The Greater Tacoma Convention Center (GTCC) is marking the milestone of 20 years serving the community with an open house reception on Thursday, November 21, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This celebration invites community members, partners, clients, and local organizations to come together and celebrate two decades of the convention center’s lasting contributions to Tacoma and the surrounding region. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at tacomaconventioncenter.org.

Since opening in 2004, the GTCC has been an economic catalyst, drawing over 100,000 visitors annually for a total of nearly 2.5 million guests and a cumulative economic impact over $650 million. In 2023 alone, events hosted at the convention center generated an estimated $27 million in economic benefit and supported 26,000 hotel room nights throughout Pierce County, including Fife, University Place, and Lakewood.

“We’re excited to open our doors to the community to share this celebration,” said Adam S. Cook, Director of Tacoma Venues & Events. “For the past 20 years, the convention center has driven economic impact for the region, holding a diverse array of events that serve as a gathering place for our community and a gateway for visitors to experience the vibrant culture and offerings of our city. This milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the center’s impact and look forward to its continued role in Tacoma’s growth.”

As Tacoma’s reputation as a premier event destination has grown, so too has the convention center’s role in driving major economic events. Its staff, recognized for excellence and innovation, continue to provide outstanding service to a variety of events, from large conventions and tradeshows to regional and national sporting competitions. The award-winning team, some of whom have been with the venue since its inception, were recognized in 2019 with the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Venue Excellence Award and, this year, the facility was again named among EXHIBITOR Magazine’s Centers of Excellence for the fifth time, underscoring the commitment to world-class hospitality and adaptability.

The Convention Center’s ability to host large-scale events received a significant boost with the opening of the Marriott Tacoma Downtown Hotel in 2021. This addition, along with other recent hotel offerings, expanded the city’s hotel capacity, enabling the center to attract larger scale regional, national, and international events. This strategic shift by the GTCC has allowed the convention sales team at Visit Tacoma-Pierce County (VT-PC) to target larger events, resulting in a higher number of room nights and greater economic impact to the region. By late 2024, VT-PC has already secured over 39,000 future room nights and nearly $29 million in projected economic impact.

Youth sports competitions have also found a home at the GTCC, transforming the first quarter each year into a vibrant season of athletic events. Over the past decade, youth sports have grown from contributing 5% to an estimated 25% of the center’s economic impact, with events ranging from gymnastics to martial arts and dance. These competitions bring thousands of young athletes, families, and spectators to Tacoma, creating an influx of visitors and a lasting positive economic effect throughout Pierce County.

Reflecting Tacoma’s commitment to diversity, the GTCC has become a dynamic venue known for its adaptability and commitment to inclusive events. Working closely with clients, the center’s team designs tailored event logistics and catering that reflect each client’s unique cultural preferences, providing an authentic experience for attendees. By partnering with local caterers, the GTCC creates meaningful experiences that honor and celebrate cultural events such as weddings and other celebrations.

In its two decades, the Greater Tacoma Convention Center has integrated unique artistic elements that enrich visitor and community experiences. The center features key pieces of the City of Tacoma’s public art collection, showcasing the region’s vibrant creative spirit. Seven installations are displayed throughout the facility, including Andy Warhol’s Flower for the Tacoma Dome and Apotheosis by Stuart Keeler and Michael Machnic, which is crafted from reclaimed old-growth timber and hand-hewn by J. Michael McGuire of the Fort Nisqually Living History Museum. Each winter, the GTCC also joins the annual Tacoma Light Trail, becoming a radiant stop along an illuminated art walk that brightens the season and celebrates the community’s creativity.

The 20th Anniversary celebration promises an engaging evening, showcasing the warm and genuine hospitality for which the venue is known. For more information about the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and its 20th Anniversary celebration, visit tacomaconventioncenter.org.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in October 2024. 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.

Andrew Adrian, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Alex Alcantar, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Danielle Allen, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Georgia Angus, John Cain Arena, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Amir Asady, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Matthew Ashley, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Miami, FL
Jess Audsley, Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Sidney Bailey, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Philip Barber, Ticketmaster, Mortdale, NSW, Australia
Rachel Barber, Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay, QLD, Australia
Lyla Bartman, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Tran Hannah Bi, University of California San Diego, San Jose, CA
Joe Bisson, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Leonard Boyer, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Samantha Brandenburg, 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
G. Bryan Briggs, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Cameron Bull, Geelong Arts Centre, Geelong, VIC, Australia
Jacob Butcher, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Sarah Candelaria, 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
Austin Cleary, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Katelyn Colwell, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Brenton Conlan, Margaret Court Arena, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Ernie Cooper, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Brittany Cornell, Ryan Center & Boss Ice Arena – OVG, Kingston, RI
Matt Cranford, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Jacob Craven, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA
Ethan Croft, RAC Arena, West Perth, Wau, Australia
Ryan Davey, Heritage Bank Stadium, Carrara, QLD, Australia
Chanuka William Dias, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
David Dias, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Seth Diser, Alliant Energy PowerHouse, Cedar Rapids, IA
Tyce Dockstader, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT
Paula Eagleman, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA
Troy Enright, Momentus Technologies, Perth, WAu, Australia
Sarah Field, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ
Deanna Forsyth, Spark Arena, Auckland,
Rick Franklin, Acrisure Arena – OVG, Palm Desert, CA
Genessy Galindo, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Jennifer George, The Slover, Norfolk, VA
Chad Gilliam, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Andrew Gitchel, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
Adrian Gleeson, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Jeff Goran, Joffe Emergency Services, Santa Monica, CA
Hrannar Hafsteinsson, Live Production, Reykjavik, Iceland
Dana Hall, Ticketmaster, Collingwood, VIC, Australia
Jenni Hall, Carterton Events Centre, Carterton, New Zealand
Johanna Hamilton, National Capital Authority, Parkes, ACT, Australia
Katye Heim, Kentucky Performing Arts, Louisville, KY
Erika Hernandez, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Socorro Hernandez, Acrisure Arena – OVG, Palm Desert, CA
Dale Hess, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Jason Hiester, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Diane Hines, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Phillip Holmes, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Natalie Horton, Ticketmaster, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Bryan Hudson, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Sandi Hurtgen Montiero, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Jack Iacono, Ticketmaster, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Joseph Jackson, Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Samuel Jackson, Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Kane Kete, Ticketmaster, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Chelsea Keys, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Melinda Kibukamusoke, National Museum of Australia, Canberra, ACT, Australia
Steven King, Sydney Showground, Sydney Olympic Park, NSW, Australia
Laura King-Marshall, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Suresh Kumar, Quayclean Australia Pty Ltd, Tullamarine, VIC, Australia
Shelby Lackman, Pearl Concert Theater, Las Vegas, NV
Emily Laskowski, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Kathleen Leach, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Eddie Leuluai, Rosehill Gardens Racecourse, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Leo Leung, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited, Hong Kong, China
Sin I Leung, Momentus Technologies, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Erica Linney, Stadiums Queensland, Milton, QLD, Australia
Carter Little, University of South Carolina, Cayce, SC
Max Luuko, Acrisure Arena – OVG, Palm Desert, CA
Phill Madore, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Veronica Marmolejo, Acrisure Arena – OVG, Palm Desert, CA
Tom Martinez, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Ian McDoom, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Finn McLennan-Elliott, The Tuning Fork, Auckland, New Zealand
Daniel McPherson, AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Mark Mekalick, Trafalgar Centre & Trafalgar Park, Nelson,
Jennifer Mireles, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA
Joseph Morrison, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
John Mumper, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Donna O’Leary, 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
Lisa Odom Murphy, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Dominique Osorio, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Daniel Page, Brisbane Racing Club Limited, Hamilton Central, QLD, Australia
Emily Parker, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Craig Pearce, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Dani Placek, Stadiums Queensland, Milton, QLD, Australia
DJ Ploughman, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Leonard Prednis, 22nd DAA/Del Mar Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA
Mitch Pryor, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Emily Purchase, AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Kevin Rabbits, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Brandon Radeke, Zamboni & Co., Paramount, CA
Simone Roberts, RAC Arena, West Perth, WAu, Australia
Bob Rogers, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Zoe Ruth, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Suzanne Santry, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Christina Sawyer, Holder Construction Company, Atlanta, GA
Beth Silver, New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC), Newark, NJ
Andrew Smith, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL
Mandy Smoot, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Kim Smout, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, SA, Australia
Jessika Spearing, Venue Management Association, Beenleigh, QLD, Australia
Donald Squires, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Nicholas Stenzel, Gordon Field House & Activities Center, Rochester, NY
Caroline Surette, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC
Georgina Swain, Melbourne Cricket Club, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Caitlin Tilbee, Stadiums Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Kendra Todd, The Trusts Arena, Auckland, New Zealand
Andrew Tolman, Concordia University Irvine, La Mirada, CA
Mandy Tripoli, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ
Kayla VanCleve, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Thomas Vecchione, ASM Richmond, Richmond, VA
Oscar Veloz, Curtis Culwell Center, Garland, TX
Christine Wagner, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA
Amanda Walker, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, VIC, Australia
Grant Wallis, South Bank Parklands, Roma Street Parklands, Victoria Park, South Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Craig Walton, California Exposition & State Fair, Sacramento, CA
Cheri Wilbur, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO
Tyrie Wilkinson, Melbourne Cricket Club, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Nicole Zeak, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA

Louis Messina, CEO of TMG, during his Q&A with Eric Church at the IEBA conference in Nashville. (Photo courtesy of IEBA Conference Youtube.)

Legendary promoter Louis Messina, Founder and CEO of Messina Touring Group, regaled attendees at the International Entertainment Buyers Assn. (IEBA) convention with his stories about how he was kidnapped, what leads to new clients, and what motivates him every day. Eric Church, one among his roster of premier clients, asked the questions.

The October convention drew a sold-out crowd of 1,650 in Nashville, Tenn. Filled with trending concerns for buyers of talent, from arenas to festivals to clubs and theaters, the annual event also showcases up-and-coming talent each night. An awards ceremony that saw Messina inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame closed the event.

That same night, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y., was named IEBA Arena of the Year; Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, and Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater, Fla., tied for Theater of the Year; Hollywood Bowl, Calif., won Amphitheater of the Year; and Minnesota State Fair, St. Paul, Minn., won Fair/Expo of the Year. Venue Executive of the Year was David Kells, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville.

During the exclusive Q&A, Church was quick to ask Messina how he selected the people he works with.

“I have to have passion for what the artist does,” Messina said. “I have to have a connection.” He watches the artist interact with the audience, and with Church, he saw that connection, watching the audience’s eyes locked on the artist and their lips mouthing the words to all his songs. “I see it as a spiritual connection. When I see that, I know I’ve got to be a part of this.”

He said he only works with artists who want to work with him. “It’s got to be more than I want to go out and make money with you. We have to want to go on journeys together.”

Serendipitously, every artist Messina works with was the opening act for someone he already represents, apart from the Lumineers. Church opened for Kenny Chesney, Taylor Swift worked with George Strait. “Through Taylor, I met Ed Sheeran and Shawn Mendez; through George I met Kenny, Tim McGraw, and Faith Hill. That’s how I built “our” career. You have to trust me, and I have to trust you. It’s not just an artist/promoter relationship,” Messina said.

On Nov. 3, Messina celebrated 52 years in the industry, having learned the business with the late Allen Becker and PACE Concerts.

In the 70s, it was a different business, and a young Louis Messina was just attempting to make it in live entertainment. He was living in New Orleans and pretty much broke. He partnered with Shelly Finkle and Jimmy Koplik to promote a Led Zeppelin concert at West Palm Beach Speedway, Fla. Both thought the other had deep pockets, but that being a non-starter, they had to be creative. They decided to do mail order ticketing so they could use all that money to pay the deposits. They still had to borrow $100,000 — which would be like borrowing $5 million today — to get the ball rolling. They found Phil, a wise guy out of New Jersey, to advance the funds.

“The big day comes; the mail was coming. We must have had 20 people around the table waiting for the mailman to come so we could open sacks and sacks of mail. Finally, the mailman comes, and he didn’t have a sack. He had like 50 letters in his hand. The next day, he had 100. After a week, my partner and I went to New York to figure out how we would get money,” Messina remembers.

So they’re in their hotel room in New York, and there’s a knock on the door. These two guys say, ‘Phil wants to see you.’

“Fine, we’ll be here tomorrow.”

“Phil wants to see you now.”

Messina and his partner were packed up and on their way out the door in minutes. Where are we going? West Palm Beach.

They ended up in Florida at Phil’s place for several days. Phil finally let Messina’s partner leave to “find the money,” while Messina stayed behind as insurance. He finally said this is silly and talked his own way out.

But, it’s a great story. Messina was “kidnapped” and can say with assurance that “I’m the only concert promoter in the history of music who ever canceled Led Zeppelin for lack of ticket sales.”

Church noted that Messina has always been honest with him about his business and artistic opinions. He recalled that on his Heart & Soul tour, they started with a less-than-ideal stage that “looked like a Mardi Gras barge.” They were playing in the round, and the top of the barge, where everyone could “see” Church, was up really high with a railing. After rehearsal ahead of a sold-out show, Messina came into Church’s dressing room and started his hemming and hawing, “Whoo, whoo, well, do you like the stage?” he asked. It’s the night before the show. “I’m kind of getting used to it,” Church said. “Well, I hate it,” Messina declared.

“We played the show, which was incredible given the circumstances, and later we modified the stage,” Church said. “But what I want to know, Louis, is: are you as honest with all your other artists as you are with me?”

“It depends on how much I’ve had to drink,” Messina whipped back, adding, to applause, that he “stopped drinking 22 months ago, but I have to tell the truth. We’re in partnership; we’re professionals. We have to be honest with each other.”

Asked about his legacy, Messina said, “I got involved with artists who believed in me.  I’ve been with Strait for 30 years, Taylor 10 years, Chesney 25 years, you a dozen years. I want this to continue.

“I’m not a tour promoter; I’m a career promoter. I say tell me about your next 10 years. The first time I met Taylor, she was 17. I love being part of the dream.”

Church confirmed: “That’s what you’ve always said: ‘Tell me your dreams and I’ll out-dream you.’”

To watch the full IEBA 2024 Louis Messina Keynote, you can view it here.

Jeff Davis, CVE, College Park Center, Arlington, Texas, and Evelyn Ingram, Prism.fm, were among IAVM members attending IEBA. (VP Photo)

Lexie Boone, left, Colonial Life Arena, Columbia, S.C., and Scott Johnson, of the re-branded Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum Complex which now includes First Horizon Coliseum, shop IEBA for ideas. (VP Photo)

Other 2024 IEBA industry award winners included: Club of the Year —Troubadour, W. Hollywood, Calif.; Casino — Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Hollywood, Fla.; Festival — Bourbon & Beyond, Louisville, Ky.; Club Buyer — Sonia Grover, First Avenue; Casino Buyer — Andrew Saunders, Hard Rock/Seminole Gaming; Special Events/Corporate Buyer — EastCoast Entertainment; International Buyer — Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment Group; Fair/Expo Buyer — Lacey Hayes, Romeo Entertainment Group; Festival Buyer — Stacy Vee, Goldenvoice; Young Professional — Kelly Mosiman, Wasserman Music; Music & Entertainment Industry Educator — Chuck Morris, Colorado State University; Agent — Keith Levy, Wasserman Music; and Promoter — Rich Schaefer, AEG Presents.

Nomination deadline for 2025 Charles A. McElravy Award, Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award, and Foundation Legacy Award is December 20, 2024

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written and addressed to Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, President & CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically.  The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business December 20, 2024.  Each award’s criteria process can be found below.  If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke.

CHARLES A MCELRAVY AWARD:

The Charles A. McElravy Award may be awarded annually to a current or former Professional, Honorary, or Retired member of IAVM who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of the Association or profession.

The following criteria are established for the McElravy Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been a Professional, Honorary, or Retired Member of the IAVM in good standing for at least fifteen (15) years total (though not necessarily consecutively and not necessarily at the time of nomination).
2. The nominee needs to meet the minimum service to IAVM requirements for Honorary Membership but is not required to be retired.
   1. Requirements include:
      1. Attendance at no fewer than 10 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) or Region Meetings during the past 15 years;
      2. Service as chair of at least three association or two region committees during the past 15 years;
         1. Service as either of the following at least once:
            1. Director/chair of IAVM or officer in a Region
            2. Program chair for an IAVM venue-specific or specialty meeting
            3. Member of Board of Regents, Board of Trustees, or Board of Governors.

3. The nominee must have financially supported the IAVM Foundation no fewer than 7 of the past 10 years.
4. Any member in good standing may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
5. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination letter.
6. No Chairman of the Board (or Past President) of IAVM is eligible for consideration until the third Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following their term of office.
7. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
8. Nominations must be presented to the IAVM President and CEO. The award may be given posthumously.

JOSEPH J ANZIVINO DISTINGUISHED ALLIED AWARD:

The Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Directors to an individual currently or previously employed by a firm which is or was an Allied member in good standing.  The President and CEO will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Anzivino Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been an IAVM member for at least ten (10) years total, which need not be consecutive and not necessarily at the time of the nomination.
2. During the nominee’s status as an Allied member, the nominee must have served IAVM by:
   1. Attendance at no fewer than 7 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) or Region meetings in the past 10 years;
   2. Being chair of at least 2 IAVM committees or sub-committees;
   3. Being a member of IAVM Board of Directors, IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees, Board of Regents, or Board of Governors during the member’s tenure with IAVM;
   4. Being a member of an IAVM program, campaign, task force or committee.
3. The nominee or the nominee’s company must have financially supported the IAVM Foundation no fewer than 7 of the past 10 years.
4. Any member may make a nomination, which must provide a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s exemplary service and contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
5. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
6. No Chair of the Allied Committee is eligible for consideration until the second Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following their term of office.
7. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
8. The award may be given posthumously.

FOUNDATION LEGACY AWARD:

The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:

1. The nominee may be from any membership category of IAVM or from outside of the Association in a related field.
2. Any current or past contributor to the IAVM Foundation may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the IAVM Foundation.
3. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
4. No Chair of IAVM or Chair of the IAVM Foundation is eligible for consideration until the third Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following their term of office.
5. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
6. The award may be given posthumously.

Chef Waylon Cornelius, Will Rogers Memorial Center

Craft Culinary Concepts, the preferred food and beverage provider at Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC), has named Waylon Cornelius executive chef of the center’s catering and concessions.

A native of Mansfield, Texas, and 2003 graduate of AIMS Academy of Culinary Arts in Dallas, Cornelius is shifting the expectations of the center’s guests from a typical “BBQ and beans” menu to a bill of fare satisfying both the palates of the world’s greatest horsemen and DFW’s most discerning gala planner.

“We always have fajitas ready to go, but we also make a beautiful Beef Wellington or baked salmon with a pink salt crust” for a social event, said Cornelius.

For consumer trade shows and horse shows, Craft and its partners Caribou and Taco Heads offer more choices for the thousands of guests who attend events at WRMC annually.

“Some of our equestrian guests are away from home and here for several days, and they need more than popcorn and hot dogs,” Cornelius said. “Our concessions offer biscuits and gravy, burritos made in-house, strawberry salad, fruit and yogurt cups.”

Cornelius grew up helping in a farm-to-table kitchen. He was raised on a farm with his mother, grandmother and grandfather — a Vietnam veteran who enjoyed vegetable gardens and raising hogs and chickens. Cornelius studied computer science after high school and holds an associate’s degree in Cultural Resource Management and Policy Analysis from Tarrant County College. But he kept being drawn back to the kitchen. 

He then enrolled at AIMS Academy. While training as assistant executive sous chef at the AAA four-diamond Grand Hyatt DFW, he was mentored by Executive Chef Sutti Sripolpa. He also learned from Chef de Cuisine Eric Dryer, who went on to be Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. He also worked with Executive Chef Jean-Claude Plihon, who honed his French cooking skills.

As executive sous chef at the opening of Perry’s Steakhouse and Grille in Southlake, Cornelius had his first experience with volume. While at H&G Supplies for two years learning about gluten-free items and other food allergies, he crossed paths with Chef James R. Schell III.

Schell, now Craft’s general manager at WRMC, recruited Cornelius to Fort Worth’s 120-acre entertainment and equestrian complex this summer.

“James said he needed someone who can hit moving targets, push the culinary team to be more avant-garde and use locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. So here I am,” said Cornelius. “Culinary is a small world.”

Schell seeks to ensure WRMC guests get superior experience with food quality, variety and selections.

“I want people to say, ‘When we were in Fort Worth, you won’t believe what we got at Will Rogers!’” he said. “Even the celebrities who perform [in the auditorium] are surprised. When Chicago played here recently and we served dinner backstage, they said they felt treated like the Rolling Stones.”