The Kansas City Current announced a partnership with Levy to craft a one-of-a-kind food and beverage experience for the first stadium purpose-built for a women’s professional soccer team, opening in 2024. Levy will work with the Current to showcase local vendors in its downtown stadium.

The Current and Levy are committed to bringing local restaurants and culinary talent that reflect the rich culture of downtown Kansas City. Levy is known for creating the food and beverage experience at many of the country’s iconic and cutting-edge sports and entertainment venues, including Q2 Stadium, Barclays Center, Crypto.com Arena, Lower.com Field, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, T-Mobile Arena, TQL Stadium, United Center and the home of the 2022 NWSL Championship, Audi Field.

Fans can also expect a flexible and unique experience that features many ways to access food and beverage based on their own preferences, including mobile ordering and self-service, among other tech-driven hospitality initiatives. More information about the food and beverage experience will be shared over the coming months.

“We are thrilled to work in conjunction with Levy to create a truly bespoke food and beverage experience for Kansas City Current fans,” said team president Allison Howard. “It was essential for us to find a partner who excels at innovation while staying genuine to our Kansas City roots. Levy has a strong track record of success working with groundbreaking technology to build an experience worthy of our cutting-edge stadium.”

“From the moment we heard the idea for a world-class purpose-built stadium for women’s soccer, we wanted to be involved,” said Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy. “We couldn’t be more excited to partner with an incredible organization in the Kansas City Current to create an experience that is authentic to the Kansas City community and Current fans, and that we hope will inspire many more in the future.”

The soccer-specific stadium at Berkley Riverfront Park will be the first stadium purpose-built for an NWSL team, seating 11,500 and opening for the 2024 season. As part of a 50-year lease agreement with Port KC, the stadium will be built on a 7.08-acre site on the east end of the park in Kansas City, Missouri.

By Gail Sawyer

Malcolm Caddies, Grounds Manager at the ASM Global managed, iconic Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia, has been announced as General Manager of Sports Turf and Landscape at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

Caddies, renowned for his ability to deliver a first-class pitch for multiple World Cup Tournaments and back-to-back international sporting events, will take up his position at the ASM Global managed Kai Tak Sports Park, Hong Kong, in October.

Hong Kong’s state-of-the-art multi-purpose sports precinct, built on the site of the former Kai Tak Airport on Kowloon, is set for completion in the second half of 2024.

Chairman and CEO of ASM Global (Asia Pacific) Harvey Lister AM, said Malcom’s appointment was recognition of his professionalism and dedication during his 19 years at Suncorp Stadium.

“Kai Tak Sports Park is set to be one of the greatest sporting precincts in the world and this appointment will highlight Malcolm’s skills in being able to accommodate all sporting codes, delivering world class pitches for international competition.

“The appointment illustrates the value of the ASM Global Advantage. Malcolm applied for this role amongst a strong field of international candidates, and this is proof of ASM Global’s commitment to create rewarding careers for our people.”

ASM Global’s executive director at Kai Tak Sports Park, Darren Burden, said it was a privilege to welcome Caddies to the outstanding team responsible for delivering one of the world’s greatest sporting venues.

“Malcolm has a fantastic reputation and will no doubt make an invaluable contribution to the success and performance of the Sports Park,” Burden said. “I believe his extraordinary knowledge, experience, and skills as an internationally acclaimed groundsman will bring unique qualities to the role and very much look forward to welcoming him to Hong Kong.”

Caddies said he was extremely proud of all that he and his team achieved at Suncorp Stadium. “Kai Tak Sports Park is an incredible project, and I am looking forward to playing my part in making it an enormous success on the world stage.”

Caddies’ new role at Kai Tak Sports Park will involve leading the operation and management of the sports fields and landscape at the Sports Park, as well as managing an off-site Turf Farm. Initially he will work with the design and build team to oversee and advise on the construction and operation of the playing surfaces in the Main Stadium and Public Sports Grounds.

Gail Sawyer is Group Communications Manager – ASM Global (Asia Pacific).

By Stadiums Business

Weapons detection security screening firm Evolv Technology has strengthened its presence in the NFL by agreeing to a deal with SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers.

Evolv’s technology will be used at all events at the stadium starting from the upcoming season. The system uses sensor technology to spot potential danger from weapons or other prohibited devices.

Rams and Chargers fans will be able to walk through the stadium scanners without removing anything from their pockets or clear bags. Additional security screening may be required in some instances and fans will be asked to comply with the requests of stadium staff.

SoFi Stadium will also be introducing new ticket-scanning equipment for the new season. Fans who attended the Rams’ pre-season game against the Houston Texans were able to sample the new entry process, which includes hands-free pedestal scanners at all entries.

The ticket scanners are designed to increase throughput into the stadium, with fans being encouraged to have their mobile tickets ready before reaching stadium entry points. Tickets will either be saved to their mobile wallet, in the Rams or Ticketmaster mobile app, or on mobile web.

Recently, Evolv entered into a partnership with FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the Cleveland Browns.

Evolv Express will help reduce lines at both of the stadium’s south entrances, which are the busiest for Browns games. Evolv Express, which is built with sensor technology and AI, identifies weapons, enabling security professionals to focus on addressing potential threats and reducing the need to manually screen every fan.

Evolv also holds partnerships with the New England Patriots’ Gillette Stadium, Tennessee Titans’ Nissan Stadium, and Atlanta Falcons’ Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

By Ike Richman

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) awarded Prevent Advisors, a highly regarded security specialist in sports, live entertainment, and meeting facilities, with a SAFETY Act Designation for the company’s industry-leading Red Team Assessment Services.

Prevent Advisors’ Red Team Assessment Services is a proprietary systematic assessment program specifically designed to fully evaluate all components of a venue’s physical security measures. Prevent Advisors assists its clients – stadiums, arenas, and convention centers – to further enhance their overall security apparatus by addressing security needs, creating ongoing security policies and procedures, implementing these procedures, and continuously adjusting as needed.

Prevent Advisors is a flagship service company of OVG360, which is the third-party venue management, venue services and hospitality division of Oak View Group, a global sports and entertainment company focused on being a positive disruption to business as usual in the sports, live entertainment, and hospitality industries.

It is the first time the DHS awarded a SAFETY Act Designation to a Red Team Assessment Service.

“Safety and Security will always be a foundational principle in the live sports and entertainment industry, and we have built a world class security division that supports professional sports leagues and entertainment venues security programs,” said Michael Downing, Chief Security Advisor, Oak View Group’s Prevent Advisors, and former Deputy Chief, Counter Terrorism and Special Operations Bureau, Los Angeles Police Department. “The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recent Safety Act Designation Award to Prevent Advisors speaks volumes to our commitment in this space.”

“This first of its kind SAFETY Act award is a recognition by DHS that the methodology created by Prevent Advisors is an effective tool that all venue operators should be leveraging as part of their own venue security program,” said Akmal Ali, CEO of Aluma and former Deputy Director of the SAFETY Act program within U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The award comes after Prevent Advisors demonstrated its expertise in the security world to DHS, validating the company’s extensive training and continuing education process its auditors undergo to ensure the company can provide maximum benefit to its clients.

Prevent Advisors’ current partners include professional sports leagues and teams, sport and live music entertainment venues and festivals, and corporate campuses.

Prevent Advisors develop and implement full security solutions tailored to meet the 21st century demands of the sports, entertainment, and meetings facility industry. Core Services include Prevention & Risk Analysis, Security Consulting & Solutions, Intelligence Service, and Training & Crisis Response.

Prevent Advisors’ services can also be an add-on for OVG360 clients where the company manages and operates public assembly facilities, OVG Hospitality where the company provides food and beverage services, or the OVG Arena Alliance.

“The safety of our guests, performers, athletes, and staff is our top priority,” said Tim Leiweke, Chairman & CEO, Oak View Group. “We are proud of our Prevent Advisors’ work at all our facilities and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s recognition.”

Ike Richman is president of Ike Richman Communications.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 2022. 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 http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

 

Kailee Ayers, First National Bank Arena, State University, AR

Noelle Baddeley, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Andre Bennington, Dayton Live, Dayton, OH

Rebecca Beyer, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Alexandra Black, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Mike Bober, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Christina Brown, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Kelly Bryl, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA

Megan Caldwell, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Steve Carl, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

William Code, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA

Joe Collins, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Isabella Correa, Enterprise Center/Stifel Theatre, Saint Louis, MO

Austin Crawford, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Brian Cummings, Gordon Field House & Activities Center, Rochester, NY

Matt Cunningham, Kansas City Convention Center, Kansas City, MO

Jaron Davis, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA

Ryan Dunne, Barclays Center, Commack, NY

Marc Feldman, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Tijuan Fletcher, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Jose Flores, Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO

Stacey Flores, City of Dallas, Dallas, TX

Davin Gaddy, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Tasha Gandy, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Michelle Gebhart, American Tower Corporation, Cary, NC

John Gilbert, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX

Sam Giordano, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO

Michelle Gustafson, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Emily Hamm, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Darrin Harrje, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Jeremiah Hayward, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Sydney Heidegger, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Madeline Hollyfield, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Jackie Horvath, Horvath Communications, South Bend, IN

Kevin Kahn, Joffe Emergency Services, Santa Monica, CA

Sean Kenny, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Ron Larson, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Leslie Lee, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Julian Matos, Ping Communications, Piscataway, NJ

Tabitha Mayers, Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, GA

Michael Mell, Theater Design, Cold Spring, NY

Santonio Moore, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Julio Moreno, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

Kendra Moyars, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Steve Nebehay, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Jonathan Newell, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN

Emily O’Neill, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC

Jason Olsen, Durham Performing Arts Center, Durham, NC

Justin Peckham, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Liz Peralta, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Jocelyn Perez, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Joseph Ralston, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Baylee Richter, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Steve Roberts, Three Rivers Campus, Kennewick, WA

Stephen Rorai, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX

Johnny Sanchez, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Lindsey Sanchez, H-E-B Center at Cedar Park, Cedar Park, TX

Doug Schaub, Phoenix Convention Center & Venues, Phoenix, AZ

Brayden Sherman, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Vikram Singh, The Dollar Loan Center, Henderson, NV

Ronnie Sparks, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA

Danyhl Stanley, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA

Audrix Tamarez, Barclays Center, Yonkers, NY

Elena Thornton, L-Acoustics, Westlake Village, CA

Lisa Trainor, Sodexo/Centerplate, New Orleans, LA

David Treber, Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Salisbury, MD

Jordan Urban, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Andrew Vecere, Prudential Center, Newark, NJ

Celeste Villegas, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX

Diana Walcott, Georgia International Convention Center/GICC, College Park, GA

Casey Warnick, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Christina Wenger, The Juilliard School, New York, NY

Tosha White, INTRUST Bank Arena, Wichita, KS

Emma Whitlock, Swiftel Center, Brookings, SD

Angel Wilson, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA

Travis Winters, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

Theresa Yvonne, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, Mountain View, CA