StubHub recently announced that it will offer Final Four ticket buyers preview of their seats via virtual reality (VR). Fans can experience it through their StubHub iOS and Android apps on their smartphones, tablets, or by using a VR headset.

“We didn’t want to do something just for fun or [as] a marketing gimmick,” Marcus Shelksohn, StubHub’s head of product for mobile apps, told Re/code.

Shelksohn said that it solves a problem customers often have.

“Are those seats that are closer to the court really worth the extra $50?” he said.

Please visit Re/code for more on the story.

(Image: Re/code)

Internships and experiential learning programs aren’t long enough for students, according to new research from the University of Houston.

“There is a gap between the expectation and the reality of the students’ experiential learning opportunities, like internships,” David Walsh, clinical assistant professor in the University of Houston department of health and human performance, told writer Marisa Ramirez. “We have to ask if we are failing to prepare and support them when the newness of the experience wears off.”

Walsh studies human development and is conducting a longitudinal study of students participating in a four semester program called “The Super Four Experience,” which includes working with staff from the Hoston Super Bowl and the Final Four host committees in event planning, event management, sports marketing, project management, facility management, and guest services.

“The Super Four Experience requires four semesters to complete, but traditional internships require about 300 hours in only one semester. If an internship ends on a low, the learning opportunity is lost,” Walsh said. “One semester may not allow the full experience of the internship to play out, denying students valuable time to work through the challenges.”

Please read Ramirez’s article for more about Walsh’s study.

(Image: University of Houston)

VenuWorks will manage the U.S. Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois, starting April 1 under a 90-day transitional agreement while a five-year contract is finalized by the city. CIAM formerly managed the venue.

“It is an honor to have been entrusted with the management of the Coliseum by the City of Bloomington,” said Steve Peters, president of VenuWorks, in a statement. “We are eager to make a positive impact at the Coliseum and to become part of the Bloomington community.”

According a press release, VenuWorks will be responsible for all operations of the Coliseum including staffing, booking, food and beverage, ticketing, sales and marketing. A new venue manager will be named within the next 60 days. VenuWorks hopes to retain most of the incumbent Coliseum employees.

“I am extremely pleased to recommend VenuWorks to manage the Coliseum,” said City Manager David Hales in a statement. “They have a proven track record of success managing venues of similar size and scope, and I am confident they will be a great community partner.”

The Coliseum will also continue working with Ticketmaster, VenuWorks’ national ticketing partner.

Family. Team. Band. We’re all one group when it comes to venue excellence, education, and service and this year’s awards prove it.

Excellence for all. Check. Easier submission process. Check. Multiyear application. Check.

“I’m so proud of the updated Venue Excellence Awards program! The task force has worked very hard to make it both easier to submit and far more inclusive for every kind of venue within our membership,” said Kerry Painter, CFE, CMP, CEM. “From race tracks to complexes who may have struggled in the past to squeeze into a category, the guidelines will now meet your needs. We want every venue to have a chance to brag about the great things they are doing to move this industry forward. And the best part is…your submission will now remain on file for three years to save you some of the work in applying”

The deadline to submit your application for review is May 16, 2016. Your application may be submitted as a Word document, and you may also choose to embed photos within the text.

“We’re honored to be the stadium recognized by IAVM for the accomplishments of our staff and stakeholders. The 2014 Venue Excellence Award is significant for our team at MetLife Stadium, as IAVM has great influence in the global world of venue management,” said Brad Mayne, CFE, president and CEO of MetLife Stadium. “No doubt the professional development our six IAVM members have received from the association has played a part in our ability to be recognized as one of the premiere stadiums in the world by professionals in the sports and entertainment venue industry.”

Each application submitted will be eligible for consideration for a three-year period. As an example, an application submitted for the 2016 award will remain in the application pool for 2017 and 2018 unless the applicant wins. No further action is required. However, applicants may update or modify their application prior to the annual submission deadline in 2017 and 2018.

To submit your Venue Excellence Award application, please click here.

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Microsoft Research is making some great strides with its HoloLens technology. For example, the above video shows off holoportation. Holo-what, you say?

“Holoportation is a new type of 3D capture technology that allows high-quality 3D models of people to be reconstructed, compressed, and transmitted anywhere in the world in real-time,” the company wrote in the video’s description. “When combined with mixed reality displays such as HoloLens, this technology allows users to see and interact with remote participants in 3D as if they are actually present in their physical space. Communicating and interacting with remote users becomes as natural as face-to-face communication.”

Check out the video, and let us know your thoughts about this new development.