Rendering of the OKC Multipurpose Stadium. Photo courtesy OKC.gov

The Oklahoma City Council voted today to approve a construction management services contract with Lingo Construction for the new MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, set to anchor a future sports and entertainment district just south of Bricktown.

“Selecting a construction management firm is a significant step forward for the multipurpose stadium project,” said MAPS Program Manager David Todd. “The Lingo team brings valuable local expertise and a strong track record delivering complex venues and community spaces.”

Construction is expected to begin this spring, with the stadium scheduled to open in early 2028.

“Lingo is excited to be part of this significant project that will serve the community in many ways,” said Stan Lingo, President. “The stadium is designed to be more than a sports venue—it will serve as a gathering place that welcomes visitors from across the nation, supports local teams and events, and creates lasting memories for generations to come. We’re honored to work alongside the City and our project partners to help bring this vision to life.”

The multipurpose stadium was designed by Populous and will be operated by Echo Investment Capital. A first look at the stadium design was announced in December.

The project is funded by MAPS 4, the 2025 OKC Bond, Tax Increment Financing (TIF), private contributions and other economic development sources.

Multipurpose stadium features

The site is located east of the Oklahoma City Convention Center and south of Bricktown near I-40. The stadium will feature a United States Soccer Federation (USSF)-approved field and serve as the future home to both women’s and men’s teams. The venue will also feature a club section, supporters’ section, locker rooms and suites.

While soccer will be its primary function, the stadium is poised to host football, youth sports, concerts and community events.

Learn more at okc.gov/MAPS4.

The Raleigh Convention Center is excited to announce its reopening to events this week following the Dec. 1 fire. The four events set to take place at the venue this week include software company Prometheus Group’s Sales Kickoff, the CHG Roadshow, Smartsheet user group, and City of Oaks Challenge Volleyball tournament. Reaching this reopening milestone quickly is a result of the tireless work by convention center leadership and staff, staff from across all departments of the City of Raleigh, contractors, and community partners. The convention center was able to retain approximately $4 million in revenue and 28,000 hotel room nights by reopening this week.

While the convention center’s kitchen is under repair, a temporary mobile kitchen has been set up in Red Hat Amphitheater. Construction on the temporary facility began on Wed. Jan. 7, and finished on Sun. Jan. 11. The mobile kitchen is approximately the same size as the permanent kitchen and features all the same equipment to ensure no gaps in functionality. The kitchen will be set up as long as needed, but it will be out before the beginning of concert season at the amphitheater.

“We’re so thrilled to have guests back in our building and thankful for all the planners who we’ve gotten to work with this past month to make sure their events can still happen. City of Oaks Volleyball was our first large scale event following the COVID-19 pandemic, so to have them in right now after this is special, that they’ve been part of several great comebacks with us,” said Kerry Painter, Executive Director of the Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex. “We know how crucial these events are not only to us and our clients, but also to our partners at hotels and restaurants here in downtown Raleigh as well. Our team, other city departments, and our contractors have worked day and night for the last month to get here, and it’s incredible to see where we were on Dec. 1 and where we are today. We’re able to provide the same excellent service our clients expect with an innovative mobile kitchen setup in Red Hat Amphitheater. This is the same mobile kitchen used for incredibly large-scale, high-end events like Formula One racing, so we’re not just making do but continuing to operate at a really high level while our permanent kitchen undergoes repairs.”

The Raleigh Convention Center is bringing in a crane to help remove equipment from the roof following the fire. Two lanes of McDowell St. between Lenoir St. and Cabarrus St. will be used for crane work starting Thursday, Jan. 15, and ending on Sunday, Jan. 18. Officials at the convention center and the City of Raleigh have worked together to carefully plan this closure maximize safety for drivers and crews working to remove the equipment from the building. Traffic will quickly be restored to its regular pattern following the work at the facility.
For a full list of upcoming events, facility updates, and other information, please visit RaleighConvention.com.

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in December 2025. 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 here to share your story and photo.

Desiree Ackerman, Alliant Energy Center of Dane County, Madison, WI
Sean Adams-Pantano, Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
Massoud Adibpour, Blumenthal Arts, Charlotte, NC
Khamari Alexander, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Kaylee Alger, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Nathalie Angus, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI
Summer Angus, OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, CA
Achlin Michel Antonio Chinchilla, Expo Convenciones Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Jake Baker, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Sara Bayler, Salt Lake County Arts & Culture, Salt Lake City, UT
Scott Beck, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Dan Bedell, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Alberto Blanco Blanco, CECONEXPO, Morelia, Mich., Mexico
Davis Blank, Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
Eric Borchert, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI
Trey Borgrud, Alliant Energy Center of Dane County, Madison, WI
Jessica Bostic, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Lisa Brocklehurst, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Kaylee Buggy, Wilmington Convention Center – ASM Global, Wilmington, NC
Delaney Burke, Ensemble Arts Philly, Philadelphia, PA
Luisa Canpuzano, Expo Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Josiah Castro, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Claudia Castro Tavares, Centro Expositor Y de Convenciones de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
Zachary Chmiel, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
John Cook, Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center (EMPAC), Troy, NY
Wils Cook, Western Washington University, Kirkland, WA
Sam Cox, Moody Center – OVG, Austin, TX
Stephanie Curtis, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Jess Davis, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Annie DiRenzo, Strathmore, North Bethesda, MD
Jackie Dolomont, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL
Steve Dongarra, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI
Carolyn Dooling, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Sophia Drees, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Julie Edge, Greenville Arena District, Greenville, SC
Reagan Edwards, Akins Ford Arena, Athens, GA
Blake Elder, JustPark, Dallas, TX
Gage Eldridge, Music City Center, Nashville, TN
Sismondi Esparza, Centro de Convenciones y Poliforum Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Ian Evans, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI
Matthew Freeman, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Catherine Garcia, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO
Catherine Gelinas, Trilith Live, Fayetteville, GA
Brittany George, iVvy, Helensvale, QLD, Australia
Liliana Gil Garcia, CECONEXPO, Morelia, Mich., Mexico
Maura Glascock, University of Kentucky – Department of Arts Administration, Lexington, KY
Lorena Gomez Haro Planel, Centro Internacional De Convenciones De Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Rodrigo Gonzalez, Centro de Convenciones Torreon, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
Veronica Guadalupe Gonzalez Lopez, Buro de Congresos y Visitantes de Aguascalientes, frac. Pirules, Mexico
Russ Gronick, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Paul Gunter, Festival at Sandpoint, Sandpoint, ID
Sergio Eduardo Gutierrez Molina, Expo Convenciones Chiapas, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
Andre Haston, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Mike Hayes, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Grace Hazelwood, Egal Pads, Inc., Somerville, MA
Darren Hazlie, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Michael Hennis, Greensboro Coliseum Complex – OVG, Kernersville, NC
Jake Hervada, JustPark, Dallas, TX
TeOnnie Houston, Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
Tess Howell, Festival at Sandpoint, Sandpoint, ID
Pedro Huerta, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Amy Kavanagh, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Michelle Kendrick, Irwin Seating Company, Kansas City, MO
Tim Kinzer, Music City Center, Nashville, TN
Veronica Knowlton, Festival at Sandpoint, Sandpoint, ID
Luc Larouche, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Drew Lee, JustPark, Dallas, TX
Maria del Mar Lopez, Expo Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
Mariana Lopez, Centro Internacional de Convenciones y Exposiciones de Campeche XXI, Campeche, Mexico
Megan Loponen, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
Traci Lowe, Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR
Lisa Lynshue, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC
Lisa Martin, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Samaria Martinez Toledo, Baja California Center, Tijuana, Mexico
Stephen McCoy, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Brent Meade, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Isabelle Mensik, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Andrew Miller, Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
Kim Miller, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Francesca Missella, Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
Jantzen Murray, JustPark, Dallas, TX
Beatriz Nino Rosales, Centro Internacional de Congresos de Yucatan, Merida, Yucatan, Mexico
Rachael Palmer, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Lesley Pilgrim, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Kristian Piraino, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Tuesday Poling, Amarillo Civic Center Complex, Amarillo, TX
Claire Rock, JustPark, Dallas, TX
Kenith Rodriguez, Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, North Miami, FL
Laura Rodriguez, Queretaro Centro de Congresos Y Teatro Metropolitano, Queretaro, Mexico
Paola Rodriguez, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA
Alejandra Rodriguez Camarillo, Buro de Congresos y Visitantes de Aguascalientes, frac. Pirules, Mexico
Janet Rouge, Portland Expo Center, Portland, OR
Christa Rowe, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Kyle Russell, REAL District, Regina, SK, Canada
Jose Luis Saveedra Vega, Fideicomiso Centro de Congresos y Convenciones Morelos, Morelos, Mexico
Sam Schmalz, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, Appleton, WI
Paige Sikes, Great Park Live, Irvine, CA
Derek Stern, Stanford Live, Stanford, CA
Jolene Suchy-Dicey, Floreano Convention Center, Rochester, NY
Ryan Tapper, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Mark Tarver, Wilmington Convention Center – ASM Global, Wilmington, NC
Robin Taylor, Calgary TELUS Convention Centre, Calgary, AB, Canada
Mason Tierney, Raleigh Convention and Performing Arts Complex, Raleigh, NC
Sarah Tracey, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Isaiah Troche, The Classic Center, Athens, GA
Nichole Turner, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Lora Unger, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
Taylor Urbina, Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH
Melanie Weir, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, Santa Rosa, CA
Brad Wells, St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd, St. John’s, NL, Canada
Lauren West, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Madison, WI
Dalton White, Columbus Crew, Columbus, OH
John Wiant, Greater Richmond Convention Center, Richmond, VA

The City of Ashland, Kentucky, has named VenuWorks as the new facility management company for the iconic downtown Paramount Arts Center. VenuWorks, an Ames, Iowa, based leader in venue management across secondary and tertiary markets, will oversee all operations, booking, marketing, and food and beverage services for the historic venue.

VenuWorks currently oversees 60 venues across 25 communities in 17 states and stands out as the nation’s only employee-owned (ESOP) facility management company. Their “One Team” philosophy emphasizes collaboration, comprehensive in-house management, and a community-driven approach. With a history of successfully restoring and managing historic theaters, including venues in Evansville, Indiana; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Davenport, Iowa, VenuWorks is uniquely qualified to uphold the Paramount’s legacy. This appointment comes as VenuWorks enters its 30th anniversary year marking three decades of stable leadership and industry expertise.

Acknowledging questions from the local community about programming and mission continuity, VenuWorks assures the public that the Paramount’s longstanding emphasis on local, youth, and community-centered programming will continue. H.R. Cook, VenuWorks Regional Vice President for Eastern U.S., highlighted, “The management contract requires us to maintain robust community theater and arts programming for both youth and adults, with specific commitments for major stage performances, summer camps, and more. We are not here to change the heart of community programming. Our focus is on making the building more efficient and generating additional programming that not only sustains the Paramount but also helps strengthen community initiatives.”

City leaders remain focused on the fundamental cultural value of the Paramount. Ashland Mayor Chuck D. Charles emphasized, “The Paramount is a jewel of the city. It’s the center point for so much that happens in the arts, in music, in dance. It’s that central, cultural part of the fabric of Ashland.”

Under VenuWorks management, the Paramount will continue to serve as a catalyst for creativity and collaboration in the region. The contract ensures ongoing space and opportunities for community groups and traditions such as the Festival of Trees and Trains. The inclusion of the PAC board in an advisory capacity will help ensure a broad range of perspectives remain involved, even as the board transitions to its next mission.

VenuWorks recognizes that the Paramount Board has the opportunity to reshape its own mission in this new chapter. As Steve Peters, Founder and CEO of VenuWorks, stated: “Our mission has always been to work alongside our partners to create vibrant, successful venues that serve their communities. We are happy to work with the Paramount Board and welcome their future programming contributions as they determine the best way to serve the Ashland community going forward. Our commitment is to preserve and expand the vital community programming that defines the Paramount, while ensuring the theater’s sustainability for many years to come.”

As the only ESOP in the venue management industry, VenuWorks is uniquely positioned to invest in the community’s future while honoring its past. Their in-house, hands-on approach means experienced executive leadership is readily available and responsive, prioritizing local partnerships, heritage preservation, and of its sponsored events focused on youth educational opportunities.

With groundbreaking events, award-winning initiatives, and strong economic impact, the MBCC ends the year stronger than ever.

Photo courtesy Miami Convention Center

In 2025, the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), South Florida’s largest convention center has welcomed over 537,000 guests across 143 regional, national, and international events with over 12,000 exhibitors. Hosting an exciting mix of events across Medical, Health/Fitness, Finance, Fintech/Technology, Education, Sports, Arts & Culture, Special Events, and Corporate verticals, the MBCC drew hundreds of thousands of visitors and generated robust economic impact for South Florida. This included global tech and business conventions such as AdobeMAX, which generated $25M of economic impact (according to the GMCVB), and iConnections, as well as the debut of the international sports competition Premier Padel and RaquetX, and annual favorites such as Art Basel Miami Beach, Cosmoprof, Miami International Boat Show, Florida SuperCon, and many others. Some other highlights from the year included Discover Boating, Miami International Boat Show, America’s Food & Beverage Show & Conference, JIS Miami, and WHX Miami.

“2025 was yet another milestone year for the Miami Beach Convention Center, marked by  exceptional events and strategic investments that strengthen our campus, our community, our destination, and our future,” said Freddie Peterson, General Manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, managed by Oak View Group (OVG). “We are incredibly honored and proud of the recognition received, but even more proud of the partnerships, innovation, and especially teamwork that made it possible. Our close collaboration with the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) remains vital to everything we do. Looking ahead to 2026, we are focused on delivering memorable experiences, driving economic impact, and continuously setting the standard for world-class meetings, events, tradeshows, and conventions.”

The Miami Beach Convention Center, owned by the City of Miami Beach and operated by Oak View Group, has continued to strengthen its position as one of the nation’s premier destinations for meetings, conventions, and events driving economic impact, supporting local businesses, and contributing to Miami Beach’s reputation as a world-class hub for culture, travel, and innovation. The MBCC underwent a transformative $640 million renovation, completed in 2020, and now features 1.4 million square feet of versatile event space, including a stunning 60,000-square-foot Grand Ballroom, 500,000 square feet dedicated to exhibitions, 84 breakout rooms, four junior ballrooms, and nine acres of lush green areas such as Pride Park and Collins Canal Park. New highlights like the 1920s-inspired Rum Room restaurant and the Venu private event space, along with ongoing investments, such as $19 million in capital projects in FY25 and a cutting-edge $1.5 million LED walls installation in the Grand Lobby, demonstrate the MBCC’s unwavering commitment to innovation, technological advancement, and exceptional service. Looking ahead, the MBCC Campus is entering into a new era with the highly anticipated Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room hotel connected by skybridge set to open in 2027.

A Banner Year for Awards and Industry Recognition

The MBCC is closing out 2025 with an exceptional slate of industry accolades that underscore its reputation as one of the nation’s premier event destinations. This year, General Manager Freddie Peterson was honored as the 2025 South Florida Tourism Professional of the Year by the Advisory Board of Miami-Dade Public Schools’ NAF Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT), celebrating his leadership and longstanding commitment to excellence. The MBCC also earned top recognition across the meetings, conventions, and hospitality industry, including Skift’s Best Convention Center & Other Venues distinction, IAVM’s Venue Excellence Award, Exhibitor Magazine’s Centers of Excellence Award, the Prime Site Award from Facilities & Destinations, the Distinctive Achievement Award from Associations, Facilities & Destinations, and the Silver Stella Award from Northstar Meetings Group. Together, these honors reflect the MBCC’s continued innovation, operational excellence, and vital role in positioning Miami Beach as a world-class hub for business, culture, and global events.

Championing Sustainability and Community Impact

Sustainability and responsible event stewardship continued to be a priority for the MBCC, earning some of the industry’s highest honors for environmental performance and social impact. The MBCC was awarded the prestigious Gold Certificate for Sustainability and Social Impact from the Events Industry Council (EIC), recognizing its comprehensive approach to reducing its environmental footprint while advancing community-focused initiatives. The MBCC also received a 4 Keys Rating from Green Key Global’s Green Key Meetings program, underscoring its leadership in implementing sustainable operations, energy efficiency, waste reduction, and green meeting practices. Sodexo Live!, MBCC’s exclusive food provider, aligns with the city’s resiliency goals through sustainable initiatives, including a successful composting program to convert waste to soil for local farms, an onsite herb & vegetable garden to promote sustainable kitchen practices, and food donation initiative. With these milestones, the MBCC reaffirms that sustainability is not just a goal but a guiding principle, one that will continue to drive their work heading into 2026.

New and Renewed Partnerships Elevate Venue Capabilities

The MBCC announces a new pilot program with Key Transportation Worldwide as their preferred ground-transportation partner, delivering seamless and reliable travel solutions for conventions, conferences, and large-scale events. As part of the Hoffmann Family of Companies, Key Transportation is Miami’s largest full-service transportation company and brings expanded resources, deep expertise, and the proven ability to support complex event programs with confidence. Key Transportation also offers a full complement of dedicated on site coordinators working together with planners, and professional chauffeurs delivering the level of service the MBCC expects, Key Transportation ensures polished, dependable execution from planning to closing day.  

This year, the MBCC also entered into a new three-year strategic agreement with Encore as its preferred AV, rigging, and digital services partner, bringing in substantial investment to upgrade AV infrastructure, enhance rigging systems, modernize digital assets and branding, and elevate overall quality assurance.

Additionally, the MBCC renewed its partnership with Smart City Networks, extending it through 2029, and securing a $1.35 million investment that will introduce Wi-Fi 7 capabilities, bolster cybersecurity, expand network redundancy, and deliver new smart-venue enhancements. Together, these partnerships will help the MBCC continue to deliver a seamless, cutting-edge experience for event organizers, exhibitors, and guests.

Keeping the MBCC at the Forefront Through Strategic Capital Investments

The MBCC made major strides in capital improvements this year, supported by $19 million in ongoing investment from the City of Miami Beach across 21 active projects designed to keep the venue at the forefront of innovation. Several transformative upgrades were completed in FY2025, advancing the MBCC’s infrastructure, technology, digital capabilities, safety and security systems, and cybersecurity. 

Four new LED video walls were installed in the West Lobby, giving exhibitors dynamic display options that reduce marketing waste, unlock new sponsorship and revenue opportunities, cut move-in and move-out costs, and minimize wear on the facility. The MBCC also completed a comprehensive wireless network upgrade, strengthening coverage across exhibit halls, lobbies, pre-function spaces, and connecting Rum Room and Venu on a unified fiber network to deliver a seamless guest experience. In addition, the center expanded its security footprint through a $250,000 investment in partnership with Honeywell, adding 41 new security cameras, bringing the total to 596 throughout the Convention Center, and adding 165 strobes for a Convention Center-wide total of 1,724.

Looking ahead to FY2026, the MBCC is preparing to advance an ambitious slate of additional capital projects that build on this year’s momentum. Upcoming improvements include replacing point-of-sale (POS) terminals, installing new LED lighting throughout the exhibit halls, completing an exhibit hall roof replacement, introducing new permanent and portable café options in the lobby and second floor, upgrading kitchen equipment, and installing a new exterior marquee to welcome guests. These capital projects will ensure that the MBCC continues to deliver a best-in-class venue experience for exhibitors, attendees, and the broader Miami Beach community.

District-Wide Enhancements Set the Stage for Miami Beach’s Next Chapter

The broader MBCC District is also poised for a transformative year ahead, with several new hotel openings in 2026 and major upgrades planned that will further elevate the experience for visitors, exhibitors, and the Miami Beach community. A centerpiece of this momentum is the long-anticipated Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, which officially broke ground on May 16, 2025 and is slated to open in late 2027. This 800-room hotel, directly connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center via a climate-controlled skybridge, will bring 52 suites, four floors of meeting and ballroom space, a rooftop pool deck, a restaurant, bar, and retail offerings to the district. With financing secured and construction now fully underway, the hotel represents one of the most significant investments in Miami Beach’s tourism and convention infrastructure.

Beyond the Grand Hyatt, the surrounding district is preparing for several additional enhancements designed to support a more vibrant neighborhood. Projects on the horizon include the Lincoln Road Mall Revitalization, and the upcoming renovation of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. Together, these improvements will help create a more connected district that strengthens Miami Beach’s position as a world-class destination for meetings, conventions, and business travel.