By Gloria Fong

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”) announced the completion of the installation of 5G infrastructure which will herald a new era of digitally-elevated and connected venue experience as well as enhancement of operational efficiency. Marking this new page is the introduction of a futuristic staff member to the HKCEC team – “Captain C”, a 5G smart robot which recently completed its apprenticeship successfully as a security captain at the “Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival.” The addition has only been made possible with the new 5G network infrastructure.

The HKCEC now boosts 100% 5G coverage spanning event spaces, restaurants to backstage areas. In addition to accommodating a large number of facility users to simultaneously access data-intensive applications and content, the 5G network infrastructure will empower exhibitors to integrate physical and online marketing and sales efforts such as more stable and better real-time live-streaming of events, application of new technologies (such as hologram and augmented reality) to enhance engagement with visitors, and streaming of high-definition videos to visitors’ mobile devices.

Monica Lee-Müller, Managing Director of HML, said, “As an industry leader, HML is committed to using smart technology to offer better service to our customers, and we are delighted to be one of the first organisations in Hong Kong to provide high-speed indoor 5G connectivity. Our new 5G smart robot also helps us flexibly allocate resources and provide event organisers and visitors with safer, more reliable services.”

Captain C combines 5G network and artificial intelligence technologies. It is equipped with a 360-degree 4K high-definition surveillance camera, infrared detection camera, and a sensor system for detecting smoke and fire. Captain C can play very versatile roles including implementation of crowd management or pandemic prevention measures such as broadcast of social distancing reminders. When a person exhibits a high body temperature or does not wear a mask, Captain C will instantly transmit real-time images to the security control room so that appropriate follow-up actions can be taken.

HML kicked off the US$128 million (HK$1 billion) HKCEC Five-year Advancement Project in 2019 to upgrade and refurbish the HKCEC’s facilities and infrastructure over several stages. The introduction of Captain C is a benefit of the HKSAR Government’s “Subsidy Scheme for Encouraging Early Deployment of 5G” to improve operational efficiency.

Gloria Fong is Senior Manager – Corporate & Marketing Communications at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.

Pictured: The 5G smart robot “Captain C” was deployed during the Hong Kong Computer & Communications Festival from 20-23 August 2021 to enhance security and operational efficiency at the HKCEC.

By Stacie Bauer

Ungerboeck, The World’s Event Software, added to its impressive list of 2021 Top Workplace National awards in the following Cultural Excellence categories: Top Compensation, Top Managers, and Top Work-Life Flexibility.

At Ungerboeck we work hard to provide a culture and environment where employees feel empowered, they are valued, and that each of them plays a key role in the organizations’ success. However, these Cultural Excellence awards are more meaningful than most because these are awarded and based on the opinions of our best organizational asset, the employees at Ungerboeck.

Hear directly from the employees on what makes Ungerboeck a 2021 Top Workplace in Cultural Excellence:
“It’s a great place to work. Smart, driven and good people, a great product, flexibility in working from home, and visionary leadership.”

“I can make decisions that change and improve other peoples lives.”

“My boss gives me the autonomy to complete my job duties, while also being available as needed for feedback or coaching. Our teams have the opportunity to work on and deliver engaging solutions for our customers. Ungerboeck provides phenomenal work/life balance.”

“These awards mean so much to us, especially after the difficult time our customers and employees that serve the event industry have gone through. We did everything we could as an organization to ensure that we were all there for each other as well as and serving our customers and broader events community. These Cultural Excellence awards speak volumes about the company culture we all live every day. I’m humbled by the passion our employees have about the industry, our customers, and the work they are doing at Ungerboeck,” said Manish Chandak, President & Chief Executive Officer at Ungerboeck.

Stacie Bauer is Event & Sponsorship Coordinator at Ungerboeck Systems International.

By Roxanne Donovan

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has opened its $40.4 million Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence (RACE), the university’s latest milestone in a multi-tiered project that will enable the success of student-athletes and provide state-of-the-art recreational facilities to the San Antonio community. Kansas City-based Populous was the architect of record for the project, working with local architects at MarmonMok.

UTSA is dedicated to building an urban serving and community-engaged university, and the Populous-designed Roadrunner Athletics Center of Excellence will help fulfill that commitment. In addition to providing a world-class recreational resource for the San Antonio community, the RACE facility will serve as the central hub of UTSA Athletics, helping to attract the most competitive Division I student-athletes.

“This is a transformative moment for UTSA, and we were honored to be involved with the RACE project, not only because it sets the course for the future of UTSA Athletics, but because it will also help enrich the San Antonio community,” said Populous Associate Principal Austin Welsh. “Previously, facilities were spread throughout the campus and even off-campus. RACE provides the opportunity for student-athletes to optimize every minute of their day.”

The center spans more than 10 acres near the southwest corner of the UTSA Main Campus. The nearly 95,000-SF facility features multiple practice fields (one synthetic turf field and one field with natural grass), academic spaces, a sports medicine center, strength and conditioning facilities, locker rooms, meeting rooms, a student-athlete lounge, and office space for coaches and administrative staff.

“At UTSA, student success is at the core of everything we do. We are committed to providing all of our students, including our student-athletes, with the very best environment to enable them to achieve their full potential,” said Lisa Campos, UTSA vice president for intercollegiate athletics and athletics director. “Just as UTSA is becoming an exemplar in academics and research, UTSA Athletics is increasingly gaining national recognition. RACE will have a long-lasting impact in further propelling UTSA’s stature as a Division I competitor.”

The project featured an efficient design that concentrated on athletes use and experience, maximizing useable space with column free interior, extensive use of concrete and glass to provide natural light and views of campus while reflecting the environment of surrounding structures and topography.

Upcoming phases of the project will include the addition of a covered pavilion over the synthetic turf practice field and the construction of a facility at the university’s Park West Campus.

Joeris General Contractors served as the construction firm and Project Control served as the project manager for the RACE facility.

RACE is another foundational project in UTSA’s broader strategic vision to achieve national standing as a premier research enterprise and model Hispanic thriving institution. For more information about the UTSA RACE facility, visit their website.

By Paul Pettas

The San Diego Symphony officially announced partnerships for The Shell Provisions, its signature culinary program featured at its new permanent waterfront venue, The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, in downtown San Diego. The program, conceived and created by Frank ODea Hospitality for the San Diego Symphony, curated by Centerplate, offers an impressive range of local specialties in partnership with some of the city’s most popular purveyors including celebrity Chef Richard Blais, URBAN KITCHEN Group, Biga, Lola55, Achilles Coffee Roasters and more.

In addition to top-notch food and beverage selections, The Shell Provisions at the Prebys Plaza Dining Pavilion and Market boasts new state-of-the-art kitchens and incredible dining spaces, allowing concertgoers to enjoy some of the best tastes San Diego has to offer, while taking in the beautiful sights and sounds of the city. The Rady Shell’s inaugural season started on Friday, August 6, 2021 with Music Director Rafael Payare conducting the Symphony in the world premiere of Mason Bates’s Soundcheck in C Major.

“Our goal with The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is to not only give San Diegans and visitors an unforgettable musical experience, but also a well-rounded cultural experience that reflects our city. The Shell Provisions highlights cuisine San Diego is famous for, while supporting local businesses and elevating the concert-going experience,” said San Diego Symphony, CEO Martha Gilmer. “We are thrilled to partner with Centerplate and Chef Richard Blais as well as Chef Tim Kolanka and restaurateur, Tracy Borkum with URBAN KITCHEN Group to give concertgoers an unmatched tableside dining experience. We are equally excited to showcase beloved local purveyors along with our dynamic programming this summer. We are infinitely grateful for every partner, donor and community member who helped make this possible.”

Paul Pettas is PR & Communications Director for Centerplate.

By Ian Cox

Kentucky Venues, which operates the Kentucky Exposition Center and the Kentucky International Convention Center, announced a new partnership with Spectra to expand sponsorship and client-building opportunities across the state and generate new revenue sources.

Spectra Partnerships – a major division of Spectra, an industry leader in live events and entertainment – will serve as KY Venues’ sales consulting agency. The team will be responsible for identifying and cultivating naming rights and corporate sponsorships for the sixth largest convention center in the U.S. – Kentucky Exposition Center, and one of North America’s newly renovated and LEED Silver – Kentucky International Convention Center to generate new revenue sources.

“Kentucky Venues is in the business of generating economic impact for our city and state. We want to use our resources wisely to attract new clients and build partnerships with sponsors,” David S. Beck, president and CEO of Kentucky Venues, said. “We’re excited to work with the professionals at Spectra, leaning on their expertise and experience to help improve events and generate revenue at both of our facilities.”

Spectra Partnerships will also focus on six annual, signature events that are owned and produced by Kentucky Venues: the Kentucky State Fair, World’s Championship Horse Show, National Farm Machinery Show, Championship Tractor Pull, North American International Livestock Exposition, and North American Championship Rodeo.

“We are thankful that the State of Kentucky has entrusted Spectra to represent the commonwealth throughout this important campaign, as well as offered the opportunity to work with a visionary leader like David Beck,” Bryan Furey, senior vice president, Spectra Partnerships, said. “With two major venues and six quintessential events, Kentucky Venues engaged Spectra to evaluate the available assets and outline a far-reaching strategy for building meaningful, long-term partnerships. We’re eager to begin identifying potential naming rights partners in Louisville, regionally and across the state who recognize the value of this remarkable compilation of venues and signature events.”

Spectra Partnerships – which has secured more than 40 naming rights partnerships in the last 10 years, more than any other company in the space – is a leader in sales representation and strategic consulting for convention centers, sports facilities, and entertainment properties across North America and globally. Its experienced sales team drives revenue via the marketing and sale of naming rights, corporate partnerships, advertising, premium seating, and hospitality initiatives. Spectra provides a blend of management, hospitality, and partnerships services for top-tier clients like the City of Miami Beach and Hall of Fame Village in Canton, Ohio, as well as more than 150 properties, such as Navy Pier, Duke Energy Convention Center, Owensboro Sportscenter, and the Iowa Events Center complex.

Ian Cox is Executive Director of Communications for Kentucky Venues based in Louisville.