” added Bob Filotte, Rialto authority board chair. “We also needed a director to provide leadership to the groups needed to make it
a success. We are pleased with VenuWorks’ choice of Val Devine.

Devine will begin her new position in Joliet on April 3rd.

Leading global companies like Apple, Amazon and Google have permanently raised expectations for seamless, cross-device user experiences. Having spent decades immersed in the tech industry, Ungerboeck Software CEO Manish Chandak has had front-row access to this transformation and the role technology has played in its development. “The ubiquity of mobile devices along with unprecedented access to information has turned expectations about how and when people make purchasing decisions completely inside out,” Chandak said. “In today’s global economy, consumer demand for a consistent and enhanced experience across all channels and touch points is high, regardless of whether they’re buying a car or registering for an event.”

As a direct response to this demand, Chandak has prioritized investment at Ungerboeck Software in product lines and solutions that allow events and venues to build the kind of dynamic digital experiences their customers want — easily and effectively. “We’ve been involved in the data management part of the process for a long time,” Chandak said. “What we’re focusing on now is the other side of the equation, namely how our clients can unlock the information already in their software to create a more seamless experience for their clients and improve their own efficiency.”

Among the solutions already available: integrated websites, digital signage, intelligent mobile applications and personalized registration experiences serve as standout examples of the organization’s strong commitment to this effort. “The same set of tools and resources our digital services team uses is now available to clients for independent use,” said Phil Sherer, Ungerboeck director of client services. “Whether you’re hosted on-premise or in the cloud, handling development on your own or leaving it to us, we’re making it as easy as possible for our customers to make the most of their software.”

On the digital horizon from Ungerboeck are out-of-the box integrations with popular third party solutions for ticketing, email marketing, demand generation and more. “We’re continuing to innovate and team up with our customers to create new solutions and experiences,” Chandak said. “And we’re also seeking out opportunities to work with relevant partners who can bring proven functionality to the table fast. Whatever we need to do to help our customers create targeted, data-driven, digital experiences, we’re going to do it.”

For additional information about digital solutions from Ungerboeck Software or any key features and benefits of the Ungerboeck system, please contact Stacie Bauer at 636-300-5606 or via email at stacie.bauer@ungerboeck.com. Detailed product information is also available online at http://ungerboeck.com.

The Kentucky State Fair Board has undergone a new rebranding for its facilities and in-house produced events. Kentucky Venues is the new identity for the Kentucky Exposition Center, Kentucky International Convention Center, Kentucky State Fair, National Farm Machinery Show, North American International Livestock Exposition and Kentucky Hoopfest.

“This new brand identification more clearly states who we are and what we are: venues, events, entertainment and agriculture,” said President and CEO Jason Rittenberry. “Kentucky Venues plays a vital economic role in both the community and the Commonwealth. The rebranding includes the launch of a new name, logo and website, www.kyvenues.com.”

The Kentucky State Fair Board will continue to serve as the governing entity. Since the board was established in 1938 to produce the Kentucky State Fair, its business has grown to encompass two major convention facilities and in-house produced events – including the Kentucky State Fair, National Farm Machinery Show, North American International Livestock Exposition, Championship Tractor Pull, World’s Championship Horse Show, North American Championship Rode and Kentucky Hoopfest. These facilities are recognized as major economic drivers for the Commonwealth. An economic impact study from 2014 revealed that $483 million in annual economic impact stemmed from activities and events at the Kentucky Exposition Center and Kentucky International Convention Center.

“The agency is already recognized in the convention and tradeshow industry for operating major venues,” Rittenberry said. “But Kentucky Venues — and the renovation of the convention center — more strategically positions us to attract new business that wasn’t previously possible. The new brand also eliminates confusion arising over whether facilities are solely for Kentucky State Fair use.

“Kentucky Venues will remain true to the Kentucky State Fair Board’s mission: to advance Kentucky’s agriculture and tourism industries and economy while serving the entertainment, cultural and educational interests of the public. The new brand will enable us to achieve this more effectively and with more success, because Kentucky Venues clearly communicates who we are and what we do, and that’s a powerful tool in this competitive marketplace.”