First National Bank Arena, a premier arena and entertainment venue in Northeast Arkansas, announced the addition of two directors to its executive team. With the addition of Mac Beaverstock as the Marketing Director and Brandon Murphy as the Director of Operations, the First National Bank Arena solidifies its commitment to delivering exceptional experiences and maintaining its position as a leader in the entertainment industry.

Beaverstock, a recent University of Arkansas graduate with a passion for marketing and a creative mindset, brings fresh perspectives and innovative strategies to First National Bank Arena. With a degree in Management and a minor in Marketing, Beaverstock is eager to make a significant impact in the entertainment industry. With his strong understanding of emerging marketing trends, Beaverstock will lead the venue’s marketing efforts to new heights, positioning First National Bank Arena as the go-to destination for unforgettable live experiences.

As the new Director of Operations, Brandon Murphy will oversee the seamless execution of all aspects related to the facility’s operations. Murphy brings to the table years of experience in the vast array of different events hosted by FNBA. He continuously strives to create a winning atmosphere as well as a sense of family among his coworkers and clients. For the past five years Murphy has dedicated his life to Breaking Bonds Ministries, a local nonprofit, originating in Northeast Arkansas. Murphy served as Director of Operations for the Jonesboro Chapter from 2019 to 2021 and also as the Executive Director of the Jackson, Missouri Chapter from 2021 to March of 2023.

By stadiumbusiness.com

The Gensler Architectural & Design Firm is set to win the contract to design an expansion of BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, ahead of the stadium hosting FIFA World Cup games in 2026.

According to minutes released by the City of Toronto, a non-competitive contract is set to be finalized with Gensler to design the expansion – which will comprise an additional 17,756 seats – in order to expedite the process. The project will increase the capacity of BMO Field to 45,736 and cost $4.2 million.

“A non-competitive contract is necessary to immediately proceed with the capital project at BMO Field in order to meet the specific FWC26 Toronto event timelines as set by FIFA,” the City of Toronto’s executive committee stated.

A statement added: “To ensure efficiencies, staff are seeking authorization to award and enter into a non-competitive contract with Gensler for the FWC26 Toronto capital project at BMO Field.”

According to the city’s background report, Gensler will be working under the direction of CAA ICON, previously approved by the City Council as the project manager for the BMO Field expansion.

CAA ICON and Gensler have worked together before on renovations that took place at BMO Field in 2015.

“Their combined experience and expertise as the primary project team for previous BMO Field renovations will bring benefits to the project in cost savings and time,” the report added.

The background report also highlighted the timeline for the stadium project, with design development earmarked for between July and September this year. Construction documentation and permits are due to be secured between October this year and February 2024.

Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside the United States and Mexico.

By Jude-Anne Phillip

The Pennsylvania Convention Center has earned the Gold Level certification to the Events Industry Council (EIC) Sustainable Event Standards for venues, positioning the facility as an industry leader in sustainability and social responsibility.

The EIC Sustainable Event Standards are a collection of standards developed to assess events industry suppliers on specific criteria for producing and delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. These criteria include organizational management; marketing, communication, and engagement; climate action; water management; materials and circularity; supply chain management; diversity, equity, and inclusion; accessibility; and social impact.

“The Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority is proud to be recognized by the EIC for our commitment to sustainability and social responsibility,” said David A. Nasatir, Esq., Chair of the Board, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “The Gold Level certification confirms the degree of focus the Pennsylvania Convention Center has placed on being an environmentally friendly facility and a dedicated community partner.”

The certification consists of four levels – bronze, silver, gold, and platinum – each of which represents the percentage of completion the venue or event has achieved for implementation of the sustainable practices.

Sustainability and social responsibility have always been top priorities at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and over the years, the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority has made significant investments in tools and initiatives designed to reduce the negative impacts, while providing a clean facility and efficient operations. The Center’s valued partnerships with technology, environmental management, and sustainability companies such as Siemens, Republic Services, and Honeycomb Strategies have also allowed the facility to make substantial and innovative strides in waste diversion, utilities management, and other sustainable solutions.

Additionally, the 2016 launch of the Center’s “Green Team,” an employee network of staff from the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority and ASM Global, stakeholders, and service providers, who are responsible for developing, implementing, and enforcing the Center’s sustainability best practices and programs, has positioned the Center as a reliable and expert sustainability partner to customers. The “Green Team” has collaborated closely with shows such as the Philadelphia Flower Show and Natural Products Expo East to help them successfully execute their unique sustainability initiatives.

“The Pennsylvania Convention Center is serious about our responsibility to the environment and our communities, and we are proud to collaborate with our stakeholders and customers on initiatives that make a positive impact,” said John J. McNichol, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. “As a steward of the public good and a major economic driver for Greater Philadelphia, sustainability and social responsibility will always remain top priorities in our operations, and we welcome every opportunity to provide our customers with the expert support they need to achieve their sustainability goals.”

As an ASM Global managed facility, several of the sustainability and social responsibility initiatives at the Pennsylvania Convention Center fall under the ASM Global Acts program, a corporate social responsibility platform launched by the company in 2021.

The ASM Global Acts program was designed around three pillars – Protect the Environment, Invest in People, and Strengthen our Communities – with the aim of contributing to a healthier planet, serving the communities in which the company operates, and encouraging diversity and inclusion.

Under this program, the Pennsylvania Convention Center has enforced a robust sustainability and social impact plan and has successfully implemented initiatives such as increasing its daily purchase of renewable energy certificates to 50%, increasing its waste diversion rate goal to 50%, and eliminating single-use plastics in the venue.

“The ASM Global Acts program is a visionary and innovative approach to sustainability and social responsibility,” said Tony Hodgins, General Manager, ASM Global. “Through the program, ASM Global has maintained its position as a leader in sustainability operations management and community stewardship, and our continued collaboration with the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority will allow the Pennsylvania Convention Center to be a key initiator of change in the Greater Philadelphia region.”

Jude-Anne Phillip is Senior Communications Manager at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

By Alexandra Francisco

New England Patriots players are used to hearing noise from the crowds at Gillette Stadium before running out onto the field before home games.

Starting this season, some of those fans will be right in the tunnel with them, wishing them luck from the Bud Light Celebration Beer Hall.

This new addition is just part of the $250 million investment the Kraft family has put into the stadium’s most recent renovation, which also includes a new 22-story lighthouse and state-of-the-art videoboard that will be the largest of its kind in the entire country.

The project features the most transformational improvements made to Gillette Stadium since it opened in 2002, and Kraft Sports + Entertainment executives Jen Ferron and Jim Nolan recently offered media an update and behind-the-scenes look at progress.

“Fan experience is always where we lead from,” said Ferron, chief marketing officer of KSE.

“When we designed the stadium back in 2002, we intentionally wanted to leave space for other amenities to grow with the building. We know that technology has evolved. We know that fans’ expectations have evolved. … We feel incredibly blessed to that we have the space to allow us to pivot and reinvent ourselves. Fans being at the forefront of everything we do, we believe when they come here to Gillette Stadium starting in September and then going forward, that those coming here for a football game or soccer game or a concert, they’ll feel we’ve committed and reinvested in their experience.”

The upgrades will be immediately apparent to visitors, with the Enel Plaza and grand staircase leading into Gillette Stadium having been expanded and reimagined. The lower concourse saw dramatic change as well, with three glass-enclosed concession markets featuring grab-and-go technology and self-pouring beer kiosks. A walk-in Guest Services center, new restrooms, two walk-up bars, and a refurbished merchandise location will also fill out the space, while a more prominent “Row of Honor” will better amplify the active duty military members honored at each event.

“Throughout the planning of this project, we worked hard to positively impact every guest that comes to Gillette Stadium,” said Nolan, chief operating officer of KSE.

“From arrival to departure and through 360-degree access around the building, new food and beverage locations and menu offerings, premium spaces, the curved-radius videoboard, and more, the fan journey has been enhanced. We are eager for guests at Patriots and Revolution games and concerts and special events to experience and enjoy these transformational upgrades as we continue with our next twenty years in the stadium.”

The G-P Atrium, which will bridge the East and West Putnam Clubs and the Dell Technologies Suite levels, adds 50,000 square feet for hospitality and functions year-round. The glass-enclosed space will house three HD media walls and a two-tiered outdoor balcony that sits underneath the most prominent upgrade: the new video board.

Ferron and Nolan shared that the 22,200 square-foot video board will be the largest outdoor stadium video board in the country upon its completion. It spans almost half an acre and is more than five times the size of the board that formerly hung in the north end zone.

The iconic lighthouse is also much taller than its predecessor.

Standing 218 feet tall, it will offer Patriot Place patrons a 360-degree observation deck for uninterrupted views of the Boston and Providence skylines and can be accessed on non-game days.

The Bud Light Celebration Beer Hall, a new premium space at field level, boasts a 2,000-square-foot outdoor patio overlooking the end zone, and with retractable windows giving season ticket members a look into the bowels of Gillette Stadium, fans will have unprecedented access to look in as athletes leave the locker room to take the field.

“What’s unique there is while it has some outdoor patio features, similar to what we have in other spaces in the stadium, this is connected to the service tunnel where both the Patriots and Revolution players leave their locker room prior to the start of the game. So for fans that are inside the Celebration Beer Hall, they’re going to have this one-of-a-kind experience seeing the players as they’re getting hyped up and ready to take the field.”

Ground was broken on the project in January of 2022 after the completion of the NFL season, and crews have worked around the clock to have it ready for the first Patriots home game.

“We are on track and on schedule to be ready to open at the start of the regular season on September 10,” Ferron said.

“We couldn’t be more excited to show off all the work that’s been done and the work that is yet to be finished. It’s been about a year and a half in the making and we’re as close as we can be.”

Alexandra Francisco is a writer with Patriots.com.

From usajaguars.com

South Alabama athletic director Dr. Joel Erdmann announced new leadership and structure for its Facilities and Event Operations staff.

“We are very excited to have Victor Cohen leading our facilities and events efforts,” Erdmann said. “He has a strong history of managing events here and elsewhere. His knowledge of campus and community resources combined with established relationships allows him to hit the ground running as we head into the fall.”

Cohen will lead the department as the Associate Athletics Director for Facilities and Event Operations while maintaining his role as the Arena Manager of the Mitchell Center. He will be the point person for football game day operations and other events held at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Cohen came to South Alabama in 2002 as the manager of the Mitchell Center, Moulton Tower & Alumni Plaza, and USA Faculty Club following an extensive career dating back to 1984.

He began his career in 1984 as the Assistant Director of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at the University of Florida, before moving to the assistant director role for the Sun Dome at South Florida for two years. He became the Assistant General Manager assigned to Miami Arena for Leisure Management Miami in 1988, before working his way to Assistant Vice President (1990-1992) and Assistant Vice President & General Manager (1992-1995) in the arena. He also served as the Vice President & General Manager assigned to the Pyramid Arena in Memphis (1995-1999) before arriving at South Alabama.