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.

IAVM is pleased to announce Richard Andersen, CVE, CIO (Chief Illuminations Officer) of Venue Solutions Group Advantage Training, as the recipient of the 2023 Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award.

Andersen’s professional career includes 28 years in Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Richard served as Executive Vice President of the San Diego Padres and General Manager of PETCO Park, and as President and CEO of Joe Robbie Stadium (now Hard Rock Stadium) in Miami, Florida, current home to the Miami Dolphins and then home of the Florida (now Miami) Marlins. He has overseen Super Bowls, World Series, Olympic Games activities and a host of large sports and entertainment events – and wrestled an actual bear.

A member of IAVM for almost 30 years, Andersen’s contributions to the association have been tremendous, including having served as Chair of the Board of Directors. He continues to instruct at the IAVM Venue Management School and Graduate Institute and has served as Chair of its Board of Regents. Additionally, he regularly teaches internationally including as part of the faculty of the Venue Management Association Asia Pacific School and Leadership Institute.

“Richard has served the members of IAVM for many years, and his work has been invaluable to our mission,” stated Brad Mayne, IAVM CEO and President. “We are excited to celebrate him live at VenueConnect 2023 in Pittsburgh, where we will all honor his dedication to our industry.”

Upon being notified of receiving the award, Andersen said, “It has been my honor to be part of and serve the IAVM for the past 30 years. While I am humbled by and grateful for the recognition, I accept the Joseph J. Anzivino Award on behalf of the many volunteers who have helped make the IAVM what it is today.”

Andersen 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.

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is pleased to announce Beth Wade, CVE, as the recipient of the 2023 Charles A McElravy Award.

Currently, Wade is the Director of Berry Center, a venue complex owned by a K-12 school district  Houston, TX, a position she has held since 2005 when it opened.  The facility included an 11,000-seat stadium, 8,500 seat arena, 456 seat theatre and 15,000 square foot convention space.  Although the primary tenant is the school district who uses the facility for training, sporting events, student productions, banquets and parties, the facility hosts concerts, family shows and community meetings.

Wade has been a member of IAVM since 1981.  She has chaired the Certification Board, Membership Committee, Mentoring Committee and served on the Board of Directors, as well as numerous other committees.  Wade earned her Certified Venue Executive (CVE) designation in 1996 and was awarded the Chair Citation in 2019.

“I am excited to celebrate Beth and her contributions to IAVM and our industry at VenueConnect in Pittsburgh,” stated Brad Mayne, IAVM CEO and President. “Beth’s service to the association spans over 40 years, and she is the epitome of the best of the best in our industry. Her volunteerism and service has been instrumental in making who we are and what we do stronger, the exact reason the McElravy award is awarded.”

Upon being notified of receiving the award, Wade said, “Being selected as this year’s recipient of the Charles McElravy Award is an unexpected honor and privilege.  I love being part of IAVM and have received so much more from IT than I could ever give back.  I am overwhelmed that the Board of Directors would acknowledge my work to further our industry in this way and am deeply grateful.”

Wade 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 visit https://venueconnect.iavm.org/.