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.

By Larry Mayer

Last fall the NFL Chicago Bears released an open letter confirming that they had reached an agreement to acquire 326 acres of property in Arlington Heights “to secure the potential of beginning a new and exciting chapter for the Bears, our fans, the Chicagoland community, and the State of Illinois.”

The organization released a second open letter recently, announcing that it has closed on the Arlington Park Property, describing it as “another step toward realizing” the vision that was stated in the first open letter last fall.

The Bears stressed, however, that closing on the property does not necessarily mean that a new stadium will be built on the site.

“Finalizing the purchase does not guarantee the land will be developed, but it is an important next step in our ongoing evaluation of the opportunity,” the letter reads. “There is still a tremendous amount of due diligence work to be done to determine if constructing an enclosed state-of-the-art stadium and multi-purpose entertainment district is feasible.”

Other highlights from the letter include the following:

If the Bears proceed, the development of the Arlington Heights property would be one of the largest mega-projects in Midwest history. Possible construction of a stadium-anchored development is projected by analysts to create more than 48,000 jobs, generate $9.4 billion in economic impact for the Chicagoland economy and provide $3.9 billion in new labor income to workers across the region.

The Bears will continue to work closely with the Village of Arlington Heights, surrounding municipalities and their residents to solicit extensive feedback on how they can best benefit local communities and Bears fans across Illinois.

If a stadium is constructed, the Bears will not seek taxpayer funds for the structure. The project would, however, require assistance to ensure feasibility, including securing property tax certainty and support for infrastructure commensurate with the public benefits the project will yield to the region.

Larry Mayer is Bears Senior Writer with chicagobears.com.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in January 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.

Leila Aboujouda, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Lindsey Abrahamson, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Jennifer Alden, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Kate Andacht, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
Airikuh Anderson, Oak View Group, Philadelphia, PA
David Andow, FOOD-TRAK / System Concepts Inc., Scottsdale, AZ
Joel Artis, Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, FL
Marcus Augenstien, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Charles Barrette, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Aaron Bayham, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Robyn Bearden, Opportunity Central – The OC, Forney, TX
Aaron Beatty, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Shanna Benfiet, Rose Quarter, Portland, OR
Alison Benton, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock, AR
Rich Best, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Steve Birdwell, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Matt Bishop, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Davis Bitton, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT
Jeremy Bodary, The Professional Group, Roseville, MI
Eric Bofenkamp, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Mike Boulier, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Riley Braker, Missouri State University, Nixa, MO
Crystal Brewe, Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Philadelphia, PA
Brittany Brown, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Jeremy Bull, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Jason Burgess, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Corey Calaycay, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Lorri Calhoun, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
John Carlson, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Matthew Castillo, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Cielo Castro, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Dana Chester, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Valerie Clanton, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Jeff Clark, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Austin Connors, Abilene Convention Center, Abilene, TX
Carlos Cota, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Adrian Coye, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
Mark Cunningham, Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities, Kansas City, MO
Kristy Dahlstrom, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Leslie Deason, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Annabella DeLeon, Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, TX
David Demuth, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Antonio DiPaolo, LAZ Parking, Chicago, IL
Joseph Esile, Brooklyn Nets, Brooklyn, NY
Pat Evans, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA
Jesi Evans-Mundell, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Tosha Faith, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Chad Farmer, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Brad Farrington, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Steve Faulstick, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Gina Fergile, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Marisa Flynn, Oak View Group, Philadelphia, PA
Alexis Fort, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Zach Fortunato, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Nina Fortune, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Steve Fraser, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Mary Fugere, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Micah Garner, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Kesete Gebremariam, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Mark Geiger, CCLD Networks, Atlanta, GA
Daniel Getchell, Rose Quarter, Portland, OR
Adam Ghan, Missouri State University, Strafford, MO
Kimiko Gilmore, Kansas City Convention & Entertainment Facilities, Kansas City, MO
Allie Glidewell, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Ray Gonzalez, MGM Resorts, Las Vegas, NV
Jacob Goodall, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Mary Graham, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Courtney Greever-Fries, The Fox Theatre – Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Jason Grohoske, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
Jordan Gura, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Melissa Hady, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Michelle Hamff, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Rebecca Hansen, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Jen Hazzard, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Shalanda Hedrick, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
Nena Hernandez, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Renee Hernandez, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Kristina Hill, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX
Ruth Hill, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Callie Hoch, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Joe Hoffman, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Carolyne Holcomb, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Mary Hough, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
Alonzo Houston, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Jacob Hughes, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Tyler Ichella, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Marcus Jackson, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Elizabeth Jamieson, Annenberg Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Alex Jeffries, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Brandon Johnson, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Susan Johnson, Opportunity Central – The OC, Forney, TX
MacKensie Juday, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Duane Kearsley, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT
Emily Kempe, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON, Canada
Sarah King, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Chris Knowles, Gas South District, Duluth, GA
Kathryn Kowalski, Oak View Group, Philadelphia, PA
Victoria Krivenkoff, California State University, Fullerton, La Habra, CA
Kole Kuntz, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Taylor Kyte, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Robert Lawrence, Rose Quarter, Portland, OR
Kaishin Lin, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Tyler Lloyd, CCLD Networks, Atlanta, GA
Taylor Lohman, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Michael Lopez, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Kevin Maas, Screenflex Portable Walls, Lake Zurich, IL
Nolan MacDonald, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Edd MacKey, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena, Lexington, KY
Chance Margotta, ], San Antonio, TX
Walter Marquez, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Rick McEachern, FirstBank Amphitheater, Franklin, TN
Marinah McGinnis, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Commerce City, CO
Jana Meszaros, City of Eugene, Eugene, OR
Noah Micke, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Jenna Miller, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Matt Miller, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Shannon Miller, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Geneva Moody, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Brian Moore, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Miriam Morgan, Arts United of Greater Fort Wayne, Inc., Fort Wayne, IN
Talana Morris, Opportunity Central – The OC, Forney, TX
Matt Mueller, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Sean Murphy, Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
Wesley Nader, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Danache Nelson, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Jeff Newsome, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Gardy Noel, CCLD Networks, Atlanta, GA
Will Norris, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Katie Nye, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT
Ellie Oegema, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Tanner Oetting, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
William Ogg, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Erich Olschewski, Event Services – Utah State University, Logan, UT
Emily Olson, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Natalie Pawson, Vancouver Civic Theatres, Vancouver, BC, Canada
John Payne, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Adam Peden, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Chad Pennington, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Aubrey, TX
Brian Perlow, Bergmeyer, Boston, MA
Meghan Peterson, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Sara Peterson, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Stacey Phillips, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Amber Pietenpol, Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park, KS
Larry Pitcher, Music City Center, Nashville, TN
Matthew Quinn, CCLD Networks, Atlanta, GA
Ish Ramirez, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Lynnette Rancifer, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Little Rock, AR
Ryanne Rausch, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Nick Reid, Durham Convention Center, DURHAM, NC
Kevin Reynolds, Wintrust Arena, Chicago, IL
Alexander Richards, Los Angeles Football Club/BMO Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
Andrew Riojas, United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, TX
Brittney Roberts, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
David Robertson, Vanguardia Limited, Oxted, United Kingdom
Keith Rodda, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Billy Rodrigues, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
David Roman, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
David Roth, MetraPark, Billings, MT
Jackie Rowley, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Carol Rushton, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Jamie Salkind, Berklee Performance Center, Boston, MA
Sara Salvati, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Tim Santi, , Atlanta, GA
Tayler Savage, Weber County Culture, Parks and Recreation, Ogden, UT
Jeana Schiffres, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Matthew Schlief, The Lincoln Center, Fort Collins, CO
Russ Schroader, Sportsbeams Lighting, Inc., Round Rock, TX
Nathan Schumann, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK
Alexandra Serrano, Exhibition Place, Toronto, ON, Canada
Sylvester Servance, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Bram Sheckels, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Matthew Shufflebarger, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Grant Simmons, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Allison Skok, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Alex Smith, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC
Tyler Smith, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Javon Sneed, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC
Juan Soto, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Malorie Squitieri, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO
Nathan Stephens, Vivint Arena, Salt Lake City, UT
Joseph Strang, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Nancy Strening, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
James Swindell, Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, VA
Joyce Szudzik, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Alfredo Tapia, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
Abby Tauber, Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Haley Thelen, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Jack Thomas, Acrisure Arena, Palm Desert, CA
Payton Thomas, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Steve Turner, Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis, IN
Paul Valenzuela, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Kimberly VanderWal, Gogue Performing Arts Center, Auburn, AL
Javier Vasquez, Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, TX
Suzanne Villegas, Fairplex, Pomona, CA
Zachariah Wachalec, Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland, Cleveland, OH
Jill Wagner, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, San Antonio, TX
Jake Walker, Opportunity Central – The OC, Forney, TX
Julia Weagle, TD Place at Lansdowne, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Brian Weaver, Opportunity Central – The OC, Forney, TX
Amanda Wells, Macky Auditorium Concert Hall, Boulder, CO
Ruby White, Portland’5 Centers for the Arts, Portland, OR
Danielle Williams, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Tulsa, OK
Shavannia Williams, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA
Jamie Wirth, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN
Mark Won, University of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Nicole Wurster, Highmark Stadium – Buffalo Bills, Orchard Park, NY
Tali Ziegler, Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN