Steve Hyman, who opened The MARK of the Quad Cities, now Vibrant Arena at The MARK, in Moline, Ill., in 1993, and left in 2004, died earlier this year. His widow, Helen, contacted Michael Bogucki, senior principal, Venue Strategies, LLC, for which Hyman had been a consultant, with news of his death.
Venue Strategies, LLC posted a tribute on its website:
“It is with great sadness that we report the recent passing of our friend, colleague, and Special Principal Stephen Hyman.
“Steve’s extraordinary professional career encompassed a unique mix of skills and experience across virtually every aspect of multi-purpose event center development and management. He possessed particular expertise in event creation, booking, and production and consulted on venue operations at major arenas, stadiums, theaters, and event centers throughout the United States. Steve brought excellence and passion to every project he worked on, and his insights were often the critical difference in achieving success.
“Most recently, Steve was Director of Venue Management at HB Concerts, Inc., and prior he was the Executive Director of The Stranahan Theatre and Great Hall in Toledo, Ohio. Earlier in his career, Steve was City Planner and Economic Development Director for the City of Moline, Ill., before transitioning into multi-purpose venue development and management.
“He oversaw the design, construction, grand opening, staffing and day-to-day management of the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, and the MARK of the Quad Cities (now known as Vibrant Arena) in Moline, Ill., where he was one of two people responsible for the founding the Quad City Sports Commission and served as the Chairman of the Quad City Convention and Visitors Bureau. Steve also served as the Executive Director of the Alerus Center in Grand Forks, N.D., and The Plex in Syracuse, New York.
“He earned his Master’s in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and was also a long-standing member of the International Association of Venue Managers.”
He is survived by his wife, Helen.
No official obituary was posted online, but stories about Hyman’s years in Moline abound. He made a huge success of that venue from its opening in 1993 until he departed in 2004 to oversee construction of the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill.
