By AXS.com

As a bumper summer of live events unfolds across Australia, AXS is pleased to announce the appointment of Andrew Travis as Chief Executive Officer of AXS Australia and New Zealand, with the global giant set to shake up the ticketing market as it expands down under.

An experienced sports, events, and venue management professional, the former Gold Coast Suns (AFL) chief executive joins AXS from his previous role, COO of Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) precinct. At M&OP, Travis was responsible for the development and operation of the world-renowned live sport and entertainment precinct, home to Grand Slam major event the Australian Open plus venues including Rod Laver Arena, AAMI Park (which saw Travis lead the client team overseeing its $268 million construction), John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and more.

Tasked with introducing AXS (pronounced “access”) and its industry-leading technology to local venues, promoters, artists, and fans, it’s an exciting new step for the experienced executive, who will be based out of AXS’ Melbourne office.

“I am delighted to be joining the team at AXS and to have been given the opportunity to lead this exciting expansion into the Australia and New Zealand market,” Travis said. I look forward to super serving venues to optimize their ticketing operations and drive improved customer outcomes and satisfaction.”

AXS – part of the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) – is a global leader in ticketing, processing over US$3.5 billion in transactions annually throughout the US, Europe, and Asia and powering the ticketing experience for some of the most iconic venues in the world, including the O2 Arena in London, Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, and Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. AXS announced its entry into the Australian market in December. The AXS platform serves clients of all sizes and is comprised of a set of robust and flexible tools empowering venues, teams, promoters, and producers to customize their ticketing operations to their unique needs and business objectives, simplify the customer journey and maximize the value of their events. Its signature technology, AXS Mobile ID is a patented identity-based ticket that provides a more seamless experience for fans and gives venues the opportunity to better understand their patrons and provide personalized offers and experiences.

“We are thrilled to have Andrew lead AXS’ entry into the vibrant Australian and New Zealand live event market,” said Bryan Perez, AXS chief executive based in Los Angeles. “His extensive experience as an industry leader in sports and entertainment venues gives him a keen insight into their goals and ambitions and the challenges they have had realizing them. He is the right person to help AXS address those challenges in a new and innovative way to the benefit of fans, artists, and teams throughout the region.”

By Yasmeen Badich

Enmarket Arena, the new 9,500-seat arena in Savannah, GA, just celebrated its first anniversary, and what an inaugural year it was.

Enmarket Arena welcomed more than 330,000 fans through its doors to over 100 events, featuring many of the world’s top entertainers, including Reba McEntire, Alan Jackson, Eagles, Morgan Wallen, New Edition, Brooks & Dunn, Rod Wave, The Lumineers, and Andrea Bocelli, all sold-out shows, as well as Kane Brown, Earth, Wind & Fire, Widespread Panic, Pitbull, Bon Jovi, and Barry Manilow. In addition, the Harlem Globetrotters, Disney on Ice, WWE, Cirque du Soleil and AEW filled Enmarket Arena, much to the joy of families across the region. Adam Sandler, Mike Epps, John Mulaney and 85 South brought the laughs to Enmarket Arena during the first 12 months.

Savannah’s newest professional sports team, the Savannah Ghost Pirates of the ECHL, sold out 17 of their first 18 games at Enmarket Arena.

OVG360, managers and operators of Enmarket Arena, exceeded its promise to be a positive disruption in the Southeast by providing the Southeast with the best live entertainment and sports.

“Savannah is a terrific city for live entertainment,” said Peter Luukko, Co-Chair, OVG360. “Enmarket Arena is a fantastic facility that unites the community and brings the region together to see many of the world’s top performers. We’re grateful to Mayor Johnson and City Council for the opportunity to be part of the excitement here in Savannah. We look forward to many more exciting years here in Savannah.”

As part of the celebration, more than 1,000 guests attended the First Anniversary Community Day party at Enmarket Arena on Sunday, February 5, featuring live music, interactive hockey, basketball games, a magician, a dunk tank with proceeds going to local Boys & Girls Club, giveaways, food and beverage from local purveyors, and much more.

Journey and Toto performed a sold-out special first-anniversary concert on February 8.

According to OVG360, Enmarket Arena sold over 93,892 chicken tenders, 10,605 hot dogs, and an astonishing 829,568 soft drinks during its inaugural season. In addition, more than 135 tour buses pulled into the arena to set up events. The OVG360 staff set almost 60,000 chairs for the many different events during more than 100 changeovers.

OVG360, with a commitment to being sustainable, uses 100-percent recycled paper and materials at all concession stands at Enmarket Arena, and processed more than 1,000 pounds of food waste this year through ORCA to refine the waste and drain it, as opposed to sending it out as trash into a landfill.

“Our partners, guests, and promoters have truly helped make our success possible,” said OVG360’s Monty Jones Jr., General Manager, Enmarket Arena. “When we opened the venue last year, we made a promise to Savannah to feature something for everyone. We did just that and showed the region that Savannah is an entertainment destination. And, we have so much more for the region coming up.”

Yasmeen Badich is VP of Marketing for OVG360/Enmarket Arena.

Lumen Field and the Seattle Seahawks announced Tunnel Club, the new pre-game hospitality area at Lumen Field, is scheduled to open for the 2023 season. Located adjacent to the Seahawks home locker room, the new Tunnel Club will offer fans all-inclusive premium food and beverages, as well as exciting views of the players as they come and go from the playing field before each home game.

“As part of our overall commitment to Fanovation and providing a superior guest experience at Lumen Field, we are thrilled to introduce our fans to the new Tunnel Club this season,” said Chuck Arnold, President, Seattle Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. “We know fans always want to be closer to the action, and this exclusive space will not only offer unparalleled views of the players leading up to kickoff but will be a fun and unique spot to enjoy pregame festivities.”

Tunnel Club will be a completely reimagined space to replace the team’s existing Field Club. The 1,800 square foot members-only area will open three hours prior to kickoff and accommodate approximately 150 guests. Members will enjoy VIP entry to Lumen Field, as well as all-inclusive food & beverage including a coffee bar and premium beer, wine, and spirits. The space will feature specialty Pacific Northwest finishes, a plush lounge area featuring a 245-square foot bar, private restrooms, TVs to catch all the early NFL game action, and an up-close view of the Seahawks players as they enter the field for pregame warmups and kickoff. Members will also receive a complimentary season kickoff gift, as well as exclusive gameday giveaways, special guest appearances throughout the season, and invitations to Seahawks VIP events.

Pricing will start at $4,000 for a full season Tunnel Club membership and must be paired with a game ticket.

The new Tunnel Club was among the modernization projects the Seahawks and First & Goal Inc. announced in July 2022 as part of the stadium’s 20th anniversary Fanovation campaign. In 2022, the stadium unveiled new north video boards that more than doubled the size of the previous boards, as well as new Cityside Bars located under the Hawks Nest. During the 2022 season, the stadium also opened three new concession locations with Amazon Just Walk Out and Amazon One check-out free technology.

Your Foundation is now accepting applications for Joseph A. Floreano, 100+ Women of IAVM, and Diversity and Inclusive Leadership committee sponsored Scholarships to attend VenueConnect 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA, July 31 – August 3, 2023!

Criteria for each available scholarship are as follows:

Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship Application Criteria

• Applicants must be IAVM members
• Applicants must be employed or recently employed in the venue industry.
• Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline.
• Recipients must be able and willing to attend VC 2023
• Recipients must be willing to support the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives by providing testimonials, photo(s), blogging about their experience and participating in speaking opportunities as an advocate for the Foundation as requested.

Diversity Scholarship Application Criteria

• Applicants are not required to be IAVM members
• Applicants must be American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Black/African American, Latinx, Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, LGBTQIA, or a person with disabilities.
• Applicants must be employed or recently employed in the venue industry.
• Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline.
• Recipients must be able and willing to attend VC 2023.
• Recipients must be willing to support the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives by providing testimonials, photo(s), blogging about their experience and participating in speaking opportunities as an advocate for the Foundation as requested.

100+ Women of IAVM Scholarship Application Criteria

• Applicants must be IAVM members
• Applicants must identify as a woman
• Applicants must be employed or recently employed in the venue industry.
• Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline.
• Recipients must be able and willing to attend VC 2023.
• Recipients must be willing to support the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives by providing testimonials, photo(s), blogging about their experience and participating in speaking opportunities as an advocate for the Foundation as requested.

Student Scholarship Application Criteria

• Applicants must be IAVM student members
• Applicants must be enrolled in a university/college at the time of the application.
• Applicants must be employed or recently employed in the venue industry.
• Applications must be submitted no later than the deadline.
• Recipients must be able and willing to attend VC 2023.
• Recipients must be willing to support the Foundation’s fundraising initiatives by providing testimonials, photo(s), blogging about their experience and participating in speaking opportunities as an advocate for the Foundation as requested.

The deadline for all applications is March 3, 2023.

All recipients will be notified by April 3, 2023.

From Acrisure Arena

Oak View Group (OVG) announced that respected industry executive John Page has joined the company as senior vice president of Acrisure Arena, the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and OVG360 Facilities where he will oversee management and oversight of the three entities. Based in Palm Springs, Page starts his new role effective immediately and will report to Tod Leiweke, president of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, Francesca Bodie, president of OVG business development, and Chris Granger, president of OVG360.

“John is a well-respected leader with decades of experience in the live industry, and I’m very proud to officially welcome him to OVG,” Bodie said. “Vision and drive have been the cornerstones of his career and we’re very excited for him to bring the same energy and leadership to our team in Palm Springs.”

At OVG, Page will be responsible for management and oversight of the company’s newly opened owned-and-operated venue Acrisure Arena, AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, and regional responsibility for OVG360, OVG’s full-service venue management company. With more than 30 years of live event and sports industry experience before joining OVG, Page served as president of Spectra, which was acquired by OVG in November of 2021. While there he supported 10,000 employees across the company’s portfolio.

“I couldn’t be happier to join OVG,” Page said. “The company represents best-in-class with tremendous leadership, ownership, and values with unprecedented knowledge of all facets of the business. OVG believes in supporting their people and building great culture. I look forward to sharing my knowledge while guiding the Acrisure Arena and Coachella Valley Firebirds to being the very best. The Coachella Valley is such a unique and distinct market with undeniable upside, and I’m excited to get back out west, plus the weather is pretty nice.”

Prior to his role at Spectra, Page served as president/senior vice president of booking and Content Comcast-Spectacor/Spectra. While there, he was responsible for all facets of day-to-day operation of Wells Fargo Center including premium seating; advertising, sales, sponsorship; and operations, as well as the $300 million renovation of the facility to create a “best-in-class” venue for eventgoers. His career also includes a decade as chief operating officer (COO) with Global Spectrum, and as senior vice president of event production at Wells Fargo Center & Spectrum where he managed teams including operations, security, box office operations, parking, and premium services.

Page holds both a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master of Science degree in public administration from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles and has been nominated ten times by Pollstar as Facility Executive of the Year.