By Sindri Már Hannesson

Leading global event ticketing software company Tixly has been selected as the official ticketing partner for Trafalgar Tickets.

Later this year, Trafalgar Tickets will start to use Tixly’s intuitive ticketing solution which has been a resounding success throughout their operating markets over the past eight years.

Trafalgar Tickets is the ticketing division of Trafalgar Entertainment’s growing theatre venue business founded by Sir Howard Panter and Dame Rosemary Squire in 2017. Trafalgar Tickets was created in 2021 to create a consumer-centric ticketing service for Trafalgar Theatres’ portfolio of venues, which welcomes over two million patrons annually. Most recently Trafalgar Theatres acquired the Pavilion Theatre in Glasgow, and will open the ground-breaking Olympia Theatre in 2025, the biggest new permanent theatre to open in London since the 1970s.

Tixly is a leading provider in software solutions for the culture market that allows their customers to manage and sell events, manage their customers through advanced CRM and enable marketing with enhanced segmentation tools. Currently, Tixly provides services to over 100 venues and cultural organizations around the world including some of the world’s most respected venues such as Musikhuset Aarhus, Het Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Kulturhuset Stadsteatern in Stockholm.

Hrefna Sif Jónsdóttir, Tixly’s Managing Director, said, “We are highly confident that this collaboration, which is an important milestone for us as a growing company, will benefit not only us, but also all our clients across Europe and the US as well as of course Trafalgar Tickets.

“At Tixly, we thrive on being pushed out of our comfort zone and being challenged to provide creative and simple solutions to complex problems. We’ve already had to provide a lot of new functionality within the initial planning phase of the project, and we will continue to rapidly develop the system to accommodate the breadth of the Trafalgar operation. Of course, this benefits all users of the Tixly system.

“We are extremely excited to start working with Trafalgar Tickets and to continue expanding our innovative solution in the UK, and our other markets simultaneously. We are certain that this will be a fruitful and strong collaboration that we are grateful to be a part of.”

“I am thrilled we have found a partner in Tixly whose approach to technology and product development is so aligned with our own, added Johan Oosterveld, Trafalgar Tickets’ CEO. “We share a desire to reimagine how customers and producers interact with our venues. By leveraging Tixly’s advanced feature set within our technology stack, we will be able to unlock commercial opportunities and accelerate our growth ambitions in the UK and internationally, whilst delivering better services to producers and promoters.”

The implementation will start later this year with all of Trafalgar’s UK regional venues to be up and running within the next 12 months. The migration process can be expedited due to Tixly’s seamless integration process.

Sindri Már Hannesson is Operations Manager, Tixly Iceland.

Pictured from left: Tixly’s Patrick Morsman and Hrefna Sif Jónsdóttir, and Trafalgar’s Johan Oosterveld and Liam Oakley.

From nhl.com

The Calgary Flames are one step closer to a new arena.

The City of Calgary has reached agreements with Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corporation (CSEC), which owns the Flames, the Province of Alberta and the Calgary Stampede to proceed on the building of an events center as part of a culture and entertainment region in the city’s Rivers District in the east end of downtown Calgary.

The announcement was made Tuesday in Victoria Park, just north of Scotiabank Saddledome at the proposed site of the new arena.

“Today’s announcement is the culmination of so much work by so many and is fantastic news for the city of Calgary, the province of Alberta and the Calgary Flames,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. “I want to thank Mayor Gondek, Premier Smith, Councilwoman Sharp, the Calgary Stampede, and the ownership of the Flames, led by Murray Edwards, for their tireless efforts in bringing us to this day.

“And I extend special thanks to the terrific hockey fans of Calgary for their unflinching support of their team and our League. We can’t wait to drop the puck in a new, state-of-the-art arena and look forward to what this development will do for all Calgarians.”

There is no timeline on the completion of a new events center and surrounding Rivers District, which is estimated to cost more than $1.2 billion.

The events center itself is projected to cost $800 million, and will house CSEC properties including the Flames, Calgary Wranglers of the American Hockey League, Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League, and Calgary Roughnecks of the National Lacrosse League.

CSEC will contribute $356 million to the project, including $40 million up front and $17 million per year, increasing 1 percent per year, over 35 years.

The city will contribute $537.3 million to help fund the development of the events center, parking, an enclosed plaza, and a portion of an additional community rink to be constructed. The province will contribute $330 million, with $300 million earmarked for transportation improvements, land, and infrastructure costs and $30 million towards the community rink. The Calgary Stampede has agreed to certain land sales and transfers to facilitate the development.

Scotiabank Saddledome, which opened in 1983, is the NHL’s second-oldest arena. Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Rangers since 1968, completed an extensive renovation in 2013.

The Flames and City of Calgary previously reached an agreement in July 2019 for the development of a new events center located just north of Scotiabank Saddledome on land owned by the Calgary Stampede. The plan, which included a 19,000-seat arena, was scrapped in December 2021 after a failed conclusion relating to the escalating expenditures, including risk associated with inflation and additional infrastructure and climate costs.

But talks resumed last October after the city council voted to recruit a third party to bring all those involved back to the table in January 2022.

“We are really excited today to be part of an announcement we’re going to have a new home of the Calgary Flames, Calgary Hitmen, Calgary Roughnecks and Calgary Wranglers,” CSEC president and CEO John Bean said.

From arenagroup.com

The deal, which will see the company continue to operate under the name of Stadium Solutions, marks a major expansion of Arena’s presence in the UK and Europe stadia market.

Stadium Solutions, based in West Sussex, has been operating since 1994 and specializes in building seated spectator stands, covered standing terraces, turnstiles and turnstile buildings, and dugouts.

It has delivered projects at football stadiums and training grounds across the UK, including Aston Villa, Brighton and Hove Albion, Cambridge City, and Salford City.

“We’re delighted to have acquired Stadium Solutions,” said Tom Evans, CEO of Arena UK & Europe. “It’s a company with a fantastic track record for permanent stadia and seating solutions and one we’ve admired for a long time. This is an exciting moment for Arena, and we’re looking forward to the opportunities which lay ahead.”

Terry Smith, Arena’s Managing Director of Global Seating, said, “Arena has already established itself in the stadia market with a number of high-profile clients, but this acquisition gives us the opportunity to both cement and increase our presence. As well as its existing client base, Stadium Solutions also brings new opportunities for Arena including in-house manufacturing capabilities and new products.”

“This is a deal which makes perfect sense to both us and Arena Group,” said Phill Harris, CEO and Founder of Stadium Solutions. “Our interests and ambitions align perfectly and, working together, we can look to become a major player in both the permanent and temporary stadia markets. “I’m very proud of everything we have achieved as a company and now, as part of Arena Group, I’m excited about this next chapter in our story.”

From press@NYCFC.com

New York City Football Club (NYCFC) has selected HOK as the architect and Turner Construction Company as the general contractor to design and build New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium. The Club is confident that HOK and Turner will successfully deliver the Club’s vision for a world-class 25,000-seat stadium that will become a community resource. NYCFC is proud to work with Queens Development Group (QDG) to bring forward a once-in-a-generation project for Willets Point that will include 2,500 units of 100 percent affordable housing, a 650-seat new public school, a hotel, open space, and NYCFC’s fully privately financed stadium. Following the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) approval process, construction on the $780 million project aims to be completed for the Club to play in its new stadium for the 2027 MLS Season.

Brad Sims, NYCFC CEO, said: “We’re extremely excited to announce HOK as the architect and Turner Construction Company as the general contractor for our future home. It is clear that HOK and Turner are the right partners to bring our vision of a world-class stadium that is integrated into the local community. Soccer is known around the globe for its incredible in-stadium atmospheres, and we are committed to delivering a best-in-class experience for our fans in a stadium that reflects the greatest city in the world.

“This project will be transformative for Queens; the World’s Borough is the perfect location to build the City’s first stadium for the world’s game. Stadiums are where people come together, and we share a vision with HOK to ensure our stadium becomes a destination of soccer for our fans while playing an important part in the development of Willets Point. HOK is renowned for designing some of North America’s most successful stadiums, arenas, and entertainment districts, and we are looking forward to working with them as we enter the ULURP approval process. Turner is recognized as a leading builder of stadiums, arenas, and ballparks – including one dozen Major League Soccer stadiums – that support the communities in which they are built.”

HOK’s Sports + Recreation + Entertainment key projects include St. Louis CITY SC’s new CITYPARK, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (home of NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS Atlanta United) and the renovation of State Farm Arena in Atlanta, the renovation of Footprint Center in Phoenix, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Rogers Place and the ICE District in Edmonton, Alberta, and Little Caesars Arena and The District Detroit. HOK also designed the new award-winning Terminal B at LaGuardia Airport, which was designed and constructed as one of the largest public-private partnerships in U.S. aviation history. With 1,600 people across 25 offices worldwide, HOK will draw on its interdisciplinary team of planners, designers, and engineers for the project.

Rashed Singaby, principal and senior project designer at HOK, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, citing a shared commitment to community-focused design. “We’re honored to work with NYCFC to design New York City’s first-ever soccer-specific stadium for the 2021 MLS champions. The stadium will embody New York City’s dynamism and cultural diversity and will become a vibrant example of urban placemaking. Our design will embrace the multi-faceted identity of Queens, Flushing Meadows and the site’s industrial heritage, offering fans an unprecedented, hospitality-driven game-day experience while integrating into the local community as an everyday asset.”

HOK’s design will strategically position the stadium along the edge of 126th Street, integrating into the city grid to optimize land use and incorporate public open space. In addition to providing a home for NYCFC, the stadium will provide a variety of year-round amenities and events. Designed with a pedestrian-friendly scale, the stadium will showcase cutting-edge technology, offer flexibility, and create a grand arrival experience. The site is adjacent to the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center and the New York Mets’ Citi Field, creating a world-class destination for sports and entertainment in Queens.

Turner Construction Company has a dedicated Sports Group that brings together an enormous breadth of specialized resources in the unique aspects of sports construction. Turner’s Sports Group is made up of dedicated, passionate staff with the experience, industry knowledge, creativity, and resourcefulness to deliver on commitments. Turner clients include professional teams in soccer, football, baseball, hockey, and basketball.

Turner has worked on many of the top sports venues in the world, including TQL Stadium, SoFi Stadium, Lower.com Field, the Golden 1 Center, Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, Levi’s Stadium, and the Intuit Dome. Turner has earned a reputation for safe, efficient project management and innovative solutions to complex challenges.

“We are honored to be a part of the team building the new home for NYCFC. The stadium will elevate the experience for this incredible team and their fans,” said Turner Vice President and General Manager Charlie Whitney. “From the very beginning of our involvement, we understood the importance of this project and the positive impact and transformation it will bring to the entire community. We look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with HOK and the entire team over the next several years to achieve our common goals, deliver on our commitments, and make this project a reality for NYCFC and New York City.”

HOK and Turner Construction Company’s relationship dates back 50 years, and in that time, the firms have completed more than 400 projects together. They have successfully delivered large-scale projects in the New York market and across the United States spanning corporate, healthcare, science + technology, and sports + entertainment facilities.

For nearly a decade, NYCFC has been investing in local communities across New York City through its foundation, which will be housed in the new stadium, enabling the organization to expand its free-soccer programs available to the local Queens community.

Queens Development Group, a joint venture between Related Companies and Sterling Equities, will oversee the stadium and district’s development. The entire project will enter the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) approval process later this year and will be reviewed by the New York City Public Design Commission. NYCFC will work to finalize the stadium design to align with entering the ULURP approval process later this year. The stadium and development are projected to generate more than 14,200 local jobs during construction, with 1,550 permanent positions created upon completion.

By Mike Tishka

Sightline Commercial Solutions, a leading fabricator and global supplier of architectural railing, metal, glazing and portable platform solutions for the commercial, sports venue, live entertainment and performing arts industries, has ushered in a new era of sales strategy with the appointment of Tiffany Duncan as its new Vice President of Sales. Bringing a creative and analytical skillset to the company, Duncan is responsible for leading the company’s nationwide sales team and implementing initiatives for near- and long-term growth.

“Tiffany’s forward-thinking mindset and solid track record of inventive and successful marketing and sales approaches make her one of the best in her field,” said Chad Bailey, CFO of Sightline Commercial Solutions. “We are confident her motivational attitude combined with her proven leadership skills will effectively broaden our reach, empower our sales professionals to excel, and further solidify our position as a leader in the industry.”

Before joining Sightline Commercial Solutions, Duncan spent more than a decade leading strategic sales organizations through complex, multi-million-dollar energy and infrastructure projects at Trane Technologies and Johnson Controls. She has held roles of increasing responsibility with a primary focus on building highly effective and transformational teams with a customer-centric approach.

“Tiffany is well known for delivering outstanding results and has a reputation for reliability, responsiveness, and driving profitable growth, making her an ideal fit for our growing business,” added Bailey.

“I am thrilled to join the Sightline team and to have the opportunity to work with an already strong and extremely talented sales organization to take the business to the next level,” Duncan said. “I’m eager to build upon the company’s strong foundation and reputation for excellence while pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the industry.”

Duncan graduated from the University of Missouri and holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and history along with a master’s degree in marketing from Webster University. She resides in St. Louis with her husband and three children.

Mike Tishka is with L.C. Williams & Associates.