By Sara Picchioni Williams

Populous-designed TQL Stadium was awarded the Prix Versailles Sports 2022 World Title — the world prize for architecture and design from UNESCO.

The Prix Versailles is an original program with the aim of fostering better interaction between the economy and culture. It underlines the role economic agents across sectors can play to enhance, embellish, and improve living environments. The honor is awarded annually to the world’s top project in each category based upon innovation, creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard.

“We are thrilled that TQL Stadium has been honored with the Prix Versailles World Title,” said Jonathan

Mallie, senior principal at Populous and design lead of TQL Stadium. “We worked closely with ownership to create a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind soccer experience for the people of Cincinnati and the world. Its design stands apart due to its bespoke nature, combining innovative technology, cultural influences, and impeccable interior artistry to create an iconic experience.”

The World Judges Panel, selected to evaluate the year’s best in contemporary architecture, was chaired by philosopher Gilles Lipovetsky (France), and included the architects Thom Mayne (United States), Lu Wenyu (China) and Thomas Vonier (United States), the designer Jasper Morrison (United Kingdom), the disc jockey Charlotte de Witte (Belgium), the filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad – France) and the mountaineer Samina Baig (Pakistan).

TQL Stadium, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been heralded as one of the world’s top soccer venues. Earlier this year, the stadium was named the Best Venue of 2022 at the World Football Summit Awards. TQL Stadium opened in 2021 as the new home for Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati, pairing a world-class soccer atmosphere and energy with a design that truly reflected the Cincinnati community and history.

TQL Stadium was one of two U.S. projects to win a 2022 World Title, and one of just three projects in the U.S. named to the initial World Selection group among the four major categories of airports, campuses, passenger stations, and sports. The MLS stadium was selected from a group of six World Selection projects in sports, which included Etihad Arena (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), Nakia Arena (Tampere, Finland), Tochigi Sports Park – East Area (Utsunomiya, Japan), Stade de Luxembourg (Luxembourg City, Luxembourg), and Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar).

A striking design from afar and up close, TQL Stadium defies stasis by wrapping itself in over 500 mass-customized aluminum fins. When viewed from down Central Parkway, these articulated aluminum façade elements create the stadium’s signature form: a singular twisting motion that signifies the tension between two teams about to take the pitch. When viewed straight on, they provide a glimpse into the stadium, fostering a heightened sense of anticipation for the match within.

The stadium is one of the league’s largest, and includes The Bailey, the club’s legendary supporters’ section that hosts more than 3,000 fans at the steepest permissible slope, creating an imposing wave of sound that crashes over the pitch below. It pairs this atmosphere with interior hospitality at its finest. The high-design clubs and suites take inspiration from historic Cincinnati architecture, materials, and cultural elements, from the city’s Roman emperor namesake to Cincinnati’s robust brewery scene.

On the exterior, TQL Stadium connects directly to its neighborhood, with a plaza entrance that is nestled into Cincinnati’s urban fabric, inspired by monumental public places such as the New York Public Library and the Spanish Steps in Rome. With views overlooking the Over-the-Rhine district and downtown, the plaza serves as the end point to the traditional supporters’ march to the match.

Sara Picchioni Williams is with Great Ink Communications.

By Gail Sawyer

Chairman and Chief Executive of ASM Global APAC Harvey Lister, AM, announced the appointment of Australian convention specialist and marketer Beverley Parker as the group’s new Director of Marketing.

A sales and marketing industry leader, Parker has more than 30 years’ experience in the highly competitive areas of tourism, events, and hospitality.

Parker will combine her new role as Director of Marketing, ASM Global Asia Pacific, with her current position as Director of Business Development at ICC Sydney where she has successfully applied her wealth of experience in the international business events sector.

“Beverley brings a depth of industry knowledge and ability as well as strong leadership credentials to her expanded role and we look forward to welcoming her to the team,” Lister said.

Commenting on her appointment, Parker said it had been a great privilege to be part of the pre-opening team at ICC Sydney helping to establish the venue’s reputation on the global stage and looked forward to applying that same passion and enthusiasm for the industry in her new role.

“I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the next stage of ASM Global’s story in the Asia Pacific as Director of Marketing,” she said.

Parker takes up her role on March 1, following in the footsteps of long-term ASM Global team member Rochelle Uechtritz, who spent 29 years and a number of secondments at ASM Global venues around the world.

Gail Sawyer is Group Communications Manager – ASM Global (Asia Pacific).

From stlcitysc.com

CITYPARK, the home of St. Louis CITY SC, will open its inaugural season as a zero-waste stadium. All waste generated will either be reduced, reused, recycled or composted. CITY’s commitment to sustainability includes eliminating single-use consumer plastics, recycling and composting, comprehensive energy efficiency and water conservation initiatives, and partnering with food donation programs. For the past three years, CITY has been building the “Our CITY” sustainability program which calls upon CITY’s suppliers, partners, fans, and staff to reduce landfill waste, conserve resources, and to measure and report key sustainability operating metrics.

“We want CITYPARK to be an inspiration to our community, of how it is possible to embrace waste reduction and conservation practices in our work and homes,” said Carolyn Kindle, President and CEO of CITY. “St. Louis is a region of rivers and agricultural innovation. We have a great opportunity to remind our partners, fans, and neighbors that our future is our responsibility.”

CITY has recruited commercial and nonprofit partners who share the team’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Stadium concessionaire and operations partners Levy Restaurants and ASM Global are working with vendors and CITYPARK’s 100% local restaurant partners to reduce single-use consumer plastic waste wherever feasible by switching to compostable service ware and reusable aluminum cups. Beverage partner PepsiCo, Inc. and official beer partner Anheuser-Busch also embraced CITY’s vision to reduce plastic waste by serving beer and non-alcoholic beverages in highly recyclable CITY signature aluminum cans and cups.

“What has really inspired us is how St. Louis CITY has been committed to consumer waste reduction and food rescue from the start and the efforts to weave it into every aspect of stadium operations are set to make a significant impact,” said Amy Keister, Global Director of Sustainability, Compass Group, a global leader in food service sustainability who has consulted with CITYPARK through the evolution of Our CITY. “Taking this approach isn’t always easy, but it’s a way to lead by example and rally the community to make a difference.”

CITYPARK also hosts a compost sorting and collection center on its pitch level to help capture food and biodegradable waste onsite. Operation Food Search, a local non-profit organization, will work with Levy to recover prepared but uneaten food from restaurant partners after matches and events for food bank distribution centers serving the St. Louis region.

“We are thrilled to work with St. Louis CITY SC to reduce food waste and further address food insecurity in the region,” said Operation Food Search President and CEO Kristen Wild. “We estimate that this partnership will allow us to divert 3,000 pounds per year of food from landfills to families’ tables, thanks to the commitment of STL CITY, their restaurant partners, and their fans.”

Other features within the Our CITY program include reducing water resources wherever feasible, relying on renewable energy sources, operating energy efficient mechanical and electrical equipment in CITYPARK, identifying more sustainable janitorial and landscape practices, and encouraging environmentally preferable transportation options. CITY’s ownership group invested in the second segment of the pedestrian and bike greenway – Brickline Greenway – built along the stadium’s southern side. CITYPARK’s campus includes over 100 bike parking spots and 27 electric car charging stations in its adjacent parking garage. CITYPARK also is accessible by light rail and bus through Metro Transit. CITY is a proud member of the Green Sports Alliance.

Additionally, CITY is encouraging fans to take the Our CITY pledge, designed to encourage fans to practice waste reduction and recycling at our matches and in their everyday lives. Fans can take the pledge by going to stlcitysc.com/OURCITY.

CITYPARK is a $485 million, 22,500-seat soccer specific stadium privately built by the organization’s majority female-led ownership group in St. Louis’ Downtown West. The 31-acre urban district is the nation’s largest urban sports campus and the only one to contain a team’s headquarters, training facility and practice fields, and stadium and community space in one downtown location. CITYPARK was built to fit snugly in the neighborhood, with open views on all four sides and an aluminum canopy specially designed to keep sounds and light inside. Designed by architects Julie Snow and HOK, CITYPARK was inspired by the Midwestern home, open and welcoming to the neighborhood. CITYPARK also includes a large public plaza on the stadium’s eastern side for pre-match gatherings and city festivals.

ASM Global announced a new partnership that will seem the venue management company develop and operate the proposed 17,000-seat GreenCity Arena in Henrico County, Virginia.

The arena, which will be designed for touring concerts, family shows, sports and tournaments, will serve as a cornerstone of the $2.3 billion GreenCity mixed-use district which is currently being developed for Henrico County.

The proposed development will include the arena, as well as green spaces such as trails, parks, and other open spaces that promote environmental sustainability, civic engagement, and inclusion. The proposed development would also include two million square feet of office space, 280,000 square feet of retail space, 2,400 housing units, and hotels, according to developers.

As part of the agreement, ASM Global would also partner in other components of GreenCity, including its main street retail and hospitality, the companies said.

“What we wanted in an arena-development partner is someone that also understood district programming,” GreenCity Partners principal Michael Hallmark said. “The arena may well be the main attraction, but GreenCity is much more.”

The arena will be built primarily through bonds issued by GreenCity Community Development Authority, which was established by the Henrico Board of Supervisors on Jan. 24. The CDA will be overseen by a separate board.

“We believe this location is optimal within the greater region, as the I-95 corridor connects touring shows from Boston to Miami. It will be a tremendous venue for us as well as Central Virginia,” ASM Global Executive Vice President of Development Liam Thornton said. “Additionally, the extensive work already done by Henrico County in terms of completing planning approvals, the development agreement, and the formation of the CDA demonstrate their track record of successfully partnering with the private sector on consequential projects.”

“It’s a beautiful development plan, impressive at every level,” stated ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension said. “GreenCity offers tremendous synergies for the talent we hope to attract as well as the corporate partners we believe will be eager to be a part of this exciting project.”

By Paul Colston

City of Glendale (AZ) officials have approved a new long-term lease agreement and $40 million renovation plan with ASM Global –the world’s largest venue management company – for its Desert Diamond Arena. The aim is to increase the Arizona, USA venue’s fiscal returns and prominence as a key element in the city’s growth as a national entertainment hub.

ASM Global has successfully operated the city-owned venue for the past six and one-half years and 2022 marked Desert Diamond Arena’s best financial performance in 17 years. Management expects 2023’s figures to surpass the 2022 fiscal record.

“This agreement demonstrates that ASM Global, an internationally recognized leader in arena and venue management, is aligned with our belief about the tremendous future for our ever-expanding Sports and Entertainment District,” said Glendale City manager Kevin Phelps.

ASM Global president and CEO Ron Bension said: “We passionately believe in Glendale and Desert Diamond’s potential to live up to its name as a diamond in the entertainment sphere. The area’s track record of hosting spectacular events – like the Super Bowl – can grow even more to enrich the community. We’re looking forward to further leverage our worldwide expertise in this market.”

Utilizing its global relationships in content, programming, planning, technology, sustainability, and guest safety, ASM Global will partner to fund renovation plans to enhance the guest, artist, and athlete experience at Desert Diamond. The Glendale site is part of ASM Global’s network of more than 350 venues around the world that host 20,000 events and welcome 165 million guests every year.

HOK has been selected to help with the renovation and design.

The new agreement includes a lease/buy option for ASM.

Paul Colston is Managing Editor, Conference News & Conference & Meetings World.