By Delaware North Communications

Adina Erwin, CVE, has joined Delaware North as senior vice president for business operations at TD Garden in Boston. Erwin will report to Amy Latimer, president of TD Garden.

In her new role, Erwin will develop strategies to support and drive business results for operational excellence, including facility management, capital projects and guest service; maximizing the event schedule; leveraging innovative technology initiatives; and positioning the business as an industry leader. She will be responsible for developing and managing all operational functions and personnel related to client satisfaction, retention and maximization of guest experience, and will serve as a key contact for both Delaware North Sportservice at TD Garden and for The Hub on Causeway development.

Erwin brings more than 20 years of operational and managerial experience in sports and entertainment to Delaware North. She most recently served as vice president and chief operating officer of Fox Theatre in Atlanta, where she developed and led a master plan that enhanced existing revenue streams, introduced new revenue opportunities, and improved guest and premium experience assets. She has also held leadership roles with SMG Jacksonville, which manages six sports, entertainment, and convention venues on behalf of the City of Jacksonville, FL, and Center Operating Company in Dallas.

Erwin is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and holds a master’s in sport management from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Her numerous awards and honors include a Woman of Influence Award from VenuesNow Magazine, the Ray Ward Award for extraordinary contributions to IAVM’s Venue Management School, and serving as the chair of the Board of Trustees for the IAVM Foundation.

By Zan Lewarn

Dean Hassall, CVE, has been named as new International Instructor at IAVM’s Venue Management School.

Hassall, a highly regarded Venue Management Association (Asia and Pacific) Limited school instructor for the past 18 years, and a past long-term VMA board member, will bring his wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the U.S. based school and their students.

Both the VMA’s Australian-based VMS and the IAVM’s U.S.-based VMS has maintained a strong, supportive and collaborative relationship over many years. Each year there is a reciprocal exchange of both instructors and students who share knowledge, networks, and experience.

“To be named as the new resident International Instructor by the IAVM reflects Dean’s skills, knowledge, passion and high standing in the venue management industry that has been forged over many years,” said Wayne Middleton, CVE, VMA’s VMS Chair. “This exchange further enhances the longstanding relationship between the IAVM and VMA annual School program and we congratulate Dean on this appointment.”

“I am honoured and delighted to be considered an appropriate addition to their outstanding group of instructors, and to ensure the international flavour and experiences continues to be strongly represented at the IAVM VMS following prior long-term Instructor Craig Lovett,” Hassall said. “I am excited to be given the opportunity, which will undoubtedly continue my own industry professional development interacting with my international peers and the VMS students in Tampa.

“The experience will assist with allowing me to continue to remain up to date with contemporary industry trends which can only benefit our own VMS.”

As an established VMS committee member, Hassall is arguably one of Australia’s most experienced venue managers. As Principal Consultant for Dean Hassall Consulting, he provides advisory services in the areas of event and venue management, facility development, sports administration, and industry business analysis.

Hassall was the IAMV VMS international guest instructor in 2007, completed the IAVM Graduate Institute program in 2014, and was the proud recipient of the VMA Allied Venue Professional of the Year in 2011.

Zan Lewarn is Education Manager for Venue Management Association in Carrara, Queensland, Australia.

By Cynthia McCafferty

The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) announced that Larita Clark has been appointed CEO of the Authority. Since October, Clark has served as Acting CEO and CFO, and has been with the Authority since 1984. As CEO, Clark will oversee modernization efforts as MPEA continues to compete with other world-class convention centers, as well as work to ensure that the Authority is on sound financial footing.

“Selecting the CEO is one of the most important responsibilities for the board,” said Brett J. Hart, Chair of MPEA’s Board of Directors and Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer for United Airlines. “Larita Clark brings outstanding operational and financial expertise that made her the right choice for MPEA. We have complete confidence that under Larita’s leadership, the Authority will continue to deliver outstanding service to our customers.”

The MPEA board conducted a search to identify a new CEO for the Authority following the resignation of Lori Healey, who stepped down from her post in October 2019. The board’s process included a review of joint recommendations by both the Mayor’s Office and the Governor’s Office.

I know first-hand that Larita has a deep understanding of our business and industry,” said David Causton, General Manager of McCormick Place/ASM Global. “McCormick Place extends its sincerest congratulations to Larita as she transitions into her new role. I am confident Larita will work hard to further the mission and goals of MPEA in 2020 and beyond.

“Larita Clark has outstanding credentials and a deep understanding of MPEA and the convention industry and I am confident she is the right choice to lead this organization,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “With decades of leadership and financial experience at the Authority, I know that Larita will be a strong partner as we work to attract more conventions to Illinois, grow our tourism industry and enhance MPEA’s campus and the surrounding communities.”

“The McCormick Place campus is critical to Chicago’s thriving tourism and convention industry, and Larita Clark brings the necessary leadership experience and financial acumen to ensure the continued success of this economic engine for our city and state,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Under the leadership of Larita and her team, the campus has grown, maintained a strong financial standing, and strengthened the diversity of its workforce and supplier base. I have no doubt that MPEA will continue to expand, increasing economic opportunities for every community across our great city.”

During her tenure with the Authority, Clark held various financial positions including Controller, Director of Finance and Administration of McCormick Place and Assistant Controller. As CFO, Larita was responsible for the financial, and administrative operations of McCormick Place, two hotels, the Wintrust Arena, and an energy center.

“I am truly honored to have the opportunity to serve as MPEA’s Chief Executive Officer and to work alongside a very knowledgeable and committed team dedicated to moving the Authority forward,” said Clark. “As we look ahead, I am committed to working alongside our industry partners as well as city and state partners to further enhance our customers’ experience throughout their visit and to ensure that MPEA continues to live up to our commitment to expanding Chicago’s global tourism profile while creating opportunities for the communities here at home.”

Cynthia McCafferty is president and CEO of Hawthorne Strategy Group in Chicago.

By R.V. Baugus

No one really likes to be the person called upon to write obituaries. These are occasions of sadness when we talk about someone who has died. Around IAVM, I am that guy who 99 percent of the time is tasked with such writing. I actually welcome the calling, because mixed with the sadness is an opportunity to share about someone’s life, meaning, and impact on his or her family, friends, colleagues, neighbors, etc.

When long-time Amusement Business legend Tom Powell recently passed away, it was easier to find others to talk about the man they knew so well in the workplace. My words simply could not do Tom Powell justice. If you have not read Linda Deckard’s very moving tribute to Tom on the IAVM blog, please do so. You will, like me, get to know someone very well that you might not have really known.

Two other tributes came in that we are compelled to share. Don Muret, like Deckard, worked with Powell at AB and shared with us his reflections. We also heard from Greg Chiecko, president and CEO of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association, of which Tom served as news ambassador.

Before hearing from his friends, I can say I knew that Tom was quite involved in supporting the IAVM Foundation, and we were fortunate enough to have received this photo from Tom’s long-time contemporary, Earl Duryea.

Muret, senior editor with VenuesNow, shared the following:

My relationship with Tom Powell dates to 1993, the year I first started working for the old Amusement Business. We bonded over our mutual love of baseball. I’m a Cub fan; Tom rooted for the Phillies and Red Sox. He also loved Notre Dame football.

Beyond sports, TP taught me a bunch about the live entertainment industry, particularly carnivals. It’s a largely misunderstood sector in terms of public perception, and as a result, there’s a ton of mistrust of the media from the show owners’ viewpoint. Tom through his vast experience helped me navigate those choppy waters and introduce me to key players in the business.

He provided me with sage words of advice, such as, “Never go anywhere without your camera.” Back then, years before cell phones, we used real cameras to shoot black and white photos. I learned that lesson multiple times after getting caught without mine when I desperately needed it capture a key moment for the magazine.

His work ethic was without peer and can be seen through the columns he wrote for the Outdoor Amusement Business Association up until his death. Most important, TP was a kind man and treated all with respect, cracking a few jokes along the way.

We kept in touch over the past several years and I would call him fairly regularly during baseball season to complain about the Cubs. TP, in turn, would relive the Phillies’ latest meltdown. Most recently, he would rib me about working for a monthly publication. He wondered, what was I doing now with all this time on my hands?

I consider myself lucky to call Tom Powell a friend and colleague. I’ll miss him deeply.

Chiecko did not have the same lengthy history with news ambassador, but nonetheless was saddened by the news of the passing. He shares these comments:

While many of you knew Tom Powell better than I did, I have known Tom for many years. I can tell you this, you will never find a person more dedicated to the Outdoor Amusement industry. Tom would write his column for us every week. A few times he was having some issues with his hands and he would have his daughter, Alice, transcribe his words.

Tom also knew everyone in the industry. Like clockwork you could expect a call from Tom after you played a date to find out how you did. People would also call him. Whenever someone had some news to spread a call to Tom was all it took.

Sue Gallup, in the OABA office, and Tom had a great relationship. Although they never met, they would trade sports stories or discuss current events. In one of Tom’s articles he wrote:

“I’m passing along a note from one of the nicest people I’ve ever worked with, and it’s all been by phone. I have never met Sue Gallup, OABA’s administration/member services manager, but I liked her immediately when she said she was a Boston Red Sox fan.

“She e-mailed me the following: I felt like I need to explain my reasoning to you as to why your article is so far down in the weekly Xtra. It’s because that’s what everyone is looking for! I have to make them look through everything else to get to you.

“They will read it no matter what, so you don’t have to worry about the scrolling to get there. I even asked someone last night if they read it when it comes in their e-mail and he actually told me, ‘To be honest, I only read it to see Tom’s article.’ So there you have it … it’s official. Maybe you could put in a plug next week urging everyone to read the whole thing, and encourage other members to do the same. I just can’t get over the amount of readership it has. I’m just kidding about the plug. I’m gonna get Greg on that one. Thanks, Tom, for all your articles. They definitely are fascinating to all in the industry. That’s one of the best compliments I’ve ever received.”

There will never be another OABA News Ambassador like Tom Powell. His wit, friendship and genuine love for people will be missed forever. Because of Tom Powell, this earth and this industry are in a better place. Godspeed Tom.

By Elizabeth Lytle

Accesso Technology Group announced that Steve Brown has returned to the company as Chief Executive Officer, replacing Paul Noland.

“We are thrilled that Steve has decided to return to the leadership role as the CEO. His understanding of the company’s core business along with his vision and passion for Accesso are unparalleled. We look forward to working with him as we re-energize the group, our clients and the marketplace and move forward with our on long-term growth plan,” said Bill Russell, Executive Chairman of Accesso.

Brown founded the company’s namesake accesso business in 2008, which became part of what is now accesso Technology Group PLC when it was acquired from Brown in 2012. During a period of rapid expansion between 2013 and 2017, the company acquired Siriusware, ShoWare, Ingresso and TE2. Brown served as President and CEO from 2016 until 2018 when he departed the company. He steps back into the CEO role to reinvigorate the company’s strategic plan to fully leverage the range of assets within its portfolio and deliver value-enhancing solutions to the marketplace.

“Accesso has an incredible team of talented professionals, a vast array of innovative technology and a global reach that is unmatched by any other company in our industry,” Brown said. “I look forward to reacquainting myself with our clients and the Accesso team as we regain the momentum of this truly unique company.”

Elizabeth Lytle is Communications Strategist with Curley & Pynn, based in Maitland, Florida.