By Maddison Devoy

Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre’s (MCEC) Food and Beverage team were recognized at the prestigious National MEA Awards for the bespoke retail and catering menus designed for THE LUME Melbourne.

THE LUME Melbourne, created by Grande Experiences and permanently located at MCEC, is an immersive digital art gallery, incorporating design, sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes.

MCEC’s award-winning team showcased their expertise and creativity in designing premium lunch and dinner menus for the dedicated café, as well as customized menus for events that align with and elevate the exhibit, delivering an authentic experience for visitors.

In line with MCEC’s strong sustainability focus, the café and event menus were designed to be 100% sustainable. Menus feature high-quality Victorian seasonal produce, locally sourced beers, seltzers, spirits, and wines. Food waste is donated for redistribution through food rescue organization, OzHarvest, or processed onsite in MCEC’s organic dehydrator.

For corporate event organizers, MCEC offers opportunities to host events on the mezzanine level as well as exclusive events throughout the gallery. MCEC’s culinary experts design customized event menus to align with the theme of the exhibition or to meet the customer’s specifications. MCEC was honored to host the 2022 AFL Season Launch and collaborate with Indigenous Chef and founder of Mabu Mabu, Nornie Bero to deliver a unique menu for the event.

MCEC’s Head of Food and Beverage, Paul Kanaan, was proud to accept the National MEA Banqueting and Catering Award. “Developing an immersive food and beverage menu is no easy task. Thank you to MEA and the awards committee for continuing to recognize the critical role that F&B play in elevating the event experience.”

“The MCEC team pours their heart and soul into creating unforgettable experiences for guests. This award is a testament to their tireless efforts to push boundaries, raise the bar, and deliver memorable experiences for everyone who visits our centre” he added.

The next instalment of THE LUME Connection opening later this month is the largest representation of First Nations people and culture ever assembled. The menu will showcase Australian native and locally grown ingredients. Each dish carries a cultural legacy and extends the experience of the exhibition, playing a vital role in educating and connecting visitors to the oldest living culture in the world.

Maddison Devoy is Corporate Communications Specialist – Media at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

From StadiumBusiness.com

New renderings have been revealed of 76 Place, a proposed new $1.3 billion arena for the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team.

The 76 Devcorp company, which was set up last July to oversee the project, recently provided an update on the plans.

Architectural renderings of the arena have been produced by Gensler and CBL Real Estate. The Sixers plan on building the arena on part of the current Fashion District Philadelphia and it is hoped the facility will serve as an anchor for the city center.

The project is still in the early stages, with the timeline foreseeing that construction will not begin until 2028, after the necessary approvals, design process and demolition work is carried out. The arena would then open in time for the 2031-32 NBA season.

The latest information shared by 76 Devcorp is partly in response to feedback the company has had from fans over the past year. The design approach outlined by 76 Devcorp includes an atrium experience that provides a “front door” to Market Street.

Outward-facing retail would also seek to elevate the everyday experience on event and non-event days, while multiple entry points would be created to alleviate congestion and provide optionality.

The Sixers currently share Wells Fargo Center with NHL ice hockey franchise the Philadelphia Flyers. The arena is owned by Comcast Spectacor and the Sixers’ lease at the facility is due to expire in 2031, with the team feeling constrained by its current status as a tenant.

The new arena will be privately funded and is expected to cost around $1.3 billion. The Sixers said the arena will provide $1.9 billion in overall economic output during construction and $400 million annually upon opening to support Philadelphia’s long-term economic growth and sustainability.

The arena would seat 18,500, slightly less than Wells Fargo Center, which holds 20,478.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in May 2023. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Lorraine Abrego, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Charles Adkinson, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. (WJHW), Carrollton, TX
Benny Allen, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Dafne Anderson, Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Claire Anter, I-X Center, Cleveland, OH
Cameron Archer, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Barry Arzberger, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
Karla Avina, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Bailey Ayers, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
John Bailey, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Donnie Bales, Blumenthal Performing Arts, Charlotte, NC
Kim Barkins, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Will Beaty, University Center – Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
Adam Berrios, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock, AR
Nicolas Betancur, Bosch Communications, Humble, TX
Jordan Bettiol, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX
Lexie Boone, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
Randy Braun, Walter P Moore, Kansas City, MO
Nathan Burk, Albertsons Stadium and Stueckle Sky Center, Boise, ID
Jeff Butcher, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Victor Caballero, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Madison Carew, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Katrina Carlson, PSQ Productions, Irvine, CA
Robert Carnes, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, HI
Clarissa Casanova, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Jared Charity, PSQ Productions, Irvine, CA
Patrick Chaves, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Joe Chu, BC Place, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Andrea Colbert-Rodriguez, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV
Tyler Cole, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Nicole Conn, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
John Covington, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Kirsten Cox, Texas A&M Athletics, College Station, TX
Jesus Del Alto, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Curt Derrick, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
Giselle Diaz, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV
Chris Dickey, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Michael Dille, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Tim Dillon, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Kirby Doidge, Lansing Entertainment & Public Facilities Authority (LEPFA), Lansing, MI
Angela Donofrio, Bradenton Area Convention Center, Palmetto, FL
Hayley Drake, Walton Arts Center | Walmart AMP, Fayetteville, AR
Ian Earley, Utah Valley University, Orem, UT
Tina Eigsti, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Jeff Elledge, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Mark Entner, PSQ Productions, Irvine, CA
Jordan Feeney, Albertsons Stadium and Stueckle Sky Center, Boise, ID
Precious Fielder, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Katherine Foster, Mayo Performing Arts Center, Morristown, NJ
Melissa Fountain, The Maryland Theatre Association, Inc., Hagerstown, MD
Travis Gallier, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Victoria Garcia, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Stacey Garrett, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
Jesse Garwood, Santander Arena & Performing Arts Center, Reading, PA
Brook Goodman, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Dale Googer, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX
Melanie Granado, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Jessica Green, The Maryland Theatre Association, Inc., Hagerstown, MD
Amanda Grimm, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Olivia Hay, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Jen Henkel, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Ariel Hines, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Convention Center, Fort Walton Beach, FL
Anne Hunt, The Maryland Theatre Association, Inc., Hagerstown, MD
Hayden Johnson, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Daniel Junge, Rider Levett Bucknall, Portland, OR
Sheila Kahle, Harford Community College, Bel Air, MD
Kirk Keen, Yale University, New Haven, CT
Randy Klinck, Hertz Arena, Estero, FL
Steve Knight, David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc., Washington, DC
Lily Kopplin, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Cassady Kreuser, FedExForum, Memphis, TN
Susan Laird, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Marcie Lapehn, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Michael Levine, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill, NC
Christopher Lovelady, Coppell Arts Center, Coppell, TX
Blanca Maldonado, Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, TX
Talena Mara, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Delia Martin, The Music Center/PACLAC, Los Angeles, CA
Kenny Martin, Tacoma Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA
Nathalie Matychak, Ferst Center for the Arts (Georgia Tech), Atlanta, GA
Kevin McCall, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Kerry McCloskey, Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Darryl Meadows, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Miranda Miller, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill, NC
Holley Mitchell, Ferst Center for the Arts (Georgia Tech), Atlanta, GA
Lenzy Mora, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Bradley Mount, Agganis Arena at Boston University, Boston, MA
Katie Mulcahy, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Andrea Mullen, Ferst Center for the Arts (Georgia Tech), Atlanta, GA
Abby Murgo, Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena, Kingston, RI
Emily Neely, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Trish Neill, Ambassador Theatre Group North America, San Antonio, TX
Lexi O’Connell, Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena, Kingston, RI
Mike O’Neil, ASM Global, Conshohocken, PA
Christina Oh, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Brian Oliver, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Dirk Parker, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Leonie Patrick, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Chris Pinto, Walter P Moore, New York City, NY
Rachel Pittman, Carolina Performing Arts, Chapel Hill, NC
Sarah Prom, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Troy Ragland, Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
Sammie Ramon, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
John Randazzo, Niagara Falls Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Taylor Rathke, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Nancy Rauf, Cox Business/Hospitality Network, Las Vegas, NV
Jhon Reynolds, Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center (MPEC), Wichita Falls, TX
DeAnna Richarte, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Courtney Richter, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Billy Rieck, DLS Events LLC, Los Angeles, CA
Julie Rising, Albertsons Stadium and Stueckle Sky Center, Boise, ID
Sylvia Rogalia, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Cynthia Romero, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Adriana Rosario Perez, Ferst Center for the Arts (Georgia Tech), Atlanta, GA
Marytza Rubio, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Scott Russell, Canadian Tire Centre, Kanata, ON
TJ Sagen, CAPS Payroll, Burbank, CA
Kadi Sanchez, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA
Fritz Schwentker, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. (WJHW), Carrollton, TX
Todd Semple, Wrightson, Johnson, Haddon & Williams, Inc. (WJHW), Carrollton, TX
Alec Shettle, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, SC
Sarah Sierszyn, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Philip Smerick, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX
Cody Smith, Albertsons Stadium and Stueckle Sky Center, Boise, ID
Rob Stewart, Oilers Entertainment Group Canada Corp., Edmonton, AB, Canada
Samantha Stewart, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Michael Stocker, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock, AR
Clay Stockton, Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center (MPEC), Wichita Falls, TX
Curtis Stoneberger, Atlantic Union Bank Center – James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
Rita Sumrall, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO
Katelyn Taylor, Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center (MPEC), Wichita Falls, TX
Garrett Ton, Albertsons Stadium and Stueckle Sky Center, Boise, ID
Sonia Trejo, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Joseph Trevino, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Paul Vaivoda, Wilson Butler Architects, Boston, MA
Matt VanEssendelft, Van Andel Arena & DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
Audrey Vargason, The Maryland Theatre Association, Inc., Hagerstown, MD
Brenda Villanueva, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Niki Viltz, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO
Lisa Vincent, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI
Nancy Walker, Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
Eva Wilfinger, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Jennifer Wooden, Humble Civic Center & Arena Complex, Humble, TX
Sheree Worthington, American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, TX
Craig Yust, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN

By Dale B. Stark

Hennepin Theatre Trust announced that veteran performing arts center executive Todd Duesing will be the organization’s next President and CEO, an appointment made by the Trust’s Board of Directors following a national search for the key role in leading Minneapolis’ civic and cultural sectors. Duesing is currently the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Cincinnati Arts Association (CAA), the nonprofit organization that oversees the programming and management of the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati as well as the Cincinnati Music Hall. Duesing replaces Mark Nerenhausen, who announced his retirement earlier this year following a more than 50 year-long career in performing arts center leadership.

“Todd Duesing is a proven, visionary, and thoughtful leader who brings tremendous experience in driving economic development and prosperity through the power of the performing arts—including touring Broadway—in a decades-long career of arts leadership in Cincinnati,” said Andrea Mokros, chair of Hennepin Theatre Trust’s Board of Directors. “The successful national search provides further evidence of Hennepin Theatre Trust’s growing national presence, and Todd’s leadership in Minneapolis will build on the foundation and values set by Mark Nerenhausen, whose guidance and vision cemented Hennepin Theatre Trust as one of the nation’s leading performing arts centers.”

“Minneapolis is known across the nation as a city that invests in and harnesses the power of the arts to drive the economy and advance the vitality of communities across Minnesota,” said Duesing. “Thanks to the leadership of Mark Nerenhausen and the Board of Directors, Hennepin Theatre Trust is uniquely positioned as a driving force of energy in downtown Minneapolis while ensuring equitable access to the arts for people across the state. I am eager to begin working with the team at Hennepin Theatre Trust to continue to define and expand what it means to have a thriving performing arts center in the heart of the city. Together, we’re going to make the Hennepin Theatre District a bright star in the Bold North.”

“Todd Duesing is a leader that has proven experience in developing events and programs that bring in visitors from across the world to enjoy the arts in his community,” said Melvin Tennant, president and CEO of Meet Minneapolis. “Following a nation-wide search, Todd is the right leader for Hennepin Theatre Trust as the organization continues to advance as a destination performing arts center.”

Duesing began his career in arts and entertainment management in 2000, serving as Director of Operations for Music & Events Management, Inc., the largest promoter of live entertainment in Southwest Ohio and a subsidiary of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Duesing oversaw the operations of the Riverbend Music Center amphitheater and the historic Taft Theatre in Cincinnati, as well as the Tall Stacks Music, Arts & Heritage Festival in both 2003 and 2006—a major festival drawing more than one million attendees over five days—Pepsi Jammin’ on Main and the Cincy-Cinco Latino Festival.

Duesing has served in leadership roles at CAA since 2007, serving as the Director of Operations and later as the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for strategic planning and business operations. Each year, CAA presents a diverse schedule of events; serves upwards of 600,000 people in its venues; features the work of local, regional, and national artists in the Weston Art Gallery; supports the work of more than one dozen resident companies; promotes life-long learning through its education programs, which are diverse, multidisciplinary, accessible to all ages and cultural groups and have reached more than 1.8 million students; and presents Broadway in Cincinnati, partnering, as does Hennepin Theatre Trust, with Broadway Across America to bring the best of Broadway directly to the community.

Notably, Duesing personally led the years-long effort to secure Cincinnati as the host for the World Choral Games in 2012, working directly with the World Choral Games Congress, a nonprofit based in Frankfurt, Germany. Following a competitive bidding process with 20 other cities across the globe, the Cincinnati region hosted more than 250,000 at the 2012 event, Cincinnati’s largest convention to date, generating an estimated economic impact of $72.5 million.

“Hennepin Theatre Trust has made an excellent choice for its next President and CEO,” said Stephen A. Loftin, President of the Cincinnati Arts Association. “It has been my honor to work alongside Todd for more than 15 years, and while Cincinnati will dearly miss him, I look forward to seeing all that Todd will accomplish in Minneapolis, a city that I have long admired for its deep and long-established commitment to the arts.”

Mark Nerenhausen announced his retirement earlier this year following a more than 50 year-long career in performing arts center leadership and, most recently, positioning Hennepin Theatre Trust for its next era by securing the full titles to the historic Orpheum, State and Pantages theatres. As Hennepin Theatre Trust’s only second President and CEO, under Nerenhausen’s leadership, Hennepin Theatre Trust grew from a fledgling steward of three historic theatres in downtown Minneapolis to a nationally-recognized performing arts center that generates an annual economic impact of $120 million, provides a platform for hundreds of Minnesota artists in the heart of the Hennepin Theatre District, works with thousands of high school students every year and advances the cultural and economic vitality of Minnesota.

“It has been my honor to advance the vitality of Minnesota through the power of the arts as the leader of this incredible organization,” said Nerenhausen. “I feel confident that, aided by the passionate, dedicated and thoughtful professionals at Hennepin Theatre Trust, Todd will continue to propel Hennepin Theatre Trust as the driving force of entertainment and culture in Minneapolis, benefiting our communities for generations to come.”

Duesing will begin his role on July 10.

Dale B. Stark is Public Relations Manager for Hennepin Theatre Trust.

Photo from Hennepin Theatre Trust.

By Kate Little

As the governing body of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, the Greenville Arena District is excited to announce the renewal of its naming rights partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. An extension of the partnership for an additional five years will ensure that the award-winning arena will continue to be known as Bon Secours Wellness Arena. This renewed partnership running until 2029 solidifies the ongoing collaboration between these esteemed community partners and reinforces their commitment to providing exceptional experiences for fans, athletes, and artists alike.

Matt Caldwell, Market President of Bon Secours St. Francis, expressed his excitement about the extended partnership: “It’s been nearly a decade since we took over the naming rights of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, and it’s been a fantastic partnership that continues to be a source of pride. Together with General Manager Beth Paul and her staff at the Arena, we’ve continued to keep wellness as the central focus of this partnership – hosting important health screenings and community programs such as Well Walkers in addition to providing educational events like the annual Human Trafficking Symposium.”

Since the original agreement in 2013, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System has demonstrated unwavering support for the Greenville community, making a positive impact through their dedication to healthcare and wellness. The extension of this naming rights partnership underscores their continued commitment to position the arena and the city of Greenville as a premier sports and entertainment destination.

“We’ve truly used this collaboration to expand our reach beyond hospital walls and live out our mission of building healthier communities, which is why we are very excited to extend this partnership and continue working together to make a difference in our community for many years to come,” Caldwell continued.

Bon Secours Wellness Arena has established itself as a leading sports and entertainment venue, attracting a diverse range of high-profile events including family shows, concerts, sports championships, and conventions. The continued support from Bon Secours St. Francis Health System allows the arena to thrive and contribute to the vibrant cultural fabric of Greenville.

Beth Paul, General Manager of Bon Secours Wellness Arena, emphasized the importance of extending the naming rights partnership: “We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Bon Secours St. Francis Health System, and they share in our commitment to a first-class fan experience and a long-standing commitment to our community. The Bon Secours Wellness Arena has long been a hub of entertainment in Greenville, and we are fast approaching our 25th Anniversary- we are proud to enter the next chapter of community impact, together with Bon Secours St. Francis Health System.”

As part of the renewal, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System’s branding will continue to be prominently featured throughout the arena, ensuring widespread recognition of their commitment to the Greenville community. The partnership will continue to deliver community events such as Well-Walkers, health-screenings, and other wellness-oriented programs.

The arena’s continued success is a testament to the strong collaboration between these partners and their shared dedication to providing exceptional experiences for attendees.

Kate Little is Senior Account Director with Hughes Agency.