Building on their shared commitment to the western lifestyle, the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo and Dickies Arena announced a new partnership with Ariat International.

Ariat, the leader in innovative Western, English and Work footwear and apparel, was the first company to bring athletic footwear technology to equestrian sports, forever changing the industry. This new partnership will make Ariat the official boot partner of Dickies Arena and the official western apparel partner of the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

“It has been a privilege to join the local community over the past few years with the construction of our main distribution hub to Fort Worth and the opening of our brand shop in the Stockyards,” said Beth Cross, co-founder and CEO of Ariat. “Our partnership with Dickies Arena and the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo is a terrific opportunity to further support the Fort Worth community.”

Ariat will have a prominent presence at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, slated for January 13 through February 4. Kicking off the Stock Show is Ranching Heritage Weekend, which includes the Best of the West Ranch Rodeo and some of the event’s most prestigious horse shows and sales – all which will be presented by Ariat. Ariat will also be the presenting sponsor of the exciting lineup of entertainers in the Stock Show’s Auditorium Concert Series.

“This partnership with Ariat is exciting for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo because of our mutual passions for the western way of life and the community of people that make it unique and special,” said Stock Show President and General Manager Brad Barnes. “With Ariat presenting our Ranching Heritage Weekend and Auditorium Concert Series they’ll now be directly engaged with two unique important subsets of the FWSSR audience – working ranch cowboys and cowgirls and concert-going Stock Show fans.”

Dickies Arena’s most exclusive premium hospitality space at the arena, the North Club, will be officially renamed the Ariat Club. This club is accessible only to suite, loge box, and founders rodeo box holders. The Ariat Club exudes high-quality finishes and décor along with world-class service and chef-prepared fine dining that create the beautiful, elegant ambiance of the club. The Ariat Club is the top-notch hospitality space in the arena that offers a prime view of the arena floor, whether to enjoy a concert, family show, sporting event, or the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo.

“Dickies Arena is thrilled to have Ariat take on the name of our exclusive North Club and to kick off the partnership at the Legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo,” said Dickies Arena President and General Manager Matt Homan. “Ariat and Dickies Arena share core values of creating quality products for our patrons and I look forward to creating a lasting and innovative partnership.”

From Celebrity Access

ASM Global announced on January 10 it has purchased the talent-buying agency Madison Entertainment as part of its growing portfolio of venues encompassing content, technology, partnerships, culinary, safety, and more.

Founded by industry veteran Roger LeBlanc, Madison Entertainment has been booking various acts from all genres into concert venues, festivals, fairs, music cruises, and private events for over 20 years.

ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension said, “We are committed to adding resources to our promoter and live content division in order to ensure that all of our managed venues continue to be leaders in live-event performances. Under Roger’s leadership, the addition of Madison Entertainment will further grow live music content for our clients, particularly within our industry-leading nationwide theater network. We are excited to add Madison to join and assist our existing in-house talent bookers and general managers at these incredible venues.”

Madison Entertainment’s president, LeBlanc, said, “We chose to align with ASM Global because they are the market leader in venue management. We are excited about the opportunity to expand existing live-music content throughout the extensive network of ASM Global facilities and look forward to great success exploring these opportunities with our many music-industry partners and friends.”

Madison’s clients have ranged from small-capacity venues, such as The Coach House, to more extensive concerts series and festivals, including KAABOO Del Mar, Mempho Music Festival and the Gasparilla Music Festival. In addition, Madison books thousands of shows each year with emerging artists and some of the music industry’s biggest names, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Foo Fighters, Zac Brown Band, Aerosmith, and more.

Madison will operate as a business unit of ASM Global and serve its current client base of music clubs, theaters and festivals while also dedicating personnel and resources to booking ASM Global-managed arenas and its network of 57 theaters and amphitheaters.

Welcome to 2023! A new year always brings new excitement and resolutions that we all keep throughout the year. Well, don’t we?

Here at Venue Professional magazine, we do resolve to continue providing the content you want and the content you need to help you in your career and – who knows – maybe even some stories that are beneficial to you in your personal life.

We kick off the year with one hot issue and a focus on safety and security, just in time for IAVM’s GuestX and Academy for Venue Safety & Security. Proof positive is our cover story written by Linda Deckard about the Boch Center’s Eric Neill, one of the industry’s big names in the world of safety and security. When Eric came recommended for the cover by our own Mark Herrera, we knew we were on to the right profile and I think you will agree after reading Eric’s personal story.

While Hurricane Ian is in the rearview mirror, its devastation remains seen throughout many areas of southwest Florida. I took the opportunity to speak to a number of venue managers in that region of the state to find out more about their role before, during, and after Ian. You will come away understanding that our beautiful industry again rises to the occasion when needed.

The popular What’s Going Up feature looks at the massive renovation taking place at the iconic Crypto.com Arena (previously STAPLES Center) in Los Angeles. Other features include an update on going cashless at venues, the KC Current Stadium developed by women engineers at Henderson Engineering, the expert commentary from INTIX about the ticketing world, and much, much more.

With a new year comes new ideas, and that is where you, dear reader, come in. We WANT to hear from you with your story ideas and if you want to contribute an article for Venue Professional, then be sure to contact me and let’s get things moving!

Happy New Year,

R.V. Baugus
Senior Editor

By R.V. Baugus and Mario Coutinho

Ron Labinski, renowned as one of the world’s first sports venue architects, passed away on New Year’s Day. He was 86.

The news was shared by Mario Coutinho, Board President of the Stadium Managers Association, of which Labinski was recognized with the SMA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. A scholarship is also established in Labinski’s name. The Populous founder was a long-time sponsor of SMA and was one of the first to lend his support to the organization starting in the 1980’s.

“Ron will always be known for his contributions to the sport business industry and his many innovations in design, revenue generation, and fan experience,” Coutinho said.

“Ron was an old friend and truly the Godfather of Sports Architecture throughout the World,” said Chris Bigelow, FCSI, CFSP, President of Bigelow Consulting in Naples, Florida. “It is funny that no matter where I travel, whether here in North America, Europe, or Asia, folks in the stadium and arena industry always ask me how Kansas City became the sports capital of the world. And my response always starts with Ron’s name.”

Indeed, Labinski’s sports career began in Kansas City in 1970 when he served as a project architect on Arrowhead Stadium, home of the NFL Kansas City Chiefs. He left the small Kivett & Myers firm in 1973 to form Devine, James, Labinski & Myers. Ten years later, he co-founded HOK Sport (now Populous). It was there where the public venue management industry had its first true architecture firm that made its name in sport venue design.

Labinski retired in 2000 but his work and career ensured he would never be forgotten

“Most of today’s leading architects point to Ron as their inspirational leader of the industry, putting KC on the map,” Bigelow said. “While he has been retired for some time now, his legacy still lives on.”

“Ron’s legacy will be part of our stadiums for many years to come,” said Coutinho, who added that per Labinski’s family’s wishes, no memorial service or remembrance is planned. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Photo courtesy of Populous

By Britaney Wehrmeister

The Overland Park (KS) Convention Center has been named 2023 Best Small Convention Center in North America by EXHIBITOR Magazine, a leading industry publication honoring the best in event venues. This is the fourth year Overland Park Convention Center has won in EXHIBITOR’s special awards category since the awards inception four years ago.

Convention centers throughout North America were considered and evaluated using an objective algorithm and rigorous grading scale. After a survey of past clients as well as exhibit and event managers who have exhibited at or hosted events at each of the top three finalist venues, Overland Park Convention Center was selected.

The recognition also considers criteria categorized into five primary areas:

Facility & Functionality
Location & Accommodations
Service & Execution
Expansions & Upgrades
Awards & Industry Participation

“This facility has proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all shapes and sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations,” said Travis Stanton, editor of EXHIBITOR, noting that everything from the number of nearby hotel rooms to the cost and quality of Wi-Fi access can have a significant impact on exhibiting companies’ experience at events.

In addition to this special recognition, Overland Park is consistently ranked on North America’s Top 30 Convention Centers list released by EXHIBITOR annually. The venue was also awarded Best Customer Service & On-Site Support in North America in 2021 and Best Small Convention Center in North America in 2020 and 2022.

“Our team, this industry and events— are recovering at an unbelievable pace and it feels amazing,” said Brett C. Mitchell, CVE, general manager of Overland Park Convention Center. “We have so many things to be proud of this year, like the creation of our sensory room space for neurodivergent attendees and the expansion of our sustainability program with a complete venue roof replacement. It’s recognitions like this award that drive us to never stop innovating, creating and being, the absolute best we can be.”

Britaney Wehrmeister is District Marketing Director for the Overland Park Convention Center.