ASM Global has selected one of the nation’s most experienced general managers, Steve Eckerson, as the new GM of Pechanga Arena – as the San Diego venue nears its 60th anniversary.

Under ASM Global’s renowned management, Pechanga Arena has enjoyed record-breaking years with performances by some of the world’s leading artists. This includes earning the No. 8 ranking of top venues worldwide (10,001-15,000 capacity) with $31.3 million in gross sales and 357,000 tickets sold in 2022, as published in Billboard’s “Year in Touring 2022.”

Among the venues in the US, Pechanga now ranks No. 4 and No. 1 in California. In addition, the arena was recently awarded for supporting community efforts through five food distribution events with Feeding San Diego, 11 blood drives with the San Diego Red Cross and hosting the Veteran Village of San Diego Stand Down in July.

Following a record-setting 2022, the arena is on track for more significant growth in 2023, having already hosted legendary classic rock band The Eagles this past March and looking forward to two nights of Blink-182 performing in their hometown, one of the most beloved international artists Luis Miguel and the triumphant return of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to San Diego after 42 years.

“I look forward to working with the stellar team already in place at Pechanga Arena and with the City of San Diego to enjoy our continued success together,” Eckerson said. “Pechanga Arena has been of interest to me for many years. So, when the opportunity presented itself to serve as general manager, I knew it would be the right move for me to support ASM Global by coming to San Diego. The arena has a rich history in San Diego with so many first memories made for young sports and music fans.”

A 30-plus-year music industry veteran, Eckerson has been GM for ASM Global at Mechanics Bank Arena, Theater and Convention Center since 2016. Before his experience in Bakersfield, he served as GM for Toyota (then Citizens Business Bank) Arena in Ontario, California, opening that facility in 2007.

Eckerson has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Vermont. He was also a record-setting goalie for the hockey team and is now a member of the University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame.

Eckerson succeeds Steve Tadlock, who served as GM from 2021 to 2023 and successfully reopened a dormant arena after 512 days of pandemic-related closure. Before Tadlock, the arena was led by Ernie Hahn, who served as GM and partner since 1996.

“ASM Global is looking forward to our continued San Diego success under the leadership of Steve with the support of the Hahn family, who have been stewards of the arena for more than 30 years,” said ASM Global Senior Vice President Felix Mussenden. “Our foremost goal with Steve is to utilize ASM Global’s unparalleled international relationships with premier entertainment offerings that benefit this entire region.”

The IAVM Foundation is pleased to announce Tom Cornwall, CVE, as the recipient of the 2023 IAVM Foundation Legacy Award.

Currently retired, Cornwall’s venue management career spanned over 44 years. He started his tenure at Arizona State University as a student stagehand then spent 18 years in senior positions in the operation / management of ASU’s athletic and entertainment facilities. Cornwall has worked for Ogden Entertainment in Minneapolis and Edmonton with the NBA Timberwolves and NHL Oilers, completed Olympic projects in Salt Lake, Torino and Vancouver, worked with several VenuWorks facilities, and assisted the Edmonton Oilers design, build, and open their new arena. Though he retired at the end of 2019, Cornwall helped Oakview Group with the NHL 2020 Stanley Cup Bubble tournament in Edmonton.

Cornwall’s IAVM involvement over the years includes many volunteer roles with various committees and task forces, and he served as a trustee on the Foundation Board of Trustees for two years. Even though retired, he continues to serve on the IAVM Certification Board, as well as on a task force reviewing the CVE and CVP programs. He has been an avid donor and supporter of the IAVM Foundation throughout his IAVM membership and continues to give back ever into his retirement.

“Tom Cornwall served on the Foundation Board of Trustees from 1996 through 1998 and was a co-chair of the silent auction, but what made Tom worthy of the Legacy Award is that for the next 25 years he continued to give his time to IAVM and financial support to the IAVM Foundation,” said Jim Wynkoop, CVE, Chair of the IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees. “Even in retirement, he continues to serve and support the Foundation. His service and generosity are an example for us all to aspire to when we start thinking about our own legacies, and the Board of Trustees is thrilled to recognize Tom’s legacy of service and giving with the IAVM Foundation Legacy Award.”

Upon being notified of receiving the award, Cornwall said, “I am honored to accept the award and am thrilled to be joining a very admirable group of past recipients. Even after a few weeks (since being notified), I am not sure the scope of this recognition has totally registered with me.”

Cornwall will be presented with the award at VenueConnect 2023, which is being held in Pittsburgh, PA July 31-August 3. For more information on VC23 or to register, please click here.

By Mary Tucker

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) announced the roster for its 2023 Board of Directors, including IAVM member Eric Blanc Sr., CMP, deputy director of the Orange County Convention Center. CEIR’s Board of Directors is one of the most diverse and influential groups within the industry. As part of its oversight responsibilities, it ensures that the monies raised are used to fund the CEIR Index and other important research opportunities. Officers of the board serve one-year terms, and directors serve for three years.

2023 CEIR Chairperson Marie Browne is Group Vice President for RX, a global company in the business of building businesses. She manages and grows a portfolio of leading events that span a wide range of industries, including industrial sectors such as pharmaceutical manufacturing to retail sectors such as vision and golf.

“I am honored to serve alongside colleagues who are passionate in supporting CEIR’s mission to provide valuable and objective research to industry members,” Browne said. “Working with the CEIR Research Council, we are devoted to supporting the industry in its utmost needs by comprehending and addressing the issues that are top of mind now as well as prepare for the foreseeable future.”

Remaining members of the 2023 CEIR Board of Directors include:

Immediate Past Chairperson
Dennis Smith
Vice President of Business Development
Asian American Hotel Owners Association

Secretary/Treasurer
Janet Sperstad, CMP-F
Program Director, Meeting & Event Management
Madison College

Director
Eric Blanc Sr., CMP
Deputy Director
Orange County Convention Center

Director
Mark Bogdansky
Vice President, Meetings and Events
Auto Care Association

Director
Paige Cardwell
President, CSG
National Trade Productions, Inc./NTP Events

Director
Michelle Edmonson, CEM
Vice President, Exhibitions
AMT – The Association for Manufacturing Technology

Director
Chuck Grouzard
Executive Vice President, Business Development
GES

Director
Jennifer Hoff – CEIR Research Council Chairperson
President
Trifecta Collective LLC

Director
John Jaworski, CEM
Assistant Executive Director: Meeting Services & Corporate Relations
Radiological Society of North America

Director
Ian Sequeira
Vice President, Research & Measurement
Freeman

CEIR
Cathy Breden, CMP-F, CAE, CEM
CEO

Ex-Officio – IAEE
David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA
President & CEO
IAEE

Mary Tucker is Sr. PR/Communications Manager for CEIR.

From tennesseetitans.com

The Tennessee Titans announced that TVS will serve as Architect of Record (AOR) on the new stadium project team. The Metropolitan Sports Authority approved the selection at its May 18 board meeting.

As AOR, TVS will work in tandem with the Design Architect (MANICA) to lead the design team through the completion of the stadium design and through the administration of construction activity. TVS is responsible for delivering the construction documents that will be used to construct the stadium and will hold all contracts with certified subconsultants necessary to complete full stadium design. During the construction administration phase, TVS will provide critical oversight to ensure all materials and construction are being utilized correctly and per specification and design.

“We were immediately impressed by TVS’ portfolio and are excited to welcome them to the project team,” said Gil Beverly, Titans Sr. Vice President, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer. “They bring a significant breadth of experience in large-scale venues and share our dedication to delivering a game-changing, high-character facility to Nashville.”

TVS has experience working on major projects in the Nashville area, having served as AOR for Nashville’s Music City Center, and also have NFL venue experience through work on Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“As a proud Tennessee native, I am beyond excited to be a part of the team that will bring this transformational new stadium to the residents of Tennessee,” said TVS Principal Rob O’Keefe. “This project will usher in a new era for Titans fans and residents of the broader region as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and impactful community events year-round.”

As outlined in the new stadium development agreement, the Titans are responsible for leading the procurement process for the selection of the firms that will oversee the design and construction of the stadium. In keeping with the Metro Government’s procurement regulations and practices, the Titans were assisted by an evaluation committee comprised of Titans, Metro Nashville, and Sports Authority representatives.

Diverse business participation and minority contracting is a key priority for the entire project team, with commitments to meet and exceed participation goals set by the Business Assistance Office and work with a diversity reporting consultant who will provide monthly reports to the Sports Authority regarding minority contractor and subcontractor participation.

Groundbreaking on the new stadium is expected to begin in early-to-mid 2024, following the 2023-2024 NFL season. The facility is anticipated to open in 2027.

Delta Airlines has renewed its long-running partnership with sports and entertainment giant AEG, with the deal including sponsorship of the reimagined Chairman’s Club space at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Delta has renewed its status as a founding partner of the arena, which serves as the home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers, the NHL’s Kings, and the WNBA’s Sparks. The company will also continue to serve as the official airline of Crypto.com Arena and the Kings.

The expanded deal also includes naming rights to the Chairman’s Club, which is one of the arena’s most exclusive hospitality spaces. The space will now be officially known as the Delta Sky360° Club.

The club is located on the event level of the arena and offers select season ticket members and VIP guests new benefits and experiences before, during, and after all publicly ticketed sporting events at the venue as well as selected concerts.

The Delta Sky360° Club offers guests an unlimited bar, upscale food and drink offerings, new seating and fireplaces, valet parking, and a dedicated entrance. As a founding partner of Crypto.com Arena, Delta will continue to benefit from prominent indoor and outdoor signage at the venue including on the center scoreboard during events.

The new agreement was brokered by AEG Global Partnerships and also includes partnership elements at L.A. Live, through which Delta will receive a range of digital signage rights as well as premium exposure during events such as the Grammys, Emmys, and American Music Awards.

Lee Zeidman, president of Crypto.com Arena and L.A. Live, said: “With its numerous first-class amenities, the Delta Sky360° Club represents the new standard in exclusive VIP hospitality at Crypto.com Arena and will bring a one-of-a-kind fan experience to our guests.

“Our long and fruitful partnership with Delta has consistently added value to our arena and continues to help us raise the bar for the millions of fans we entertain each year.”

Scott Santoro, vice president of global sales at Delta, said: “Delta and AEG are both focused on elevating the experience for our customers, whether they are cheering on their favorite team or catching a flight to their next destination.

“Delta is proud to be LA’s largest premium global carrier and with the support of partners like AEG, we will continue to provide best-in-class offerings to Angelinos and LA sports fans worldwide.”

Delta has served as a founding partner of Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) since 2011. The company is also a founding partner of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, which will take place in Los Angeles.