AEG Facilities announced that the City of Glendale has extended the company’s contract to manage Gila River Arena, home of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes, for an additional five years through June 30, 2026.

“AEG Facilities has done an exceptional job of overseeing all aspects of the operation of the Gila River Arena,” said Glendale City Manager Kevin Phelps. “From day one, AEG Facilities has provided the arena the best set of resources, operational expertise and economic vision to further the venue’s outstanding reputation. Through our partnership with AEG, we have clearly established Gila River Arena as one of the most important arenas in the region.”

In its two years of partnership with the City of Glendale for management of the arena, AEG Facilities has led the way in securing content such as the return of Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and UFC to the market as well as stops on acclaimed global tours such as Coldplay, Pink, Elton John, Drake, Sam Smith, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Roger Waters, Queen, WWE, Chainsmokers, Panic! at the Disco, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Just this past year alone, the Gila River Arena hosted more concerts, sold more tickets, and accumulated the highest gross ticket sales at the venue since 2009.

“We are looking forward to continuing our partnership with the City of Glendale for years to come,” said Dale Adams, general manager, Gila River Arena and vice president event development, AEG Facilities. “Gila River Arena is a first-class venue that continues to attract the most popular events on tour today.”

AEG Facilities has managed the Gila River Arena’s operations since 2016. During that time, the company has provided such services as event programming and content development, purchasing, vendor venue services, advertising, marketing, and event-day operations for the arena. Additionally, AEG Facilities has implemented its industry-leading proprietary initiatives at Gila River Arena including AEG S.A.F.E., AEG 1Source, AEG 1EARTH, AEG 1Force, AEG Encore, and AEG Energy Services.

Glendale’s Gila River Arena anchors by the Westgate Entertainment District and is also adjacent to the University of Phoenix Stadium.

Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (Management) Limited (“HML”) is committed to sustainability and strives to be at the forefront of a more sustainable event industry. To this end, HML has introduced a new sustainability initiative under the slogan “Think Before Plastic,” with a series of new measures being rolled out from the start of its new fiscal year on July 1, 2018.

One such measure is the replacement of plastic disposable cutlery with non-plastic alternatives at all HKCEC restaurant outlets and concession stands. Plastic straws are also no longer provided, with paper straws available upon request. As a result of these measures, HML expects to cut out the use of over 1,300,000 pieces of plastic disposable cutlery and more than 330,000 plastic straws in 12 months.

HML has also discontinued the sale of plastic bottled beverages from all vending machines for staff members and contractors working in back of house areas.

Community engagement is important to the success of any sustainability initiative. HML is therefore encouraging visitors and event attendees to bring their own bottles when attending events at the HKCEC, and to make use of the 18 water fountains in the HKCEC for free refills. Of these water fountains, 13 are located inside the exhibition halls, four are in the corridors of meeting rooms, and one is located in the back of house area for the use of staff members and contractors. To promote the water fountains, prominent signs have been added in exhibition halls and meeting room corridors.

Monica Lee-Müller, HML’s managing director and also the primary driver of the “Think Before Plastic” initiative, said, “All of us – venue operators, event organisers, exhibitors, buyers, visitors, event attendees, dining guests – have a responsibility towards our environment. HML is striving to be at the forefront of a greener event industry, and one way we are doing this is by encouraging our customers, event organisers, contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders, as well as other event industry players, to think before using disposable plastic items.

“Cutting out disposable plastic cutlery and plastic straws is only the beginning, though. We are continuing to work on sourcing non-disposable plastic alternatives for various other items, such as meal boxes and cup lids.”

HML was the first organisation in Hong Kong to achieve ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management System recognition. This certification recognises that HML has fully incorporated the concept of sustainability into the entire event management cycle, including its operation procedures and guidelines.

One of Western Australia’s leading media and communications professionals, Graham Mason, has been appointed to the newly created role of Head of Media, Communications and Government Relations at Optus Stadium.

In this role, Mason will help build and maintain the reputation of Optus Stadium and its Operator, VenuesLive WA, leading the day-to-day management of key media and government relationships.

Mason boasts an outstanding CV covering more than 20 years media and government experience, including significant positions in the West Australian media industry across Seven West and 6PR. He also spent a number of years as a senior member of the media team within the former State Government and joins Optus Stadium most recently from NBN Co.

“We are delighted that Graham will be joining the Optus Stadium and VenuesLive WA team,” said Mike McKenna, Optus Stadium CEO. “He has an outstanding CV with a background and skillset that will add significant value to our talented team. With over one million fans having already attended events during the first six months of operations, the second half of the year is proving equally successful. 2019 is just around the corner and it’s going to be another exciting year for the stadium with a fantastic calendar of world-class events already secured. It is certainly an exciting time to join the team and we are looking forward to Graham commencing in mid-August.”

“In a very short time, Optus Stadium has become an iconic landmark in Western Australia,” Mason said. “Becoming part of the team that is managing this spectacular stadium is a privilege and I already look forward an exciting year ahead of world class events and showcasing Western Australia to the world via this magnificent venue.”

VenuesLive WA was appointed by the State Government as Operator of Optus Stadium in June 2016. The team boasts over 80 permanent staff with a further 2,500 casual staff who support event day operations.

Last week at this time, I was on my way home from VenueConnect in Toronto and was feeling so happy with the tremendous support you gave your Foundation during the conference.

The Foundation Golf Tournament started the week off on Sunday, followed by the Foundation Silent Auction at the Trade Show where bidders, both online and live, vied for some seriously cool items which were donated by our members. Tuesday evening, the 30|Under30|Class of 2018 were honored with a reception and received recognition for their achievements.  If you attended the Diversity om Leadership reception on Wednesday, then you know about the electric atmosphere that just exploded as person after person yelled out pledges to support the Foundation’s Dollars for Diversity campaign. It was crazy unbelievable!! We raised $40,000!  Even more was raised at the end of conference party in an effort to see IAVM President & CEO Brad Mayne, CVE, and the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors perform a song and dance.  By the end of the conference, you had raised over $130,000 for Your Foundation, Your Future!

The entire week was alive with positivity and excitement about the future of IAVM, the Foundation and its programs!  As we move past VenueConnect, my vision for the coming year is one of continued momentum for the Foundation.  Now, more than ever, it’s important for us all to support Your Foundation and Your Future by contributing to the Foundation Annual Giving Campaign.  I see the Foundation moving into the future with the ability to assist even more members with scholarships and internships, learning and certification opportunities, up to date research and much, much more. 

Won’t you help us keep up the momentum for Your Foundation, for Your Future and the for the future of members just like you by contributing today?

Robyn Williams, CVE

Chair of the Board of Trustees

IAVM Foundation

Our time in Toronto was educational, full of reconnecting and making new connections, and was a resounding success for your Foundation’s fundraising efforts.

Fundraising at VenueConnect 2018 totals:

Silent Auction –                     $46,000

Golf Tournament –               $38,000

Diversity Reception –           $40,000

End of Conference Party – $10,000

Total raised @VC 18            $134,000

Other Campaign Efforts:

100 +Women Campaign – Up to $10,922

Joseph A Floreano Scholarship & Internship Program – $13,107

Total for raised for campaigns and at VC18 = $158,029

Going Forward:

Coming off of a fantastic VenueConnect 2018, the Foundation will continue to serve it’s members through the following initiatives:

• Build an Amazing Future Annual fundraising Campaign
• Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship & Internship Program
• 100+Women Campaign
• Diversity Initiative
• Certification Programs

When thinking of your Foundation, we sincerely hope you will consider helping us provide opportunities to your colleagues in the venue management industry by investing in YOUR Foundation.  Perhaps you have received an opportunity in the past that you want to pay forward to another industry professional.  Any amount is appreciated and contributes to the future of our industry! 

Onward and upward as the Foundation now moves with purpose toward VenueConnect 2019 in Chicago!