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.

From Communications Department

In an effort to streamline many of the interior and exterior functions of its facility and to better align with its mission, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center announced the creation of a new “Campus Operations” department which will combine the current functions of Public Safety, Safety and Emergency Management, Campus Logistics, Guest Services, Grounds Maintenance, and Asset Management. Brett Slocum has been named Senior Director of Campus Operations and Wendell Findley as Director of Security.

The decision to establish a Campus Operations department followed a thorough analysis of the operations of the Safety and Logistics departments. The analysis revealed that the Convention Center’s more than 1.1 million square feet of exhibit space, coupled with an additional seventy acres of land outside the facility that includes a pedestrian park and transportation center, presented unique opportunities and efficiencies that required a specialized team to address.

“The scope and scale to ensure a facility as wide-reaching as ours continues to operate at maximum efficiency requires specialized knowledge and commitment as well as familiarity with our history and operation,” said Adam J. Straight, Vice President of Operations. “Fortunately, Brett and Wendell are existing highly skilled members of our team, and their unique skillsets will ensure that our Convention Center continues to be a safe, exceptional destination for premiere event experiences.”

Slocum has been with the Convention Center since 2016 where he started as Assistant Director of Public Safety. He was promoted to Director of Safety and Emergency Management in 2021. Before joining the Convention Center, Slocum began his 20-year career in public safety as a Disaster Coordinator with the United Way in Lee County, FL before serving the State of Florida for ten years as a Regional Coordinator and a Regional Emergency Response Advisor.

Findley has been with the facility since 2021 and brings more than 20 years of experience to his new role. Before joining the Convention Center, Findley served as the Director of Security for the Astor Crowne Plaza New Orleans, as well as the Security Director for InterContinental Hotels Group. Findley is also a Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) Certified police officer in the Reserve Division of the Gretna Police Department.

“As we continue with our five-year $557M Capital Improvement Plan, it is key and critical that we continue to value safety as our highest priority,” said Convention Center President Michael J. Sawaya. “The creation of a Campus Operations Department, as well as naming Brett and Wendell to new leadership positions, is the continuation of our pledge to ensure a safe, secure, and hospitable environment for both our external and internal customers.”

The International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) announced the nomination of Anne Wheat, CVE for Second Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. Wheat will become a senior officer and serve a four-year term, taking on the Chairman position in 2025-2026.

Wheat currently serves as the Event Operations General Manager at Pier 57 with Google. This marquee venue features over 130,000 sq ft of broadcast-quality event space floating on the Hudson River in a historically preserved building that is longer than the Empire State Building is tall.

“Anne is an accomplished venue professional and perfectly positioned to lead IAVM’s future as the global resource for the public venue industry,” stated Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM President and CEO. “With Anne joining the current officers, our members will be a major focus in her ability to guide IAVM in remaining relevant and strong.”

Wheat has previously served on IAVM’s Board of Governors from 2016-2021, with her holding the chair position from 2019-2020. She is currently serving on the Academic Committee through July 2023.

“The leadership of IAVM works every day for the betterment of our members and the venue management industry, and we work to advance persons of distinction into key leadership roles,” said Adina Erwin, CVE, Chair of the IAVM Board of Directors. “With that in mind, after an extensive review of applicants for the position of Second Vice Chair, the Leadership Development Committee recommended Anne Wheat, CVE for this vital leadership position. Anne brings 26 years of experience to the table, as well as having previously served as chair of the Board of Governors and on various IAVM Committees. We welcome Anne to her new position and look forward to the insight and ideas she will bring as part of the Executive Committee over the next four years.”

Prior to taking the GM position at Pier 57, Wheat served as the Vice President, Guest Services and Special Projects for MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and New York Jets. In addition to hundreds of MetLife Stadium events, she has also worked as an NFL consultant for nine Super Bowls and as the Venue Director for the three NYNJ games of the 2016 COPA America Centenario tournament.

“As a long-time member of IAVM, I am so proud to have been selected by the membership to serve as the Second Vice Chair,” stated Wheat. “I look forward to continuing the important themes of education and development of our current and future venue leaders while looking for new ways for IAVM to engage with its membership as we work to welcome new and different voices into our community.”

IAVM members will vote electronically in June on Wheat’s nomination, and if elected, she will take office in July during IAVM’s VenueConnect Annual Conference and Trade Show, July 31 – August 3, in Pittsburgh, PA.

The IAVM Foundation has announced the 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2023. The program, in its eighth year, is made possible thanks to the ongoing support of Momentus Technologies, as well as many IAVM Foundation donors.

Designed to engage the best and brightest young professionals in the venue management industry, the 30|UNDER|30 program recognizes emerging leaders – and their talents – which help accelerate the industry and carry it into the future. The Class of 2023 will convene at VenueConnect 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA, July 31-August 3.

“This year’s 30|UNDER|30 class was incredibly competitive with 143 nominations,” stated James Wynkoop, CVE, Chair of the IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees. “The members of the Class of 23 are not only talented at what they do, but also able to communicate effectively in multiple formats. They have demonstrated both creative and critical thinking abilities. The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce this class of 30|UNDER|30 as one of the best in the history of the program. We’d like to thank all the nominees, the judges, and the members who nominated such a deserving group of young professionals.”

Award recipients will receive full complimentary registration to VenueConnect, as well as four nights’ accommodations at one of the conference host hotels. Honorees will be recognized throughout the annual meeting.

Congratulations to the IAVM 30|UNDER|30 Class of 2023:

Eveline Alford, Peel Compton Foundation
Zack Barletta, F&M Bank Arena/Sabertooth Sports & Entertainment
Shanna Benfiet, Rose Quarter
Abigail Bergman, The Classic Center
Carter Bondy, Niagara Falls Convention Centre
Kenzie Bush, BOK Center – ASM Tulsa
Ray Caraballo, Severance Music Center
Christina DeCoppi, Exhibition Place
Taylor Elliott, INTRUST Bank Arena – ASM Global
Kendra Foreman, INTRUST Bank Arena
Kat Guenet , Angel Of The Winds Arena – OVG360
Samuel Guerrero, Bryce Jordan Center
Daniel Healey, Indiana University
Ramsey Henderson, Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center – OVG360
Abby Hunt, Landers Center
Adrienne Hutchens, Ball Arena, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment
Julia James, Venue Coalition
David LaVanne, FirstBank Amphitheater
Megan Lenertz, Alerus Center
Shannon Madden, Momentus Technologies
Sophia Mobayen, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park
Mackenzie Myrkle, Scheels Arena
Dani O’Callahan, The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts
Ellie Oegema, Clowes Memorial Hall
Eli Schellinger, Mesa Arts Center
Kelly Schmidt, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn University
Trevor Thomas, UBS Arena – Oak View Group
Nicholas Turgeon, PNC Arena
Travis Winters, ExtraMile Arena
Lindsey Zybrick, Jacksonville Jaguars – TIAA Bank Field

Register today and join us at VC23 in Pittsburgh to celebrate your nominees, colleagues and friends.

By John Rhamstine, CVE

I have been asked to write some comments about my career as I prepare to retire from my nearly 30 years here in Norfolk. Honestly, I have never been really good talking about myself as I have always been more comfortable functioning in the background, supporting someone else such as a director or a City Manager or Mayor. It was never by choice but by happenstance that all of my experiences as a venue manager were in municipal settings. Those experiences taught me much about bureaucracy, politics, and patience.

After graduating from UMASS’ Sport Management program in 1980, I did my internship at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., working for the Director, Bob Sigholtz, who generously paid me $4.00/hour for my time there, which was rare for internships at the time. I worked as a groundskeeper, electrician, engineer, parking attendant, and finally helped coordinate the Hall of Stars ceremonies there.

Summertime football came to the country and the USFL was formed. I was able to get a box office job with the Washington Federals, who played their home games at RFK. I was promoted to Box Office Manager for the Federals in year two but as luck would have it, the team and the league went belly up. Nonetheless I learned a lot from my boss with the Federals, Tom Korpiel.

This was the early 1980’s and the stadium concert business was burgeoning. RFK stadium had the Washington Redskins as a prime tenant, but they had no box office of their own to handle the non-football business. I was offered the job and worked for Jim Dalrymple, the GM, and Bob Downey, the Stadium Manager. We hosted every major touring show that was out in the eighties: Rolling Stones, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, U2, the Grateful Dead, among others. The primary promoter in the market was Cellar Door Concerts, run by Jack Boyle and Dave Williams.

I learned so much during those years from my bosses and promoters alike, but I was looking for more responsibility so in 1989 I applied to be the Assistant Director of Civic Facilities for the City of Norfolk, VA. I was lucky enough to be hired and went to work for Bill Luther, the Director, in October of that year.

Bill was a sage veteran of IAAM at the time and had worked in multiple facilities during his career as well as serving as President of IAAM. Again, I learned a lot from Bill during my eight years with him in Norfolk, but I again found myself looking for a new challenge.

This manifested itself in a job 3,000 miles away in Seattle, WA, in 1997. I went to work at Seattle Center as the Director of Event Production. Seattle Center is the campus that included at the time Key Arena, Mercer Arena, the Opera House, and a variety of other gathering facilities at the base of the Space Needle. My boss in Seattle was a woman named Virginia Anderson who wasn’t really caught up in IAAM or venue management, per se, but was one of the most visionary and inspirational leaders that I ever had the pleasure to work for. I was able to work closely with the Seattle Supersonics, the Seattle Storm, the Seattle Thunderbirds, and the Seattle Sea Dogs. It was also my first exposure to union negotiations.

Heading towards my fifth year in Seattle, I received a phone call from a City Council member in Norfolk,
VA, who told me that Bill Luther was retiring, and that the city would be interested in me applying for the Director’s job. I did and was hired in 2001. I have been in that role until today.

I have been fortunate that from my time at RFK Stadium until 2023, I have been affiliated with IAAM/IAVM. So much of my experience has been shaped by the relationships that I developed in IAVM and the programs that IAVM has offered. From District Meetings to Regional Meetings to Chapter Meetings to Oglebay to VenueConnect, participation in these gatherings helped to shape my career and my views about facility management.

I have looked up to many of my colleagues who, whether they knew it or not, taught me a lot. Bob Hunter, Brad Mayne, Michael Marion, Amy Brown, Kevin Twohig, Jimmy Earl, and Bill Holland are some of the leaders that I have admired from afar but also learned from.

As most of us in this business will attest to, they must have the loving support of their family as there are many days and nights where I was not at home but trying to hone my craft at the office or some faraway meeting. My wife Erin and son JD and daughter Callan put up with a lot throughout my career and
I am most grateful for their love and support.

As important as my family has been, the various people on my staffs who have worked with me and supported me deserve most of the credit for any success I have achieved. Left to my own devices, I doubt that I could have amounted to much, but I have always had great people working for me (too many to mention) who made me look much better than I could have on my own.

I don’t know where the next steps of my life and career will go but I know I will have to find something to keep myself busy. I have enjoyed every step I have taken to this point and look forward to the next
one.

John Rhamstine, CVE, most recently served as Director of Cultural Facilities, Arts and Entertainment, at the Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia.