The University of West Florida in Pensacola announced that Gil Fried has joined the faculty in the College of Education and Professional Studies (CEPS), starting in the fall 2021 semester. Professor Fried will not just teach sport management courses, but will also Chair the Administration & Law Department, which includes sport management, construction management, public administration, and legal studies.

Professor Fried Joins UWF after spending 22 years at the University of New Haven (UNH). While at UNH, Professor Fried became a major national figure in the sports safety area working on topics such as foul ball safety, crowd management best practices, and buffer zone safety in various sports. He has taught thousands of students in classes such as sport law, sport facility management, sport finance, and event management.

Professor Fried is also a prolific author, including contributing to Venue Professional magazine in the Venue Doctors column. He has written over 12 textbooks on topics such as sport law, sport facility management, sport finance, sport analytics, and even Esport business management. His textbooks are currently used at over 140 universities throughout the United States as well as being translated into various language such as Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish.

While Professor Fried has had a strong academic focus, he is often best known for his work outside the classroom. He has served on various boards both with for profit corporations and nonprofit organizations. For example, he is on the Executive Board of the National Council of Youth Sports (NCYS) where he helps lead over 60 million young Americans who participate in youth sports. He also has worked on some of the most important sport law cases over the last 30 years ranging from deaths at stadiums to nationally regarded cases involving assaults and injuries at both major and minor sports, entertainment, and recreation venues.

“I am so happy to be part of a team where I can leverage not just my sport management background, but also my legal background with UWF’s nationally ranked legal studies program, my facility management background with our construction management program, and my experience working with cities/counties for UWF’s public administration degree,” said Professor Fried.

CEPS Dean, Dr. William Crawley said, “[W]e are so excited to have someone with Professor Fried’s knowledge, experience, and background joining us. He can leverage our existing resources and faculty, and help grow stakeholder engagement and partnership opportunities to help our students and the programs thrive.”

For additional information or to reach Professor Fried directly you can reach him at gfried@uwf.edu or 850-474-3246.

Zachary Sloman has been promoted to Director of Booking & Marketing at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Virginia, an ASM Global managed facility. In his expanded role, Sloman will lead all booking and marketing efforts at Virginia’s largest arena located on the campus of University of Virginia. “I’m elated to continue to bring world-class acts to Central Virginia and the University of Virginia” Sloman said. “John Paul Jones Arena has been my home for the past 6.5 years and I’m excited to perpetuate its already stellar reputation.”

Sloman, a member of the IAVM 30|Under|30 Class of 2018, has been with ASM Global/John Paul Jones Arena for the past 6.5 years playing an integral part of the arena’s record-breaking 2019 which brought in various acts including Mumford & Sons, Ariana Grande, Panic! At The Disco, Cardi B, Twenty One Pilots and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Prior to ASM Global, Sloman was with FELD Entertainment as well as Orlando Venues.

ASM Global is the world’s leading producer of entertainment experiences. It is the global leader in venue and event strategy and management – delivering locally tailored solutions and cutting-edge technologies to achieve maximum results for venue owners. The company’s elite venue network spans five continents, with a portfolio of more than 325 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibition centres, and performing arts venues.

By CEIR

The Center for Exhibition Industry Research (CEIR) released two additional case studies from its Global Virtual Event Trends series, sponsored by Swapcard, that examines insights among organizations that traditionally run or manage in-person business-to-business (B2B) exhibitions that pivoted to producing virtual events due to constraints and regulations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The newest additions to the series, Case Study: North Star Travel Group and Case Study: Auto Care Association provide real world examples of how each organization adapted its events to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the results of their strategies and valuable lessons learned throughout the process.

“Both case studies offer unique perspectives,” said CEIR Vice President of Research Nancy Drapeau, PRC. “Northstar Travel’s CEO discusses the organization’s multichannel product mix and how it has been used to strategic advantage. The Auto Care Association’s approach was intentionally narrow, generating positive benefits for future attendee acquisition efforts, impactful product demonstration opportunities for exhibitors and strengthening member connection with the organization.”

Reports in the series include:

Report One – Anatomy of Virtual Events and Financial Outcomes, which details extensive baseline data on elements that are typically included in a virtual event, as well as performance outcomes regarding participation and financially.

Report Two – Lessons Learned To Date and Technologies Used synthesizes open-ended comments shared by executives on lessons learned and technology to run their virtual events.

Previously released case studies detailing real world applications and findings include:

Case Study: School Nutrition Association
Case Study: Radiological Society of North America
Case Study: Macgregor Communications
Case Study: North American Veterinary Community (NAVC)

Through the generous financial support from Swapcard, CEIR’s Global Virtual Event Trends series reports are available to the industry at no cost from CEIR’s website. The survey for the series fielded in October 2020. It was multilingual, giving respondents the choice of completing the survey in English, Spanish, Portuguese or Arabic.

“This research was made possible through the collaboration and support from over a dozen organizations who produce B2B exhibitions and/or represent the global B2B exhibitions industry,” noted CEIR CEO Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE, CEM. “CEIR is grateful to all who participated for enabling us to provide insights based on objective, unbiased research that will help members of our industry confidently move forward with their own strategies.”

The sample was generated via the participation of multiple organizations globally, which invited qualified members and contacts to participate in this initiative. A total of 463 executives responded to the invitation to participate in the study, of which 346 were qualified to participate and completed the survey. The response rate is seven percent, and total percentage results provide statistically reliable results of plus or minus five percent or better, at the 95% interval.

To download the reports at nost cost, click here.

From JacksonvilleIcemen.com and R.V. Baugus

The Jacksonville Icemen, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack, are pleased to announce today that the team has named Nick Luukko as the team’s new Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations.

If the name is familiar, Nick is the son of venue management icon Peter Luukko, who currently serves as executive chairman with the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League and serves on their Board of Governors. Luukko is most known in the industry having served as president and chief operating officer of Comcast Spectacor, Luukko was the long-serving president of the Philadelphia Flyers of the NHL, a position he held until December 2013. In February 2014, Luukko accepted a position on the board of Pointstreaks, a sports technology company. He then joined the Florida Panthers as executive chairman in February 2015.

Nick Luukko, 29, becomes the second head coach in Jacksonville Icemen history, after serving the past two years as an assistant coach with the Reading Royals (ECHL). Luukko helped guide the Royals to an impressive 37-17-6 record during the 2019-20 regular season.

“I am extremely honored to be the next head coach of the Jacksonville Icemen,” Luukko said. “The passion and commitment that Andy Kaufmann and Bob Ohrablo have for building a successful franchise is extraordinary. I would like to thank the Icemen Family for providing me the opportunity to lead Jacksonville to future successful seasons and the ultimate goal of winning a Kelly Cup. I would also like to thank the Reading Royals and Kirk MacDonald for giving me the opportunity to be a player, captain and assistant coach in the organization. Their support over the last six years has led me to where I am today.”

As a player, Luukko played four seasons as a defenseman with Reading totaling 87 points, the most all-time by a Royals defenseman. Luukko showed his leadership capabilities as he served as an alternate captain for the Royals for two seasons before being named the team’s captain during the 2018-2019 season. He also made seven American Hockey League (AHL) appearances with the Leigh Valley Phantoms. during his career. Luukko won Clark Cup Championship with the Dubuque Fighting Saints during the 2010-2011 season.

Luukko joins the Icemen after the team’s previous head coach Jason Christie accepted an assistant coach position with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres in late July after four seasons in Jacksonville.

“We are through the roof excited to welcome an up-and-coming coach in the hockey world to our Icemen Family,” said CEO of Zawyer Sports Andy Kaufmann. “During our search, Nick’s name kept coming up in the hockey world as a strong coaching candidate. Nick is as excited about our organization as we are about him. This is the next step for us to in becoming a perennial force in the league and for our quest to bring a Kelly Cup to Jacksonville.”

The West Chester, PA resident, Luukko, was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In addition, he played four seasons at the University of Vermont from 2011-2013.

“Nick has been a consummate professional over his six years as a Royal,” said Reading Royals Head Coach Kirk MacDonald. “From a rookie pro player to a trusted staff member and friend, he has been integral part of our organization on and off the ice. His detailed knowledge of the game and ability to relate to players will serve him well in his new role as head coach. We are excited to see him take the next step in his coaching career, and wish him nothing but the best!”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in July 2021. 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.

 

Billie-Jo Aasen, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tim Allen, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Arianna Alosi, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Stuart Ascher, State Farm Arena – Atlanta Hawks, Atlanta, GA

Jeanice Baker, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Tim Barr, Forum Info-Tech, Inc., Corona, CA

Ron Berkebile, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Andrew Bianchi, Live Nation Entertainment, Austin, TX

Rebecca Black, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

Mike Blanton, BB&T Center – Florida Panthers, Sunrise, FL

Lisa Bleakley, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Joshua Boyd, Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, Columbia, SC

Scott Bridgeman, PhoneSoap, Hudson, OH

Darrow Bronner, Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA

Dale Bronner II, Riverside EpiCenter, Austell, GA

Jeff Brosz, Athletica Sport Systems Inc., Shakopee, MN

Stephanie Brown, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Mackenzie Burkett, University of Florida Performing Arts, Gainesville, FL

Ronnie Burt, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Miranda Call, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Chris Caluya, Martin Harris Construction, Las Vegas, NV

Darrell Cardona, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Michael Chatham, HHCP Architects, Inc., Orlando, FL

Jake Clark, Orlando City Soccer Club, Orlando, FL

Chip Cossar, Landers Center, Southaven, MS

Jacey Coursey, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Jake Crownover, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Amanda DeWalt, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Dan Donahue, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Sharon Dunaway, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Jared Elliott, PhoneSoap, Naperville, IL

Arianna Fake, East Montgomery County Improvement District, New Caney, TX

Evan Falat, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Lissa Frenkel, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Tammy Genovese, Crossroads Arena, Corinth, MS

Jessica Gonzalez-Garza, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Janet Grant, PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA

Dave Gwozdz, MIS Security LLC, Tallahassee, FL

Lyric Hamilton, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Tori Harris, ParkHub.com, Dallas, TX

Ryan Hemenway, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Donnis Hendrix, ASM Tulsa, Tulsa, OK

Sara Hicks, The Lerner Theatre, Elkhart, IN

Sims Hinds, Oak View Group, Pawley’s Island, SC

Taylor Holloway, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Ryan Johnson, C.H. Johnson Consulting, Inc., Chicago, IL

Kiara Jones, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Nathan Jones, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

La’Shaina Joseph, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Tondrae Kemp, City Parks Foundation – SummerStage, New York, NY

Nicole Kinney, Forum Info-Tech, Inc., Corona, CA

Jamey Kirby, Florence Center, Florence, SC

Miranda Korniloff, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Jason LaGrange, Lancer Worldwide, San Antonio, TX

Philip Laws, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Matt Lentell, BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center, Tupelo, MS

Kaelin Leonard, ABM Industries, Inc., Atlanta, GA

Adam Logan, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Kenneth Mann, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Melanie Margarum, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC

Karen Massicotte, Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Tom McFlynn, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Marisa Montoya, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Cindy Moore, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Maritza Morales, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Aida Moreno, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Jourdon Morgan, America’s Center, Saint Louis, MO

Cydney Mosby, Appetize Technologies, Los Angeles, CA

Brad Munda, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

Ashleigh Nader, Virginia Beach Convention Center, Virginia Beach, VA

Dennis Nickerson, Portable Solar Inc., Pinecrest, FL

Hee Soo Oh, DeKalb CVB, Tucker, GA

Aly Pane, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Tim Perez, Threshold Acoustics LLC, Chicago, IL

Norberto Perez-O’Neill, Puerto Rico Convention Center District Authority, San Juan, PR

Benson Phoumsavath, Marcus Performing Arts Center, Milwaukee, WI

Karla Puente, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Michael Reynolds, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Kenny Robinson, Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, Concord, NC

Robert Rockhill, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Alicia Rodriguez, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

Isidro Rodriguez, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Jim Salamenta, DraganFly, Vancouver, BC, Canada

John Sandoval, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Alyssa Sandvig, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Cole Satterfield, ExtraMile Arena, Boise, ID

Falynn Schmidt, OTJ Architects, Washington, DC

Tony Sciulli, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Lisa Scoville, Vivint Smart Home Arena, Salt Lake City, UT

Virginia Sheppa Shupe, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC

Casey Skarecki, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Alex Smith, Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA

Dan Smith, Legends, New York, NY

Jaime Solis, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Barry Sutherland, Henderson Engineers, Lenexa, KS

Keiko Sutton, Kotobuki Seating, New York, NY

Garry Swearingen, Clark Construction Group, LLC, Roswell, GA

Cynthia Tapia, City of McAllen: Convention Center/Performing Arts Center, McAllen, TX

Erin Tappel, University of Kentucky – Department of Arts Administration, Lexington, KY

Greg Thompson, Downtown Springdale, Bentonville, AR

James Tsismanakis, DeKalb CVB, Tucker, GA

Martins Udotai, SitEat, Bronx, NY

Kerry Warner, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Megan Wein, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI

Alex Weinrich, Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall and Atlantic City Convention Center, Atlantic City, NJ

Brenda Wharry, George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, TX

Megan Whitaker, Memorial Hall, Chapel Hill, NC

Andre Wright, Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, TN

Josie Yang, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI