By Daktronics.com

Audiovisual systems manufacturer Daktronics has upgraded the centrehung scoreboard display at TD Garden, home of the NBA’s Boston Celtics and NHL’s Boston Bruins.

The larger display will feature the first and only 2.5-millimetre pixel spacing in a centrehung application from Daktronics. The board provides more than 4K resolution, which is currently the highest resolution available in the NBA and NHL.

The display, which features 48.6 million pixels, has been fitted ahead of the new NBA and NHL seasons. The new display builds on the 2.5-millimetre technology installed in 2019 and expands the digital footprint of all four displays at TD Garden to measure 18 feet high by 32.5 feet wide.

Four new underbelly video displays were also added to the centrehung configuration to cater to fans sitting closer to the action. Each of these displays measures 6.5 feet high by 23 feet wide and features 2.9-millimetre pixel spacing.

Two new ring displays have also been fitted above the 4K video boards. The displays have been installed on their own hoist system to allow them to be raised and lowered for the needs of the various events held at TD Garden.

The main video displays are capable of variable content zoning allowing each to show one large image or multiple different zones. These zones can show any combination of live video, instant replays, up-to-the-minute statistics, graphics, animations and sponsorship messages in coordination with their live game-day production.

TD Garden president Amy Latimer said: “We are so excited to kick off the season and deliver the clearest and most captivating in-game presentation on the all-new ‘Hub Vision’ scoreboard.

“TD Garden is in a constant state of innovation to improve our guest experience, and Delaware North continues to prove their commitment to the guest experience with these investments. The scoreboard is the centrepiece of the arena, and this upgrade will bring an unparalleled, technologically-advanced in-game experience for all our guests to enjoy.”

Daktronics sales representative Charley Bocklet added: “We started this transition back in 2019, so to see this new centrehung finally completed, as originally intended, is just extra special.

“It’s an honor for Daktronics to continue our relationship with TD Garden, which now will showcase some of the highest resolution screens in sports today. Their staff has always been great to work with and never more so than through this last year. Patience and perseverance will finally pay off for the fans of Boston.”

Earlier this year, the Celtics reached an agreement to continue playing at TD Garden until at least 2036. Both the Celtics and Bruins have played at the arena since it opened in 1995.

The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:

1. The nominee may be from any membership category of IAVM or from outside of the Association in a related field.
2. Any current or past contributor to the IAVM Foundation may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the IAVM Foundation.
3. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
4. No Chair of IAVM or Chair of the IAVM Foundation is eligible for consideration until the third VenueConnect following his/her term of office.
5. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
6. The award may be given posthumously.

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Brad Mayne, CVE, IAVM Foundation CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business November 30, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or phone at 972.538.1025.

The Charles A. McElravy Award may be awarded annually to a Professional, Honorary, or Retired member of IAVM who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of the Association or profession.

The following criteria are established for the McElravy Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been a Professional, Honorary, or Retired Member of the IAVM in good standing for at least fifteen (15) years total (though not necessarily consecutively).
2. The nominee needs to meet the minimum service to IAVM requirements for Honorary Membership, but is not required to be retired. The following criteria must be met for a member to be eligible for consideration for Honorary Membership:  1) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) during the past 15 years; 2) Attendance at no fewer than 5 Region Meetings during the past 15 years;  3) Service as chair of at least three international or two Region committees during the past 15 years;  4) Service as:  Director of IAVM or officer in a Region at least once during the member’s tenure with IAVM or b) Program chair for an IAVM venue-specific or specialty meeting during the member’s tenure with IAVM or c) Member of Board of Regents, Board of Trustees, or Board of Governors during member’s tenure with IAVM.
3. Any member in good standing may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
4. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination letter.
5. No Chairman of the Board (or Past President) of IAVM is eligible for consideration until the third Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Brad Mayne, CVE, President & CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically.  The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business November 30, 2021.  If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or phone at 972.538.1025.

The Joseph J. Anzivino Distinguished Allied Award may be awarded annually by the Board of Directors to an individual currently or previously employed by a firm which is or was an Allied member in good standing.  The President and CEO will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Anzivino Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been an IAVM member for at least ten (10) years total, which need not be consecutive.
2. Any member may make a nomination, which must provide a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s exemplary service and contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
3. The nominee must have served IAVM by: 1) Attendance at no fewer than 6 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect); 2) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Region Meetings; 3) Being chair of at least 2 IAVM committees or sub-committees; 4) Being a member of IAVM Board of Directors, IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees, Board of Regents or Board of Governors during the members’ tenure with IAVM; 5) Being a member of an IAVM program, campaign or task force/committee.
4. No Chair of the Allied Committee is eligible for consideration until the second Annual Conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
5. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Awards).
7. The award may be given posthumously.
8. Selection of recipients will be made by an 80% vote of the Board of Directors; Recommendations to the Board of Directors for nominees shall be made by the Allied Committee.

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to Brad Mayne, CVE, President & CEO and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically.  The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business November 30, 2021.  If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke via email or by phone – 972.538.1025.

By R.V. Baugus

Jim Mercurio knows a thing or two about Forward Thinking Leadership, a topic he will cover in a presentation on October 5 at IAVM’s ENCORE virtual conference.

As Executive Vice President and General Manager of Levi’s Stadium, home to the NFL San Francisco 49er’s, Mercurio is in his 30th year with the team and his fifth in his current position. Previously, he served six years as vice president, stadium operations & general manager. In his current role, Mercurio oversees all aspects of stadium & event operations including executive oversight of the food and beverage operations, engineering, grounds, guest services, janitorial services, operations & logistics, parking and transportation. He additionally manages all police, safety & security services, including 24/7 stadium security operations, and game and event day medical services at Levi’s Stadium.

At IAVM ENCORE, Mercurio will share answers to questions offered by Russ Simons, Chief Listening Officer and General Manager at Venue Solutions Group and himself someone who knows a lot when it comes to leaders and leadership.

You will not want to miss this special session from two of the very sharpest minds in the public assembly venue world when they have more a conversation than presentation at ENCORE. We will not give away the full conversation but want to share in advance a snippet of the conversation between the two icons.

RUSS: Leadership is what we all pay attention to and leaders to consider themselves learners. That said, how did you get to where you are today?

JIM: It started well before entering into pro sports and venue management. It started at home with mom and dad. Then from playing sports and sports in general. How to handle defeat, how to compete, how to be a team player, how to coach, how to teach, how to be taught, all things I think in my day I valued growing up and certainly to this day.

When we look at everything that sport teaches us, it should be applicable to everyday life and certainly in my case if you are a boss all of those things you learn specifically how to form a team, how to play on a team, how to be an honest, hard-working individual and a productive member of society, all of that stuff started for me at home.

I played baseball as a kid and basketball player but not very good. I got a baseball scholarship to University of Pacific in Stockton, CA. I made the jump from playing sports to being a part of sports, entertainment, and service.

RUSS: When I interview people today I don’t ask about their skill set in their job, I ask about their career and the items that create the foundation of their character. What was the first job you had on our side of the industry?

JIM: I like to say I picked up jocks and socks. That’s really what I did. I was on the sidelines at Candlestick Park picking up jocks and socks in the locker room first, getting Gatorade and water to the team, and when the game started I actually pulled up the nets in the end zone. That and as a security guard back in the day with Contemporary Services.

Mercurio is just getting warmed up to the topic of Forward Thinking Leadership. You are invited to be at the session to hear the full interview and gain insights into making yourself a better leader and one respected by your “team” in your own “locker room.”