New Basketball Arena at University of Texas to be Named Moody Center
By J.B. Bird
The University of Texas at Austin’s new basketball arena and events center will be named Moody Center in honor of a $130 million grant to UT from the Moody Foundation, which has generously supported universities, libraries, museums and hospitals across Texas for more than 75 years.
The grant to support Texas Athletics is the single largest gift from a foundation in the university’s history and 
brings to more than $200 million the donations to UT Austin from the Galveston-based foundation. Previously, the foundation contributed $50 million to support the Moody College of Communication and $20 million to reimagine and transform the exterior spaces at the Blanton Museum of Art. Overall, the foundation has contributed more than $260 million to institutions in the University of Texas System.
It is also among the largest gifts ever made to any university for a new arena. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Moody Center will be held Dec. 3 at the site of the arena south of Mike A. Myers Stadium. The Moody Center is expected to open in 2022.
“The Moody Center signals a new era for UT and Austin, providing fans and citizens the world-class experience they deserve in the world-class city we call home,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation and chairman and CEO of National Western Life Group. “The Moody Foundation has a long history with this prestigious university and this wonderful community. We couldn’t be happier to partner with UT in this transformative gift to benefit future generations of Longhorns and Texans.”
Founded in 1942 by W.L. Moody Jr. and Libbie Shearn Moody, the Moody Foundation has made more than $1.7 billion in grants throughout Texas to organizations that have educated, healed, nurtured and inspired generations of Texans. It is the largest philanthropic foundation in the state of Texas.
“The Moody Foundation and its trustees — Elle Moody, Ross Moody and Francie Moody-Dahlberg — continue to transform our university so we can better serve our students, community and the state. There is no more fitting Texas name for a world-class arena in the heart of our campus than ‘Moody,’” said President Gregory L. Fenves. “This will be a state-of-the-art events center that will serve Texas’ student-athletes and benefit the entire Austin community. I am grateful to the Moodys for their generosity.”
“When the Moody Center opens, it will be the finest college basketball arena in the country, hands down, as well as an unbelievable concert and entertainment venue for the entire city of Austin,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris Del Conte said. “We cannot thank the Moody family and the Moody Foundation enough for their historic gift to The University of Texas.”
In December 2018, the university and a group led by the Oak View Group announced plans to build the arena on campus to be home to Texas Men’s and Women’s basketball games, and graduations, concerts and other events for the Austin community.
The Moody Center will replace the 42-year-old Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center, which will make way for the future expansion of the Dell Medical School.
The 10,000-seat arena will provide an intimate, state-of-the-art men’s and women’s Longhorn basketball fan experience and feature student seating surrounding the court. Much like the Erwin Center, the new venue will be a prime location for university, campus, community and high school events. Additionally, the new arena is designed to expand to 15,000 seats and will provide a world-class venue for touring concerts and shows.
J.B. Bird is in University Communications at the University of Texas at Austin
Photo courtesy of University of Texas at Austin
Los Angeles Convention Center Announces New Hires
By Michelle Riehle-Ludtke
The Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC), owned by the City of Los Angeles and managed by ASM Global, announced the appointment of Scott Banks as the new Vice President of Security & Guest Services and Patrick Smart as the new General Manager of Taste of LA by Levy at the LACC.
Banks joins the LACC from Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, where he most recently served as the Director
of Security & Guest Services. During his 16-year tenure, Banks rose from a part-time security officer to his most recent position.
Patrick Smart brings 19 years of catering experience to the LACC. He most recently served as the Director of Sales at ARAMARK at the Anaheim Convention Center for the past 12 years.
“Scott and Patrick are both remarkable additions to our executive team,” said Ellen Schwartz, General Manager, LACC. “They both bring valuable experience to the LACC and I’m excited about what we will accomplish together.”
Michelle Riehle-Ludtke is Marketing & Community Relations Specialist for the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Edmonton Convention Centre and Edmonton EXPO Centre Announce New General Managers
By Lauren Andrews
Edmonton Economic Development announced the appointment of Emma Pietroleonardo as General Manager of the Edmonton Convention Centre and Olaf Miede as the General Manager of the Edmonton EXPO Centre.
“After a competitive recruitment and selection process, we are excited to welcome both Emma and Olaf to the EEDC 
family as the general managers of our two venues,” said Arlindo Gomes, Vice President, Venue Management, EEDC. “Both Emma and Olaf’s experience, leadership, community engagement and operating performance will support our venue teams as we continue to drive economic and social prosperity in our region.”
“It is a privilege to join a passionate team of professionals who have worked hard to position the Edmonton Convention Centre among North America’s top performing public assembly venues,” Pietroleonardo said. “I look forward to building upon the Centre’s reputation for service excellence, culinary expertise and dedication to sustainability.”
“It’s an exciting time to join this dynamic venue as we continue to lead the way in driving operational efficiencies and delivering exceptional experiences for our clients and guests,” Miede said. “I am honored to contribute to an established team of public stewards who welcome and serve millions of guests each year.”
Pietroleonardo comes to the Edmonton Convention Centre with extensive operational and leadership experience in the venue and hospitality industries. She has previously held leadership roles with the Royal Hotel Group, providing oversight of six full-service hotels across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Miede’s career in the hospitality and venues industries spans more than 20 years and includes operational and leadership positions within hospitality properties across Western Canada. Prior to joining the Edmonton EXPO Centre, Miede served as General Manager of Hotels on Whyte.
Lauren Andrews is Marketing & Communications Manager, Venues, Edmonton Economic Development.
Give Back To The Foundation On #GivingTuesday, December 3rd
By Angie Teel
#GivingTuesday isn’t just another opportunity to jump on a social media bandwagon. It is an opportunity for you to collaborate with likeminded individuals to celebrate organizations that are near to your heart. Organizations that are not only trying to make things better right now but are creating a vision of a successful future. Giving Tuesday is a day recognized all over the world for us to stand up, give back, and take part in something that is a part of us.
You have more to give then you realize…It’s not the size of the gift, it’s the meaning, support, and generosity behind the gift that has the impact. You can give your time, knowledge, words of encouragement, or a simple smile to spark change. Borrowing a quote from my fellow St. Louis native, the late Maya Angelou, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
Read those words again, “When you learn, teach. When you get, give.”
I GIVE to the IAVM Foundation because …I am forever on the receiving end.
Remember to GIVE to the IAVM Foundation on GIVING TUESDAY, December 3rd.
Angie Teel
Assistant General Manager
ASM Tulsa
A Warm Welcome To Our Newest Members
Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in October 2019. 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.
Kerlos Adib, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa, FL, United States
Charlina Allen, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Michael Archibeque, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Michelle Armenta, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Robert Barajas, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA, United States
Charles Baran, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Kelly Bargabos, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA, United States
Sam Barnett, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, United States
Kelly Beliveau, Portland Expo Center, Portland, OR, United States
Cooper Besougloff, Western Kentucky University, Arlington, VA, United States
Bailey Bowman, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Megan Buria, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Darin Bush, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, United States
Elizabeth Campbell, Carlsen Center at Johnson County Community College, Overland Park, KS, United States
Chris Campbell, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA, United States
Scott Carpenter, Lethbridge ENMAX Centre, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
Archie Carty, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Stephen Castellano, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA, United States
Kady Chambers, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
Laura Chmielewski, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Don Clark, BioSaphe, Provo, UT, United States
Seth Clines, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Scott Condor, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Trevor Conn, Southpaw Sports & Entertainment, Irving, TX, United States
Sam Consenzo, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
Terry Cooksey, BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center, Tupelo, MS, United States
Lacey Crump, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Ta’Corian Darden, Western Kentucky University, Russellville, KY, United States
Mary Downs, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, United States
Bridgett Finochiaro, State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ, United States
Nick Fischer, Erie Events, Erie, PA, United States
Shayna Fitzl, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Nancy Fortney, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Heather Giddens, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, United States
Amber Goodspeed, Texas Performing Arts, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, United States
Lindsey Graham, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Sabine Granoux, Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Madison Green, Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, United States
Stevie Grey, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Diana Gruber, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Brad Gulbranson, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA, United States
Meagan Guy, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Chad Hardy, Western Kentucky University, Columbus, GA, United States
Simone Harms, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Jasmine Harris, Toyota Center, Houston, TX, United States
Keenan Havey, Western Kentucky University, Ames, IA, United States
James Hicks, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Taylor Hight, Walton Arts Center/Walmart AMP, Fayetteville, AR, United States
Johnny Holland, BancorpSouth Arena and Conference Center, Tupelo, MS, United States
Zach Hughes, Southpaw Sports & Entertainment, Irving, TX, United States
Megan Jackson, Toyota Center, Houston, TX, United States
Jessica Johnson, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Ricky Jones, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Jay Katz, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Karolyn Kirchgesler, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Tyler Koolbeck, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA, United States
Ryan Kuddes, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Kyle Kuehn, Western Kentucky University, New Ulm, MN, United States
Jeff Kunowski, Southpaw Sports & Entertainment, Irving, TX, United States
Michael Lacharite, Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Claire Ladner, City of Tacoma, Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA, United States
John LaFortune, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Terrence Lake, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Skylar Lewis, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Marcelis Logan, Western Kentucky University, Lexington, KY, United States
Ric Marcelino, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA, United States
Charles Marino, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
David Marsh, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Brianna Martin, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Matthew Martinucci, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Sean McBroom, City of Tacoma, Venues & Events, Tacoma, WA, United States
Phillips Mickeal, Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue, WA, United States
Tod Minnich, Honeywell Foundation, Wabash, IN, United States
Angel Moore, Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA, United States
Madina Moore, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
John Moskal, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Madison Muschinske, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Michael Oca, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Claire Oliver, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Ori Ovics, Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Robert Paglieri, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Marina Paul, STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Jeremy Pendley, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY, United States
Kristine Perry, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, United States
Rynarda Ransom, Capital One Arena, Washington, DC, United States
Nicole Raymond, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Michael Rescigno, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Jeremy Riley, Southpaw Sports & Entertainment, Irving, TX, United States
Katie Ripke, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Jen Ritchie, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Rob Rivera, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Alex Rojas, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA, United States
Benjamin Roschke, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Delmonte Ross, Western Kentucky University, Gilbert, AZ, United States
Richard Schade, Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, CA, United States
Nikki Scheel, U.S. Cellular Center, Cedar Rapids, IA, United States
Jeff Schoening, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA, United States
Brian Seitz, The Center for the Performing Arts, Carmel, IN, United States
Paul Shamp, Stephen C. O’Connell Center, Gainesville, FL, United States
Larissa Sherman, Full Sail University, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Ashley Sinclair, STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Tanner Smith, Western Kentucky University, Nashville, TN, United States
Michael Sousa, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, CA, United States
Greg Stocker, Southpaw Sports & Entertainment, Irving, TX, United States
James Stocum, Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, TX, United States
Maggie Swenson, Wisconsin Center District, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Todd Temple, San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA, United States
James Te’o, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Alexia Testa, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
Sydney Upah, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA, United States
Matt Vaessen, San Diego Theatres/San Diego Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA, United States
Gabriel Valentin, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Jonté Valentine, Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, MD, United States
Jackie Ventura, Chase Center, San Francisco, CA, United States
Emily Wade, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, United States
Vinni Walia, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Erin Weldon, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Kevin Wilkes, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
Mack Williams, Western Kentucky University, Lexington, KY, United States
Derek Winning, St. Charles Convention Center, Saint Charles, MO, United States
Frances Wong, Team San Jose, San Jose, CA, United States
Jerrod Woods, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Kyle Worman, Enterprise Center, Saint Louis, MO, United States
Dustin Zuelsdorf, Iowa State Center, Ames, IA, United States