By Richard Oliver

A new study by St. Mary’s University professor Steve Nivin shows that over its 30-year history, the Alamodome has generated almost $4 billion in economic impact for the City of San Antonio.

The Alamodome, which cost $186 million to construct, has returned nearly $628 million in revenues back to city, county, state and federal governments, along with school districts. Since its opening May 15, 1993, more than 33 million visitors have attended events ranging from concerts, sporting events, graduations, and shows.

“Simply put, the Alamodome is a valued asset that has put our community on the map, time and again, and improved our quality of life on so many levels,” San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg said.

Nivin’s study, commissioned by the Convention & Sports Facilities Department of the City of San Antonio, showcases a facility that has driven $130.7 million in financial impact each year for the community. That number includes $46.8 million in annual labor income and $75.5 million in yearly gross regional product tied to the stadium.

“There is little doubt that the Alamodome ranks today as one of the most diverse, popular entertainment venues in the country,” said Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, Director of Convention & Sports Facilities for the City of San Antonio. “Over three decades, it has proven an iconic destination for performers and fans alike. And there’s so much more to come.”

Nivin estimates that apart from events directly tied to San Antonio, such as high school football, graduations, and parties, just under 50 percent of all attendees traveled to the Alamodome from outside the metropolitan area. The seismic impact of that includes daily totals on average including $124 for lodging, $64 for food and beverages, $30 for entertainment and shopping, and $14 for alcohol.

In total, direct spending by visitors to events at the Dome has totaled $2.7 billion.

The Alamodome just completed one of the most successful years in its history. In the final five months of 2022 alone, the facility hosted five headline stadium concerts that drew nearly 230,000 fans and generated more than $31 million in gross receipts. The events included the Motley Crue and Def Leppard Stadium Tour, Bad Bunny, Rammstein, Grupo Firme, and Elton John.

The Bad Bunny and Elton John shows were part of the two largest tours in the world last year. The Bad Bunny concert broke the facility mark for gross ticket sales for one show when more than $11 million was recorded for the Sept. 8 performance. A crowd of 54,000 was on hand for the event.

Additionally, the Dome saw more than 150,000 spectators attend seven University of Texas at San Antonio football games, including the Conference USA championship on Dec. 2. In total, the Alamodome held 135 event days in 2022, with a similar schedule for 2023, exceeding the average of 115 event dates in previous years.

Former San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros, who was the driving force behind the construction of the Dome, said he always envisioned the facility as something more than a place to house competitions, musical performances, or conventions.

“I saw it as a community gathering place that would lift the quality of life for a city that was ready for the next step,” Cisneros said. “Indeed, I told the New York Times before the opening in 1993, ‘It’s the beginning of a new chapter in San Antonio’s life.’ That has certainly been the case.”

Already announced for 2023 are concerts by global superstars Red Hot Chili Peppers (May 17), P!nk (Sept. 25) and Guns ‘N Roses (Sept. 26). The stadium also hosted the debut of the new XFL spring football league co-owned by actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. More events will be unveiled in coming days.

On Jan. 13, the San Antonio Spurs set the NBA record for single-game attendance when 68,323 fans attended the team’s 50th anniversary celebration game against the Golden State Warriors. Two weeks later, WWE held its Royal Rumble there, and more than 51,000 showed up as the wrestling circuit set records for gate revenues.

The Alamodome will host its fifth Men’s Final Four in 2025 and has been selected to host the Women’s Final Four in 2029. On Dec. 29, the Valero Alamo Bowl was played at the Dome for the 30th time.

“The number of unforgettable, impactful events the Alamodome has hosted and will host in the future is staggering,” said Derrick Fox, President/CEO of the Valero Alamo Bowl. “With its proximity to downtown hotels, restaurants, and the River Walk, the Alamodome is the perfect complement to a one-of-a-kind trip for the 1.7 million fans that have experienced the Valero Alamo Bowl since our inception and generated $1 billion in economic impact for our community.”

Steve Zito, CVE, Assistant Director/Alamodome for the City of San Antonio, acknowledged the promoters who have helped make the facility so successful, including the Valero Alamo Bowl, Live Nation, Feld Entertainment, University Interscholastic League, Cheer Power, NCAA, San Antonio Home and Garden Show, San Antonio Sports, the Spurs and AEG, among others.

Richard Oliver is Communications Manager at the Alamodome.

From tpac.org

Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) announced the selection of a global architecture team including the innovative and internationally acclaimed BIG (Bjarke Ingels Group), the national award-winning performing arts architecture firm William Rawn Associates and the award-winning Nashville-based EOA Architects for the design of a new performance home.

The selection is a significant step toward relocation for the almost 50-year-old performing arts non-profit following recent approval by the Tennessee General Assembly of Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee’s 2023-24 budget proposal for $200 million to support TPAC’s move from the State-owned James K. Polk Cultural Center. The State made an initial investment in 1974 to establish TPAC and construct its current facility as part of the James K. Polk State Office Building. After a comprehensive review of its real estate assets, the State has determined the building is antiquated and there is a higher and better use for the site.

Included with the $200 million commitment in the 2023-24 budget is the intent for TPAC to receive an additional $300 million in next year’s budget with a requirement of private philanthropic contributions to support the relocation. This $500 million total investment is based on the findings from a study conducted by the State and aligned with the estimated costs for repair and renovation of the existing facility. TPAC has begun to identify philanthropic leaders that wish to fund this visionary project with a 5:1 match and unlock the State grant.

Since presenting its first live performances in September 1980, TPAC has grown into an arts and culture leader attracting visitors from across the state and welcoming approximately 435,000 audience members each year. With a new and larger home, TPAC will expand programming for Tennesseans with world-renowned artists, touring Broadway productions, and ballet, opera, and dramatic theatre performances from its three resident companies (Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera, and Nashville Repertory Theatre), while also growing its nationally recognized arts education programs to serve more students and teachers across the state.

“We are deeply grateful to the Governor and General Assembly for granting TPAC the essential financial support to construct a new world-class performing arts center and acknowledging the monumental impact that the arts have on the lives of Tennesseans,” said Jennifer Turner, TPAC President & CEO. “As we take these initial steps toward a cultural vision that represents the future of the performing arts, we are thrilled to work with this incredible team of internationally renowned architects to envision how TPAC will continue to captivate, connect, and inspire positive change. I commend the TPAC Board of Directors for their courageous leadership in pursuit of this project.”

The strategic partnership of architects will co-lead the project’s development, representing a global portfolio of architectural designs that can be seen in Nashville’s skyline, as well as highly acclaimed destinations around the globe.

BIG, an internationally acclaimed architecture firm with a reputation for buildings that are programmatically and technically innovative, and William Rawn Associates, a national award-winning firm that specializes in performing arts facilities that are timeless and transformable, bring more than 30 years of experience working on performing arts center projects, devoted to the betterment of the public realm.

“Nashville is a city fueled by the creative energy of music and performing arts. TPAC is already a lively and celebrated institution in the cultural fabric of Nashville – and together with the TPAC leadership team, William Rawn Associates and EOA Architects, we are about to embark on a journey to imagine and design the future physical framework of TPAC that will be as open, inviting, integrated, and inclusive as the institution already is,” said Bjarke Ingels, founder and creative director of BIG. “Once the form reflects the organization’s mission, we believe TPAC will be one of the great cultural institutions for performing arts in the country and in the world.”

“William Rawn Associates is honored to help TPAC bring together artists and audiences in exciting new ways,” said Cliff Gayley, WRA Principal Architect. “TPAC’s new home should harness the creative energy of Nashville and capture the imaginations of all Tennesseans.”

The architectural partnership also includes regionally recognized and Nashville-based EOA Architects as an integral member of the architectural team and provides additional support to ensure local expertise in the values and heritage of Tennessee and the incorporation of the community’s unique performing arts culture is a vital part of the design process.

“EOA Architects is honored to be engaged with this world-class team assembled to shape the future for the performing arts in our city and state,” said Tracey Ford, Principal with EOA Architects. “As a locally rooted architecture firm, shaping a new home for Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a once in a generation opportunity.”

Michael Murdock, EOA Architects Principal added, “Architecture and the arts transform lives; this is our chance to put our hearts and souls into what will undoubtedly become a new treasured icon for our beloved city.”

To deliver on the vision for TPAC since its founding, the institution intends to build upon its unique capacity for narrative storytelling to create an artistic beacon worthy of Tennessee’s creative legacy. With a realized vision, a new performing arts center will grow audiences by an estimated 33 percent and allow TPAC to increase programming, expand educational and mission-driven activities, and drive new visitation to the region while supporting new jobs across industries.

TPAC is actively engaged in the selection of a site for the organization’s relocation while also identifying philanthropic contributors to unlock the State grant.

“Today is an extraordinary moment for us to dream, think bigger than ourselves and embrace this artistic opportunity to develop a new performance home that the community can be proud of,” Turner said. “Tennessee Performing Arts Center is a treasured cultural gem in Tennessee, and this vision for the future of Nashville uniquely aligns with the ambitious growth that the community continues to witness.”

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.