Cynthia Sanchez Serrano, CEM, CVP, has been named Director of the City of Fort Worth Public Events Department, leading Phase 2 of the Fort Worth Convention Center’s $701 million expansion and modernization project.

Sanchez Serrano succeeds Mike Crum, who successfully steered the construction of Phase 1 that was delivered in December 2025. He will remain with the City in a part-time advisory capacity for the next several months as Deputy Director, swapping roles with Sanchez Serrano effective February 7^th.

“Mike committed five years to us to lead the convention center expansion and other transformative projects, and due to pandemic delays, stayed an extra year to make sure they were launched,” said Jay Chapa, Fort Worth City Manager. “Cynthia’s 26 years of experience and dedication to our City team, tourism partners and clients will provide steady leadership as we continue with Phase 2 of the center’s transformation and transition management of Will Rogers Memorial Center to the private sector.”

“I’m honored and ready to lead both of these iconic centers into their next exciting chapters,” said Sanchez Serrano. “Our team will remain focused on providing excellent customer service to our clients and guests while delivering a best-in-class venue that showcases Fort Worth’s renowned western heritage and hospitality to visitors and residents alike.”

Sanchez Serrano will continue as General Manager of the convention center until the end of this year. Promoted to Deputy Director in 2025, she previously served as Assistant Director and Operations Manager. With 20 years in Public Events, she earned a Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM) credential from the International Association of Exhibitions and Events and a Certified Venue Professional (CVP) from the International Association of Venue Managers. She holds a Master of Science in Advertising and Public Relations from Texas Christian University, a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and completed coursework in Public Administration from Texas Wesleyan University.

After careful review, the Board of Directors has approved a modest dues increase that will go into effect on April 1^st. The new rates will ensure we can continue providing high‑quality programming, member services, and operational support that meets the needs of our growing membership.

Student and Retired members’ dues will remain the same. View the list below for the changes:

We look forward to a year filled with learning, deeper connections, and meeting you where you are. We urge you to continue to invest in your association as we are committed to supporting your needs. The venue industry is unmatched as no other industry creates environments where connection, culture and celebration truly come to life in your unique spaces. IAVM is here for each of you for another one hundred years. Please reach out to membership@iavm.org with any questions.

Membership in IAVM has always been about more than access – it’s about commitment. Commitment to professional growth, to our industry, and to one another. Therefore, we’re excited  to launch iCommit, our member-get-a-member campaign. Last year was a success – we added 245 new members due to your efforts.

Your commitment matters. Your outreach matters. Your voice matters.

iCommit 2026 will be active from February through June. Some points to be sure you are aware of:

• For each new member you refer to IAVM, your name will be entered into a raffle to win one of five $500 gift cards. The more members you recruit, the more chances you have to win.
• Your referral must enter your name as the referral for you to be entered into the raffle.
• Professional and Allied membership applicants may use the promo code “iCommit” when applying to save the $150 initiation fee*. Only dues will be required to activate membership.
• The IAVM Region that adds the most members will choose one recipient to apply for the CVP designation; the $125 application fee will be waived. The Region Director will choose the winning member.

Winners of the iCommit campaign will be announced in the IAVM Newsletter. Contact Membership Services at membership@iavm.org if you have any  questions.

*Some membership types do not have an initiation fee; the dues will not be discounted.

Partnership includes concessions, performance dining for student-athletes and catering across Trojan Athletics

Partnership builds on BEST Crowd Management’s existing work at Legends Global venues including Barclays Center and U.S. Bank Stadium

BEST Crowd Management (“BEST”), a GardaWorld company and leading provider of crowd management and event security services, today announced a national partnership with Legends Global, the premier partner to the world’s greatest live events, venues, and brands.

Under this new agreement, BEST is named the premier partner for crowd management and event security services for Legends Global’s network of North American venues which includes more than 250 arenas, stadiums, theaters, and convention centers.

BEST Crowd Management is already active at 14 Legends Global venues – including Colorado Convention Center, Minneapolis’ Target Center and U.S. Bank Stadium, and New York’s Barclays Center – and the company looks forward to providing services at additional Legends Global venues in the future.

“BEST Crowd Management is proud to partner with Legends Global and to be recognized as their premier partner for crowd management and event security services,” said Jeff Spoerndle, Chief Operating Officer at BEST Crowd Management.

“As we continue to collaborate at venues nationwide, BEST is committed to supporting Legends Global’s vision of delivering truly remarkable experiences, grounded in best-in-class customer service, attention to detail, and professionalism. With extensive experience across stadiums, arenas, convention centers, amphitheaters, and marquee venues, our team looks forward to continuing to work alongside Legends Global to ensure every attendee’s experience is secure and exceptional.”

“We are always looking for ways to strengthen safety measures and enhance the live experience for fans and staff across our venues,” said Jeff Wohlschlaeger, Senior Vice President of Managed Venues Partnerships, Legends Global. “Integrating BEST more deeply into our portfolio brings greater operational consistency, national reach, and a proven standard of excellence. Their expertise in security staffing solutions helps ensure our venues are well prepared to deliver seamless, well-coordinated events.”

The partnership underscores BEST’s unmatched ability to deliver large‑scale, high‑quality security staffing and guest experience services across a diverse portfolio of venue types for events including professional sports, major touring concerts, fan festivals, corporate conventions, esports competitions, and large‑scale civic gatherings.

BEST offers its 25,000+ employees flexible schedules, ongoing training, and career growth opportunities. The company employs its own training program designed by security and customer service experts to help employees develop the skills necessary to advance their careers in the event industry and beyond. To learn more or join the BEST team visit: best.garda.com.