By R.V. Baugus

Editor’s Note: Part II of the interview with VenueConnect Opening Keynote Speaker Kevin Clayton continues below. In this portion of the interview, Clayton shares more about his upcoming presentation along with how the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse partner with the local community.

IT WAS INTERESTING TO LEARN ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND INFLUENCE IN THE AREAS OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. AS A MATTER OF FACT, DEI ALMOST IS SPOKEN AS IF ALL THREE OF THE LETTERS STAND FOR THE SAME THING BUT OBVIOUSLY, THEY DO NOT. HOW WILL YOU PRESENT THAT ELEMENT OF DEI?

I’m going to define the differences in several ways. I’m going to do it through the presentation but before I even get to that I do it in a way that is experiential and actually include members from the audience in a way that is so profound. It is one quick little exercise. I did this exercise today with some high school seniors. It’s the first time that I’ve done this with someone so young because people couldn’t understand why in our definition do we have similarities.

So, I went through this exercise and showed them and what it does right in front of you, you see, wow, you know, if I let my biases and my kind of life experiences block me from seeing Kevin as a person and seeing Kevin as only a Black male, then I’m going to lose the richness of the potential of us being the way we work together as colleagues or if we’re friends or neighbors. Let me add this: Each time I kind of go through a segment I wrap it up with a how-to, so you know that’s coming. It’s not like I get to the end, and I list here’s five things. I give it in real time so people can mentally massage it, but I also connect this back to this industry. My examples will range from what happens in venues to what happens in communities and everything around it.

SPEAKING OF COMMUNITY, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GREAT THINGS YOU ARE DOING IN CLEVELAND?

I’m going to run off a handful. First, our chairman and leader of our organization, Dan Gilbert, believes that we are stewards over the community’s property. So, we look at our building as the community’s property. Our team, it belongs to the community. With that, I’ll give you two or three quick examples. One of the challenges that we have in Cleveland is being the most impoverished city in the country and that’s child poverty and adult poverty. It has been rated as the worst place for African American or Black women to live and when you start talking about maternal health for women, when you start talking about babies and what have you, we’re one of the highest from a death rate standpoint and you look at all those things and understand there are some things in our systems that are creating that.

What we have done is partner with the city, our mayor, our county executive, and the county, to understand better what role we have and what we focus on with food scarcity and gun violence. There are some very specific things I can share with you around what those initiatives are and how we were able to get the entire community to rally behind us.

At the end of the day we’re a trojan horse. I can make a phone call and this is not me being arrogant but you know, any of our venues can make a phone call and say, hey, this is such and such and it doesn’t matter who it is we at least get an audience.

So the fact is our non-profits and others can’t get that kind of audience. It is our responsibility to be a door opener. We are already with the city and the county, because at the end of the day for all of our venues and the venues you have at the conference if they are coming from cities that are perceived as not safe then that is going to have a direct impact on the event planners and where they are going to select.

I’ll say everyone is talking about DEI to the extent that if we leverage the whole DE&I platform with all of our partners and some of our booking partners who understand it. I’ll give you a great example. Lizzo has a passion around voter registration. That’s one of our passions so we’re trying to talk to her about what can we do in connection with you when you’re here about voter registration?

It’s something we’re just now rolling out to interact with the promoters around what can we do from a community standpoint to expand the relationship because all things being equal if you’re a venue in Pittsburgh competing with us and it’s a toss-up but if we have a passion around social justice, we leverage that and it’s a competitive advantage perhaps.

VERY IMPRESSIVE! THE NBA HAS BEEN A LEADER FOR YEARS WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSITY IN THE FRONT OFFICES AND ON THE COURT. TALK SOME ABOUT THAT.

A couple of things that we’re doing … 85% of the league is African American or players from other countries. Therefore, it makes sense for us to highlight and partner with those visiting teams when they come in that aren’t our players. So, when there’s a star like Luka Doncic with Dallas, when Dallas comes in, we highlight and talk about your star player. We sell packages, we promote, and typically the player will give and take pictures and autographs.

We also have leveraged our relationship in Brazil this past summer with (long-time Cleveland player and fan favorite) Andy Varajao. I’ll show some footage around what we did there. We opened up courts in Brazil and statistics that are amazing as to the impact prior to us doing that and then after us doing that.

YOU’VE BEEN GRACIOUS WITH YOUR TIME. HOW ABOUT WE WRAP UP WITH YOUR DEFINITION OF ‘ALLYSHIP’ AND THEN HOW YOU PREVIOUSLY SHARED THAT OUR CONFERENCE THEME OF ENGAGE / CULTIVATE / THRIVE IS A THEME RIGHT IN YOUR WHEELHOUSE.

I’m going to give you a teaser. The headline teaser on ally ship of what I’m going to give you is “Get in the Boat.” I go through a whole piece not so much dramatic but it’s pretty powerful around what allyship is and what it is not. What I will do is show how this whole concept of DE&I and social responsibility has to be an anchor for any organization to engage, cultivate, and thrive.

By Mary-Michael Rodgers

The Greater Boise Auditorium District Board of Directors announced Cody Lund as the new Executive Director of Boise Centre. Lund was selected following a three-month search and is currently the Assistant Executive Director of Boise Centre. He will succeed Pat Rice, who retires at the end of 2023. In his new role Lund will oversee a senior leadership team responsible for the facility’s daily operations, manage Boise Centre’s $9 million annual budget, and ongoing sales and promotion activity. Lund will also serve as a liaison and represent the District Board of Directors as it relates to community resources.

“During the search for a new Executive Director, candidates throughout the country were interviewed and
Cody Lund stood out among the rest,” said District Chairwoman Kristin Muchow. “His passion, current
leadership of day-to-day activities at Boise Centre, and depth of experience in all facets of venue
management, operations, and food and beverage make him the perfect candidate to continue the Centre’s
place in the community. Cody is a well-respected leader in the convention center industry and the board
looks forward to working with him in the years to come.”

As Assistant Executive Director of Boise Centre from 2017 to 2023, he was responsible for leading and
managing four of the convention center’s largest departments including food and beverage services, event
management, building facility operations, and technology services. His upward progression spans twelve
years and includes Director of Operations where he played a key role in the successful opening of Boise
Centre’s expansion and renovation project.

“I look forward to leading Boise Centre and to continuing to build upon our reputation for service excellence,” Lund said. “It is a privilege to work with some of the most passionate and skilled event and venue management professionals in the business. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead them and to serve the District and the community I call home.”

Lund developed and led the implementation of Boise Centre’s work culture program, Wowgistics. He is a
strategic and respected leader who values building relationships with clients and team members.

Lund serves as the Region 4 Assistant Director of the International Association of Venue Manager’s (IAVM)
and is a graduate of IAVM Venue Management School. He is a member of the Capital City Kiwanis Club,
Idaho Public Purchasing Association, SKAL Club of Boise, and has served as a mentor in the Boise Young
Professionals B Wise program. In 2022, he was recognized as Manager of the Year in the Recognition of
Service Excellence (ROSE) awards.

Mary-Michael Rodgers is Communications Manager of the Boise Centre.

By Richard Oliver

A new study by St. Mary’s University professor Steve Nivin shows that over its 30-year history, the Alamodome has generated almost $4 billion in economic impact for the City of San Antonio.

The Alamodome, which cost $186 million to construct, has returned nearly $628 million in revenues back to city, county, state and federal governments, along with school districts. Since its opening May 15, 1993, more than 33 million visitors have attended events ranging from concerts, sporting events, graduations, and shows.

“Simply put, the Alamodome is a valued asset that has put our community on the map, time and again, and improved our quality of life on so many levels,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

Nivin’s study, commissioned by the Convention & Sports Facilities Department of the City of San Antonio, showcases a facility that has driven $130.7 million in financial impact each year for the community. That number includes $46.8 million in annual labor income and $75.5 million in yearly gross regional product tied to the stadium.

“There is little doubt that the Alamodome ranks today as one of the most diverse, popular entertainment venues in the country,” said Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, Director of Convention & Sports Facilities for the City of San Antonio. “Over three decades, it has proven an iconic destination for performers and fans alike. And there’s so much more to come.”

Nivin estimates that apart from events directly tied to San Antonio, such as high school football, graduations, and parties, just under 50 percent of all attendees traveled to the Alamodome from outside the metropolitan area. The seismic impact of that includes daily totals on average including $124 for lodging, $64 for food and beverages, $30 for entertainment and shopping, and $14 for alcohol.

In total, direct spending by visitors to events at the Dome has totaled $2.7 billion.

The Alamodome just completed one of the most successful years in its history. In the final five months of 2022 alone, the facility hosted five headline stadium concerts that drew nearly 230,000 fans and generated more than $31 million in gross receipts. The events included the Motley Crue and Def Leppard Stadium Tour, Bad Bunny, Rammstein, Grupo Firme, and Elton John.

The Bad Bunny and Elton John shows were part of the two largest tours in the world last year. The Bad Bunny concert broke the facility mark for gross ticket sales for one show when more than $11 million was recorded for the Sept. 8 performance. A crowd of 54,000 was on hand for the event.

Additionally, the Dome saw more than 150,000 spectators attend seven University of Texas at San Antonio football games, including the Conference USA championship on Dec. 2. In total, the Alamodome held 135 event days in 2022, with a similar schedule for 2023, exceeding the average of 115 event dates in previous years.

Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros, who was the driving force behind the construction of the Dome, said he always envisioned the facility as something more than a place to house competitions, musical performances, or conventions.

“I saw it as a community gathering place that would lift the quality of life for a city that was ready for the next step,” Cisneros said. “Indeed, I told the New York Times before the opening in 1993, ‘It’s the beginning of a new chapter in San Antonio’s life.’ That has certainly been the case.”

Already announced for 2023 are concerts by global superstars Red Hot Chili Peppers (May 17), P!nk (Sept. 25) and Guns ‘N Roses (Sept. 26). The stadium also hosted the debut of the new XFL spring football league co-owned by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. More events will be unveiled in coming days.

On Jan. 13, the San Antonio Spurs set the NBA record for single-game attendance when 68,323 fans attended the team’s 50th anniversary celebration game against the Golden State Warriors. Two weeks later, WWE held its Royal Rumble there, and more than 51,000 showed up as the wrestling circuit set records for gate revenues.

The Alamodome will host its fifth Men’s Final Four in 2025 and has been selected to host the Women’s Final Four in 2029. On Dec. 29, the Valero Alamo Bowl was played at the Dome for the 30th time.

“The number of unforgettable, impactful events the Alamodome has hosted and will host in the future is staggering,” said Derrick Fox, President/CEO of the Valero Alamo Bowl. “With its proximity to downtown hotels, restaurants, and the River Walk, the Alamodome is the perfect complement to a one-of-a-kind trip for the 1.7 million fans that have experienced the Valero Alamo Bowl since our inception and generated $1 billion in economic impact for our community.”

Steve Zito, CVE, Assistant Director/Alamodome for the City of San Antonio, acknowledged the promoters who have helped make the facility so successful, including the Valero Alamo Bowl, Live Nation, Feld Entertainment, University Interscholastic League, Cheer Power, NCAA, San Antonio Home and Garden Show, San Antonio Sports, the Spurs and AEG, among others.

Richard Oliver is Communications Manager at the Alamodome.

From tpac.org

Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) announced the selection of a global architecture team including the innovative and internationally acclaimed BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), the national award-winning performing arts architecture firm William Rawn Associates and the award-winning Nashville-based EOA Architects for the design of a new performance home.

The selection is a significant step toward relocation for the almost 50-year-old performing arts non-profit following recent approval by the Tennessee General Assembly of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s 2023-24 budget proposal for $200 million to support TPAC’s move from the State-owned James K. Polk Cultural Center. The State made an initial investment in 1974 to establish TPAC and construct its current facility as part of the James K. Polk State Office Building. After a comprehensive review of its real estate assets, the State has determined the building is antiquated and there is a higher and better use for the site.

Included with the $200 million commitment in the 2023-24 budget is the intent for TPAC to receive an additional $300 million in next year’s budget with a requirement of private philanthropic contributions to support the relocation. This $500 million total investment is based on the findings from a study conducted by the State and aligned with the estimated costs for repair and renovation of the existing facility. TPAC has begun to identify philanthropic leaders that wish to fund this visionary project with a 5:1 match and unlock the State grant.

Since presenting its first live performances in September 1980, TPAC has grown into an arts and culture leader attracting visitors from across the state and welcoming approximately 435,000 audience members each year. With a new and larger home, TPAC will expand programming for Tennesseans with world-renowned artists, touring Broadway productions, and ballet, opera, and dramatic theatre performances from its three resident companies (Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre), while also growing its nationally recognized arts education programs to serve more students and teachers across the state.

“We are deeply grateful to the Governor and General Assembly for granting TPAC the essential financial support to construct a new world-class performing arts center and acknowledging the monumental impact that the arts have on the lives of Tennesseans,” said Jennifer Turner, TPAC President & CEO. “As we take these initial steps toward a cultural vision that represents the future of the performing arts, we are thrilled to work with this incredible team of internationally renowned architects to envision how TPAC will continue to captivate, connect, and inspire positive change. I commend the TPAC Board of Directors for their courageous leadership in pursuit of this project.”

The strategic partnership of architects will co-lead the project’s development, representing a global portfolio of architectural designs that can be seen in Nashville’s skyline, as well as highly acclaimed destinations around the globe.

BIG, an internationally acclaimed architecture firm with a reputation for buildings that are programmatically and technically innovative, and William Rawn Associates, a national award-winning firm that specializes in performing arts facilities that are timeless and transformable, bring more than 30 years of experience working on performing arts center projects, devoted to the betterment of the public realm.

“Nashville is a city fueled by the creative energy of music and performing arts. TPAC is already a lively and celebrated institution in the cultural fabric of Nashville – and together with the TPAC leadership team, William Rawn Associates and EOA Architects, we are about to embark on a journey to imagine and design the future physical framework of TPAC that will be as open, inviting, integrated, and inclusive as the institution already is,” said Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG. “Once the form reflects the organization’s mission, we believe TPAC will be one of the great cultural institutions for performing arts in the country and in the world.”

“William Rawn Associates is honored to help TPAC bring together artists and audiences in exciting new ways,” said Cliff Gayley, WRA Principal Architect. “TPAC’s new home should harness the creative energy of Nashville and capture the imaginations of all Tennesseans.”

The architectural partnership also includes regionally recognized and Nashville-based EOA Architects as an integral member of the architectural team and provides additional support to ensure local expertise in the values and heritage of Tennessee and the incorporation of the community’s unique performing arts culture is a vital part of the design process.

“EOA Architects is honored to be engaged with this world-class team assembled to shape the future for the performing arts in our city and state,” said Tracey Ford, Principal with EOA Architects. “As a locally rooted architecture firm, shaping a new home for Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a once in a generation opportunity.”

Michael Murdock, EOA Architects Principal added, “Architecture and the arts transform lives; this is our chance to put our hearts and souls into what will undoubtedly become a new treasured icon for our beloved city.”

To deliver on the vision for TPAC since its founding, the institution intends to build upon its unique capacity for narrative storytelling to create an artistic beacon worthy of Tennessee’s creative legacy. With a realized vision, a new performing arts center will grow audiences by an estimated 33 percent and allow TPAC to increase programming, expand educational and mission-driven activities, and drive new visitation to the region while supporting new jobs across industries.

TPAC is actively engaged in the selection of a site for the organization’s relocation while also identifying philanthropic contributors to unlock the State grant.

“Today is an extraordinary moment for us to dream, think bigger than ourselves and embrace this artistic opportunity to develop a new performance home that the community can be proud of,” Turner said. “Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a treasured cultural gem in Tennessee, and this vision for the future of Nashville uniquely aligns with the ambitious growth that the community continues to witness.”

By Gloria Fong

This coming November will mark the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (“HKCEC”), and in the lead-up to the occasion the venue has won some major awards for its service excellence and sustainability achievements.

The HKCEC won the Silver Award in the “Best International Venue” category of the EN Awards in 2023, the second consecutive year of its winning this award. The award reaffirms the HKCEC’s status as one of the most preferred venues for international organisers to hold world-class exhibitions and conferences. The EN Awards, held by Mash Media, are an annual event that acknowledges the best events and service providers of the global exhibition industry. The award committee selects the best international venues according to the types and numbers of events that they serve as well as the venues’ ESG strategies, customer satisfaction levels, and venue investment and development activities. This year, five international venues were shortlisted.

In addition to its success at the EN Awards, the HKCEC was also voted “Hong Kong’s Best Convention Centre” by conference organisers and industry leaders at the World MICE Awards. The venue’s management company, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”), was also awarded the “20 Years Plus Caring Company” logo by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and received Hong Kong Green Organisation Certification from the Environmental Campaign Committee for its outstanding achievements in community service and environmental protection respectively.

Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, said she was delighted by the good news. “I can think of no better way to get the HKCEC’s 35th anniversary celebrations underway than by receiving these recognitions for our achievements,” she said. “We plan to celebrate this special anniversary under the theme ‘Sustain Excellence for Future,’ which captures the commitment of the HML team to achieving sustainability, continuously delivering service excellence, and surging ahead with new improvement initiatives.

“These awards are also a powerful affirmation of HML’s professionalism and of the HKCEC’s leading position as a venue of choice for world-class events as the exhibition and convention industries recover from the pandemic.”

Gloria Fong is Head – Corporate & Marketing Communications for the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Pictured: In the lead-up to its 35th anniversary celebrations, the HKCEC has received a number of recognitions for its exceptional achievements across different areas. Ms Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, is proud of the team’s outstanding accomplishments and extends management’s gratitude to the team’s dedication.