Javits Center Launches ‘Javits on the Hudson’ Brand Campaign to Celebrate 40th Anniversary
The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center has launched a new “Javits on the Hudson” brand campaign to commemorate its 40th anniversary. The campaign also marks one year since Joyce Leveston, CMM, CVP, became the convention center’s first female CEO.
“This brand refresh is about showing the world who we are — a launchpad of innovation powered by some of the most talented and skilled workforce in the industry,” said Leveston.
Over 10% of the Javits Center team has been working at the venue for more than 20 years. “That kind of continuity speaks to something deeper than a workplace; it reflects a shared sense of purpose and pride in what Javits represents,” said Leveston. With this campaign, she said, “we’re bringing that story forward — placing our people at the center and ensuring that as we look ahead, we remain grounded in the values and spirit that have defined us for the past four decades.”
Photo courtesy of Javits Center
Javits Center’s history is one of progress, undergoing multiple renovations and expansions since opening its doors in 1986. With each update, the Center has increased its space and efficiency. It is LEED certified, outfitted with bird-friendly glass, topped by a nearly seven-acre green roof with solar panels and a one-acre rooftop farm. Joining the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge in 2021 further cemented their reputation as a leader in sustainability.
“It was time to make sure the world knew what a center for inspiration Javits is on the global stage,” said Leveston.
After assembling her team — hiring the Center’s first ever director of marketing, along with a new Agency of Record (AOR) — Leveston got to work establishing her vision for the campaign.
“We wanted to make sure we are highlighting our best features like our waterfront location, our extensive sustainability initiatives, our relationship to our community and, of course, our people; all while holding on to our legacy as a New York icon,” said Leveston.
Javits on the Hudson
She described the colors chosen for the brand campaign as: Hudson Blue, representing Javits’ location on the waterfront; Farm Green, symbolizing their many sustainability initiatives; and Golden Yellow, complementing the signature trademark Javits Golden Apple.
The branding also includes new graphic elements: a wave to represent the Hudson River, dots to mimic the pattern on Javits’ bird-friendly glass, forward-facing arrows to showcase the Center’s future mindset, and an NYC tag to honor their home city.
Leveston also explained that the Javits Center’s brand identity is led by four messaging pillars —
- A “Center for Inspiration” with a flexible campus that supports world-class events and experiences across industries.
- A place where “Connections Turn Into Movements” as gatherings spark new ideas, collaborations, and cultural moments are cemented.
- Fueled by “People-Powered Excellence” — a workforce and community that power the success of every event and experience.
- Where “Sustainability Meets Heart” as a national leader in sustainable operations, from the green roof habitat to energy and waste initiatives.
She emphasized that, “The golden apple remains at the heart of our brand because it represents the core of the Javits Center spirit.
“Javits Center has stood tall in support of New York for generations, both as an economic catalyst and as a community support system through defining moments like the Covid-19 pandemic and 9/11,” she said. “That spirit begins and endures with our people.”
Leveston’s First Year
Photo courtesy of Javits Center
More than anything, Leveston’s first year at the helm of Javits Center “has been an exercise in vision over execution.” This role required a change in perspective.
“My responsibility now is to define where we’re going, not just how we perform,” she said. “That means investing deeply in our people — through training, certifications, mentorship, and practicing emotional intelligence — so they are equipped to carry that vision forward.”
Looking back on the past year, she reflected on lessons learned: “Transformation isn’t just about strategy or design — it’s about people. When you invest in your team, trust their expertise, give them a voice, and bring them along with purpose and transparency, you don’t just refresh a brand — you strengthen the foundation for which it stands.”
She added, “What made this moment especially meaningful was that we weren’t building something new in a vacuum — we were shaping the next chapter of a 40-year legacy.”
Javits’ Next Chapter
In the coming year, the convention center will be introducing first-of-its-kind technology and becoming the first U.S. venue to introduce carbon insetting that will help them meet their ambitious Net-Zero Carbon Events Pledge.
As Leveston put it, “The future of Javits is about leadership — setting a higher standard for what our industry can be and delivering on it every day.”
Thunder, Continental Resources Announce Naming Rights Agreement for New OKC Arena
New arena officially named Continental Coliseum; 15-year agreement begins with expected opening for 2028-29 Thunder season
Rendering of OKC Continental Coliseum. Photo courtesy of venue.
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Continental Resources today jointly announced a 15-year naming rights partnership for Continental Coliseum, the new state-of-the-art arena rising in downtown Oklahoma City. Demolition of the site is nearing completion, and the construction team will begin mobilizing soon. Continental Coliseum is targeted to open in late summer 2028, ushering in a new era for sports and entertainment in Oklahoma City. The Thunder will continue to play at Paycom Center until the new venue opens.
“We’re grateful to expand our partnership with Continental Resources and for their belief in our organization and in the future of Oklahoma City,” said Clayton I. Bennett, chairman of the Oklahoma City Thunder. “We really wanted an Oklahoma partner for this transitional moment in the history of our city. We are proud to align with an organization that embodies the resilience, ambition, and spirit that define our state. As a company founded and built in Oklahoma, Continental shares our deep roots and enduring commitment to this state. Continental Coliseum will stand as a lasting symbol of that shared commitment — a place where our fans, our city, and our state unite to create unforgettable moments for generations.”
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Continental Resources is the largest privately held oil and natural gas producer in the world.
“Continental could not be more proud to partner with the Thunder in this next chapter. The Thunder is a world-class organization that represents the very best of Oklahoma,” said Harold Hamm, founder & chairman emeritus of Continental Resources. “When the Thunder came to Oklahoma City, they changed the way this state saw itself. They proved that even a small market can dream big, compete with anyone, and win with heart and grit. That same spirit has defined Continental from the beginning. We’re proud to call Oklahoma home.”
The new arena name takes effect immediately and will be reflected on current construction fencing, future exterior and interior venue signage throughout the building, and the elevated partnership will include expanded community initiatives focused on advancing literacy and education across Oklahoma. Many of Continental’s existing partnership assets, including the Continental Orb, will continue as well.
“This partnership builds on a strong, long-standing relationship rooted in shared values and a shared vision for Oklahoma City,” said Will Syring, vice president of Corporate Partnerships for the Thunder. “What we’ve accomplished together to date made this a natural next step. This expanded collaboration goes beyond naming rights; it represents a meaningful commitment to community investment, including support for literacy initiatives that will benefit Oklahomans across our state.”
“There are many parallels between the Thunder and Continental Resources – values like fierce competition, innovation, and a relentless commitment to performing at our very best,” said Doug Lawler, president and CEO of Continental Resources. “Both organizations are constantly exploring for the very best talent and creating environments where people can compete, innovate, and win. This elevated partnership with the Thunder is a natural fit, and we look forward to welcoming Oklahomans and visitors from around the world to the Continental Coliseum for many years to come.”
Continental Coliseum will host a variety of events beyond basketball. From top touring artists to family shows to national sporting events, the venue will be a top destination in the region for live experiences.
In December 2023, Oklahoma City voters approved construction of a new, City-owned arena, now named Continental Coliseum. Under the terms of the Thunder’s arena agreement with the City, the team has the ability to negotiate a naming rights agreement. Designed by MANICA Architecture and built by Flintco-Mortenson, Continental Coliseum promises to be one-of-a-kind; unique and transformative for Oklahoma’s capital city and serve as a catalyst for the city’s ongoing economic and cultural renaissance.
“Continental Coliseum is so unique and evokes a sense of pride in the strength and resilience of our community,” Bennett said. “The name represents the spirit of competition and excellence. We’re thrilled for the Thunder, Continental Resources, the city, and every citizen who voted yes for the future of Oklahoma City.”
Raleigh Convention Center Plans for Next Phase of Fire Recovery
Convention Center team continues fast, precise execution of recovery efforts
The Raleigh Convention Center is entering the next phase of fire recovery. Starting on March 25th, the new permanent cooling elements will arrive to replace the temporary equipment the facility had been using in the wake of the fire. A crane will return to McDowell Street the week of April 1st to load this new equipment onto the roof. Lane closures on McDowell are anticipated for the first week of April. During this timeframe, pieces of the venue’s permanent kitchen will be restored as the convention center transitions back to regular operations from the mobile kitchen in Red Hat Amphitheater that has served guests since January.
This is the continuation of a highly precise, collaborative operation to reactivate the venue fully for event planners, attendees, and the downtown Raleigh community. Convention center leadership has been adaptable and innovative in this situation, finding creative solutions to the complicated problems posed by this fire. These solutions have allowed the convention center to welcome nearly 85,000 guests in the first quarter of 2026 while also managing this fire recovery efforts, and major construction projects for three of the Convention and Performing Arts Complex venues.
“This group of people is incredible, they have worked non-stop to deliver results and solve problems since the December 1st fire.” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “And to not only get us back to a place where we’re having these huge events with tens of thousands of people, but to do that while our Complex is getting bigger and better is a statement about what a tremendous team we have here.”
As March concludes, the final meals will be prepped from the mobile kitchen. The Mobile Event Solutions team will remove the mobile kitchen from Red Hat Amphitheater, taking the equipment to its next exciting destination. The convention center’s culinary partner Sodexo Live! has executed well from this temporary kitchen and is grateful to be back into the facility kitchen after serving over 89,000 meals and over 100,000 desserts from the mobile kitchen. The mobile kitchen will be moved out by the end of the month to make room for preparations Red Hat Amphitheater to welcome the band Bush for the first concert of the season on April 14th.
For ongoing updates on this phase, please visit RaleighConvention.com or follow the Raleigh Convention Center on social media.
Celebrating 2025’s iCommit Campaign Raffle Winners
IAVM’s 2025 iCommit Membership Campaign was a tremendous success, thanks to the enthusiasm and engagement of our members. Your participation helped to make this one of our most successful member referral campaigns to date which added 261 new members.
All eligible participants were entered into a raffle drawing, a total of 139 members. Special thanks to these members for referring the most new members during this period:
- Matthew A. Hollander, CVE – Greenville Convention Center – 17 members
- Peter Wu – North Charleston Coliseum – 11 members
- Carol Gagnon, CEM, CMP – Massachusetts Convention Center Authority – 7 members
We are excited to announce the winners of the raffle below:
- Raffle Winners – $500 Visa Gift Cards
- Scott E. Johnson, Greensboro Coliseum Complex – OVG
- Pat Lealos – Senior Director of Event Management & Production, Saint Paul RiverCentre & Grand Casino Arena
- Marco Perez, General Manager, Lakefront Arena
- Brooke Croshier-Sidebotham, Director of Stadium, Arena and Campus Event Services, University of Utah
- Lawrence Zalewski, Audience Services Manager, Popejoy Hall
- Region Results
- Region 5 – 100 new members
- Region 6 – 41 members
- Region 7 – 32 members
- Region 1 – 27 members
- Region 2 – 25 members
- Region 3 – 21 members
- Region 4 – 14 members
The Region 5 Director will select one recipient to have the CVP application fee waived. The candidate must apply by July 31, 2026.
The 2026 campaign is under way now. Let’s build on last year’s momentum and actively encourage individuals to join by June 30 to receive your chance to win one of five Visa gift cards, valued at $500 each.
We appreciate our members for continuing to advocate on behalf of IAVM. If you have any questions, contact member services at membership@iavm.org.
Change the Course Partners with Legends Global to Create the Legends Global Acts Water Fund To Strengthen Water Security
Change the Course, an initiative of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF), and Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands, today announced a landmark partnership to create the Legends Global Acts Water Fund.
Launched ahead of World Water Day on March 22, the partnership establishes a mechanism to support water restoration projects across the United States. The initial investment will provide support for a portfolio of projects, restoring 7.5 million gallons of water to water scarce regions. The collaboration underscores a shared commitment to environmental water stewardship, ensuring that local communities remain vibrant and resilient. By prioritizing the restoration of water quantity and quality, Legends Global and Change the Course are taking a proactive stance on water scarcity to protect ecosystems and deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.
“Water is one of the most critical resources for the communities where our venues operate, particularly across the Western United States where water scarcity continues to intensify,” said Lindsay Arell, Chief Sustainability Officer for Legends Global. “Through our partnership with Change the Course, the new Legends Global Acts Water Fund helps align our operations with watershed restoration and conservation with plans to expand projects across North America in the years ahead.”
“Change the Course was designed to facilitate collective water resilience solutions that help create long-term, livable communities and a more sustainable water future,” said Sara Hoversten, Director of Business for Water Stewardship at BEF. “Partnering with Legends Global around the Legends Global Acts Water Fund helps us drive collective support for community-developed and community-led water stewardship projects that deliver ecological, social, and economic resiliency.”
The initial investment will support water restoration across three mission-based programs including:
San Saba River in Texas. Photo courtesy Change the Course.
San Saba River Restoration Project (Texas): The San Saba River in the Texas Hill Country is a cornerstone of the regional economy, lifestyle, and cultural identity. Water scarcity driven by more frequent and prolonged drought conditions as well as increased development have resulted in reduced streamflow. Environmental Water Environmental Water Transactions (EWTs) are an important conservation tool for restoring and maintaining flow in Texas rivers in the face of rising water demands and scarcity.
Lined canal in operation at heading discharge culvert. Photo courtesy Change the Course.
Colorado River Indian Tribes Farm Improvement (Arizona/California Border): The Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT) Drip Irrigation and Canal Lining Conversion projects are designed to convert less efficient irrigation methods to precision drip irrigation and canal lining on 1600 acres of Colorado River Indian Tribes agricultural lands. These projects help reduce conveyance loss, more efficiently and reliably deliver water for irrigation, and reduce demand at the CRIT Point of Diversion on the Colorado River.
Aerial of Merced County Seasonal Wetlands in California. Photo courtesy Change the Course.
Merced County Seasonal Wetland Habitat (Merced County, California): Through innovative practices such as the flooding, gradual drawdown of seasonal wetlands during spring, and water rights transactions, the project will provide 2,000 acres of crucial habitat for peak shorebird migration.