The Dallas Mavericks are continuing a partnership for three years it started in January 2015 with Tixsee, a virtual ticket-buying company.

“We aren’t in the business of selling tickets, we are in the business of selling unique and shared experiences,” said Mark Cuban, Dallas Mavericks owner, in a statement. “Tixsee’s product elevates ticketing technology, and further reinforces our commitment to creating memorable and entertaining experiences for our fans.”

The Mavericks are the first professional sports team to use Tixsee’s platform, which offers 360-degree panoramic virtual tours through Google Street View. The tour of the American Airlines Center features 12,444 high-res, panoramic photos stitched together to create 1,037 360-degree images. In short, click on a section in the arena and see what your view will look like before buying a ticket. You can experience it for yourself at mavs.com/tour.

“When we launched Tixsee, it was our goal to partner with the Mavs first because of their emphasis on both fan experiences, and technological innovation,” Tixsee co-founder and CEO Brett Dowling said in a statement. “The Mavs partnership has been vital to our growth. In addition, we are planning further developments including mobile apps to extend beyond ticketing.”

It’s been a bit since I posted a video from Richard Wiseman. But since it’s holidays time and a lot of you will be thinking about being more successful in the new year, I think this is a good video to start you off on the right path. As Wiseman says, success is about “the pledge, plan, and plot.”

As previously mentioned, HOK and the United Soccer League (USL) launched a stadium development initiative to have all USL clubs in soccer-specific stadiums by 2020. At last week’s USL Winter Summit, HOK announced they are creating a prototype 10,000-seat USL Stadium, which would be scalable for all clubs that wish to utilize it.

With 28 teams currently, USL is the largest soccer league in North America and has only continued to grow with a majority of the clubs averaging 4,000 to 6,000 fans per game during the 2015 season when overall league attendance reached one million for the first time. In addition to a partnership with Major League Soccer (MLS) where USL clubs serve as their minor league affiliates, the USL has grown from 20 clubs in 2014 to a committed 30 clubs for the 2016 season.

New USL stadiums should be expected in the near future in at least Louisville, Kentucky; Tulsa, Oklahoma; and Reno, Nevada; where those respective clubs currently play in minor league baseball stadiums. Joining in 2016 as an expansion team, Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, is constructing its 10,000-seat stadium that is modeled after the Houston Dynamo’s BBVA Stadium, its MLS affiliate.

Between MLS and USL, new soccer specific stadiums could be constructed in Orlando, Florida; Minnesota; Miami, Florida; Los Angeles, California; Sacramento, California; Louisville; Rio Grande Valley; Tulsa; and Reno; just within the next four years. I believe other markets such as Austin, Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Cincinnati, Ohio; could be joining that list in the near future as well. That is quite a few new venues with new job opportunities for IAVM members.

“It’s not a tenant in a building. They are in control of that venue, can brand and dress that venue and can control the revenue streams with that venue, and operate that venue for other events outside the game. That’s huge. That’s critical. That’s when we start to reach a tipping point here.” said Chris DeVolder of HOK “ Looking ahead five years, I think the sky’s the limit.”

(Image: RGVFC.com)

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 you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: journalist or chef.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met: is my father. He inspired me to follow my heart and hang in there even when times get tough.

I unwind by: cooking and visiting friends and family on the East Coast.

On my desk right now is: lots of paperwork and my favorite Ringling Bros. mousepad, courtesy of some Feld friends.

My favorite IAVM program I ever attended was: VMS at Oglebay 2011 – 2012. I made friends for life.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: tour security manager.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: flexibility.

One up-and-coming venue star in the arena industry is: my friend Lauren Simpson. She is a huge inspiration and has taken on so many responsibilities at her venue (Grand Ole Opry) and multiple leadership roles with IAVM. She’s a rock star!

One of my goals for this year is to: continue to grow and develop my staff through new and innovative training programs and processes.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? So many people gave back to me when I was a student and trying to get into the industry—I’d love to give back to others who are there now.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? In understanding new and changing technology as it relates to our business. Everything from ticketing to social to wayfaring and security systems.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? I read a lot of the trade publications and stay in touch with industry friends at different buildings. I’ve also gotten into Twitter lately as a great source of up-to-the-minute information on a myriad of things relating to our industry.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? Steve Spurrier, Drew Brees, and Taylor Swift. The first two because they are both great leaders with very different and compelling styles. Taylor because she’s been someone I’ve admired since working several of her shows. She has amazing energy and an upbeat attitude and cares about her fans as much as any artist I’ve encountered. She seems like a wonderful role model.

Laura Doyle is guest relations and event security manager at Chesapeake Energy Arena/Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The IAVM Leadership Development/Nominating Committee is seeking candidates who are well-versed in all areas of venue management, invested in their own professional growth and the growth of others, are dedicated to the advancement of the venue industry as a whole, and have the demonstrated ability to lead the association.

The nomination process has changed and is now member initiated. Interested members should review the criteria for selection on the IAVM website to determine individual eligibility as a candidate for senior office, and to ultimately submit an application form should they wish to be considered as a candidate.

The deadline for submitting applications to IAVM HQ is January 31, 2016. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact me.