From NHL.com

The Pittsburgh Penguins, in partnership with OVG360 management, have unveiled plans for over $30 million of investments and upgrades to PPG Paints Arena.

Highlighting the team’s plans are the addition of two new bunker suites at ice level and an all-inclusive VIP event-level club to provide premium experiences for hockey fans and concert guests. Populous, the original architects of PPG Paints Arena, designed the plans, which are being implemented this summer by the Penguins and OVG360, the arena’s management company. Construction is set to begin during the off-season and fans can expect to be able to enjoy the new spaces and upgrades for the start of the 2023-24 NHL season.

“We are committed to maintaining PPG Paints Arena as a world-class destination not only for Penguins hockey, but for concerts and marquee events,” said Penguins President of Business Operations Kevin Acklin. “We are investing millions to replace our entire in-game entertainment technology as well as building exciting new premium spaces to offer immersive experiences for our fans and guests that will be truly unique to our Pittsburgh market.”

The team plans to build two additional bunker suites next to the Penguins’ runway and bench adjacent to the Suite 66, the existing premium space honoring Hall-of-Famer and hockey legend Mario Lemieux. These improvements will offer premium lower-bowl seating as well as dining and entertainment space, full-service bars, and private restrooms. All three suites will have an exclusive view of the areas outside of the Penguins’ locker room on the event level.

In addition, the team is building a new all-inclusive VIP event level club located in the Penguins’ double-attack zone with access to Section 109 for hockey games and special premium seating next to the stage for concerts. The new club can accommodate up to 300 people, and converts underutilized areas of PPG Paints Arena into a large high-quality VIP event club.

Capping off the planned arena improvements is the investment to upgrade the entire in-game entertainment technology system at PPG Paints Arena. These improvements include a new 50-foot by 33-foot state-of-the-art center hung scoreboard, about twice as large as the existing scoreboard, new LED ribbon boards, sound system, control room, and content management system. These improvements include financial support from the arena owner Sports and Exhibition Authority, and are targeted to enhance the overall fan experience.

From MLB.com

Evolv Technology, a leader in AI-based weapons detection security screening, announced its partnership with the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park.

“America’s Most Beloved Ballpark” will feature Evolv’s state-of-the-art Evolv Express® screening solution beginning on Opening Day, March 30, when the Red Sox host the Baltimore Orioles. Fans will be able to seamlessly flow through security screening with less interruption for unnecessary alarms, reducing the backups and long lines that have historically developed at the entry gates. The partnership also joins two Boston-area organizations, as Waltham-based Evolv becomes a proud partner of its hometown team, the Boston Red Sox.

“The fan experience begins with creating a safe and secure environment at Fenway Park,” said Pete Nesbit, SVP Ballpark Operations, Boston Red Sox. “This partnership with Evolv enhances our overall security program with innovative weapons detection technology and the added benefit of a quicker, more efficient entry process.”

Evolv Express uses powerful sensor technology with artificial intelligence (AI) to provide safer, more accurate threat detection at unprecedented volume and speed. It allows security officials to tell the difference between threats and the everyday items people carry in their pockets and bags in a free flow manner. Fenway Park is one of ten Major League Baseball parks partnering with Evolv as the 2023 season begins.

“The Red Sox are always working to create one of the best fan experiences in all of sports,” said Peter George, CEO of Evolv Technology. “Fenway Park is already partnering with JCI to keep the historic ballpark more efficient, sustainable and ready for the future through their smart buildings platform. We are thrilled to add to a level of innovation in safety without sacrificing that experience that makes Fenway such a great place to visit.”

Between the Red Sox and Fenway Park and the New England Patriots and Gillette Stadium, Evolv screens fans in New England all year long. Both teams are part of an ever-growing roster of facilities in all sports across the country partnering with Evolv to provide a safer, faster, and more fan-friendly entrance experience. Evolv’s technology is used at dozens of MLB, MLS and NFL stadiums from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to Nissan Stadium in Tennessee and is partnering with a growing roster of professional sports teams around the country.

AMB Sports and Entertainment, which operates the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United and Mercedes-Benz Stadium, announced 12 leadership promotions, including four elevated within executive leadership and eight into officer positions.

Latonda Henderson, AMBSE’s current vice-president of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), has been promoted to vice-president, chief DEI officer. Tameka Rish, AMBSE’s vice-president of events and game experience, has been promoted to senior vice-president, fan and associate experience.

Karl Pierburg, vice-president and chief technology officer has been elevated to senior vice-president and chief technology officer of strategy innovation, while Kevin Strada, vice-president of finance for the Falcons, has been named vice-president and chief financial officer for the club.

Elsewhere, Justin Antonacci, senior director of finance for Mercedes-Benz Stadium, has been promoted to vice-president and chief financial officer; Andy Skorupski, senior director of finance for Atlanta United, has been elevated to vice-president and chief financial officer; and Angela Franklin, senior director of finance for AMBSE, has been promoted to vice-president of financial planning and analysis.

Other promotions include Suzi Alvarez, from director of fan data at AMBSE to vice-president of revenue strategy and analytics; Shannon Joyner, from senior director of marketing for the Falcons to vice-president of marketing; Adam Fullerton, from senior director of operations for Mercedes-Benz Stadium to vice-president of stadium operations; Dana Harple, from senior director of corporate partnerships at AMBSE to vice-president of sponsorship activation; and Kevin Pope, from senior director of IT infrastructure and event services at AMBSE to vice-president of IT infrastructure and operations.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in February 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.

Dusty Adair, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR
Payden Adams, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Anna Agafonova, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Ann’ette Ahmed, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Makayla Alexander, Lewisville Grand, Lewisville, TX
Joseph Alvarado, Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center, Arlington, TX
Kaitlyn Alvey, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Abbey Aronica, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR
Gary Auvenshine, Fort Worth Convention Center, Fort Worth, TX
Brad Bailey, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
James Baity, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Macy Ballard, Missouri State University, Nixa, MO
Jing Bao, Fentress Architects, Denver, CO
Jacob Barbarash, Missouri State University, Valley Park, MO
Donnie Berkman, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
Cathleen Betker, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
RoseMarie Blanco, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Dan Bora, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Reilly Bosworth, Viejas Arena at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Ken Bukowski, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Aubrey Bulkeley, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR
Roxann Bury-Howard, Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Bubba Butler, Waco Convention Center, Waco, TX
Christina Castillo, SDSU Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings, SD
Shelby Christensen, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Ashley Christianson, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Scott Cornwell, Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, Punta Gorda, FL
Jenn Cotterill, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
Nolan Cowell, Missouri State University, Red Bud, IL
Elizabeth Crabtree, Kirkwood Performing Arts Center, Kirkwood, MO
Kyle Crane, Oklahoma City University, Dallas, TX
Ashley Crask, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Allan Cushing, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Shannon D’Amore, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Richard Davis, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Taylor Dorsey, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Ben Dostal, The Fox Theatre – Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Steve Dow, Marin County Department of Cultural and Visitor Services, San Rafael, CA
Maggie Easterly, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Chad Eaton, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Bill Enkhbayar, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
William Finaulahi, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Bo Freeman, MTS Seating, Temperance, MI
Will Fuentes, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
Sophia Hadsall, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Lauren Hamilton, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Kristy Hargarten, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
Vanity Harris, United Center, Chicago, IL
Ian Heilmann, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
Edgar Hernandez, Lewisville Grand, Lewisville, TX
Christian Herrera, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Megan Hershey, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Addie Hillenburg, Missouri State University-Entertainment Management, Springfield, MO
Graycen Hollowell, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bailey Holt, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Ebonee Jenkins, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Kim Johnson, SDSU Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings, SD
Daniel Jones, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Sione Kaho, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Dakota Kaloustian, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Will Kemp, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Colin Kiley, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
Ian King, MTS Seating, Temperance, MI
Barry Kirby, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Catie Lachance, Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena, Kingston, RI
Jordyn Leathers, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
CJ Leib, EventPro Software, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
John Leonard, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Michael Lillie, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Moses Liongitau, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Lexi Lundy, Owensboro Convention Center, Owensboro, KY
Patrick MacLellan, Merchant Cost Consulting, Boston, MA
Daniel Manrique, Austin Convention Center Department, Austin, TX
Anthony Manzanares, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Brianna Markum, Waco Convention Center, Waco, TX
Jacklyn Mathew, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Damien Maye, Waco Convention Center, Waco, TX
Nikki Mayer, Randolph Riverfront Center, Alexandria, LA
Katie McClain, Boise Centre, Boise, ID
Shamus McConney, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL
Patricia McMullen, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Tim McNeff, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Montse Medina, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
John Menas, MTS Seating, Temperance, MI
Cinthia Mendieta, The Link Event & Recreation Center, Richland Hills, TX
Jason Miller, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK
Andrew Mills, Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, GA
Amanda Mitchell, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR
Kristy Moeller, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
Adam Muller, Glendale Civic Center, Glendale, AZ
Meshelle Mushinski, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK
Jeanine Nazarchuk, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Chris Nelson, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Mikhail Nemirovskiy, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Brian Nguyen, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN
Charlene Oancia, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Ryan Owen, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Dericka Owens, Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
Tipeti Paini, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Brianna Parker, Missouri State University, Rogersville, MO
Gina Petro, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ
Jennifer Randall-Valdes, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
Madelyn Ratcliff, Missouri State University, Lake Saint Louis, MO
Claudia Ratto, Ascension, Tucson, AZ
Donovan Reese, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Sally Reilly, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Dusty Rhoades, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
George Rios, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Corrie Robbins, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Kyle Robinson, The Novo, Los Angeles, CA
Carmen Rodriguez, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ
Ben Rolens, Leonard E. Merrell Center, KISD, Katy, TX
Ramon Ruiz, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Deb Rush, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Kristin Rush, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Lance Sadlek, RiverCenter | Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA
Michael Seder, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Colleen Seefeldt, Wisconsin State Fair Park, West Allis, WI
Aravind Seetharaman, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Allison Shapiro, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Corey Shelsta, SDSU Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings, SD
Alan Singer, The Fox Theatre – Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Robert Smit, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, Long Beach, CA
Kylie Smith, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Juan Soto, Kia Forum, Inglewood, CA
Jack Spinner, Hult Center for the Performing Arts, Eugene, OR
Ryan Spurr, Nashville Soccer Club, Nashville, TN
Tyrone Stillwell, Rose Quarter, Portland, OR
Brett Stricker, The Moscone Center, San Francisco, CA
Emilia Stuart, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Rhonda Sullivan, Waco Convention Center, Waco, TX
Kyle Summersfield, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL
Dan Tepper, United Center, Chicago, IL
Andrea Thayer, Washington State Fair, Puyallup, WA
DJuana Thomas, Oak View Group, Philadelphia, PA
Jay Vanduch, SDSU Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, Brookings, SD
Sarah Wampler, Events DC Sport & Entertainment Venues, Washington, DC
Darren Watt, Halifax Convention Centre/Scotiabank Centre, Halifax, NS, Canada
Kirk Westgard, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Andrea Williams, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Joe Wisner, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN
Sophia Woyda, Bigbelly, Needham, MA
Chase Yerkes, Esports Stadium Arlington & Expo Center, Arlington, TX

The IAVM Mentor Connector Program is getting ready to launch the Spring 2023 Cycle! We’re looking for members who want to invest time in their careers through one-on-one mentoring.

If you would like to learn more about becoming a Mentor or Mentee to further your professional development, please join our informational webinar Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 2pm ET.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Mentor Connector creates the opportunity for an experienced professional (Mentor) to provide guidance and encouragement to a member who has an identified professional development need (Mentee). Anyone at any stage of their career can be a Mentor or Mentee. There are no restrictions or qualifications, just an IAVM membership and a desire to participate – and, it’s free!

Go to https://iavm.org/career-learning/mentor/ for more information and to apply. For any questions email robin.covington@iavm.org. Applications are due March 31, 2023.