Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2016—a total of 78 new members. 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.

Continue Reading →

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 Venue Management School (VMS), recognizing individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry.

The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of the VMS Board of Regents and committed donors—together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Let’s meet the scholarship and internship recipients.

Continue Reading →

This quarter, the YP Connection event will feature Matt Hollander, CFE, general manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, operated by Spectra Venue Management, on Friday, May 20, 3 p.m. (EST). The Miami Beach Convention Center recently broke ground on a $651 million expansion and renovation project that is slated to be completed in 2018. We briefly spoke with Hollander to learn more about his thoughts on renovations.

How are you seeing security measures being implemented into venue renovations?

Matt Hollander: Security is a major issue and a very important consideration during design. Major systems need to be designed with resiliency and redundancy in mind to help minimize downtime in the event of an incident. The designers need to consider hardening of the physical structure to minimize the risk of intrusion into the building by vehicles. And access control, surveillance, and screening technology must be evaluated based on the attractiveness of the venue as a potential target. The operators, designers, and contractors all play a role in this process.

What is your best advice to young professionals dealing with construction or renovations for the first time at their venues?

MH: Despite the best planning, nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Be prepared to adjust course many times during the process and enjoy the ride. It is a special honor to be a part of a renovation or new construction project. You will forever be a part of the history of that venue. Enjoy every minute.

How do you see convention centers evolving in design over the next five years?

MH: I think we will continue to see an emphasis on the non-traditional spaces for networking and impromptu meet-ups. I think this will continue to shape the selection of furnishings as well as redefine where and how technology is deployed within the convention center.

Please sign-up here to join the hangout and let us know if you want to be one of the eight face-to-face participants. You can also choose just to view the interview. See you on Friday!

Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will offer food and beverage options at low prices when it opens next year, venue leadership said. For example, look at these price points:

$2 – Non-alcoholic beverage products with unlimited free refills (at freestanding refill stations)
$2 – Dasani bottled water; hot dogs; pretzels; popcorn
$3 – Peanuts; pizza; nachos; waffle fries
$5 – 12 oz. domestic beer

“We focused from the beginning on building a unique fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a goal of helping those who visit to leave the stadium with great memories shared with family and friends, not aggravation and frustration about their experience,” said Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank in a statement. “We have listened to the concerns of the fans on the food and beverage experience and have responded to those concerns in a way that honors our commitment to providing the best possible fan experience at our events.”

Speed and quality of service will be improved, too, with more than 670 concession points-of-sale, self-service soda refill stations not near concession stands, and whole-dollar pricing.

“To truly reimagine the food and beverage experience, we needed to first and foremost offer fans the best value possible,” said Mike Gomes, senior vice president of fan experience, in a statement. “Value starts with pricing but also includes improved quality and freshness, a variety of options that can appeal to all fans and the best speed of service – all of which we have delivered on through Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s innovative approach to the food and beverage program.”

(Image: Atlanta Falcons)

The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) Board of Directors selected SMG to operate the University of Phoenix Stadium. Beginning July 1, 2016, SMG will provide full management and operational services for the stadium for five years. AZSTA will receive a $1.5 million up-front capital investment, too.“SMG is honored that AZSTA has chosen our firm to manage the venue, and we are excited to have an opportunity to

“SMG is honored that AZSTA has chosen our firm to manage the venue, and we are excited to have an opportunity to work with the board, the Arizona Cardinals, and Fiesta Bowl in the years to come,” said Wes Westley, SMG’s president and CEO, in a statement.

The University of Phoenix Stadium is the sixth NFL stadium under SMG’s management. Other stadiums include Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana; EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida; Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois; NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas; and the new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“The AZSTA Board of Directors conducted a thorough RFP process, which resulted in the selection of SMG as our stadium management firm,” said AZSTA President and CEO Tom Sadler in a statement. “We are pleased to welcome SMG and feel that they aligned best with AZSTA’s vision and mission. They represent a tremendous opportunity for growth and look forward to continuing a tradition of excellent execution at all of our major events.”

The management transition will begin immediately and will be completed before the NFL season starts.

“We welcome University of Phoenix Stadium to our SMG network of facilities, and will use all of our resources to present the best in sports and live entertainment to the citizens of Maricopa County,” said Doug Thornton, SMG’s Executive Vice President, in a statement. “University of Phoenix Stadium is among the finest facilities in the country. We recognize the significant role that it plays in the region and the standard of service that is needed to ensure its continued success. We look forward to working with all of the stakeholders in making that happen.”

(Image: Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons)