Simpleview, a Granicus company, focused on digital solutions for venues and destination organizations, is proud to welcome Evelyn Ingram to its team as an Account Executive focused on digital strategy and design for venues.

In this role, Evelyn will be instrumental in supporting Simpleview’s strategic priority to expand its footprint within the live events venues sector by delivering best-in-class websites, software, and digital marketing services. Her efforts will also advance Simpleview’s commitment to connecting Venues and Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) through innovative technology and thoughtful design. By aligning with our broader vision, Ingram will help foster seamless collaboration, enhance user experiences, and drive digital transformation across the events and tourism ecosystem.

Ingram’s career began in 2003 at EventBooking.com, where she helped venues take their first digital steps during the early days of the internet. Over the last two decades, she contributed to global client growth, held leadership roles at EventBooking and Momentus Technologies, and was named a “Woman of Influence” by VenuesNow magazine.

“Evelyn’s deep roots in the venue industry and her passion for digital innovation make her a perfect fit for this role,” said Greg Evans, Chief Revenue Officer at Simpleview. “As we bring our proven expertise in destination marketing to the venue space, Evelyn will be a key player in building connections, driving value, and helping venues elevate their digital presence.”

Simpleview is a worldwide leading provider of CMS, website design, digital marketing services, CRM and data insights for venues, convention bureaus, tourism boards, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), and attractions. The company employs staff across the globe, serving clients of all sizes, including convention centers, arenas, theatres, small towns, world capitals, top meeting destinations, and countries across multiple continents.

For more information, please visit https://www.simpleviewinc.com/

Firm’s third new rink built or acquired in a year adds to growing portfolio; Spectate Group to manage

Elk Grove Ice Arena Exterior (Courtesy of ARCON Associates)

Nicholas Family of Companies has announced it will break ground this fall on the Elk Grove Ice Arena, a new indoor ice rink on Meacham Road in Elk Grove Village, Ill., about 25 miles northwest of Chicago. Scheduled to open in fall 2026, the 86,261-square-foot, two-rink complex will serve the local hockey community and feature a family-friendly restaurant with rooftop access called Hatty’s Icehouse.

The Elk Grove Ice Arena marks Nicholas Family of Companies’ third ice arena project in the Chicago area in just one year, following its construction of the Rosemont Ice Arena, a twin-sheet, 100,000-square-foot facility opening this fall in Rosemont; and its acquisition of Glacier Ice Arena, a two-rink, 63,000-square-foot facility in Vernon Hills. Nicholas also owns a fourth rink, the Mount Prospect Ice Arena at Nicholas Sportsplex in Mount Prospect.

All four venues are operated by the company’s in-house sports and recreation division, Spectate Group, which plans to expand its staff to accommodate the new facilities. The company’s construction arm, Nicholas & Associates, built all of the venues except for Glacier Ice Arena, which was acquired rather than developed.

Elk Grove Ice Arena Aerial. (Courtesy of ARCON Associates)

“Hockey has seen incredible growth in recent years, and as a family deeply involved in the sport, we’ve felt the strain of limited rink availability — especially when kids are stuck practicing late at night,” said Nick Papanicholas Jr., chief executive officer and managing director of the Nicholas Family of Companies. “This new facility is our way of helping meet that demand and creating more accessible opportunities for youth programs in the region.

“Unlike some investors, we’re not just building these facilities — we’re running them, too,” he added. “As owners and operators, we understand what it takes to make them successful.”

Like other Nicholas rinks, the Elk Grove Village facility will provide a “hat trick” of community benefits: prime after-school, weekday evening and weekend morning ice time for youth hockey groups and ice skaters; post-10 p.m. nightly ice time for adult hockey leagues; and dedicated time for the Chicago Mission boys’ hockey league practices and games. Situated less than 10 miles west of O’Hare International Airport, the new arena is also well positioned to attract regional and national hockey tournaments.

The site is currently occupied by a Staples office supply store, which will be torn down to make way for the new development. Residents have expressed interest in seeing the property redeveloped for years, and the upcoming project is expected to serve local families.

“Similar to our partnership with Rosemont, we’ve collaborated closely with the Village of Elk Grove and the local community to make sure the project is aligned with what the village wants for this space,” Papanicholas continued. “From the very start, we’ve recognized the significant impact this arena will have — not just for players and their families, but for the surrounding business community as well.”

Elk Grove Ice Arena Interior (Courtesy of ARCON Associates)

Designed by architectural firm ARCON Associates, the new arena will have eight general team locker rooms and eight dedicated locker rooms for Chicago Mission teams. Other featured elements include: a viewing area with floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking both rinks; a second-floor restaurant with private dining space and a rooftop terrace; an elevated ground-level grab-and-go concept; study areas; a physical therapy clinic; and a gym. The arena also will have staff space and team amenities for the Chicago Mission hockey club.

Fueled in part by a new wave of female fans, the National Hockey League is consistently reporting higher revenue YOY, increased ratings and record-setting attendance, with arenas filled to more than 96% capacity. There were 389,820 registered youth hockey players in 2023-24, up from 340,000 in 2009-10, and over 90,000 girls under age 18 are registered to play, almost surpassing Canada, according to USA Hockey.

Today marks the official launch of Venue Sustainalytics, the events industry’s first-ever sustainability benchmarking and data intelligence platform specifically designed for event venues and organizers.

This pioneering initiative, developed through a strategic partnership between the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM), Trade Show News Network (TSNN), and Honeycomb Strategies, aims to transform how the events industry
approaches and measures sustainability.

The partners unveiled a preview of the new website and presented the platform to venue management at the IAVM’s 100th VenueConnect, held July 29-31 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Revolutionizing Sustainability in the Events Industry

Venue Sustainalytics provides a comprehensive solution to a long-standing challenge in the events sector: the lack of consistent, reliable data for measuring and comparing sustainability efforts across different venues. The platform collects, aggregates, and analyzes environmental, social, and economic data from convention centers, stadiums, arenas, performing arts centers, and other live event spaces.

“Our industry is unique in that no two venues or events are alike and therefore Venue Sustainalytics solves two pressing challenges,” said Tim Trefzer, Vice President of Sports and Venue Sustainability for Honeycomb Strategies. “The first result is that the industry will now have a dashboard for the environmental and social performance of event venues to utilize for benchmarking. The second result of this new tool is that participating venues will be able to see how they compare against their peers. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.”

Key Features and Data Collection

The platform is now accepting venue data for the 2024 calendar year through October 2025, with participation being free and secure. Venue Sustainalytics collects critical sustainability metrics including:

• Water usage and conservation efforts
• Energy consumption and renewable energy adoption
• Waste management and diversion rates
• Sustainable procurement practices
• Social responsibility initiatives

This data will be transformed into actionable insights through:

• Benchmarking: Interactive visualization tools allowing venues to compare their
  performance against industry standards
• Reporting: A public dashboard showcasing industry-wide sustainability impact
  data and annual trend reports
• Industry Growth: Educational resources, recognition programs, and partnership
  opportunities to accelerate sustainable momentum

Trevor Mitchell, MBA, FASAE, CAE, CDP, President and CEO of IAVM shares that for IAVM members, a sustainability benchmarking tool

(From left to right) Honeycomb Strategies VP of Sports and Venue Sustainability Tim Trefzer, TSNN/Informa VP of Group Content Danica Tormohlen and IAVM CEO & President Trevor Mitchell unveiled the new Venue Sustainalytics website at IAVM’s VenueConnect on July 30 in New Orleans.

isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a catalyst for continuous improvement. “By delivering consistent, reliable data that helps venues track environmental impact, benchmark progress and make smarter decisions, it transforms sustainability from a buzzword into a measurable practice,” said Mitchell. “Ultimately, it empowers members with the insights they need to lead with purpose and transparency, raising the bar for environmental responsibility across the live events industry.”

Venue Sustainalytics prioritizes data security and confidentiality. While contributing to valuable industry benchmarks, individual venue data remains anonymous to public viewers. The platform ensures that no specific data point can be traced back to a particular venue, allowing for honest reporting and meaningful collective insights.

Industry Impact

The platform aims to establish annual benchmarks for sustainability data throughout the event industry to establish industry norms, identify leaders, and inspire the community to take meaningful action toward environmental goals.

“This platform represents a watershed moment for sustainability in the events industry,” said Danica Tormohlen, VP of Group Content, Meetings, Travel & Sports, for Informa Connect, which publishes TSNN. “For years, event organizers have been asking for
standardized sustainability metrics to make informed venue decisions. Venue Sustainalytics not only delivers this critical data but also creates a framework for continuous improvement across the entire events ecosystem. This will fundamentally change how sustainability factors into event planning decisions.”

How to Participate

Venue operators can participate by completing a survey available on the Venue Sustainalytics website. The platform will use this data to generate industry-wide insights while maintaining individual venue anonymity.

For more information about Venue Sustainalytics or to participate in this groundbreaking initiative, visit www.venuesustainalytics.com.

The Maverik Center, West Valley City, Utah, has announced the appointment of Jeff Davis, CVE, CVP, CMP, as its new General Manager. Among his responsibilities will be overseeing the major renovation of the 12,000-seat Maverik Center, which will play a key role in the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Davis replaces the late Kevin Bruder, who died unexpectedly in May at the age of 59. Davis will answer to the private management firm, Centennial Management Group.

Prior to this move, Davis was GM of the 7,000-seat College Park Center at the University of Texas, Arlington (UTA), a building he helped debut. It has been the home of the WNBA Dallas Wings since 2016.

Davis has over two decades of high-level experience in hospitality, sports, and entertainment venue management. Not only did he head the opening of College Park Center, where he has been employed since 2011, but he has also worked closely with major sports leagues, including work on the NFL’s Super Bowl in Dallas.

Davis has led the opening and operations of major public assembly venues, managed multi-million-dollar construction and renovation projects, built high-performing teams, and developed new revenue streams.

At UTA, Davis was General Manager and Executive Director of the College Park Center and Texas Hall, so he also managed the operations of a 2,600-seat performing arts center. He played a pivotal role in relocating the Dallas Wings to the Dallas-Fort Worth market, establishing College Park Center as the team’s home court.

Before that, he spent two stints at the Dallas Convention Center and a year at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas. He began his career at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Davis is an active leader in IAVM, having served on its board of directors, chaired the Strategic Leadership and Resources Committee and Certification Board, and acted as director for IAVM’s Region 6. He holds the prestigious Certified Venue Executive (CVE), Certified Venue Professional (CVP), and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) designations—credentials that underscore his commitment to the advancement of the venue management profession. Coincidentally, he is the featured cover story in the upcoming Venue Professional September/October edition.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to the Maverik Center,” said Erik Hudson, General Manager of the Utah Grizzlies, in the press release. “His depth of experience, industry leadership, and passion for creating exceptional live event experiences will be invaluable as we continue to grow the Maverik Center’s reputation as a premier entertainment destination in the Intermountain West.”

Davis will oversee all facets of the Maverik Center’s operations, including event booking, facility management, guest services, and strategic partnerships.

The native Texan and his wife Teresa, who is IAVM’s Certification Manager, and their two children have already relocated to Utah.

Joe Vera III, Assistant City Manager, Culture, Recreation and Special Events, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, passed away April 16 at the age of 69.

Before joining McAllen, Texas, in 2014, Vera helped the City of Hidalgo, Texas, transform from a small border town to a bustling cultural and entertainment destination. He was instrumental in launching BorderFest, overseeing the development of Dodge Arena (now Payne Arena), and securing historic retail and economic initiatives.

Vera believed in networking and was an involved member of both IAVM and the International Association of Fairs & Expositions (IAFE). Many in the business were recipients of his famous pink grapefruit holiday gift to promote his fairs and festivals and the city of Hidalgo, Texas.

In 2025, he served as World Board Chair of the International Festivals & Events Association (IFEA). His contributions earned him numerous accolades, including induction into the IFEA Hall of Fame and the Texas Festivals & Events Association Hall of Honor. He was both a Certified Festival & Events Executive (CFEE) from IFEA and a Certified Economic Developer (CECD) from the International Economic Development Council).

According to the obituary published online, Vera was born and raised in Pharr, Texas. He started his working life at just six years old by shining shoes and selling Coca-Colas.

“Joe dedicated himself to crafting experiences that brought communities together, elevated civic pride, and created lasting memories for countless people. He was also a proud Eagle Scout, embodying the values of leadership and service throughout his life,” it reads.

Vera was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 40 years, significantly contributing to its growth and new construction.

As Assistant City Manager for Culture, Recreation, and Special Events for the City of McAllen he spearheaded the creation and expansion of landmark events including the McAllen Holiday Parade, South Pole Illuminated Festival and McAllen Marathon.

Vera is survived by his wife, Alma Vera; his children, Trisha Garza and Homer Garza (Sonya); grandchildren, Ryan and Reena; sisters, Joann Watts (George Sr.) and Linda Casas; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his esteemed parents Joe Vera Jr. and Gloria.