With two decades of experience in venue operations management and the equestrian industry, Allison McNamara, CEM, CVP, CMP, has been named General Manager at Will Rogers Memorial Center after serving as interim GM for 16 months.

“Over the past year, Allison has provided inspiring leadership to our team of 70 employees and shepherded more than $118 million in capital improvements to the Will Rogers complex,” said Mike Crum, director of the City of Fort Worth Public Events Department. “Her thoughtful approach to operations as well as client relations has been key to success as we have worked through and around major construction projects.”

McNamara was Operations Manager for the Fort Worth Convention Center (FWCC) since 2021 and has almost 20 years’ experience in the City’s Public Events Department. She began her tenure as an Event Coordinator at Will Rogers Memorial Center (WRMC) for seven years and advanced through department ranks with another seven years as Account Tech at the FWCC. She was then tapped as Acting Operations Manager of FWCC through the COVID-19 pandemic and was promoted to that position. Her experience in City operations, finance and team management, plus her education and enthusiasm for the equestrian industry, positions her to lead WRMC into its 90^th anniversary in 2026.

Her previous equestrian venue experience includes a six-year stretch at the Mississippi Horse Park as a student and graduate from Mississippi State University, where McNamara earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science with an emphasis in Equines and a minor in Agribusiness. She holds numerous industry certifications, including Certified Venue Professional from the International Association of Venue Managers and Certified Exhibition Management from International Association of Exhibitions and Events. Last year, she received her Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington.

“Will Rogers Memorial Center holds a special place in my heart,” said McNamara. “I grew up attending events as a spectator and often reflect on the years I spent as an employee there. I am grateful for the opportunity to return, and I look forward to working with the incredible team at the facility and continuing strong partnerships with our clients. Also, many important capital projects are in the works and I look forward to seeing them come to fruition.”

Comedian’s sold-out “Stay Golden Tour” stop marks milestone moment for OCVIBE’s flagship arena

Photo courtesy Honda Center

Honda Center, the anchor of Anaheim’s transformative mixed-use entertainment district, OCVIBE, is proud to announce that comedian Matt Rife officially broke the arena’s record for the most tickets sold for a comedy show during his Stay Golden Tour performance on Saturday, October 18.

Performing to a sold-out crowd, Rife delivered an unforgettable night of laughter alongside fellow comedians Adam Ray and Clayton Thomas. The milestone underscores Honda Center’s growing reputation as one of Southern California’s premier destinations for top-tier live entertainment.

“Honda Center has hosted some of the biggest names in comedy over the past three decades, but Matt Rife’s record-breaking performance represents a new benchmark for live entertainment in Orange County,” said Eric Bresler, Senior Vice President of Entertainment, OC Sports & Entertainment. “His ability to connect with audiences at this scale speaks not only to his meteoric rise, but also to the kind of dynamic, can’t-miss experiences we’re proud to bring to OCVIBE and the region.”

Produced by Live Nation, the Stay Golden Tour follows Rife’s hugely successful ProbleMATTic World Tour and spans 32 arenas and amphitheaters across North America. Concluding in December 2025, Stay Golden includes several of Rife’s largest audiences to date, including his first-ever headline show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Since opening in 1993, Honda Center has welcomed millions of guests and hosted thousands of unforgettable events, from world tours to history-making comedy shows like Matt Rife’s. As OCVIBE continues to take shape, the arena remains a staple to Southern California’s live entertainment scene, setting the stage for the next generation of iconic performances.

The Events Industry Council (EIC) announced that the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC) has earned Gold Level Certification to EIC’s Sustainable Event Standards. This recognition underscores the MBCC’s leadership in advancing sustainable practices across the meetings and events industry. The MBCC is the first OVG-managed property within the current portfolio to achieve Gold Level Certification as part of a partnership between OVG and EIC to certify its 60 venues in a phased approach.

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards provide a globally recognized framework for collaboration, guidance, and measurement to help venues and event professionals implement and track sustainability goals. Developed with input from hundreds of experts worldwide, the standards ensure that facilities like the MBCC have clear, measurable pathways to reduce environmental impact while supporting community and industry needs.

“We are truly honored to receive Gold Certification from the Events Industry Council—just one year after achieving Silver,” said Freddie Peterson, OVG’s General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach. “This rapid progress is a true reflection of our team’s sense of pride, dedication and strong collaboration with the City of Miami Beach, the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), and our clients and venue partners. Together, we’ve proven what’s possible when sustainability is embedded and championed across every part of our operation. We remain committed to raising the bar even higher for the future of our industry.”

The MBCC’s certification as Gold reflects years of investment in green building, waste reduction, energy efficiency, and responsible sourcing. The center worked closely with venue partners to meet the rigorous benchmarks set by EIC. This milestone affirms the MBCC’s role as a premier destination for sustainable meetings and exhibitions, and a model for how large venues can meaningfully contribute to a greener future. Key pillars of the MBCC’s sustainability efforts include energy efficiency, recycling and waste reduction, food waste reduction, food donation and composting, onsite herb & vegetable garden, community involvement and volunteering.

“This achievement highlights the Miami Beach Convention Center’s exemplary commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship,” said Amy Calvert, President and CEO of the Events Industry Council. “By implementing these standards, the Miami Beach Convention Center is paving the way for the global hospitality industry, demonstrating how venues can create meaningful impact through sustainable operations while delivering exceptional experiences for their guests and event planners.”

The EIC standard specifies performance criteria in the areas of organizational management, marketing, communications and engagement, climate action, water management, materials and circularity, supply chain management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, accessibility, and social impact. The Alliance for Audited Media, a not-for-profit auditing organization, performed the independent third-party certification of the MBCC’s compliance with the Integrated Property standard. The MBCC engaged sustainability consultant Astrapto to guide onsite sustainability process improvements.

Following a $640-million-dollar reimagination in 2020, the award-winning Miami Beach Convention Center has been recognized as a top tier convention center, and with 1.4 million square feet of event space, it is the second largest in Florida. The venue’s strong commitment to sustainable business practices, social impact, and green building features sets a new standard for meetings and conventions. The MBCC also holds a 4 Green Keys rating through the Green Key Meetings program, an industry respected sustainability verification for hotels, meeting rooms and convention facilities, and the US Green Building Council’s LEED Silver certification.

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

The Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex today unveiled the architectural renderings of the new Raleigh Convention Center expansion. This transformative 298,100 sq. ft. facility adds significant event capacity in downtown Raleigh, bringing the center’s total square footage to 798,100. The building’s modern design and world-class amenities further solidify the Raleigh Convention Center’s position as a leading venue globally.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the future convention center designs today! This expansion will allow us to host events and conferences we were unable to previously accommodate, allow our loyal customers to expand and grow, while opening doors to new conventions and events for years to come,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “Conventions bring the world to Raleigh’s doorstep, and we’re delighted to have a part in that knowledge exchange and downtown growth.”

This expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center, designed by architect joint venture RATIO | TVS, includes a large new 50,000 sq. ft. divisible flex space and 18,000 sq. ft. ballroom to accommodate diverse event needs, in addition to 13 new meeting rooms and welcoming pre-function spaces. The design highlights Raleigh through expansive windows that provide picturesque views of the city on all sides, offering visitors an immersive experience of downtown Raleigh’s energy and character. 

Photo courtesy of RATIO | TVS

“We’re eager to welcome our community and visitors alike to this expansion of the Raleigh Convention Center. This thoughtfully designed space integrates community input while better serving the conventions and gatherings that bring vibrancy to the city. This is truly a first-class venue for our first-class city,” said Marchell Adams-David, Raleigh City Manager

This marks a significant milestone in Raleigh’s strategic downtown growth, with the Raleigh Convention Center expansion, the new 600-room Omni Hotel, the new iteration of the Red Hat Amphitheater and improvements to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts all poised to bring significant increases in economic impact to Downtown Raleigh.

“This state-of-the-art convention center expansion is a transformative investment in the future of downtown Raleigh,” said Dennis Edwards, President and CEO of Visit Raleigh. “It will bring thousands of new visitors, driving more restaurant reservations, hotel stays, and traffic to local businesses. This facility strengthens Raleigh’s position as a vibrant, nationally competitive destination for meetings, events, and tourism.”

Nearly 57,000 Guests, 11,394 Gallons of Beer, 349,341 Pounds of Rigging, and Thousands of Production Hours Power a Historic Two-Week Stretch at Coachella Valley’s Premier Entertainment Destination

• Paul McCartney (Sept. 29) — Launch of the “Got Back” tour.
• The Who (Oct. 1) — Final North American show on “The Song is Over” tour.
• Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns (Oct. 3) — NBA preseason action; Lakers return for the third time to the Desert Duel, continuing a growing tradition of preseason excitement in Palm Desert.
• blink-182 (Oct. 4 & 5) — Two sold-out nights closing the “Missionary Impossible” tour.
• Maroon 5 (Oct. 8) — Second show at Acrisure Arena, following New Year’s Eve grand opening performance.
• Coachella Valley Firebirds Home Opener (Oct. 10) — Start of the 2025–26 AHL season.

• 7 shows in 12 days — record-breaking run.
• 56,981 total attendees — fans from all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Mexico.
• Maroon 5 rigging – 82 points, 83,000 pounds, 2,400 labor hours.
• 2.82 people entered the arena every minute throughout the run.
• 487 stagehands worked a combined 2,435 labor hours behind the scenes.
• Maroon 5 stagehands – 73 hands for an additional ~121 labor hours.
• 34 semi-trucks of equipment loaded in and out.
• 349,341 pounds of rigging across 374 points and 358 motors — equivalent to the weight of a Boeing 747.
• 14,570 gallons of water used to create the arena’s professional-grade ice sheet (for hockey).
• Averaged 3.8 guests per vehicle — sustainability win.
• CVF Home Opener parking – 2,113 cars
• Magnificent 7 total — averaging just under 3.5 guests per car, highlighting sustainable transportation

• Collected 31.67 tons of trash.
• Diverted 15.85 tons of material to recycling.
• Achieved a 50% diversion rate.

• Sold a half ton or 1,036 pounds of pretzels alone.
• Sold 8.5 tons or 17,070 pounds of food.
• 4,104 gallons of water used to produce ice for concessions.
• 8,175 labor hours.
• 1,759 slices of pizza.
• 11,394 gallons of beer or enough to fill an above ground pool.