By Ainslee Jessiman

The Royal & McPherson Theatres Society (RMTS) Board of Directors announced the appointment of Franz Lehrbass as executive director, effective January 21, 2020. Lehrbass will succeed current executive director Lloyd Fitzsimonds when he retires in December after 20 years of leadership and dedication to the theatres.

“We are pleased to have Franz join our organization as our new executive director,” said Lorne DeLarge, RMTS board president and executive director search committee chair. “Franz has a proven track record as a professional manager and brings a strong background in the arts community. Additionally, his hands-on experience caring for a historic arts venue makes him a great choice to lead our organization going forward.”

Lehrbass joins the RMTS after 10 years as the general manager of the Western Manitoba Centennial Auditorium in Brandon, Manitoba. Lehrbass led the organization by modernizing its administration, managing capital renovation projects, diversifying its capital funding, expanding its mandate and growing its overall business while delivering event services to a wide variety of professional, educational, and community clients.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Royal & McPherson Theatres Society. In meeting the RMTS staff I’ve discovered a team of professionals, each very experienced and deeply committed to providing excellent service to the clients and patrons of the Royal Theatre and McPherson Playhouse” Lehrbass said. “I’d also like to express my gratitude to Lloyd Fitzsimonds and the RMTS board for their excellent stewardship and development of these two historic theatres over the last 20 years. I am both inspired and humbled to be joining this highly collaborative team, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish together.”

Originally from Southwestern Ontario, Lehrbass studied classical music performance at the University of Western Ontario and audio engineering technology at the Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology. Prior to his career in theatre management, Lehrbass worked for a startup in Silicon Valley and as a producer for the Canadian Broadcasting Company’s music department.

“After 20 years of managing Victoria’s historic civic auditoria I am pleased to be handing the reins over to Franz. He is more than qualified to be a leader in the Victoria community. I hope he finds as I have, that it is privilege to be the steward of these two beautiful buildings,” Fitzsimonds said.

Ainslee Jessiman is RMTS programming and communications associate.

By Globe Newswire

Blue Federal Credit Union and Spectra have entered into the first year of an all-new partnership. With this multi-year partnership agreement, Blue Federal Credit Union will rebrand assets around the campus and is now the official naming rights partner for both Guest Services and The Ranch Bar & Grill with their new names becoming Blue Federal Credit Union Guest Services and Blue Bar & Grill.

Spectra, the providers of venue management, food services & hospitality and partnerships at the Budweiser Events Center at The Ranch, is excited to announce a brand-new partnership with Blue Federal Credit Union, one of the best in the country, headquartered in Cheyenne, Wyoming with 14 convenient branches in Wyoming and Colorado. Blue is currently preparing to break ground on their 15th Branch located in Erie, Colorado.

“As a member-centric organization, Blue FCU is always looking for partnerships that align with our mission of working hard, having fun and winning for our members and this partnership embodies what is important to Blue. We will leverage our brand to create a memorable experience for our members while investing in the communities we serve,” said Raj Madan, Blue Federal Credit Union’s Chief Marketing Officer.

“We could not be more excited to cultivate this new partnership with Blue Federal Credit Union here at the Budweiser Events Center,” said Keller Taylor, Spectra District General Manager. “Blue Federal Credit Union’s and Spectra‘s core values are aligned in terms of caring for our members and the communities we serve which will guide us as we create new experiences for fans who enter the arena”.

Spectra, an industry leader in partnerships deals, acted as the naming rights agent on behalf of The Ranch Events Complex and the Budweiser Events Center.

By R.V. Baugus

At this time of the holiday season we are not here to play Grinch in any form or fashion. After all, tis the season to be jolly, but we also recognize the season comes with folly.

As a devout reader of Sports Illustrated magazine going back to my childhood, a recent article not only caught my attention but caused me to do a spit take of my eggnog.

Titled “The 10 Worst People to Sit Next to at a Sporting Event” and written by Jake May, I know that every venue manager is familiar with all 10 types, as are those of us who go to events for escape, not to be drawn into the insanity that these 10 types are notorious for.

Best of all, the article includes videos of the 10 types from actual events. As they say, hilarity ensues.

To enjoy our first holiday gift of the season to you, click here.

By R.V. Baugus

New York-based Nederlander National Markets LLC, part of one of the largest operators of legitimate theatres and music venues in the United States, has joined with Jam Theatricals Ltd., a Chicago based entertainment company that is one of the largest presenters and producers of Broadway engagements throughout North America, to create Nederlander National Markets LLC.

Steve Traxler, co-founder, President & CEO of Jam Theatricals Ltd., will continue in the new company as director of strategy and integration, an integral part of the new organization overseeing the subscription seasons in 26 cities throughout the country as well as the management of the iconic National Theatre in Washington D.C. Built in 1835, it is the oldest theatre for touring Broadway in the country.

Nederlander is a family company established over 100 years ago,” said James L. Nederlander, president of Nederlander National Markets LLc. “Over the past 25-years, Steve Traxler has built a company of quality with similar core values that makes this combination a perfect fit. I am so pleased to welcome Steve and the entire team of Jam Theatricals into our family.”

Nederlander has always been a pioneer in the industry of live entertainment,” added Traxler. “They are the gold standard when it comes to patron experience and audience development. I am so pleased to maintain a key leadership role and continue working with my entire staff. We will continue to move forward and strengthen the work we do under the direct leadership of James L. Nederlander and Executive Vice President Nick Scandalios.”

Nederlander National Markets LLC continues the tradition of operating historic theatres, producing and presenting the best in theatrical and concert events, and innovating new ways to engage future generations of theatergoers.

Jam’s 26-city subscription theater circuit will now be part of Nederlander National Markets.

By R.V. Baugus

With all the advances made in recent years for patrons to enjoy their experience at public assembly venues, thanks mostly to technology, it is no surprise that the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium are taking to the skies for the next step of a WOW experience.

Ready for this one? A gondola cable lift is being built at Hard Rock Stadium, giving fans a new perspective of the home of the Dolphins. Think the sky lift ride at your nearby amusement park but with a stunning view of the city skyline.

And to think cup holders were once a significant guest experience invention!

We got confirmation from the Twitter account of Tom Garfinkel, vice chairman, president and chief executives of the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, who indicated the project should be completed ahead of this season’s Super Bowl at the stadium on February 2. Timing, after all, is everything, and this could bring in very significant revenue to the thousands upon thousands who will be descending upon South Florida for the big game.

The obvious question is will the ride be used as a form of transportation the day of the game, and that answer is no. The ride is for entertainment purposes only and will stretch along the south side of the stadium. The cost per ride is still not known.

Specifics of the ride according to The Next Miami is that the gondola will travel for some 1,800 feet with the ride lasting some 10 minutes. Riders will enjoy a spectacular view of the stadium with the lavish skyline in the background.

According to The Next Miami, the gondola will travel for about 1,800 feet, with the ride lasting about 10 minutes. Those in the gondola will be given a bird’s eye view of the stadium with Miami’s skyline in the background.

The project is expected to cost $3 million and is being handled by one of the very best in Austrian ski lift manufacturer Doppelmayr, which is best known in the U.S. for its work on the Disney Skyliner, is managing the construction process, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The venue is also stepping up its efforts to eliminate single-use plastics ahead of the Super Bowl.

In an interview with Forbes, Garfinkel, discussed the team’s efforts to tackle plastic consumption.

In August, Garfinkel formed an internal committee to study how single-use plastics can be phased out and how the Dolphins can improve recycling efforts after watching a 60 Minutes documentary on how plastic is polluting the ocean. Garfinkel later announced that Hard Rock Stadium has committed to phasing out 99.4 per cent of single-use plastics by 2020, including for Super Bowl LIV.

Garfinkel told Forbes: “If we do something at the stadium and can set an example, what kind of larger impact can that have? I’m fortunate enough to be in a leadership position and I have a responsibility to lead, and I’m fortunate to have an owner (Stephen Ross) who is passionate about climate change and these initiatives.”

According to Garfinkel, Hard Rock Stadium uses approximately 678,000 plastic bottles and 525,000 plastic cups each year.