By Mike Tishka

Trex Commercial, a leading national provider of architectural railing and custom staging systems for commercial building applications, has tapped industry veteran Raymond Byrnes to serve as Western Regional Sales Manager for the company’s Staging Concepts business. With more than 12 years of experience in commercial and contract seating, Byrnes brings a wealth of expertise to the company and its customers across the western United States.

“Ray is a highly qualified and experienced sales professional with an impressive track record of success,” said Tim White, vice president of sales for Trex Commercial. “He is known throughout the industry for his market expertise and solutions-oriented sales approach. His knowledge of the Western region and proven sales acumen promise to further elevate and broaden opportunities for Staging Concepts in this important region.”

In his new role, Byrnes oversees sales activity across the western U.S. for Staging Concepts, which engineers and produces custom modular staging solutions for all types of venues, including performing arts spaces and production companies, sports facilities, worship venues, convention centers, hospitality settings and special events. He is responsible for developing strong relationships with existing and potential clients within the commercial arena, actively managing sales processes and driving high-value project opportunities.

Byrnes has spent much of his career in contract seating, most recently as Western Regional Sales Manager for Irwin Seating, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of audience seating for movie theaters, auditoriums, stadiums and arenas, performing arts centers, military bases, and places of worship. In his seven years with Irwin, Byrnes managed direct and channel sales, as well as prospecting, and was essential to growing the company’s sales from 7 million dollars to 16.7 million dollars during his tenure.

Prior to that, Byrnes worked with San Diego-based Seating Concepts, where he served as Regional Sales Manager and, ultimately, National Sales Manager. Over the course of five years, he helped to more than double the company’s sales and contributed to significantly expanding its dealer network.

“Ray has extensive experience working with architects, theater consultants, facility managers and general contractors, and possesses a deep understanding of the markets we serve,” said Laura Rygielski-Preston, president of Trex Commercial. “Combined with his proven leadership abilities and success in key account management, he is a welcome addition to our team as we continue to expand our footprint and build upon our industry-leading reputation for quality and service.”

Mike Tishka represents Staging Concepts for L.C. Williams & Associates.

By Nicole Bowman, MBA

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) announced the following promotions within the organization following the departure of Scott Craighead, CEM, who is leaving for an opportunity with a destination marketing organization.

Lisa Buchanan – Vice President, Engagement and Digital Strategy
Hannah Deters, CEM – Director, Event Management
Marsha Flanagan, M.Ed., CEM – Senior Vice President, Events and Learning Experiences
Stacy Powers – Director, Learning Experiences
Lisa Buchanan and Marsha Flanagan report to IAEE’s EVP/COO Cathy Breden, CMP-F, CAE, CEM, as does IAEE’s Vice President of Marketing, Nicole Bowman, MBA.

“IAEE is fortunate to have such amazing talent on our team. When one door closes, another opens, and this was the right time to realign staff to play to their strengths,” said IAEE President and CEO, David DuBois, CMP-F, CAE, FASAE, CTA.

The IAEE team is comprised of 22 industry professionals whose sole purpose is to advance and support the business of face-to-face events and to enhance the IAEE member experience. These dedicated individuals work tirelessly to provide key resources to the global show organizer community and the suppliers that support the exhibition industry ecosystem.

“We have long recognized the need to change with the times,” DuBois said. “The association recently completed an extensive digital transformation strategy project and have begun implementation of key processes to better serve our members. Further, IAEE is in search of an addition to the marketing team to assist in high-level content development and project management as well as an event coordinator to support the administrative efforts of the events team.”

Nicole Bowman, MBA, is Vice President, Marketing and Communications for IAEE.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in July 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.

Matthew Agnew, Gas South District, Duluth, GA

Corey Albright, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA

Raphael Alfonzo, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, Canada

Allison Alonzy, Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD

Jillian Alspach, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Erika Anderson, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

Adam Armit, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, Canada

Paul Banuls, FedExForum, Memphis, TN

Deneen Bennett, Oak View Group, New York, NY

Christopher Bird, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, Canada

Brandon Brite, Paycom Center, Oklahoma City, OK

Madelyn Buckman, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Joel Burdeos, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA

Chris Carton, RiverCenter | Adler Theatre, Davenport, IA

Rich Claffey, MSG Sphere, New York, NY

Katherine Cosgrove, CAPA – Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, Columbus, OH

Carrie Fankhauser, @the Grounds, Roseville, CA

Andrea Fierro, Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, TX

Allison Focht, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL

Tiffany Freeman, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Greg Frey, Murray State University Athletics, Murray, KY

Lindsey Friend, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Aurora, CO

Bryan Fulton, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Ryan Golpeo, MSG Sphere, Las Vegas, NV

Amanda Grantham, Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles, LA

Scott Greenban, Etix, Morrisville, NC

Katie Groth, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI

Shelbi Guerrero, Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ

Trevor Hamilton, Peace Center, Greenville, SC

Marisa Hanke, Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks, CA

Daniel Hartman, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Duluth, MN

Brett Hawkins, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Anjanette Heath, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

Derrik Hester, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Rebecca Hill, Georgia International Horse Park, Conyers, GA

Jaylen Hinton, Walter E Washington Convention Center, Washington, DC

Kyle Holden, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Sandy, UT

Sue Hollenbeck, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Ileia Hook, Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Jose Jimenez, City of Stockton – Economic Development Department, Stockton, CA

Jason Kile, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX

Lexy Kingsbaker, Arapahoe County Fairgrounds and Event Center, Aurora, CO

Kimberly Koniecki, Dallas Symphony Association, Dallas, TX

Chris Krog, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Ken Latham, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Candace Lawson, Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB, Canada

] Lesher, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

David Lewis, Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, Tallahassee, FL

Alex MacKenzie, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Hunter Mackenzie, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL

Bryan Martineau, BAM Public Safety, Manchester, NH

Troy McCanna, Robotic Assistance Devices, Sylvania, OH

Abigail McGlynn, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

Alina Milauskas, FLA Live Arena – Florida Panthers, Sunrise, FL

Michelle Mills, Bonnetts Energy Centre, Grande Prairie, AB, Canada

Alejandro Morfin, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA

John Morgan, AECOM Hunt, Dallas, TX

Erin Mullally, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, Canada

Stephanie Ovall, Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls, SD

Kayla Pendergast, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

Chris Petrelli, Plainfield Performing and Fine Arts Center, Westfield, IN

Cheryl Pickett, Wings Event Center, Kalamazoo, MI

Kasey Porec, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Stefano Robb, MSG Sphere, Las Vegas, NV

Brad Roberts, Miller High Life Theatre, Milwaukee, WI

Carter Roberts, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Springville, UT

Tim Roberts, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Thomas Samperi, MSG Sphere, New York, NY

Michael Sauder, MSG Sphere, Las Vegas, NV

Andrew Schendle, AECOM Hunt, Dallas, TX

Charlene Scott, AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Austin Setzer, Venue Management/UNC Charlotte, Charlotte, NC

Angela Smith, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Nick Smith, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL

Zevin Starks, East Montgomery County Improvement District, New Caney, TX

Stacey Stepek, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ

Corey Stone, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

Morgane Stuart, MSG Sphere, Las Vegas, NV

Breanne Sypherd, Alerus Center, Grand Forks, ND

Brian Thomas, Los Angeles Football Club/Banc of California Stadium, Los Angeles, CA

Monte Thurmond, AECOM Hunt, Dallas, TX

Justin Tinder, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Adam Tyhurst, T-Mobile Center, Kansas City, MO

Haley Wessel, Gainbridge Fieldhouse – Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis, IN

Jock Williams, Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Orlando, FL

Brittney Wilson, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

Laurel Wilson, Oklahoma City Convention Center/ASM Global, Oklahoma City, OK

Alex Wolters, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Peter Wu, North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center, North Charleston, SC

Austin Young, Chase Field – Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix, AZ

James Zadai, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA

Daniel Zeregaber, Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC

By R.V. Baugus

I got an email from my friend and long-time IAVM member Dan Concepcion, CVE, giving me a heads-up that he will be retiring later this year on December 4. In all honesty, I held the email for a small period of time, thinking that I would get another from Dan telling me to stop the presses and that he would remain in the industry.

That response never came, so we as an association and industry can wish you well, Dan, on your upcoming retirement. Dan is one of many IAVM members who has served on both the Professional and Allied side, most recently as general manager in San Jose for Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services. He has also worked for Smart City Networks and prior to that as general manager of the Monterey (CA) Conference Center.

“On December 4, 2022, I plan to retire after 24 years as a member of IAVM and 35 years in hospitality and venue management industry,” Dan shared. “What an amazing time and ride I have had … so many memories, so many friendships, and so many personal and educational opportunities.

“The camaraderie shared with other venue professionals to developing long-term fellowships with peers is an intangible sense of reward. I always keep in mind that we are stewards of facilities where guests attend events and provide quality service in a safe environment to enhance the guests’ experience.”

Dan has done that quite well in his career and now looks forward — albeit still a few months away — to the next chapter in his life.

“There is a quote from Tony winner Andre De Shields on three rules of longevity I will leave with you: Surround yourself with people whose eyes light up when they see you coming; slowly is the fastest way to get to where you want to be; and the top of one mountain is the bottom of the next so keep climbing.”

We know you will do exactly that, Dan!

Toyota Arena in Ontario, CA, announced a new partnership with Stater Bros. Markets. Guests of the arena are now able to experience the new branding of the North Patio, which will include live concerts featuring local bands and up-and-coming professional talent.

“We are thrilled to welcome Stater Bros. Markets as a partner to Toyota Arena,” said Michael K. Krouse, President & CEO. “It’s a natural fit – this is our community’s grocery store of choice, and the amazing Stater Bros. Charities provides non-profit organizations in our local region with support. We are on board to help as well.”

The marketing amenities this partnership provide Stater Bros. include a presence on several assets including the arena’s Interstate 10 marquee, overhead LED scoreboard, television monitors throughout the facility, website, and more. The relationship created through this agreement will also provide benefits for Toyota Arena guests, including new Stater Bros.-inspired food and beverage options.

The benefits to the community will go beyond lifestyle and entertainment, however. Stater Bros. and Toyota Arena recognize the important role they play in the overall development of the City of Ontario. The city’s vigorous commercial and residential growth, and its status as a destination location will result in economic growth, jobs, and a thriving community. The partnership will also open up new opportunities to support the giving efforts of the market’s non-profit charitable arm, Stater Bros. Charities.

“This really is an exciting day for the entire Stater Bros. team. As a company, we work hard to establish great business relationships, and with Toyota Arena, we’ve found an excellent partner,” said Stater Bros. CEO Pete Van Helden. “I look forward to the new opportunities our partnership will bring and its benefits for the city of Ontario and the Inland Empire as a whole.”