By Greg Johnson

A coordinated process for NCAA championship bids in all three divisions will be used to award more than 500 preliminary and final host sites for the 2022-23 through 2025-26 academic years.

While information has been available at ncaa.org/bids, the bid portal for those interested in hosting events in 86 of the NCAA’s 90 championships is now open. The NCAA championships staff will host a seminar Sept. 18 in Indianapolis for schools, conferences, sports commissions, local organizing committees and others to provide more information about bidding.

“The site selection process is an exciting time,” said Joni Comstock, NCAA senior vice president of championships. “We look forward to working with the membership and city organizers to help identify the top venues across the nation to provide our student-athletes a first-class experience.”

All bids will be due Feb. 3, and bid sites will be awarded in late October 2020.

The Division I Men’s Final Four and championships for Division I baseball, Division I softball, Division I football and Division III women’s ice hockey are excluded from this bid process. The bid process will include preliminary basketball selections.

This is the third time a unified bid process will be used to identify host sites for this scope of NCAA championships.

“Interest in bidding from NCAA member institutions and conferences has been tremendous in the past,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball. “With the addition of some new venues, we feel this bid cycle may be even better.”

Greg John is Associate Director NCAA Champion magazine/Membership Communications at NCAA. Media contact is Gail Dent, Associate Director, External Affairs, at 317-917-6117

Image: Richard Ulreich/ZUMA Wire

From Stadium Business Summit

SKIDATA once again proves its stronghold as an industry-leading pioneer in the world of people access and control as the company took home the Product Innovation award at the 10th annual TheStadiumBusiness Summit for their NFC e-ticket solution.

SKIDATA and Apple offer a contactless, barcode-less wave of the iPhone for fast, frictionless entry – with no touch of a button. Tap+Go allows users to simply wave their phone near the reader, eliminating the search for tickets and need for an aligned barcode scan.

At Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, the famed home of Bayern Munich Football Club (FCB), the NFC ticketing solution is already underway at the stadium, alongside SKIDATA turnstile gates.

In addition to Allianz Arena, in last spring the Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, CA, opened its doors for the newly stated Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC). Throughout their inaugural season, LAFC showcased a new SKIDATA access management solution, including pedestrian and parking access in addition to their SKIDATA and Apple-certified NFC mobile contactless solution.

“Mobile contactless ticketing will revolutionize the events experience by ensuring a smooth entrance for guests in an industry where security and convenience are top priority,” said Florian Schneeberger, vice president at SKIDATA.

By Kelly Graham

The Denver Performing Arts Complex hosted a Situational Awareness and Active Shooter Training in August to over 300 personnel, including staff, contractors and participants from the resident companies. The Arts Complex partnered with Argus Event Services to bring Mark Herrera, Director of Education & Life-Safety with IAVM, and Paul Villotti, Director of Life Safety with Henderson Engineering, to conduct the two-day training. As part of the program, over 70 staff became certified Trained Crowd Managers.

“The Arts Complex deploys a multi-layered approach to security,” said Mark Heiser, Arts Complex Venue Director. “This training supports the baseline position that everyone has some responsibility for safety and security in their day-to-day jobs, not just the security professionals.”

A unique addition to the program came from Tricia Zendejas, invited guest from Argus and survivor of the Harvest 91 Las Vegas attack. Tricia spoke about her experience and provided insight into what venue and event operators should expect when faced with such a situation.

“In many ways, Tricia was the impetus for us to commit to this training with Denver Arts & Venues,” said Dave Brower, President and CEO for Argus Event Services.

“Providing this training to staff and stakeholders at the Arts Complex is the first step toward creating a culture of safety,” said Ginger White Brunetti, Denver Arts & Venues executive director. “The concept of leveraging guest services interactions as a safety and security technique was a key takeaway.”

The Denver Performing Arts Complex is owned and operated by Denver Arts & Venues for the City and County of Denver. The 12-acre site includes the historic Ellie Caulkins Opera House, Temple Hoyne Buell Theatre, and Boettcher Concert Hall, each with their own charm and character. The Arts Complex is home to four signature resident companies: Colorado Ballet, Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera Colorado and the Denver Center for the Performing Arts which offers Broadway shows, Tony-winning theatre, cabaret and experimental productions.
About Denver Arts & Venues

Denver Arts & Venues’ mission is to amplify Denver’s quality of life and economic vitality through premier public venues, arts and entertainment opportunities. Arts & Venues is the City and County of Denver agency responsible for operating some of the region’s most renowned facilities, including Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, the Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum and McNichols Civic Center Building. Arts & Venues also oversees the Denver Public Art Program, Create Denver, SCFD Tier III granting process, Arts Education Fund and other entertainment and cultural events such as the Five Points Jazz Festival, Urban Arts Fund, P.S. You Are Here and implementation of IMAGINE 2020: Denver’s Cultural Plan. Denver Arts & Venues is committed to equity, diversity and inclusiveness in all our programs, initiatives and decision-making processes.
www.ArtsandVenues.com

Kelly Graham is facilities operations coordinator for Arts and Venues Denver

By R.V. Baugus and Events Industry Council

IAVM member Chance Thompson, senior manager of sustainability and public relations at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, is honored with the Sustainability & Corporate Social Responsibility award by the Events Industry Council (EIC) at its Hall of Leaders & Pacesetter Awards September 10 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

Each year, the EIC recognizes dynamic and inspirational professionals for their passion, innovation, and dedication to the Global Events Industry. These individual are nominated and determined by a Selection Committee for their legacy impact.

The Pacesetter Award also highlights the exemplary things individuals have done, but focuses on those up-and-coming in their careers. These people have shown innovation, impact and vision in their careers, and their charge has made the industry a better place.

The EIC’s description of Thompson and his work in the area of sustainability gives great insight into why he was chosen as one of four special recipients of Pacesetter awards.

Even as a young boy, Chance Thompson had a love for nature and the outdoors, and he felt he had a duty to protect the Earth.

Fast forward to today, and Thompson has successfully begun a career in sustainable events – and he has plenty of ambition to keep sustainability at the forefront of the events industry.

Growing up in the country-side of Missoula County in Montana, his middle school teacher motivated him to protect the planet, even inspiring him to become a scientist one day. But when he and a couple of close friends started a production company in college, Thompson quickly fell in love with event planning, too.

For Thompson, that did not mean having to let go of his dreams for a greener Earth – it simply meant he could combine both passions. The result? A remarkable career that earned him the 2019 Pacesetter Award for Sustainability and Social Responsibility.

Thompson considers working with such innovative professionals a privilege and is super excited to share this award with fellow industry leader Desiree Knight. He is thankful to SMG at the Salt Palace Convention Center and Mountain America Exposition Center and their Green Team partners at Visit Salt Lake, Utah Food Services, and PSAV for their passion and support to sustainable events.

Throughout his career, Thompson has placed emphasis on community, helping Salt Lake hospitality have positive contributions to community organizations through trade show materials. The Salt Palace’s new brand experience, You Are Here, will also feature diversity and inclusion.

“It’s important for minorities to be brought up to an even playing field.” Thompson says. “That’s how you build a better planet – one where everybody has a seat at the table in creating a future that works for any and all.”

The practice of sustainability has come a long way, but Thompson says that there is plenty of room for growth, including in the encouragement of zero-waste events, a replacement for carpet on trade show floors and the reduction of carbon emissions from air travel.

Thompson believes that we have the capability to increase sustainable practices, but he preaches that teamwork is a vital part of the process. He encourages people to inspire one another and stay positive, because some of the best lessons come from people, not just those you interact with every day, but others in your industry.

“Wear your heart on your sleeve and show your passion,” Thompson says. “The most important part of sustainability is us, and it’s critical to work together to get things off the ground. For our Green Team partners in Salt Lake, it has made us better hospitality partners and more sustainability businesses.”

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in August 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.

Aisha Ahmad-Post, Ent Center for the Arts, Colorado Springs, CO, United States
Maryia Anderson, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Ricardo Artalejo, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
Dawn Ashley, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Julie Baca, Orlando City Soccer Club, Davenport, FL, United States
Lucas Bergert, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Beth Bingham, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Erika Bocanegra, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Charlie Chatterton, Eastern Connecticut State University, Vernon, CT, United States
Darin Clarke, Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Michelle Cook, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Kathryn Cox, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX, United States
Todd Danielson, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Andrew Davila, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Courtney Delware, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX, United States
Evan Derr, The Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH, United States
Rick Droski, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Jared Duymovic, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Mark Elvin, 22nd DAA/San Diego County Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA, United States
Trina Fox, Ungerboeck Software International, O’Fallon, MO, United States
Aziza Genglik, The Jerome Schottenstein Center, Columbus, OH, United States
Emily Goretski, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Derek Gray, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, United States
Paul Guerrucci, Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, GA, United States
Keith Gusmini, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Heather Harris, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Dan Havens, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, CO, United States
Meagan Hemenway, AT&T Performing Arts Center, Dallas, TX, United States
RJ Heninger, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Megan Herman, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, United States
Lindsey Hess, Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Lauryn Johnson, Von Braun Center, Huntsville, AL, United States
Jeff Kehr, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Gordon Kelly, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Tom Klubertanz, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Andrew Kranker, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Jennifer LaCaze, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
Justin Lammi, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Addie Lewis, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Greg Lichtarski, Owens Facility Services, Orlando, FL, United States
Charles Marcum, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
Jason Mathew, University of North Texas, Irving, TX, United States
Patricia Mathieu, McCaw Hall at Seattle Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Charles McCormick, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Jay McCreary, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
Meredith McDonald, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Bailee McNair, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Dakota Michell, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX, United States
Duke Milakovich, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Larry Miller, Appalachian Wireless Arena, Pikeville, KY, United States
Sarah Miranda, Mesa Convention Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Jacob Mobberley, Performing Arts Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX, United States
Carlene Moore, 22nd DAA/San Diego County Fairgrounds, Del Mar, CA, United States
Chad Moser, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
John Penisten, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Gabriela Perez, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Henderson, NV, United States
Ron Perrin, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Sarah Perry, Peace Center, Greenville, SC, United States
Alex Powers, UTA Special Event Facilities, Arlington, TX, United States
Joe Pruna, Mesa Arts Center, Mesa, AZ, United States
Heidi Radish, Resch Center, Green Bay, WI, United States
Melissa Radu, Edmonton Convention Centre, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Carolyna Ramirez, Charleston Gaillard Center, Charleston, SC, United States
Molly Ray, Rogers Arena | Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Rashaan Rhoden, University of Central Florida, Cambridge, MD, United States
Hunter Rich, Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, CA, United States
Kiana Rivera, Palm Beach County Convention Center, West Palm Beach, FL, United States
Caitlin Ryan, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Steve Sawyer, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
David Sayed, IPS Inc., Irvine, CA, United States
Whitney Schmidt, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Jess Schuknecht, Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, WI, United States
Elizabeth Scoggin, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas, Dallas, TX, United States
Rosie Selle, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States
Mary Shelby, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Charlotte, NC, United States
Pandora Shelley, Qwick, New York, NY, United States
Erika Siegel, New Era Field – Buffalo Bills, Buffalo, NY, United States
Melissa Sutton, Oklahoma State Fair Park, Oklahoma City, OK, United States
Jeffrey Todd, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Valerie Willcox, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, United States
Chastity Wilson, Florence Center, Florence, SC, United States
Erin Wimsatt, Victoria Theatre Association, Dayton, OH, United States
Shelly Wynia, Target Center, Minneapolis, MN, United States