The City of Ashland, Kentucky, has named VenuWorks as the new facility management company for the iconic downtown Paramount Arts Center. VenuWorks, an Ames, Iowa, based leader in venue management across secondary and tertiary markets, will oversee all operations, booking, marketing, and food and beverage services for the historic venue.

VenuWorks currently oversees 60 venues across 25 communities in 17 states and stands out as the nation’s only employee-owned (ESOP) facility management company. Their “One Team” philosophy emphasizes collaboration, comprehensive in-house management, and a community-driven approach. With a history of successfully restoring and managing historic theaters, including venues in Evansville, Indiana; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Davenport, Iowa, VenuWorks is uniquely qualified to uphold the Paramount’s legacy. This appointment comes as VenuWorks enters its 30th anniversary year marking three decades of stable leadership and industry expertise.

Acknowledging questions from the local community about programming and mission continuity, VenuWorks assures the public that the Paramount’s longstanding emphasis on local, youth, and community-centered programming will continue. H.R. Cook, VenuWorks Regional Vice President for Eastern U.S., highlighted, “The management contract requires us to maintain robust community theater and arts programming for both youth and adults, with specific commitments for major stage performances, summer camps, and more. We are not here to change the heart of community programming. Our focus is on making the building more efficient and generating additional programming that not only sustains the Paramount but also helps strengthen community initiatives.”

City leaders remain focused on the fundamental cultural value of the Paramount. Ashland Mayor Chuck D. Charles emphasized, “The Paramount is a jewel of the city. It’s the center point for so much that happens in the arts, in music, in dance. It’s that central, cultural part of the fabric of Ashland.”

Under VenuWorks management, the Paramount will continue to serve as a catalyst for creativity and collaboration in the region. The contract ensures ongoing space and opportunities for community groups and traditions such as the Festival of Trees and Trains. The inclusion of the PAC board in an advisory capacity will help ensure a broad range of perspectives remain involved, even as the board transitions to its next mission.

VenuWorks recognizes that the Paramount Board has the opportunity to reshape its own mission in this new chapter. As Steve Peters, Founder and CEO of VenuWorks, stated: “Our mission has always been to work alongside our partners to create vibrant, successful venues that serve their communities. We are happy to work with the Paramount Board and welcome their future programming contributions as they determine the best way to serve the Ashland community going forward. Our commitment is to preserve and expand the vital community programming that defines the Paramount, while ensuring the theater’s sustainability for many years to come.”

As the only ESOP in the venue management industry, VenuWorks is uniquely positioned to invest in the community’s future while honoring its past. Their in-house, hands-on approach means experienced executive leadership is readily available and responsive, prioritizing local partnerships, heritage preservation, and of its sponsored events focused on youth educational opportunities.

With groundbreaking events, award-winning initiatives, and strong economic impact, the MBCC ends the year stronger than ever.

Photo courtesy Miami Convention Center

In 2025, the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), South Florida’s largest convention center has welcomed over 537,000 guests across 143 regional, national, and international events with over 12,000 exhibitors. Hosting an exciting mix of events across Medical, Health/Fitness, Finance, Fintech/Technology, Education, Sports, Arts & Culture, Special Events, and Corporate verticals, the MBCC drew hundreds of thousands of visitors and generated robust economic impact for South Florida. This included global tech and business conventions such as AdobeMAX, which generated $25M of economic impact (according to the GMCVB), and iConnections, as well as the debut of the international sports competition Premier Padel and RaquetX, and annual favorites such as Art Basel Miami Beach, Cosmoprof, Miami International Boat Show, Florida SuperCon, and many others. Some other highlights from the year included Discover Boating, Miami International Boat Show, America’s Food & Beverage Show & Conference, JIS Miami, and WHX Miami.

“2025 was yet another milestone year for the Miami Beach Convention Center, marked by  exceptional events and strategic investments that strengthen our campus, our community, our destination, and our future,” said Freddie Peterson, General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, managed by Oak View Group (OVG). “We are incredibly honored and proud of the recognition received, but even more proud of the partnerships, innovation, and especially teamwork that made it possible. Our close collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) remains vital to everything we do. Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on delivering memorable experiences, driving economic impact, and continuously setting the standard for world-class meetings, events, tradeshows, and conventions.”

The Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach and operated by Oak View Group, has continued to strengthen its position as one of the nation’s premier destinations for meetings, conventions, and events driving economic impact, supporting local businesses, and contributing to Miami Beach’s reputation as a world-class hub for culture, travel, and innovation. The MBCC underwent a transformative $640 million renovation, completed in 2020, and now features 1.4 million square feet of versatile event space, including a stunning 60,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, 500,000 square feet dedicated to exhibitions, 84 breakout rooms, four junior ballrooms, and nine acres of lush green areas such as Pride Park and Collins Canal Park. New highlights like the 1920s-inspired Rum Room restaurant and the Venu private event space, along with ongoing investments, such as $19 million in capital projects in FY25 and a cutting-edge $1.5 million LED walls installation in the Grand Lobby, demonstrate the MBCC’s unwavering commitment to innovation, technological advancement, and exceptional service. Looking ahead, the MBCC Campus is entering into a new era with the highly anticipated Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room hotel connected by skybridge set to open in 2027.

A Banner Year for Awards and Industry Recognition

The MBCC is closing out 2025 with an exceptional slate of industry accolades that underscore its reputation as one of the nation’s premier event destinations. This year, General Manager Freddie Peterson was honored as the 2025 South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year by the Advisory Board of Miami-Dade Public Schools’ NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT), celebrating his leadership and longstanding commitment to excellence. The MBCC also earned top recognition across the meetings, conventions, and hospitality industry, including Skift’s Best Convention Center & Other Venues distinction, IAVM’s Venue Excellence Award, Exhibitor Magazine’s Centers of Excellence Award, the Prime Site Award from Facilities & Destinations, the Distinctive Achievement Award from Associations, Facilities & Destinations, and the Silver Stella Award from Northstar Meetings Group. Together, these honors reflect the MBCC’s continued innovation, operational excellence, and vital role in positioning Miami Beach as a world-class hub for business, culture, and global events.

Championing Sustainability and Community Impact

Sustainability and responsible event stewardship continued to be a priority for the MBCC, earning some of the industry’s highest honors for environmental performance and social impact. The MBCC was awarded the prestigious Gold Certificate for Sustainability and Social Impact from the Events Industry Council (EIC), recognizing its comprehensive approach to reducing its environmental footprint while advancing community-focused initiatives. The MBCC also received a 4 Keys Rating from Green Key Global’s Green Key Meetings program, underscoring its leadership in implementing sustainable operations, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and green meeting practices. Sodexo Live!, MBCC’s exclusive food provider, aligns with the city’s resiliency goals through sustainable initiatives, including a successful composting program to convert waste to soil for local farms, an onsite herb & vegetable garden to promote sustainable kitchen practices, and food donation initiative. With these milestones, the MBCC reaffirms that sustainability is not just a goal but a guiding principle, one that will continue to drive their work heading into 2026.

New and Renewed Partnerships Elevate Venue Capabilities

The MBCC announces a new pilot program with Key Transportation Worldwide as their preferred ground-transportation partner, delivering seamless and reliable travel solutions for conventions, conferences, and large-scale events. As part of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, Key Transportation is Miami’s largest full-service transportation company and brings expanded resources, deep expertise, and the proven ability to support complex event programs with confidence. Key Transportation also offers a full complement of dedicated on site coordinators working together with planners, and professional chauffeurs delivering the level of service the MBCC expects, Key Transportation ensures polished, dependable execution from planning to closing day.  

This year, the MBCC also entered into a new three-year strategic agreement with Encore as its preferred AV, rigging, and digital services partner, bringing in substantial investment to upgrade AV infrastructure, enhance rigging systems, modernize digital assets and branding, and elevate overall quality assurance.

Additionally, the MBCC renewed its partnership with Smart City Networks, extending it through 2029, and securing a $1.35 million investment that will introduce Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, bolster cybersecurity, expand network redundancy, and deliver new smart-venue enhancements. Together, these partnerships will help the MBCC continue to deliver a seamless, cutting-edge experience for event organizers, exhibitors, and guests.

Keeping the MBCC at the Forefront Through Strategic Capital Investments

The MBCC made major strides in capital improvements this year, supported by $19 million in ongoing investment from the City of Miami Beach across 21 active projects designed to keep the venue at the forefront of innovation. Several transformative upgrades were completed in FY2025, advancing the MBCC’s infrastructure, technology, digital capabilities, safety and security systems, and cybersecurity. 

Four new LED video walls were installed in the West Lobby, giving exhibitors dynamic display options that reduce marketing waste, unlock new sponsorship and revenue opportunities, cut move-in and move-out costs, and minimize wear on the facility. The MBCC also completed a comprehensive wireless network upgrade, strengthening coverage across exhibit halls, lobbies, pre-function spaces, and connecting Rum Room and Venu on a unified fiber network to deliver a seamless guest experience. In addition, the center expanded its security footprint through a $250,000 investment in partnership with Honeywell, adding 41 new security cameras, bringing the total to 596 throughout the Convention Center, and adding 165 strobes for a Convention Center-wide total of 1,724.

Looking ahead to FY2026, the MBCC is preparing to advance an ambitious slate of additional capital projects that build on this year’s momentum. Upcoming improvements include replacing point-of-sale (POS) terminals, installing new LED lighting throughout the exhibit halls, completing an exhibit hall roof replacement, introducing new permanent and portable café options in the lobby and second floor, upgrading kitchen equipment, and installing a new exterior marquee to welcome guests. These capital projects will ensure that the MBCC continues to deliver a best-in-class venue experience for exhibitors, attendees, and the broader Miami Beach community.

District-Wide Enhancements Set the Stage for Miami Beach’s Next Chapter

The broader MBCC District is also poised for a transformative year ahead, with several new hotel openings in 2026 and major upgrades planned that will further elevate the experience for visitors, exhibitors, and the Miami Beach community. A centerpiece of this momentum is the long-anticipated Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, which officially broke ground on May 16, 2025 and is slated to open in late 2027. This 800-room hotel, directly connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center via a climate-controlled skybridge, will bring 52 suites, four floors of meeting and ballroom space, a rooftop pool deck, a restaurant, bar, and retail offerings to the district. With financing secured and construction now fully underway, the hotel represents one of the most significant investments in Miami Beach’s tourism and convention infrastructure.

Beyond the Grand Hyatt, the surrounding district is preparing for several additional enhancements designed to support a more vibrant neighborhood. Projects on the horizon include the Lincoln Road Mall Revitalization, and the upcoming renovation of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Together, these improvements will help create a more connected district that strengthens Miami Beach’s position as a world-class destination for meetings, conventions, and business travel.

The City of Fresno has announced the selection of VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment as the new managing partners for the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center. This partnership will oversee operations for the complex—including the Fresno Convention Center, Valdez Hall, Selland Arena, and the historic Saroyan Theatre—beginning January 11, 2026, marking a new era of collaborative management for the city’s premier event venues.

The decision follows a successful joint bid from two organizations whose qualifications and experience set a new standard for venue management in the region. With nearly three decades of proven success, VenuWorks brings a legacy of operating performing arts centers, arenas, convention, and expo halls in communities across the nation. As the industry’s only 100% employee-owned management firm, VenuWorks is deeply invested in the prosperity of every venue and community it serves, fostering an ownership culture that inspires excellence at every level.

ATG Entertainment complements this expertise as one of the world’s leading live entertainment companies, renowned for bringing world-class programming to theaters across the globe. Their vision is rooted in expanding access to unforgettable shows and experiences, supported by a network of more than 70 venues—including the nearby Orpheum, Golden Gate, and Curran Theatres in San Francisco.

Together, VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment are united by a shared vision: to deliver an innovative, community-focused approach that extends beyond the venues themselves. Their dedicated teams are committed to partnering with the City, local stakeholders, and patrons to develop actionable plans, maximize operational efficiencies, and spark a new era of success for the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center. Every aspect of their approach will be tailored to create memorable experiences, drive consistent and sustainable revenue, and establish the FCEC as a benchmark for excellence—where guests don’t just attend events, but experience the heart of Fresno. “This is a major step forward in our ongoing revitalization of the downtown Fresno.” Said Mayor Jerry Dyer. “By partnering with VenuWorks and ATG Entertainment, we are expanding the number of events that activate our downtown core, create economic opportunity, and bring people together. I look forward to seeing the Fresno Convention and Event Center as a premier venue that brings locals and visitors to the area for arts, sporting events, conventions, and so much more.”

VenuWorks will manage the overall operations for the entire Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center complex. This includes overseeing executive leadership, convention sales, finance, marketing, sponsorship development, events, security, and food and beverage services. VenuWorks will be responsible for setting the annual operating budget with the City, managing complex-wide financials, and hiring all full-time and part-time staff for these departments. VenuWorks CEO Steve Peters said “We are honored that the City of Fresno has entrusted VenuWorks, alongside our partners at ATG Entertainment, to usher in this exciting new chapter for the Fresno Convention and Entertainment Center. As an employee-owned company, our team brings a deeply personal commitment to operational excellence and a passion for serving the communities where we live and work. We look forward to leveraging our collective expertise to elevate the guest experience, drive economic growth, and ensure these venues serve as a vibrant gathering place for the entire Fresno community.”

ATG Entertainment will take the lead on programming the Saroyan Theatre, granting VenuWorks staff key resources through their extensive booking network and theater management best practices.  ATG Ticketing will also service the FCEC complex. “We look forward to embarking on this partnership with VenuWorks and the City of Fresno to deliver exceptional live experiences to residents and visitors alike. The City’s vibrant cultural arts ecosystem and strong sense of community make it an ideal place to create meaningful, engaging events. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited for what we will build together,” said Lori Hotz, ATG Entertainment North American CEO.

This strategic partnership is designed to maximize the potential of each venue while operating as a unified and thriving community hub. By combining VenuWorks’ extensive experience in comprehensive venue management with ATG Entertainment’s global leadership in programming and ticketing, the collaboration will deliver a broad array of cultural, recreational, and educational events for the benefit of the Fresno community.

The Seattle Convention Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael McQuade to Senior Advisor, Commercial Strategy, reporting directly to Jennifer LeMaster, President & CEO effective January 1, 2026. This transition marks a significant step in advancing the Center’s future growth objectives.

McQuade, SCC’s Director of Sales since 1988, brings extensive experience and industry knowledge to the advisory role. He helped launch the original Center and served as an insightful contributor to the three expansions of the Arch building, plus the half-million-square-foot addition of Summit, which opened in early 2023. He will be responsible for shaping new commercial relationships, refining destination KPIs, and partnering with an expanding network of stakeholders to evaluate tradeshows, sports and special event opportunities for the city.

As a result of McQuade’s transition, the Center will initiate a search for a highly experienced and innovative business leader to join its executive team as Vice President, Commercial Strategies. This role is ideal for a tenured professional with a proven track record of diversifying and driving revenue growth and leading high-performing teams in complex hospitality environments. 

Looking ahead to 2026, the Seattle Convention Center is excited to embark on a Campus Master Plan process, with a renewed focus on delivering clean, safe, and secure environments for visitors, guests and residents alike. The plan’s initiatives reflect the Center’s dedication to operational excellence and its vision for the future of business events in downtown Seattle.

Peggy Daidakis, 74, was the first woman to run a major convention center in the U.S., taking the helm of The Baltimore Convention Center in 1986. Daidakis, who passed away quietly at home Dec. 12, was an icon in Baltimore, totally identified with that destination city until the day she died. 

She actually began her venue management career path before the center opened. She was working for Mayor Don Schaefer when he asked her to join a staff of two in 1978 in booking the soon-to-open Baltimore Convention Center. The center opened in 1979 with the East Building and was expanded, with Daidakis as director, in 1997 with the West Building. 

A perhaps little-known fact is that, along with her strong work ethic, innate curiosity and honed skills, Daidakis was the original “autopen” when it came to Mayor Schaefer. She was his assistant and could forge his signature perfectly, with permission of course. That was her claim to fame before she got into the business, remembered Tom Mobley, retired, who counts Daidakis as a friend and mentor. 

Mobley knew the entire Daidakis clan, including Peggy and her sister Zoe, also deceased, before they all got into the business. When he followed her down that path, “everything I needed to know about the convention center industry I learned from Peggy Daidakis,” Mobley said. 

Prior to being named director, Daidakis was co-director with Barney Levengood, per John Zerbe’s appointment. Zerbe, of Hershey fame, was in charge of the BCC and the arena for Mayor Schaefer. It was a strange setup, but they made it work, Daidakis once said in an interview. She honed her operations skills, along with her already strong sales side, and ended up being a stellar manager when given the entire job after Levengood left for Toledo. 

Several of the people who worked with her commented on both her management style and her industry knowledge. Both were recognized by IAVM, which awarded the longtime member the Convention Center Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also honored with Events Industry Council’s Hall of Leaders Award. In 2008, she was named a Woman of Influence by Venues Today (now part of Pollstar). 

“To have known Peggy was to know a true force of nature — someone who cared deeply and unwaveringly about her people, her city and her industry. Her impact on the staff of the Baltimore Convention Center will be remembered and cherished for years to come,” said Mac Campbell, CVE, Executive Director, Baltimore Convention Center. “Through her mentorship, she shaped leaders across the country and touched countless lives, including mine. I am profoundly grateful for her guidance and the example she set.” 

To walk into the convention center business as a newbie and be privileged to learn from an icon in the industry like Daidakis was a great privilege for Campbell. It was not without stress, of course. He was a millennial and full of vim and vinegar, asking endless questions and challenging ideas, to the point he raised her ire. “She would tell me, ‘You’re poking the bear. Stop poking the bear,’” he recalled. 

Mutual respect developed between the “hotshot” and the icon, to the point he became her deputy director and she was sad to see him go back to Strathmore in North Bethesda, Md., after they had survived COVID-19 in Baltimore. She advised him against the move, and rightly so for numerous practical reasons, he says now, but he’s happy to be back as director, a job he took when she retired in 2021. 

David Causton, retired, IAVM member, first met Daidakis in the mid-80s, when he went to work for her at the Baltimore Convention Center as No.2 in sales and services. “She was a great mentor. She knew anyone who was anyone in Baltimore.” 

On her desk, she kept her motto: Management by Walking Around. “It was important to get out among staff and guests to see what was going on,” Causton learned from Daidakis. “You could find her at her desk, of course, but not always. She was out making sure everything operated as it should.” 

“In a city of firsts, Peggy Daidakis cemented her legacy as a champion for Baltimore, a pioneer for equality in her field and a leader in hospitality. Throughout her career, she stayed focused on making sure the Convention Center reflected the energy and vibrancy of Baltimore and that every visitor felt welcome. Peggy understood how a thriving meeting space can lift up our entire city, a belief we absolutely share and will endeavor to uphold. Peggy will be dearly missed by the industry, the city and the entire Visit Baltimore team,” said Kireem Swinton, Interim President & CEO, Visit Baltimore, in a press release. 

In that same release, Charles “Chuck” G. Tildon, III, Chairman, Baltimore Convention & Tourism Board of Directors, lauded Daidakis’ leadership, committing “over 40 years of service to Baltimore city, always leading from a place of passion and pride. To the industry, she was a trailblazer, the first woman to hold a top executive rank in her field. To her team, she was a wonderful mentor. To me, she was a dear friend and ally in elevating this community and inviting visitors to experience Baltimore in new, exciting ways. Her spirit will continue to shine through our work, and our thoughts are with Peggy’s friends, colleagues and family at this difficult time.”  

Daidakis was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Louis Werner, Jr., and her sister and brother-in-law, Zoe and George Piendak.  She is survived by her brother, Art (Susan) Daidakis; nieces Emily (Christian) Vainieri; great-nieces and nephews; stepdaughter Tracy (Joseph) Rammacca and step-grandsons Andrew, Michael, and David; and several cousins.  

For more information on arrangements or to send condolences to Peggy’s family, please visit ruckfuneralhomes.com.