Major League Baseball’s Pittsburgh Pirates has partnered with KultureCity to certify PNC Park as a sensory-inclusive environment.

The certification process requires the stadium game-day staff to be trained on how to recognise fans with sensory needs and educate them on how to handle a sensory overload situation.

The Pirates and KultureCity will ensure sensory bags, equipped with noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, verbal cue cards and weighted lap pads, are available to all guests who may feel overwhelmed by the environment at PNC Park.

Fans also have access to a quiet area, located in the Legacy Square area, for those who may need a quieter and more secure environment.

“We are proud to work with KultureCity to provide the most inclusive environment for all of our fans throughout the season,” said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “We recognize that during each game sensory sensitivities may hinder some of our biggest fans from enjoying the game they love. With this in mind, we are working diligently to ensure there are tools at their disposal as well as areas within the ballpark they can take advantage of to make their experience a great one.”

Individuals with autism, dementia, PTSD, and other similar conditions often experience sensory sensitivities or challenges with sensory regulation.

“To know that you soon will be able to see families attend a baseball game, a true community binding experience, with their loved ones who have a sensory challenge and who were not able to previously attend, is truly a heartwarming moment,” added Julian Maha, KultureCity co-founder. “Our communities are what shapes our lives and to know that the Pirates are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that everyone, no matter their ability, is included in their community is amazing.”

Leslie Lotten, the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s Assistant Director of Event Services, received the Tourism Matters Award from New Orleans and Company at a National Travel and Tourism Week Rally.

The award is granted to select tourism industry professionals that have distinguished themselves through hard work, dedication, and years of service. Lotten’s 32 years of dedication to the Convention Center have been benchmarked with thousands of events that have visited the city, as well as an exponential growth in the New Orleans tourism industry.

“She was chosen because of her 32-year career at the convention center, her rise throughout her career, and her above and beyond commitment to her clients,” said Stephen Perry, President and CEO of New Orleans And Company. “People like her are the reason people come to New Orleans.” A native New Orleanian, Lotten is one of three industry professionals who received the award from New Orleans and Company.

“Leslie is a hard-working tourism industry professional whose talents help us achieve our goal of being one of the best convention centers in the country,” said New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center President Michael Sawaya. “Her leadership and experience have been invaluable assets to our team, and we are proud to see her honored with this award.”

The International Association of Exhibitions and Events® (IAEE) celebrated a successful Women’s Leadership Forum on April 29-30 at the Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg, VA, that included the selection of Julie Pazina, CEM, National Director of Sales at Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, as recipient of the association’s Woman of Achievement Award.

Raised in Atlanta, Pazina moved to Las Vegas in 2002 while working for the cruise industry. She found her home in Las Vegas and never looked back, joining Edlen Electrical Exhibition Services, a family-owned and operated company based in Las Vegas that has grown into the nation’s largest independent temporary utility contractor for trade shows, conventions and special events. In her position, Pazina oversees sales in the Las Vegas market as well as supporting regional and national sales efforts.

Pazina is an active IAVM member and also an IAEE member since 2006, where she has served on various committees and task forces on the national level. Her nomination included support from long-time IAEE members and industry veterans who commended her for her industry involvement, including a very active history with her local chapter. She is well-known among young professionals as a welcoming force who is generous with her knowledge and experience, which also earned her the IAEE Young Professional Award in 2011.

“I am passionate about the events industry, and IAEE has given me the opportunity to learn, grow and build lifelong friendships,” said Pazina. “Being named the recipient of the Woman of Achievement Award is an honor, and I couldn’t be prouder to be among so many smart, accomplished, engaged women in this industry.”

Pazina served on the Board of the Las Vegas Hospitality Association for six years, including her tenure as president in 2013. She is also a member of the Junior League of Las Vegas and an active community volunteer. A graduate of Vanderbilt University with a double major in Political Science and Communication Studies, Pazina recently engaged in a campaign for a Nevada State Senate seat in order to represent her community in upcoming legislative sessions.

“Julie has a passion for the industry and fully devotes herself to her volunteer commitments,” said IAEE Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Cathy Breden, CMP, CAE. “Her run for a seat in the Nevada State Legislature was very inspirational, and she is a great role model to other women both in and beyond our industry.”

By Glen White

A year after launching its Last Straw campaign, Delaware North announced its plastic straw usage has been reduced by more than 8 million straws across its 200-plus operating locations in the United States. The campaign was launched on Earth Day (April 22) 2018 and was implemented as a commitment to reduce plastic waste by offering single-use drinking straws on a request-only basis.
|
“This past year was a tremendous step in our ongoing mission of cutting back on single-use plastics and waste in general,” said Deb Friedel, Delaware North’s director of sustainability. “With our operations encompassing such a large footprint, it’s important that we continue to take these steps to minimize our impact on the environment and this was a relatively simple step that has had great results.”

The Last Straw campaign was adopted at most of Delaware North’s operating locations as a way to cut down on the estimated 38.1 million plastic drinking straws the company uses each year. The program is one of the latest initiatives of Delaware North’s proprietary environmental stewardship program, GreenPath®.

Through GreenPath, Delaware North ensures careful management of its environmental impact by setting strict guidelines for energy and water consumption, waste management and other standards at its operating locations around world, which includes sports and entertainment venues, national and state parks, destination resorts and restaurants, airports, and regional casinos. Since its inception in the early 1990s, GreenPath has won dozens of awards from the likes of NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Travel Association.

Glen White is Senior Manager – Corporate Communications for Delaware North.

By Laura Portch

History is hoping to be made in Melbourne Friday night, May 3, when Collingwood take on Port Adelaide at (Docklands) Marvel Stadium.

As part of the 150th anniversary of Heinz, the iconic food brand has invited its partners to a birthday party with a difference by attempting to set a world record for the most people singing Happy Birthday at the same time.

Heinz partnered with Collingwood to become the “Official Sauce of the Hot Pies” earlier this year and also has an arrangement with Marvel Stadium to supply footy fans with a range of Heinz products.

Simon Laroche, CEO of Kraft Heinz, said, “One hundred-fifty years is a big achievement and we wanted to celebrate in a big way. Collingwood have the best sounding fans in the game and we are inviting them to try and make history with us.”

Mark Anderson, CEO of Collingwood Football Club, said: “We jumped at the chance to get involved with Heinz’ 150th Birthday celebrations. Our football club is 127 years old this year so we will look to get some tips on what to expect when we reach the 150 year milestone!”

Michael Green, CEO of Marvel Stadium, said, “We are really excited about the opportunity to set this new record. We’re calling on fans of both teams to turn up the volume at Marvel Stadium this Friday night.”

The mass singalong will occur at the end of the first quarter and MC Brody Young will lead the crowd in the record attempt. The Colllingwood players will also run through a specially created Heinz banner at the start of the game.

Laura Portch is senior account director at DEC PR in Sydney, Australia.