By Tatiana Favela

To mark her lasting impact and legacy, New Mexico State University is honoring Barbara “Mother” Hubbard for her commitment to NMSU and the Las Cruces community by naming an access road north of the Pan American Center, where she spent most of her career, Barbara Hubbard Way in honor of her 95th birthday.

Hubbard received the news as a surprise from Chancellor Dan Arvizu with support from the NMSU Board of Regents during her tribute dinner on Wednesday, Oct. 19, while celebrating her many accomplishments and the impact she’s had on NMSU students, the local community, and the entertainment industry for decades.

From raising scholarship funds for hundreds of students through her American Collegiate Talent Showcase Scholarship program to mentoring students and teaching a class in venue management at age 95, Hubbard is still going strong when it comes to expressing her deep passion for NMSU.

The entertainment industry icon has also created opportunities for women in the workplace, while always being open to helping others create a pathway to success.

The dinner raised approximately $100,000 for ACTS scholarships.

NMSU leadership requested the naming of the access road to Barbara Hubbard Way, which was approved by the NMSU Naming Committee and the Board of Regents. The access road is located west of Arrowhead Drive, south of Lot 29, extending to the entrance to Lot 27, north of the Pan American Center and the ticket office.

To read a wonderful tribute story celebrating Mother Hubbard’s 95th birthday celebration, click here.

Tatiana Favela is a Communications Specialist with New Mexico State University Marketing and Communications.

From Communications Department

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center (NOENMCC) has achieved its first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification, a major milestone in its ongoing commitment to sustainability. A building rating system that provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, green buildings, LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

This official certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) makes the NOENMCC the largest LEED-certified project in Louisiana, the largest convention center project in the U.S. certified under LEED v4.1 Operations and Maintenance and the first convention center in the world to be awarded initial certification under LEED v4.1 O+M. The latest version of LEED certification, v4.1 raises the bar on building standards for energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor air quality, and waste reduction.

“Earning LEED certification shows that our Convention Center is not just a major economic driver for the region but also a responsible environmental leader in the state,” said Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center President. “Being recognized as a LEED Gold certified facility under the most current qualifying standards is confirmation that the many energy-saving investments, building upgrades, and green initiatives we have implemented are helping to reduce our carbon footprint while also making the facility better for our guests, employees, and neighbors. With our steadfast commitment to sustainable practices, we are proving every day that our convention center in New Orleans is Built to Host.”

“Transforming our buildings and spaces happens one project at a time. The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center understands the value of LEED and has shown extraordinary leadership in reshaping the market,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC. “The success of LEED is due to the partnership and support of those committed to advancing green building and sustainability. Each new LEED certification brings us one step closer to revolutionizing the spaces where we live, learn, work, and play.”

Earlier this year, the NOENMCC completed a $20.6 million project to reduce energy-related expenses and improve the overall visitor experience. In addition to an overhaul of the facility’s lighting and air conditioning systems, the upgrades included the installation of 87 water bottle filling stations and low-flow fixtures in 37 sets of restrooms. The NOENMCC also expanded recycling to include the more than one million square feet of exhibit space and planted 200 trees in its new 7.5-acre pedestrian park that features rain gardens to help manage stormwater.

One especially impactful part of the certification process was a waste audit exercise with a special “trash team” – composed of leadership and staff – sorting through event garbage. The Convention Center’s food and beverage partner Sodexo has also taken a leading role in composting waste, utilizing compostable serving ware and coordinating food donations. In addition, LEED v4.1 is a certification based on data, measurable reductions in energy use, water use, and waste. For an initial certification of an existing building, achieving LEED v4.1 Gold is a major accomplishment.

“As you begin to walk the journey of LEED Certification, there are many factors that you must quickly identify and leverage to the overall success of the mission,” said Adam J. Straight, NOENMCC’s Vice President of Operations. “Buy-in from across the board, support from leadership and commitment to and from all stakeholders, are just a few examples of those resources. From day one, there has been no doubt or drift from those principles, and today is a clear example and result of that dedication. I am so very proud of everyone involved to achieve such an honor and to those who continue to support our initiatives toward our community, our region, and our state.”

The Convention Center’s certification process was spearheaded by Linda Baynham, Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility. As the facility continues to implement its $557 million capital improvement program, she will continue to pursue sustainability initiatives. Some of the Convention Center’s current and upcoming capital improvement projects include installing a more energy-efficient roof, electric vehicle charging stations and new LED lighting in the meeting rooms and lobbies.

“Informa Markets is one of the largest producers of business-to-business events in the world, including Waste Expo which regularly visits New Orleans, and our company has taken the lead toward our industry becoming zero waste and net zero carbon,” said Kevin Thornton, Senior Vice President of Informa Markets. “The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Gold LEED certification is exactly what event organizers are looking for when evaluating destinations to conduct events.”

The announcement was celebrated with a plaque unveiling and reception at the Convention Center on October 26.

Left to Right: Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Commissioner Geri Baloney Broussard; Convention Center Vice President of Operations Adam J. Straight; Convention Center President Michael J. Sawaya, Convention Center Director of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Linda Baynham, and Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority Chairman Jerry Reyes.

ASM Global has named Liam Thornton as EVP Strategy and Development to further expand its rapidly growing project development program.

In making the announcement, ASM Global President and CEO Ron Bension said, “We already have unmatched scale and worldwide experience with a multitude of stadiums, arenas, theaters, entertainment centers, convention/event spaces, and consumer touchpoints as well as the ability to integrate brands into the unique ASM Global live experience ranging from music to sports to business, tech, and more.

“This will drive tremendous value for private and municipal partners and ultimately guests. We’re going to leverage the coming years for a period of unprecedented growth in our business space. Liam’s extensive experience, particularly in creating new developments and enhancing existing assets, will provide far and away the most diverse and enriching opportunities the industry has ever seen.”

In Thornton’s new role, the former executive vice president of development at Live Nation Entertainment will be responsible for strategic planning, market research, site selection, lease and partnership negotiations, development feasibility, site planning, project advisory, and investment analysis.

“ASM Global’s growth potential is unlimited,” Thornton said. “We’re already known as the world’s largest live-event physical platform with a marketing platform to match, which enables us to deliver fans and financial returns on a scale that no one else can deliver. We’re now accelerating our entry into equity investments and strategic partnerships as well as ramping up our project advisory services including feasibility studies, master planning, and bringing startup projects to fruition.

“The world is craving live-event experiences more than ever, and ASM Global and investors want to be a part of those moments. No one has the breadth of events, venues, tenant partners, and boots on the ground like ASM Global,” he said. “At a full run, there are 164 million people coming through our venues already. We are very excited to grow that number.”

By Mary Klida

Karen Totaro, CVE, general manager for Huntington Place/ASM Global, announced the rollout of new public safety and security measures starting with the Nov. 4 all staff International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) Venue Safety and Security Training. Mark Herrera, director of safety and security at IAVM, will conduct the training for all teams inclusive of leadership working to secure all events in Huntington Place.

“Safety is one of the top concerns for meeting planners and attendees,” Totaro said. “Combining local, state, and national security efforts in a way that makes our clients feel safe and cared for will be instrumental to our future.”

Public Safety is increasingly becoming a top priority for convention centers and other venues. Marlon Wilson, who began his role director of public safety Huntington Place last month, will be working with Herrera to train staff on the latest safety and security protocols for venues. The IAVM is committed to provide innovative safety and security guidelines and training so as to assist venues and their executive teams in managing with the priority of protecting all aspects related to life-safety and physical assets. They also provide education, resources, advocacy, and certification to event industry professionals and venue managers.

“I look forward to continuing my mission of the highest standard of safety and security for every team member, patron, and vendor who visits and interacts with Huntington Place,” Wilson said. “I plan to use my longstanding law enforcement background to implement protocols and procedures that create the safest and most conducive environment possible for all.”

Midterm elections are the focus of increasing anxiety for voters and election officials in the United States. The Huntington Place public safety team has been working with an extensive security task force in Detroit all year to make sure the enhanced safety and security measures in place for the Nov. 8 Michigan elections keep everyone safe. The FBI, Homeland Security, all state and local law enforcement agencies, the Michigan Secretary of State, Detroit Department of Elections, and the Downtown Detroit Partnership Security Task Force are working cooperatively as a Security Response Team and central on-site command to share information and strategies.

Herrera oversees the industry’s Academy for Venue Safety and Security and will work with Wilson to roll out the Nov. 4 staff training in Huntington Place. Herrera has seen a growing demand for guidance related to security issues in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. He has conducted more than 350 training sessions to leadership and frontline teams on Behavioral Indication and Risk Mitigation through Guest Service Interjection. The training emphasizes developing teams capable of providing exceptional focus, performance and control in extreme situations.

“Facilities such as Huntington Place under the direction of GM Karen Totaro pride themselves with creating better experiences within the venue industry inclusive of all facilities which is more important now than ever before,” Herrera said. “Training teams to forecast and expect those unexpected challenges in the future provides them with the tools to mitigate the risks our world delivers daily.”

Convention centers across the country are coming out of the COVID pandemic with changed sets of customer expectations for service delivery and environmental hygiene. Public safety departments have broadened their reach to not only include crisis communications, crowd control and policing strategy, but also guest experience and customer service.

“We are thrilled to coordinate these national programs and agencies in our local public safety protocols,” said Totaro. “With Marlon having an extensive background in local law enforcement and knowledge of our community, and Mark’s expertise in venue security, it is the right fit for our team’s efforts. Public Safety is continually front and center of our guest experience in Huntington Place.”

Mary Klida is Senior Marketing & Communications Manager for Huntington Place.

By Gil Fried

A new YouTube channel has been launched as a crowd management training tool. The free videos are designed to help train front line staff. Through utilizing 15 minute or less videos, venue management and crowd management companies can help train their staff on a continual basis. Crowd management training is often undertaken once a year, but to really turn crowd management best practices into muscle memory for employees there needs to be constant training and refresher training on a broad array of topics front line staff might face.

That is what motivated Professor Gil Fried from the University of West Florida to launch the YouTube channel called the Crowd Management Doctor. The channel can be found at this location.

Prof. Fried stated “[T]he channel’s goal is to provide current events and cases studies in a fun and informative manner which can be watched by an employee on their phone and on a break to keep their skills as current as possible.”

The channel has been adding new videos, including a regular update of current events. Other videos have included case studies, responding to various hazards, and then interviews with industry professionals such as fan psychologists and venue professionals. The plan is to release 10-12 videos every year and then at a certain point create a library where front line staff can watch a certain number of videos, take an exam, and receive independent third-party certification of crowd management knowledge from the University of West Florida.

This training is not designed to replace any current training undertaken by venues and crowd management companies, but to serve as a supplement where staffers can hear from others and learn in a different environment.

For more information visit the YouTube page or contact Gil at gfried@uwf.edu.