It’s springtime — a time for reawakening, daffodils, and IAVM Regional Meetings. The next IAVM regional meeting is quickly approaching for Region 4 in beautiful Spokane, WA, so it’s the perfect time to consider the essential role the regions, especially regional volunteers, play in the success of IAVM and the venue management industry as a whole.

Who volunteers at the regional level? One shining example is the incoming Chair of Region 4, Tammy Sweeney, CVE. Tammy always says “yes, and” — and in this case, she has said yes to bringing her deep industry knowledge and passion for excellence to the IAVM regional experience.

Region 4 includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, on the American side, and Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and British Columbia on the Canadian side. Tammy is based in Saskatoon, Canada, at TCU Place, where she has redefined success — just the latest achievement in a career defined by creativity and positive impact.

In her “real job,” Tammy’s work extends beyond operations to something more powerful: shaping how communities connect, grow, and see themselves. Her career has been marked by moments of transformation. She helped open the Niagara Falls Convention Centre, building the team, culture, and systems from the ground up. In Medicine Hat, Alberta, she stepped into an arena that had struggled through a rocky start and reconnected it to its community — rebuilding trust, diversifying revenue, and bringing in events that many thought were out of reach for a smaller market.

Tammy Sweeney, CVE, CEO, TCU Place

In 2020, Tammy took on the leadership of TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan — a 50-year-old convention center and performing arts venue facing declining engagement, a stretched and stressed team, and an indifferent community. What followed wasn’t just a turnaround; it was a redefinition. Under her leadership, TCU Place returned to financial strength while reinvesting in its people, programming, and purpose. The theater tripled its number of events, evolving into the city’s leading presenter and serving audiences from symphony lovers to metal fans. Strategic risk-taking replaced hesitation, supported by disciplined planning and a clear understanding of community need.

It’s easy to believe the job ends at the walls of the building. Tammy’s impact tells a much bigger story, because the most significant impact happened outside the building. Tammy leaned into partnerships — co-producing events like Saskatchewan’s first Electric Vehicle Expo, launching the Western Sponsorship Congress, and helping create Mamawatosketan, an Indigenous employment expo focused on connection, opportunity, and long-term change. She also launched the BOOST program, supporting 22 non-profits annually and redirecting approximately $300,000 back into community causes each year.

Her philosophy is simple: if it’s good for the venue and the city, it’s worth doing — even if it means collaborating with competitors.

With all this success at her venue, what spurred Tammy to volunteer for IAVM regional leadership?

Her mindset clearly extends beyond TCU Place. Tammy serves on local boards, including Discover Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce. She contributes nationally by chairing the Convention Centres of Canada. And now, as she steps into her role as Chair for IAVM Region 4, her commitment clearly aligns: if it’s good for the industry, it’s worth doing, because it’s all about collaborating with others.

In Saskatoon, Tammy is literally helping shape the future, through her involvement in the downtown event and entertainment district and participation in global design conversations about next-generation convention centers. In Region 4, her involvement is helping shape the future of our industry from the ground up.

Tammy doesn’t just think about buildings; she thinks about what happens between them. She also considers the networks linking her with colleagues locally, nationally, and internationally. This connectivity drives her to give back to the industry and her community.

In an industry that often measures success in attendance and revenue, Tammy’s contributions are a reminder of something deeper: the true value of venues lies in their ability to create connection, fuel economies, and strengthen the social fabric of our cities. In her leadership role with Region 4, she demonstrates the true value of involvement in IAVM, particularly at the regional level. She is able to create connection, fuel engagement, and strengthen the fabric of our industry.

It’s not too late for you to consider volunteering at the regional level, as the application deadline has been extended through May 8. You can join Tammy in making a difference beyond your venue and your community, expanding your impact and influence at the regional level — where the real IAVM magic happens.

Click here to apply for IAVM Volunteer Opportunities.

Oak View Group (OVG), the global leader in premium live entertainment infrastructure and services, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Michele Powell as General Manager for operations at the University of Kansas. In this role, Powell oversees OVG’s operations at Kansas, including venue management at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium and the new Naismith Club at Allen Fieldhouse.

Powell leads Oak View Group’s local team in Lawrence, KS, in driving event development, optimizing venue operations, and enhancing the overall fan and guest experience. She will also play a key role in identifying new programming opportunities, attracting marquee events, and integrating hospitality offerings and premium experiences. Powell joins OVG from Haslam Sports Group, where she most recently served as Vice President of Stadium Operations & Event Development.

“Michele is a proven leader who understands how to bring venues to life in a way that resonates with fans, partners, and the community,” said Greg O’Dell, President of Venue Management, Oak View Group. “As we continue to expand our partnership with the University of Kansas, her experience across operations, booking, and hospitality will help us unlock new opportunities and deliver a more connected, year-round experience in Lawrence.”

“I’m excited to join the team at Kansas and get to work,” said Powell. “There’s a strong foundation here, and I’m focused on supporting the team, building strong partnerships, and making sure we’re delivering a consistent, high-quality experience across every event.”

At Haslam Sports Group, Powell served as Vice President of Stadium Operations & Event Development. In that capacity, she oversaw operations, event development, and hospitality programming at Huntington Bank Field and event development and management at ScottsMiracleGro Field, and Historic Crew Stadium. She was responsible for managing multi-million dollar operating and capital budgets, coordinating complex event calendars, and leading the execution of large-scale concerts, sporting events, and festivals, while also building out robust hospitality and special events businesses across the venues

Prior to her role at Haslam, she served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of Capital One Arena with Monumental Sports & Entertainment, where she led all core venue functions including booking, operations, guest services, security, event production, and box office. Under her leadership, the arena hosted more than 200 events annually and served as home to multiple professional sports franchises and premier events. Powell’s career also includes senior roles in event booking and marketing, with extensive experience negotiating and producing a wide range of live events, from major concerts and touring productions to NCAA championships and large-scale civic events.

In addition to her industry leadership, Powell serves as an adjunct faculty member at The George Washington University, where she has taught graduate-level coursework focused on sports and event facility management.

OVG’s ongoing partnership with the University of Kansas reflects a long-term commitment to enhancing the game day and year-round experience through integrated venue management, elevated food and beverage offerings, and new premium gathering spaces. Together, these efforts aim to position Kansas as a premier destination for sports, entertainment, and community engagement.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in March 2026. Thank you for being a part of the association! Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit here to share your story and photo.

Nathaniel Arner, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Brett Asanin, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Michelle Au, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Lanaea Bailey, Proctors Collaborative, Schenectady, NY
Elizabeth Beedenbender, Fluegel Alumni Center, US Naval Academy Alumni Association & Foundation, Annapolis, MD
Tylor Begay, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA
Jennifer Bell, Premium Parking, New Orleans, LA
Karron Benjamin, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Blake Bialk, Series Seating, Miami, FL
Lydia Binnig, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Andrew Birklid, Arup, Seattle, WA
Keagan Brown, Columbus Crew, Columbus, OH
Adam Budelli, AXS, Los Angeles, CA
Ally Burch, Salt Palace Convention Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Peter Burke, Arup, Seattle, WA
Kailee Carroll, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Geoff Cheong, Populous, Kansas City, MO
Sky Ciolino, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Annie Clark, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC
Tammy Clevenger, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Greg Cole, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Kasandra Cook, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Dina Cooper, ConventionSuite by NewGen Business Solutions, Scottsdale, AZ
Tessa Devey, Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT
Eli Dryer, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
Desiree Everett, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Alan Farmer, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC
Crystal Flippin, Dayton Live, Dayton, OH
Kameron Foster, Greenville Convention Center, Greenville, SC
Hannah Gallagher, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Stephanie Gaspari, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
Sabrina Gerratana, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Lisa Gladman, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Juliana Gordon, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Andrew Graham, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Becky Grider, Kentucky Performing Arts, Louisville, KY
Shelby Hackett, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Justin Haffner, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Jenna Hampel, Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, FL
William Harrison, Essity Professional Hygiene, Philadelphia, PA
Lathanial Heisey, Morris Performing Arts, South Bend, IN
Shawn Higgins, accesso ShoWare Center, Kent, WA
Justin Horwitz, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
Amy Huggins, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Andrea Johnson, Sodexo Live!, Greenville, SC
Emalynn Johnson, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Ice Johnson, Greenville Convention Center, Greenville, SC
Christian Juarez, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Scott Keeton, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Ryan Keller, EverBank Stadium & Daily’s Place, Jacksonville, FL
Kelsey Kercado, Sodexo Live!, Orlando, FL
David Kingsbury, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
Jon Kingston, Delta Center, Salt Lake City, UT
Ting Han Kuah, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA
Nila Kushner, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Swaleha Lalani, TVS, Atlanta, GA
Cullen Lampman, Niagara Falls Convention Centre, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Darrell Leon, Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, LA
Lindsey Lightsey, Saban Center, Tuscaloosa, AL
Henry Logan, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Emily Lounsberry, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Bryan Maciukiewicz, Essity Professional Hygiene, Philadelphia, PA
Monica Makins, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Amy Malin, Central Bank Center/Rupp Arena – OVG, Lexington, KY
Rob Mcconnaughey, Palm Springs Plaza Theatre, Palm Springs, CA
Sophie McGuire, Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Martha Mendel, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA
Andrea Mokros, Hennepin Arts, Minneapolis, MN
Carlos Mora, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Steve Moran, Greenville Convention Center, Greenville, SC
Elijah Newton, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Natalie Nicholas, Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, LA
Leslie Nutter, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Michael O’Leary, OKC Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK
Jerry Oliveira, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Bobby Olsen, NRG Park, Houston, TX
Patrick Padero, Essity Professional Hygiene, Philadelphia, PA
Keba Parker, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Cheryl Patterson, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Gracie Penland, Missouri State University, Mount Juliet, TN
Christopher Pepsnik, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Skokie, IL
Chuck Price, Prevent Medical Solutions, Bloomington, CA
David Rees, Honda Center/ocV!BE, Anaheim, CA
Janice Reindl, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL
Jordan Robinette, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Benjamin Rogers, Missouri State University, Carthage, MO
Jenn Rosenbaum, Boldyn Networks, Pompano Beach, FL
Lauren Roth, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York, NY
Mike Saunders, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Abigail Sawyers, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
Nicholas Scachetti, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA
Kyle Schmidt, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN
Joe Shaw, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Esther Shepherd-Velarde, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Steph Shryock, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Skokie, IL
Ericka Sokolower-Shain, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA
Katie Spohr, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
Joel Stein, Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, LA
Stefani Taylor, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
Meghan Teves, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Toronto, ON, Canada
Jazz Traylor, Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, LA
Suzanne Turgeon, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Tony Turner, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Jordan Ullathorne, Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, Boston, MA
Steve VerDow, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Laura Wagner, Columbus Crew, Columbus, OH
Marciann Waters, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC
Mia Watson, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, PA
Joshua Webb, College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Center, North Las Vegas, NV
Gracie Weems, Niswonger Performing Arts Center, Greeneville, TN
Christopher Welch, Lamar-Dixon Expo Center, Gonzales, LA
Lea Westerfield, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Jason Wiatrak, Greater Columbus Convention Center – Legends Global, Columbus, OH
Janai Williams, Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Michael Woolfenden, Essity Professional Hygiene, Philadelphia, PA
Anna Woolley, North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Skokie, IL
Jill Zingg, Branson Convention Center – Legends Global, Branson, MO

Landmark Sustainability Project Replaces Roof and HVAC Systems with 5,355 Solar Panels Generating Clean Energy for Long Beach and Surrounding Metros

Over 5,000 solar panels were installed as part of LCEC’s three-phase infrastructure and sustainability initiative. Photo courtesy LCEC

The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center (LBCEC), a City of Long Beach-owned venue, today announced the completion of a three-phase infrastructure and sustainability initiative totaling $33 million. The final phase, the installation of 5,355 solar panels across the venue’s roof, is now live, feeding clean energy directly into the public grid and establishing the LBCEC as one of the most energy-forward convention facilities on the West Coast.

The project unfolded across three stages beginning in Q3 2025 when over 566,000 square feet of roofing was replaced under a new Cool Roof System, improving the campus’s insulation, preventing leaks, and reducing the load-bearing weight of the structure by more than 707,000 pounds.

Thirty-two Air Handling Units (AHUs) were delivered and installed by helicopter. Photo credit: Jose Cordon, LBCEC

In December 2025, 32 Air Handling Units (AHUs) – the venue’s first HVAC replacement in 35 years – were delivered and installed by helicopter due to the scale and rooftop location of the equipment, delivering 952,320 cubic feet per minute of airflow capacity at 20–25% greater efficiency than the systems they replaced.

The third and final phase, now complete, sees the Convention Center and Terrace Theater rooftops covered in solar panels capable of generating an estimated 4.6 to 4.8 gigawatt-hours of electricity per year.

At full output, the solar installation is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 700 homes annually. The system feeds directly into the municipal grid, contributing to the City of Long Beach’s broader sustainability and carbon reduction commitments. Combined with the more efficient HVAC infrastructure, the venue anticipates a substantial reduction in overall energy consumption year over year.

“This $33 million infrastructure transformation at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center demonstrates our city’s unwavering commitment to environmental leadership and fiscal responsibility,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “By modernizing this iconic waterfront facility with cutting-edge HVAC systems and transforming our roof into a solar power plant, we’re not only reducing operational costs for taxpayers — we’re generating clean energy that powers hundreds of Long Beach homes. This project exemplifies how we can upgrade our public assets to serve today’s needs while building a more sustainable future for generations of Long Beach residents.”

“The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center has always been a cornerstone venue in our portfolio, and this infrastructure transformation reinforces our commitment to sustainable venue operations across North America,” said Josh Kritzler, president, North American venues & content for Legends Global, which manages the venue. “Projects like this demonstrate how our venues can partner with municipalities to modernize older facilities while simultaneously advancing environmental goals. The combination of energy-efficient systems and renewable energy generation sets a benchmark for the entire industry, proving that convention centers can be both operationally excellent and environmentally responsible.”

The LBCEC hosts hundreds of events annually, including the Long Beach Grand Prix, major conventions, and entertainment productions. As a city-owned facility, the center’s infrastructure improvements reflect a long-term commitment by the City of Long Beach to modernize its public assets, reduce operating costs, and invest in a more sustainable future for the community.

“This project represents a transformative moment for the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center. By replacing critical infrastructure that has served us for decades and adding a substantial solar installation, we’re not just modernizing the facility, we’re establishing a new operational standard for convention centers nationwide,” said Robert Smit, general manager of the LBCEC for Legends Global. “Guests will benefit from improved climate control and reliability, while the City of Long Beach gains a venue that actively contributes clean energy back to the community. It’s an investment that will pay dividends for generations.”

The Raleigh Convention Center, as part of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, is pleased to announce the promotion of Lori Shumpert to Director of Events.  

Shumpert joined the Raleigh Convention Center as an Event Manager in 2022 and was promoted to Senior Event Manager in 2025. She brings over 18 years of valuable experience spanning large-scale event management, premium services, and venue operations. Lori’s skill in managing complex events and leading teams, with a focus on mentoring and developing staff, elevates the Raleigh Convention Center’s commitment to exceptional client and guest experiences. This serves the Raleigh Convention Center well as it prepares to welcome a full schedule of guests in 2026 and move towards the coming expansion.  

“Lori’s collaborative leadership and expertise are a major asset to this team. Her ability to think strategically paired with her meticulous attention to detail are invaluable for our mission to provide planners, attendees, and partners with a great experience” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of The Complex.   

Lori is an experienced leader in the event industry, having worked venues and organizations around the country before joining the Raleigh Convention Center in 2022. She is an active member of IAVM, having most recently served as the co-chair of the 2025 IAVM Super Regional in Raleigh. Lori will be attending and speaking at IAVM’s 2026 Super Regional conference this April.   

“I’m excited to lead this great team of event professionals and to continue providing our clients with exceptional moments,” said Shumpert. “We’re constantly striving to reach new heights in customer satisfaction and operational excellence. I’m eager to keep this great momentum we have as our venue grows and we continue to offer more, bigger, and better space and moments for event planners.” 

She began her new role on April 4.