By R.V. Baugus

Long-time IAVM member and good friend Brad Gessner, CVE, is now living the charmed life of retirement nestled in the Hill Country of Texas. Specifically, Brad resides in Comfort, a town that easily befits its name and is a far cry from the hectic pace of Brad’s final job in running the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Brad shared an interesting story about how he started keeping a journal of interesting stories beginning in 1984 about life in the public assembly venue industry. For the younger IAVM members reading this, it is something you might want to contemplate doing as well. At the minimum, it will provide you some fond (and maybe not so fond) memories of your career in this fascinating business once you hit the retirement calling.

Brad’s journaling resulted in his writing a book entitled Backstage, an apt title if there ever was one. We’ll let Brad tell the back story of Backstage in his own words. I am looking forward to reading the book and encourage you to do the same.

“I actually started in 1984 keeping a journal of interesting stories that happened on the job in this crazy and interesting industry. I kept writing them down for the next 36 years!

“I wrote it for several reasons. I wanted to leave my story for my kids and grandkids as well as share with the industry and anyone else that was interested. And to make others aware of an incredible industry that I discovered completely by accident.”

The book’s description is as follows:

Backstage is a behind-the-scenes tour of the author’s best memories of what transpires in the world of special events. The author’s 42-year career managing special event facilities include his introduction to this “accidental industry” starting in 1978 through his retirement in 2020. From the Harlem Globetrotters, Earl Scruggs, Harry Chapin and EDM’s Kaskade to wrestling’s Dusty Rhodes and comedic genius Gallagher, Backstage stories make this a fun, insightful and wanting to read the next page.

Backstage is also a book about the highs and lows of leading in the event industry. The author held leadership positions at the San Diego Convention Center (two different stints), WestWorld of Scottsdale, the Del Mar Fairgrounds & Racetrack, the HemisFair Arena, and his last stop as Sr. Vice President of Convention Centers for AEG Facilities and General Manager of the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Backstage challenges us to ensure our leadership makes a difference. If you are a leader in any industry, read this book!

The author offers ideas and insights and pragmatic guidance which will help lead you to greater success as a leader.

The book is available through Amazon and can be found by clicking here.

By Kelly Greenfield

Bryan Miller has been named General Manager for the Charlotte Convention Center, which recently completed a $126.9M expansion, increasing total leasable space to 600,000 sq. ft., and is operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). Miller will oversee the Charlotte Convention Center team and will collaborate with Visit Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and other key stakeholders.

Miller joins the CRVA with an extensive background in the hospitality industry and venue management community, previously working with the Virginia Beach Convention Center, where he served for 16 years, starting as an Event Manager with promotions to Sales Manager (2007), Assistant General Manager (2011) and General Manager (2020), managing events as large as 35,000 attendees. Miller’s leadership was key to the recovery of the Convention Center and hospitality community in Virginia Beach. He has served in the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Mentor program, Convention Center Committee and is currently Chairman of IVAM’s Region 5 Chapter Meeting Committee and a Certified Venue Executive (CVE).

“The CRVA prides itself in assembling the most professional talent available and we are very proud to announce Bryan Miller as the newest member of the team,” said Steve Bagwell, Vice President of Venues at the CRVA. “Bryan’s extensive experience, exceptional customer service, innovative leadership, and collaborative nature will be valuable to both our customers and teammates.”

Miller officially assumes his duties at the CRVA on Jan. 23 and will report directly to Steve Bagwell, Vice President of Venues at the CRVA.

Kelly Greenfield is Senior Public Relations Manager at the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.

From Convention Center staff

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has named Rocsean Spencer to the position of Chief Diversity Officer (CDO). The Center recently created the position to reflect their commitment to implementing diverse, equitable, and inclusive practices, providing equal opportunities that drive innovative solutions for its internal and external communities. According to the International Association of Venue Managers, this is the first convention center in the nation to establish the position of CDO.

Spencer will be tasked with supporting the organization’s policies and directives that mitigate bias, increase equitable outcomes, and foster respect and inclusion, and ensure that the communications and People Services programs reflect the organization’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) goals.

Spencer most recently served as the Convention Center’s Small and Emerging Business (SEB) Program Director, a position that was created in 2019 to help promote the importance of diverse and small business inclusion at the Convention Center. Since inception of this program over $40 million in contracts have been awarded to small and emerging businesses.

Spencer came to the Convention Center from the City of New Orleans, Office of Supplier Diversity. She served as Certification Officer, where she reviewed Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) certification applications and attended State and Local DBE (SLDBE) program outreach events. She was later promoted to Compliance Officer, where she managed a portfolio of $150 million of Public and Private Sector funds. In that role, she also supervised the DBE program, where she managed the SLDBE Certification Department as SLDBE Certification Coordinator.

“We have worked very diligently over many years to position the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention as an employer of choice through establishing and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, diverse, appealing and inviting, with contemporary business practices and philosophies that drive us to achieve our mission,” said Convention Center President Michael J. Sawaya.

“It is our long-term vision to continually evolve with a leading-edge philosophy that keeps us at the forefront of convention centers around the nation and builds on our stellar reputation as a world-class visitor destination that is Built to Host,” Sawaya continued. “New Orleans enjoys a long-standing reputation as being inclusive with our unique culture, art, architecture, food, and people. This important initiative follows this well-earned reputation and furthers our mission to be a leader in the business community. To that end, we take great pride at being the first Convention Center to establish the position of Chief Diversity Officer and adopting a guiding principle where our convention center is Built to Host. For Everyone.”

By Justin Tinder

The Oklahoma City Convention Center marks its second successful year since opening its doors.

This year Oklahoma’s largest meetings and events facility has again exceeded expectations. A total of 195,685 visitors represented a 76.1% growth over 2021’s inaugural year. Visitors come to the state-of-the-art venue for a wide range of events, including public consumer shows, tradeshows, sporting events, corporate meetings, conventions, and special events.

The OKCCC accommodated various national conventions including the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Association, the Utilities Technology Council, the American Society of Animal Science, the National Brownfields Training Conference, the National Indian Education Association, the International Economic Development Council, and the TEAMS Conference and Expo. Each of these events brought in a high percentage of out-of-town guests and provided significant direct spending for OKC.

One of the highlights this year was hosting the Van Gogh Immersive event, which is expecting more than 70,000 visitors in its month-long run from December to January. The Van Gogh exhibit has brought in tourists from across a multi-state region and is getting a boost from strong local attendance.

OKCCC has hosted 149 events, an increase of 16.4% from the previous year. The Center was in use for 317 days during the year. The economic impact is estimated to be over $29.6 million, an increase of 93.4% from the previous year.

“We are incredibly proud to have welcomed both local and national events through our doors,” said Barbara Beaton, OKCCC General Manager. “There is a clear demand for and growing interest in our venue from all types of organizations considering OKC as a destination. We expect continued growth in 2023, 2024, and beyond.”

The $288 million MAPS 3 project opened in January 2021. The OKC Convention Center is located east of Scissortail Park and adjacent to the Omni Hotel. The Center covers 500,000 square feet and includes a 200,730 square foot exhibit hall, a 29,884 square-foot ballroom, 27 meeting rooms, and a fourth-floor terrace with breath-taking views of Scissortail Park and the city skyline.

Justin Tinder is Marketing Coordinator for the ASM Global—Oklahoma City Convention Center.

By StadiumBusiness.com

The Baltimore Ravens NFL team has extended its lease deal to play at M&T Bank Stadium for at least the next 15 seasons, until 2037.

The agreement, which includes two five-year options to extend the lease beyond 2037, was presented to the Maryland Board of Public Works and received unanimous approval.

The Maryland Stadium Authority will continue to work closely with the Ravens to ensure M&T Bank Stadium is upgraded to remain a “best-in-class” facility in terms of safety, amenities, and fan experience.

The Ravens said the new deal will also provide the opportunity to expand the economic impact of games and other year-round activities at the stadium. The team’s previous deal had been due to expire in 2027.

Thomas Kelso, chairman of the Maryland Stadium Authority, said: “The Maryland Stadium Authority is extremely pleased with the new stadium lease agreement with the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium that continues our strong partnership with the team through the end of the 2037 NFL season with two five-year options to extend.

“While fundamentally the same as the agreement presently in place, it offers greater protections to the MSA, additional revenue opportunities to the team that are in line with current stadium trends and opportunities to collaborate on improvements that will enhance the fan experience.”

Ravens president Sashi Brown added: “We thank the Board of Public Works, and Governor [Larry] Hogan for supporting this agreement. We are excited that M&T Bank stadium will be home to the Ravens for at least the next 15 seasons.

“We also look forward to working with MSA to make key investments to ‘the Bank’ that Ravens fans deserve. These improvements will allow the Ravens to continue delivering one of the NFL’s best game-day experiences and to attract world-class concerts and events to Baltimore and the capital region.”

M&T Bank Stadium has been home to the Ravens since it opened in 1998. The new lease deal has been signed as the stadium celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.