By R.V. Baugus

IAVM’s live training on safety and security, perhaps better known as “the Mark Herrera Traveling Road Show,” was a huge success when IAVM’s Herrera recently brought his Critical Incident Training to the team at the Tampa Convention Center.

The community-wide training brought a spotlight to the importance of safety and security and especially in the realm of suspicious activity.

“This training completely changed my perspective,” said Kirstin Albert, Communications Coordinator, Tampa Convention Center. “Mark’s approach to handling suspicious activity with a customer service approach was eye-opening and something I will certainly apply to real-life scenarios. There have been so many instances when I have seen something that didn’t seem right, but I didn’t know how to address the situation. Mark gave us the tools to know what to do in those scenarios.”

Indeed, one of the major components of Herrera’s training is to “keep one’s head on a swivel” as best as possible and aware of all surroundings. Not only that, but that advice applies to everyone who works at a venue, not just a person carrying a safety or security title.

“I appreciated the reiterated message that security is everyone’s responsibility, and not just on the security team,” Albert said. “It made it impactful to all of us and helped unite the community in this mission.”

Albert appreciated not only the practical hands-on teaching but was happy to see the local coverage that the training generated.

“Mark was also very engaging with his presentation and gave great examples to make the lessons memorable,” Albert said. “He was effective at getting attendees involved and making information specific to our center.

“We had four TV news stations cover the event, so it was great publicity for Tampa Convention Center and the city and let the public know that we’re committed to safety and security. Every venue should take part in this valuable training.”

By Julie Carlos

The Lynnwood Public Facilities District announced the new name for the Lynnwood Convention Center. The former convention center has officially been renamed the Lynnwood Event Center, and the Public Facilities District will be known as the much simpler “The District.”

Along with the name change, The District revealed its new mission, vision, and values for the property, including the Event Center. The Event Center’s new website and logo launched on December 14th, while The District will fully launch their new branding and website in early 2023 and reveal exciting new plans for the 13-acre property surrounding the Event Center.

The Event Center name change was driven by recently developed goals to expand the space beyond conventions and meetings, and an opportunity for the City of Lynnwood and surrounding communities to experience authentic and innovative arts, culture, and entertainment events.

Accompanying the name change is a vibrantly colored new logo suggested by the Love Your New Neighbor heart sculpture placed on the property earlier this year with the theme of inclusiveness. The heart is a beautiful representation for the organization’s new vision to deliver a genuine, community-driven district that derives its vitality from inclusiveness, diversity, arts, and sustainability. New core values that include the words Remarkable, Polished, Creative, and Collaborative will guide the future culture of the Event Center team.

“This new brand allows us to reintroduce ourselves as a vibrant, forward-thinking place to hold events,” said Janet Pope, Executive Director of The District.

A vividly revamped website, www.lynnwoodeventcenter.com, reveals a new user-friendly interface and is exceptionally easy to navigate whether you’re looking to plan or attend an event at the facility.

While the name and logo have changed, the standards of excellence established back in 2005 when the venue opened remain the same. Chef Michael Felsenstein will continue to lead his team of culinary experts, whose menus and food are prepared from the heart. The event management team continues to be committed to executing innovative events, exceeding expectations of the local community and all guests who come to the Lynnwood Event Center.

Visit lynnwoodeventcenter.com to explore the organization’s new look and vision for the future.

The Lynnwood Event Center is owned by the Lynnwood Public Facilities District, and operated by OVG360, a division of Oak View Group.

Julie Carlos is Marketing & Communications Manager for the Lynnwood Event Center.

By Swan Li Chew

Outgoing Chief Executive of Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) Peter King has been recognised for his contribution to the business events sector and his work growing the MCEC over the past decade.

In his final month as CEO, King has been celebrated with a permanent tribute installed in MCEC’s Plenary, he’s been inducted as a Club Melbourne Ambassador, and he has received lifetime membership of the Exhibition and Events Association of Australasia (EEAA).

A unique red chair was installed at MCEC’s Plenary space as a nod to his earlier career as a first-class cricketer. The green chairs of the Plenary are designed to represent the grass of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, where King once hit a record six into the northern stands. A red chair marks where the ball landed at the MCG, mirroring the new one installed in King’s honour in the Plenary.

King has also been made an honorary Club Melbourne Ambassador in recognition of his support of the program over the last decade. Since he became CEO of MCEC, Club Melbourne has supported bids to win 107 international events worth more than $860 million in economic impact and attracting over 150,000 delegates to Melbourne.

King was also awarded Lifetime Membership of the Exhibition and Event Association of Australasia (EEAA) for his contribution to the events industry. He has been an industry leader for years including serving as a board member of EEAA, Business Events Council of Australia, AIPC, and the Melbourne Convention Bureau.

King finishes up at MCEC at the end of the year, but he leaves behind a lasting legacy on the centre and broader industry including leading the $205 million expansion of MCEC, successfully leading the business through COVID-19, bringing the Good Friday Appeal’s Kids Day Out to MCEC, growing community partnerships, and driving the business’s ambitious sustainability strategy.

The Hon. John Brumby AO, Chairperson, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, said: “Peter’s contributions to MCEC and the industry over the years are many and numerous. It’s vital that his achievements are recognised by the business and the industry.

“His contributions transcend the boardroom and can be seen with tangible outcomes on the ground. Peter led the $205 million expansion of MCEC and during COVID-19 when the chips were down, he played a key role in advocating for the interests of the exhibition and event sector.

“He built strong relationships with his team, customers, and stakeholders, and is held in high regard by everyone he worked with. I’m delighted that we can recognise his incredible contribution to MCEC.”

“I really appreciate all the thoughtful recognition, acknowledgements, and recognition I’ve received from well-wishers to mark my time at MCEC,” King said. The red chair as a memento at the Plenary is a real honour. Two of my great Melbourne passions are now aligned – the MCEC and the MCC.

“There are many things I am proud of that have occurred during my time here. Our business, in revenue terms, more than doubled in the years since I arrived. Every successive year saw us increase the size of the business and its impact. The footprint of the venue also increased by about 25% after we added the expansion space which opened in 2018.

“The thing I will remember most is that everything I have achieved has been made possible by the team around me. I’ll miss MCEC. I’ll miss walking through the concourse when it’s filled with hundreds, sometimes thousands of people. The smiles we put on faces, especially kids. And I’ll miss stopping to chat with our team and event organisers to see how everything’s going.

“I’m so proud about what we have done to reinforce our position as one of the best Convention and Exhibition Centres in the world.”

Swan Li Chew is Corporate Communications Specialist for the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Photo: Peter King and The Hon. John Brumby AO, Chairperson, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

By Gloria Fong

Issued by Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”), the professional private management company responsible for the daily operation of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (“HKCEC”), welcomes the announcement by the Hong Kong SAR Government for further relaxation of anti-COVID-19 measures. With the removing of Amber code, the three-day of medical surveillance, and restrictions for inbound visitors, HML is ready to welcome international visitors and events back to the HKCEC.

On 13 December 2022, the Hong Kong SAR Government removed the remaining restrictions and announced that all arrivals from 14 December 2022 who are tested negative will be given a Blue code and can attend events and go to any places and restaurants freely.

Ms. Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, said, “This is certainly a big and important step for the event industry to rebound that we have been waiting for. With the strong demand for physical events, the prime location of the HKCEC in Hong Kong’s central business district, HML’s experience and expertise in serving world-class events, and our continuous investment in infrastructure and facility upgrade, I am confident that the HKCEC will continue to win the votes of confidence of event organisers, exhibitors, and buyers, and rise above the challenges of COVID-19.”

A few well-established trade fairs have earlier announced their return to the HKCEC, including:

Hong Kong International Fur & Fashion Fair will be held on 22-25 February 2023
Jewellery & GEM ASIA Hong Kong (JGA) will be held on 22-25 June 2023
Jewellery & GEM WORLD Hong Kong (JGW) will be held on 20-24 September 2023
Cosmoprof Asia will be held on 15-17 November 2023

Gloria Fong is Head – Corporate & Marketing Communications for the HKCEC.

By Blair Cardinal

In an effort to generate new business at the Greenville (SC) Convention Center and reinvigorate Greenville as a meeting destination, the City of Greenville revealed that on October 1 it entered into a new partnership with Oak View Group, the global venue development, advisory, and investment company for both the hospitality and live entertainment industries.

OVG360, which is the third-party, venue management, venue services, and hospitality division of OVG, is overseeing and managing the day-to-day operations for the facility which encompass 280,000-square-feet of exhibit and event space, including a 30,000 square-foot ballroom. OVG360 will also work closely with the Convention & Visitors Bureau and focus on generating new business opportunities for the convention center as well as marketing the venue to event planners, show organizers, and exhibitors. OVG Hospitality, the food and beverage service division within OVG360, will enhance the customer experience with exciting new menu options and catering opportunities.

TD Synnex, which has hosted its annual international conference at the convention center for the last 25 years, began loading in the large event on October 2, one day after OVG’s management contract began.

“The City is eager to work with Oak View Group to position Greenville as a premier destination for conventions,” said Greenville City Manager John McDonough. “We hired them because we saw what the OVG team accomplished at other properties and are excited about the experience they bring to the Upstate. OVG is a worldwide leader in the meeting and convention industry and will make a significant economic impact in the region.”

“We see tremendous potential for Greenville and the Greenville Convention Center,” Greg O’Dell, President, OVG360’s venue management division, said. “As part of our network of properties we will be able to help generate significant new business for the venue and the region. We look forward to working closely with the Greenville CVB in bringing new life to Greenville, especially one that will bring visitors to the region.”

Blair Cardinal is VP, Communications at Oak View Group / OVG360.