By Hilarie Carpenter, CTA

The Grand Rapids-Kent County Convention/Arena Authority (CAA) announced the appointment of Omar Cuevas and Joe Jones as Co-Chairs for the Community Inclusion Group (CIG), a task force created by the CAA, the seven-member board that oversees DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall and Van Andel Arena. Cuevas and Jones will lead the Community Inclusion Group in ongoing efforts to assist and advise the venues in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

Omaa Cuevas is the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. Omar oversees revenue generation for the organization and how the Chamber tells its story. As a member of the Grand Rapids Chamber Executive team, he has influenced organizational priorities to support an inclusive economy and prosperous West Michigan for all. Omar has been recognized by the State of Michigan Hispanic Caucus as Hispanic Advocate of the Year and served on several boards including the Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, United Church Outreach Ministries, and the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, and currently serves on the Literacy Center of West Michigan, the Grand Rapids Promise Zone Authority Board, the Michigan State Police Bridge to Blue Citizen’s Advisory Board, Grand Rapids Sister Cities, City of Grand Rapids Local Officers Compensation Commission, Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc. Alliance 4 Committee, Grand Rapids Community Foundation Latinx Advisory Committee, and the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Membership Division Board. Omar is part of the leadership team driving the work of the Kent County-City of Grand Rapids Welcome Plan for New Americans. Omar also teaches entrepreneurship through the Ferris State University Emprende program at the Hispanic Center, focused on Latino entrepreneurs. His work is driven by the principle that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is not only the right thing to do, but it also creates economic prosperity when a community rallies to create a sense of belonging.

Joe Jones serves as President/CEO of The Hekima Group, LLC, a consultancy that provides sound wisdom and strategy for a myriad of industries. Jones also serves as a Grand Rapids City Commissioner representing the Second Ward, as well as Senior Pastor of Brown Hutcherson Ministries. Joe recently concluded a nearly 10-year stint as President/CEO of the Urban League of West Michigan. Jones is committed to the community, and currently serves on a number of boards including Oakland University, Spectrum Health Grand Rapids Community Board, Experience Grand Rapids, and the Economic Club of Grand Rapids. Jones is also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated – Iota Pi Chapter. His passion lies with making Grand Rapids and West Michigan a more equitable, diverse, inclusive, and just community that provides more opportunities for economic prosperity and improved life chances for African Americans, Latinx and other historically marginalized populations. Jones holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Oakland University and was conferred the degree of Master’s in Ministry Leadership at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He also completed executive leadership courses from Dartmouth College – Tuck School of Business, Stanford University, and NYU – Stern School of Business.

“We are grateful for the strong leadership that both Omar and Joe bring to the Community Inclusion Group,” said CAA Chairman Rick Winn. “Their extensive experience and work within the community are truly an asset to the CIG and the CAA as we work toward our mission of establishing a visible commitment to diversity that will support our vision and business strategies.”

“I’m honored to be named as co-chair of the CIG,” Cuevas said. “I look forward to integrating my business experience with my enthusiasm for the community as I assist the group with ongoing inclusion efforts for the venues.”

“Helping to lead the CIG aligns with my passion for creating an equitable community in West Michigan,” Jones said. “As a founding member of the group, I am in a unique position to have experienced its growth over time and am invested in guiding its vision moving forward.”

Hilarie Carpenter, CTA, is Director of Marketing for ASM Global – Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place & DeVos Performance Hall.

By Paul W. Pettas, APR

Sodexo Live!, the leading hospitality partner to the world’s most iconic venues, announced a multi-year renewal of its partnership with the Raleigh Convention & Performing Arts Complex. Sodexo Live! provides catering services to the Raleigh Convention Center and other venues that make up the Complex — Red Hat Amphitheater, Coastal Credit Union Music Park, and Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts — which together welcome nearly a million visitors each year.

Under the local leadership of General Manager Jamie Jenkins, the Sodexo Live! culinary team is a vital part of the Raleigh Convention Center’s award-winning sustainability efforts, which includes using 100% biodegradable food-service items; pledging to source a high amount of food from local vendors and farmers; donating excess food to community food banks; converting used cooking oil into biofuel; and
diverting 40% of its food waste from the landfill and into compost instead.

Sodexo Live! Executive Chef Phil Evans has spent years perfecting his craft in some of the country’s finest kitchens, including five-star and five-diamond resorts. From his beginnings working in the kitchen of three-star Michelin chef Marc Meneau in France, Chef Phil has also served as executive sous chef at the St. Regis in Houston, executive chef at the St. Regis in Aspen, and as executive chef at the North Carolina’s own acclaimed Umstead Hotel & Spa and Herons Restaurant.

The award-winning chefs on the team have prepared meals for four former U.S. presidents and world-renowned chefs Julia Child, Jacques Pepin, and Alice Waters, amongst others.

Through the extension of the current agreement, Sodexo Live! commits to providing significant capital contributions for enhanced guest services including new POS/CC systems, action stations, presentation items, and equipment upgrades.

Kerry Painter, CVE, Raleigh Convention & Performing Arts Director/GM, said, “We are happy to expand our work with Sodexo Live! as we invest in the guest experience for everyone who comes to visit our properties in Raleigh. Their long-term commitment to hire local employees and utilize local suppliers is important, as we mutually seek to be revenue drivers for the broader local economy through the calendar of events we host here on a regular basis.”

Sal Ferrulo, Executive Vice President, Sodexo Live!, added, “We look forward to continuing to provide our Raleigh partners with the unparalleled service experience they expect from us. We work with an ownership and a management team here in Raleigh that truly encourages us to focus on and innovate the guest experience as we invest together in culinary programs that will attract functions of all sizes to the City of Oaks.”

Paul W. Pettas, APR, is PR & Communications Director for Sodexo.

By Stadium Business

Real estate and construction company Suffolk has been selected as the construction partner for a major renovation project at Gillette Stadium, home of the NFL’s New England Patriots.

The Patriots announced in December that Gillette Stadium, which also serves as the home of Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution, will undergo its biggest revamp since opening in 2002.

The plans will focus on the north end of the stadium, with improvements to include the introduction of the country’s largest outdoor stadium video board.

Kraft Group, which owns Gillette Stadium, the Patriots and the Revolution, has now selected Suffolk as the construction partner for the renovation as work officially begins on the project this week.

The renovation includes a completely reimagined plaza leading into the stadium, including a new and enhanced lighthouse. Inside the stadium, a prominent new HD video board will be added, along with new and improved concession locations and other fan amenities.

The north end transformation will center on 75,000 square feet of glass-enclosed, year-round hospitality and function spaces. All levels of the stadium will also have 360-degree connectivity, a feature that is currently only available on the main concourse.

The HD video board will measure 370 feet by 60 feet and will be nearly double the size of the new south end zone video board, which debuted in July. The new board will provide game action, replays, statistics, and fantasy football updates.

The new development will also see Gillette Stadium’s lighthouse be replaced with a larger, more prominent structure that will stand 218 feet high, complete with a 360-degree observation deck at the top.

The fan entrance at the north end of the stadium will also be revitalized, with plans including a relocation of the entry gates to create a new fan activation area upon entry to the lower plaza. A landscaped staircase will lead guests up to the main concourse.

“Suffolk is thrilled to be chosen by the Kraft Group to manage this extensive renovation of the iconic Gillette Stadium,” said Jeff Gouveia, general manager of Suffolk Northeast. “We are honored the Kraft family has entrusted us with this important project, and we look forward to playing a key role in enhancing the experience for Patriots and Revolution fans and event participants at Gillette Stadium for many years to come.”

In Gillette Stadium’s first 20 years, the Kraft family invested more than $300 million on stadium enhancements. The Patriots said the new project, including the south end zone improvements made last offseason, will total an additional $225 million investment.

The construction is scheduled for completion prior to the 2023 NFL season.

Overland Park is the first convention center in the world to open a KultureCity approved sensory room for neurodiverse, autistic and disabled attendees.

In partnership with non-profit KultureCity, the sensory room is a dedicated space created by medical professionals with reduced lighting and noise for guests who may feel overstimulated and need a more secure environment.

The certification process equipped venue staff by training with leading medical professionals on how to recognize those attendees with sensory needs and how to handle a sensory overload situation. Sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation are often experienced by individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD and other similar conditions.

One of the major barriers for these individuals is over stimulation and noise, which is an enormous part of the environment in event venues. With this new certification, the convention center is now better prepared to assist guests with sensory sensitivities so that all can attend and feel comfortable.

Sensory bags, equipped with noise canceling headphones (provided by Puro Sound Labs), fidget tools, verbal cue cards (produced in conjunction with Boardmaker), and weighted lap pads are also available to all guests at the convention center who may feel overwhelmed by the environment.

Prior to attending an event, families can download the free KultureCity App where they can view what sensory features are available at the convention center and where they can access them. The apps ‘Social Story’ feature also provides a preview of what to expect while at the venue.

“To know that you soon will be able to see families attend a basketball game, a true community binding experience, with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend, is truly a heartwarming moment,” said Dr. Julian Maha, Co-Founder of KultureCity. “Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the Overland Park Convention Center is willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.”

By Celebrity Access

AEG Presents has tapped industry veteran Brett Williams as the company’s new Senior Vice President, Global Touring and Talent.

While at AEG Presents, Williams will be tasked with identifying, signing, and booking talent for the company’s Global Touring and Talent division.

Williams joins AEG Presents from Los Angeles-based management company Monotone, Inc., where he spent more than 15 years, serving most recently served as General Manager. While at Monotone, Williams worked with a diverse roster of artists that included The Chicks, Foster the People, Cold War Kids, Miike Snow, Dirty Projectors, BANKS, Ratatat, Still Woozy, Empress Of, and Briston Maroney, among others.

In addition, Williams played a key role in the company’s expansion, growing their client roster from four creatives to more than 20, along with a staff that expanded from six employees to more than 20.

“Brett brings an incredible breadth of knowledge and experience to the position,” said Gary Gersh, AEG Presents President of Global Touring and Talent, to whom Williams reports. “His management background, keen eye for spotting and developing talent, and superb artist relations skills are perfectly aligned with our core strategy. I’m thrilled he’s joining the team.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining such a well-respected and innovative company and look forward to working with Gary and the entire Global Touring and Talent team, who are best in class,” Williams says of his new role at AEG Presents. “I started my career in music because of my obsession with artists, and the company’s mission mirrors my own — namely, to build, support, and serve world-class artists and their vision.”