By Ike Richman

The Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority (TDVA) and Oak View Group (OVG), the global venue development, advisory, and investment company for both the sports and live entertainment industries, announced an exclusive multi-year naming rights agreement with Tahoe Blue Vodka, the world’s only vodka crafted from the pristine Tahoe water. The highly anticipated live entertainment, sports, and conference center on the south shore of Lake Tahoe will be named the Tahoe Blue Center. Located in Stateline, NV, the Tahoe Blue Center is projected to open in July 2023 and host 130 events annually.

In addition to securing naming rights to the center, Tahoe Blue Vodka’s agreement includes prominent exterior and interior signage and a commitment to sustainable efforts inside the Tahoe Blue Center. This is the first naming rights sponsorship for Tahoe Blue Vodka.

“As the naming rights partner for the new Tahoe Blue Center, we are proud to support this spectacular, innovative, and unparalleled venue that reflects our long-standing commitment to invest in the region, celebrate the unique Lake Tahoe lifestyle, and be a driving force as an ecological leader and innovator,” said Matt Levitt, Founder & CEO of Tahoe Blue Vodka.

Tahoe Blue Vodka was founded in 2012 by local entrepreneur Matt Levitt. The award-winning taste combines pristine Tahoe sourced water with a blend of grapes, corn, and sugarcane for a clean, gluten-free, crisp taste and a remarkably smooth finish. Tahoe Blue Vodka has won over 30 prestigious awards at the highest regarded spirits tasting competitions. Through its parent company, Tahoe Spirits, Inc., Tahoe Blue Vodka has donated over $200K of its proceeds to organizations that work to protect Lake Tahoe and its surrounding environment. Tahoe Blue Vodka is available in stores throughout Reno, Tahoe, Northern Nevada, Sacramento, San Francisco and Southern California. For more information about Tahoe Blue Vodka, please visit www.tahoebluevodka.com.

“We are excited to be forming a long-term partnership with Tahoe Blue Vodka,” said Laurie Kemmit, Vice President of OVG Global Partnerships. “The crystal-clear waters of Lake Tahoe inspired Matt Levitt to create Tahoe Blue Vodka, and his brand is committed to the South Tahoe Region. Sustainability is an important initiative to this project, so we are appreciative to find a community partner such as Matt and Tahoe Blue Vodka whose priority is to help preserve the Lake and surrounding area.”

The partnership was developed by OVG Global Partnerships, the sponsorship and naming rights division of Oak View Group that connects world-class brands with world-class live entertainment properties.

“The center is a significant investment in the destination’s sustainable future and year-round economic health and we’re pleased to announce this wonderful representation of local partnership,” said Carol Chaplin, President & CEO, Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority. “Tahoe Blue Vodka is a company that was born right here in Lake Tahoe and their substantial investment will offer multiple levels of sponsorship.”

Once completed, the arena and conference center will serve as a key anchor to Lake Tahoe’s south shore and help drive visitors during the shoulder seasons while creating jobs for residents.

Located at 75 US Highway 50, Tahoe Blue Center will host dozens of concerts, family shows, conferences, banquets, meetings, community, corporate and private events, and live sporting events. The Tahoe Blue Center will accommodate up to 6,000 guests per event and is expected to see over 200,000 guests come through the doors annually. The Tahoe Blue Center is scheduled to open in July 2023.

Ike Richman is president of Richman Communications for Oak View Group.

StadiumBusiness.com

The Arizona Coyotes have hailed Tempe City Council’s approval of its $2.1 billion arena and entertainment district with president and CEO, Xavier A. Gutierrez stating the venture will turn a “landfill into a landmark”.

Residents are now likely to get the opportunity to vote on the Tempe Entertainment District following the Council’s 7-0 vote to approve key aspects of the plan put forward by the NHL ice hockey franchise.

The Coyotes have pledged to collect the needed petition signatures to refer the project to the ballot as soon as May 16, 2023. On November 10, the Council voted to schedule and prepare for a public vote on the proposed arena and entertainment district.

If voters approve, the 46-acre project could be built with a planned 16,000-seat Coyotes hockey arena, practice facility, hotels, multi-family residential, retail, and more. The developer will use largely private funding to build the four million-square-foot development and, according to the agreement approved, will pay Tempe $50.3 million for the land. This includes $40 million in non-refundable cash up-front before environmental remediation of the site.

The Council’s unanimous vote came after two public hearings as well as months of negotiations, city due diligence, and developer-hosted public meetings. Three aspects of the Tempe Entertainment District proposal from Bluebird Development, the affiliate for the Meruelo Group and the Coyotes, were approved: a Zoning Map Amendment and a Planned Area Development (PAD) Overlay; a General Plan Amendment; and the Development and Disposition Agreement (DDA).

The Council’s action earlier to schedule a special election on May 16 does not mean the Council has placed this issue on the ballot. State law requires governing bodies to provide a Call of Election at least 180 days in advance of any election.

With the Council now approving the items, their inclusion on the May 2023 ballot would require Bluebird, or any other interested party, to timely get the required number of qualifying petition signatures. Tempe voters would then decide whether the project should move forward. According to the DDA approved, if Bluebird does not successfully refer the items to a ballot, the City Council may within 90 days thereafter rescind the DDA.

Gutierrez said: “This was a great night. The Arizona Coyotes and the Meruelo family are deeply thankful to the Tempe City Council for their unanimous support and cannot wait to move forward on this transformational development.

“The Tempe Entertainment District will be a huge win for this community, and we have no doubt that Tempe voters will agree. Our project will turn a landfill into a landmark – and one that not only provides a wonderful home for the Coyotes but also serves as a vibrant town square for Tempe, generating thousands of sustainable jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue for the City.

“We look forward to sharing more information over the coming months. But, for now, we are grateful and excited.”

Mayor Corey Woods added: “The vote this evening will give the residents in this city an unprecedented opportunity to weigh in and let us know what their feelings are about this.

“The reality is after looking at this for a long time…my perspective really is what has been put together here is the best entertainment/arena deal that has been put together in the history of this state.”

Tempe City Council in June voted to proceed with negotiations on the development of the wide-ranging entertainment district that would be anchored by the new arena for the Coyotes. In September 2021, the Coyotes revealed plans for a development in Tempe. The arena has been designed by Manica Architecture.

As the Coyotes seek to progress the plans, Mullett Arena last month staged its first-ever NHL game as the team fell to a 3-2 defeat against the Winnipeg Jets, with a crowd of around 4,600 in attendance.

The Coyotes are playing at the new 5,000-seat facility from the 2022-23 to 2024-25 seasons – and potentially the 2025-26 campaign – as the team continues efforts to secure a permanent home.

Efforts to secure a new home for the Coyotes has been one of the key items on the agenda for the NHL, proven by the presence of commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly at the Council meeting.

Bettman said the team could potentially host an All-Star Game and/or NHL Draft in the future. “We’ve seen the vision as to what the future can look like,” Bettman added, according to the Coyotes’ official website.

“We’ve seen a passion and a commitment in terms of energy, effort, assets, and dollars. Everything is being put in place to make this a success.”

From ASM Global PR

ASM Global—the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences, venue management and event strategy—has named industry veteran Kelvin D. Moore, CMP, as regional vice president and general manager of McCormick Place Convention Center, North America’s largest convention center located in Chicago, Illinois.

Moore’s appointment coincides with ASM Global’s ambition to define the future of convention centers through innovative strategies. These include technology enhancements, experiential activations, and integrations that unite business and leisure experiences. As general manager, Moore’s focus will be on providing strategic leadership that goes beyond day-to-day operational management—an area in which he has excelled—to creating new programs and partnerships that differentiate Chicago as the destination of choice for the next generation visitor.

“Implementing innovative ideas, leaning into the reality of hybrid events, and working with the MPEA, Choose Chicago and McCormick Place teams to fully optimize the overall guest experience are high on our list of priorities,” Moore said. “Event organizers have evolving needs and having the ability to leverage the resources of ASM Global while working with our customers and strategic partners to help usher in this new era is beyond exciting. There is no better place to lead that effort than McCormick Place.”

Moore, a 30-year facility-operations veteran, has held leadership positions at convention centers, stadiums, and multipurpose facilities throughout the United States, most recently as regional vice president and general manager for ASM at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Prior to his time in Philadelphia, Moore was in Chicago as regional general manager for the Festival Hall Complex at Navy Pier. His operational successes, fiscal stewardship, and production expertise will all be critical factors in his new role.

“Kelvin is an industry veteran and visionary leader with the institutional knowledge necessary to lead one of the most important convention centers in the world,” said Dan Hoffend, executive vice president of convention centers for ASM Global. “His track record of enhancing operational efficiency at various convention centers across the country is second to none. He has big shoes to fill, but we are confident he will pave the way for what we expect to be a new and exciting era for McCormick Place.”

Moore succeeds David Causton who has served in the role of general manager since 2004. During his tenure, Causton oversaw strong revenue growth as well as the convention center campus expansion including planning and construction of the McCormick Place West Building, which greatly expanded the convention center’s capabilities, and the construction of the 10,000-seat Wintrust Arena.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kelvin Moore to the McCormick Square campus,” said Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA), owner of McCormick Place. “McCormick Place has rebounded from COVID, welcoming more than two million guests with an economic impact of more than $1.8 billion in the past 18 months. Our calendar ahead is robust, and it will be great to have Kelvin at the helm. As a CEO committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the events industry, and as MPEA’s African American CEO, I am also thrilled that Kelvin will be the first African American general manager of McCormick Place.”

“I’m excited to return to Chicago and reconnect with the business, tourism and labor sectors who are critical partners to surpassing pre-pandemic event volume and attendance levels,” Moore said. “Working with MPEA, we have a great opportunity to think and act for the future. The time is now.”

By Michael Mack

Las Vegas Events announced that Tim Keener will become the new president of the organization, effective Jan. 1, 2023. Keener currently serves as the vice president of event and ticket operations for LVE. Keener will replace its long-tenured president Pat Christenson who will transition to a consultant role to the Las Vegas Events Board of Trustees through 2023.

“Tim brings a wealth of experience, leadership skills, and institutional knowledge to the position,” said LVE Board of Trustees Chairman Bill McBeath. “For more than 21 years, Las Vegas Events has enjoyed tremendous continuity and success under the direction of Pat Christenson. Our expectation is that Tim will continue to build on the core tenets of the organization and lead it into the future.”

Keener, a native of West Virginia and a graduate from West Virginia University with both an undergraduate degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Sports Administration, has extensive experience in the development, operation, and management of special events.

In 1988, Keener began his career in sports management in Charlotte, where he spent the next six years working at Raycom Sports and GNI Sports. While at Raycom Sports and GNI Sports, he served in a variety of roles overseeing the operation and execution of numerous collegiate football and basketball events.

In 1994, Keener moved across town to ESPN Regional Television where he worked for nearly eight years in the management and operations of various special events, including collegiate basketball, football and golf events. During his time at ERT, he developed extensive experience in the television production of special events.

While at ERT, Keener was responsible for coordinating the Las Vegas Showdown, a collegiate basketball event which included UNLV as the anchor team. It was during this time that Keener developed a relationship with Christenson and UNLV, as well as the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. This relationship led Keener to Las Vegas after being hired by Christenson at LVE in 2001.

For more than 21 years at LVE, Keener has been responsible for the administration and operation of all company-related events pertaining to operational planning, event ticketing, sponsor fulfillment and sales, and game day-execution. Most notably, Keener has overseen the planning and execution of a variety of events, including the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo®, the Cowboy Channel Cowboy Christmas, FEI World Cup Jumping and Dressage Finals, SCORE Off-Road Racing, USA Men’s Basketball Training Camp and Exhibition, the Pac-12 Men’s Basketball Championship and several NCAA Championship events (2008 USA Olympic Wrestling and Judo Trials).

In particular, Keener’s role with the Wrangler NFR has allowed him to work closely with General Manager Allen Rheinheimer, the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association and the Thomas & Mack Center senior staff on many aspects of the production and operation of the event. During his tenure, he has coordinated the front of house setup, shuttle bus operations, the outside interactive plaza, installation of on-site branding and the management of both the Cowboy Corral and Ace’s High Saloon & Exhibit. Keener’s department also oversees all aspects of event ticketing for the NFR.

In addition, Keener has led LVE’s coordination of the America’s Party citywide pyrotechnic display on New Year’s Eve and currently oversees the NCAA Championship bid process that takes place every four years. Through this relationship with the NCAA, Keener will manage the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four Hockey Finals that was awarded to the destination.

Tim makes his home in Las Vegas with his wife, Bridget. Their son, Tim, Jr., is a teacher in the Clark County School District.

Michael Mack is vice president – marketing for Las Vegas Events.

By Jude-Anne Spencer-Phillip

The Pennsylvania Convention Center and its trade show labor partners are building upon their already strong working relationship with the launch of a joint initiative – believed to be the only one of its kind in the country – dedicated to expanding and building upon existing training programs in the areas of safety, development of technical skills, customer service, and hospitality.

The new Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust (HIAT) Fund represents a partnership between the management of the Pennsylvania Convention Center and the organizations responsible for providing show floor labor to the facility’s customers. The HIAT Fund will support enhanced training opportunities focused in three general categories: “Safety, Skills, and Smiles.”

Safety programs will provide participants with opportunities to obtain general and specialized Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) safety certifications.

Skills training will be coordinated with contractors in the convention and meeting industry, such as Installation & Dismantle (I&D) and Decorator companies to provide the workforce with the latest technical training so that the workforce can offer the most efficient and economical builds possible.

Hospitality 1.0 and 2.0 programs will focus on providing customers and guests with memory-making experiences that consistently exceed expectations through prioritizing customers, positive attitude and engagement, and a commitment to success.

“The signatory labor unions of the Pennsylvania Convention Center are proud to be participating in the new Hospitality Industry Advancement Trust,” said Michael J. Barnes, 1st International Vice President of the International Alliance of Theatrical & Stage Employees and Chair of the HIAT Fund Board. “This innovative, joint initiative between Convention Center labor and management will improve workplace safety, provide additional skills training to enable the Center to offer customers the most economical build-outs possible, and provide all guests with so many wonderful memories that they’ll want to return, again and again. The signatory unions of the Convention Center thank CEO John McNichol for his spirit of partnership and forward-thinking leadership.”

“We are fortunate to have a team of labor partners that appreciate and understand the importance of delivering the best possible experience to our trade show, event, convention, and meeting customers,” said John McNichol, President & CEO of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “They are making a long-term commitment to ensuring the labor personnel who work in our facility not only have the latest safety and skills training, but also a high-level of hospitality-focused training. The partnership and cooperative relationship between management and our show floor labor workforce is remarkable and it’s having a real, substantive impact on the customer-experience. In fact, customer satisfaction survey scores at the PA Convention Center demonstrate the results with an 87.2% overall rating and an outstanding score of 95.5% for utility services.”

“This program is another illustration of management and labor at the Center working together to deliver meeting planners, exhibitors, and attendees the best possible experience and value,” said Martin J. Sobol, Esquire, a member of the PCCA’s Board of Directors and chair of the board’s Customer Satisfaction Committee. “We are a united team that understands that strong customer service improves our competitiveness, puts us in a position to make every customer a repeat customer, and ensures Philadelphia will remain one of the country’s most desirable convention destinations for many years to come.”

The Pennsylvania Convention Center and its trade show labor partners have established a method of ensuring the trust receives consistent funding – approximately $250,000 to $400,000 per year — to meet the ongoing and evolving training needs of its workforce. The trade show labor unions will make a donation to the fund for every hour worked with a union member, an amount that will then be matched by the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s management. The PCC’s four trade show labor partners include: Laborers’ International Local 332, IATSE Local 8 (Stagehands), International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 98, and Iron Workers Local 405.

The ongoing cooperative working relationship between management and labor was further solidified last year with the extension of the facility’s labor agreement, known as the Customer Satisfaction Agreement (CSA), an additional five years until 2034. That additional five-year commitment provides customers with an added level of predictability and stability for their long-term event planning.

Jude-Anne Spencer-Phillip is senior communications manager at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.