(Image: San Diego Convention Center)
These are selected news articles that showed up in our inboxes on Monday morning that we want to pass along to you.
Convention Center CEO Retires (The San Diego Union-Tribune)
“Carol Wallace, CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corp., announced Wednesday [October 21] that she will leave her position at the end of this year but will stay on as a consultant for one more year, ending what will be a 25-year tenure at the bayfront facility.”
Chicago Stadiums Shift Toward Making Concessions Greener (RedEye Chicago)
“The Green Sports Alliance, a nonprofit group of which many of Chicago’s teams and stadiums are members, assembled in Chicago earlier this year to highlight nationwide efforts to make game day greener.”
Inside the F1 Race ‘s Data Center (Fortune)
“As for why a car race might need its own portable data center with 130 tons of gear, F1 is arguably the most data-driven sport out there.”
Convention Centers Must Evolve with Technology (VEGAS INC)
“In an industry where no two events are the same and each event has its unique needs, the traditional telecommunication model does not apply.”
First Virtual Reality Broadcast In College Basketball Is Coming Via Mark Cuban’s Sports Media And Technology Center (SportTechie)
“As of now with virtual reality, there is no running to get popcorn during halftime or commenting to the stranger next to you.”
Jason Aldean on Playing Some of Sports’ Most Iconic Stadiums: ‘It’s So Weird’ (ESPN)
“Growing up in Macon, Georgia, Aldean could have hardly dreamed of scoring a ticket to sit in the highest reaches of Fenway Park or Wrigley Field or the Rose Bowl. Now, the country music star can’t get used to the concept of folks spending hard-earned, not-so-expendable income buying those seats to see him.”
(Image: San Diego Convention Center)
The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation executive director will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.
The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:
The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Vicki Hawarden, CMP, IAVM Foundation Executive Director and submitted to me, Rosanne Duke, electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business Nov. 16, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Sarah Rogers at (972) 538-1009 or me at (972) 538-1025.
LiveLike VR is a San Francisco start-up that wants fans to watch games via a virtual reality (VR) stadium.
“Sports is not about being ‘on the field’ for the whole game, it’s about being able to hang with your friends, doing stuff while there’s a two-minute timeout, seeing replays, stats, and more,” Andre Lorenceau, CEO and founder of LiveLike VR, told FORTUNE. “We are also focused on infrastructure, with building the capabilities to connect with friends or strangers, multiple ‘channels’ to watch from, statistical interfaces. There’s a whole system that needs to be created before we watch sports in VR, and we’re getting close to finalizing that.”
The company is working with Manchester City to create a VR version of its stadium. Users would be able to download the app and get a custom VR suite where they can invite friends (avatar friends, that is) to watch the game.
“Lorenceau says his team is building a platform that will eventually allow users to invite friends from Facebook directly into their suite,” John Gaudiosi reported for FORTUNE. “Each avatar will have a lipsynched voice that sounds like it’s coming from the couch next to you. Future in-game features will include a table hologram where stats can be mapped over NFL players and highlights from past games can instantly be called up.”
Check out the FORTUNE article to learn more about LiveLike VR and its future plans for the app.
(Image: LiveLike VR)
The Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguish Allied Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Directors to an individual currently or previously employed by a firm which is or was an Allied Member in good standing. The president and CEO will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.
The following criteria are established for the Anzivino Award nominees:
The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Vicki Hawarden, CMP, IAVM president and CEO, and submitted to me, Rosanne Duke, electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business Nov. 16, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact me at (972) 538-1025.
You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series.
If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: coach.
Most impressive person I’ve ever met: Eddie Robinson.
I unwind by: doing nothing.
On my desk right now is: a newspaper, a gift from my daughter, and a bowl of peppermints.
If I were on the other side out on the arena field concert stage I’d be an: agent.
One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: a willingness to learn.
One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is: Kevin Welch / Curtis Culwell Center.
One of my goals for this year is to: re-sign all graduation tenants to five-year agreements.
Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? High school venues.
How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? Reading industry publications and newspapers from different regions of the U.S.
Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? President Obama, Michelle Obama, and my wife. The reason is because it will make my wife very happy.
John Wilborn is the director of the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas.
(Image: Orange Photography)