Officials for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx announced two new developments today for the Target Center suite level. Beginning in the 2016-2017 Timberwolves season, there will be new Chairman’s Suites and Theater Boxes available. Both offer all-inclusive food and beverage.

“We’re excited to bring these products to market and provide premium suite offerings for companies of all sizes,” said Ryan Tanke, senior vice president and chief revenue officer for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, in a statement.

The Chairman’s Suites include a private suite with a balcony and access to the Chairman’s Club that overlooks center court. Theater Boxes will be located on the sideline suite level and will cater to smaller groups at Target Center in Minneapolis (home to this year’s VenueConnect).

“The Chairman’s Suites and Theater Boxes provide the perfect venue to grow business relationships, reward employees, and indulge friends and family with the backdrop of downtown Minneapolis,” Tanke said.

(Image: Minnesota Timberwolves)

Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in April 2016—a total of 78 new members. 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.

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The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 Venue Management School (VMS), recognizing individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry.

The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of the VMS Board of Regents and committed donors—together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Let’s meet the scholarship and internship recipients.

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This quarter, the YP Connection event will feature Matt Hollander, CFE, general manager of the Miami Beach Convention Center, operated by Spectra Venue Management, on Friday, May 20, 3 p.m. (EST). The Miami Beach Convention Center recently broke ground on a $651 million expansion and renovation project that is slated to be completed in 2018. We briefly spoke with Hollander to learn more about his thoughts on renovations.

How are you seeing security measures being implemented into venue renovations?

Matt Hollander: Security is a major issue and a very important consideration during design. Major systems need to be designed with resiliency and redundancy in mind to help minimize downtime in the event of an incident. The designers need to consider hardening of the physical structure to minimize the risk of intrusion into the building by vehicles. And access control, surveillance, and screening technology must be evaluated based on the attractiveness of the venue as a potential target. The operators, designers, and contractors all play a role in this process.

What is your best advice to young professionals dealing with construction or renovations for the first time at their venues?

MH: Despite the best planning, nothing ever goes exactly as planned. Be prepared to adjust course many times during the process and enjoy the ride. It is a special honor to be a part of a renovation or new construction project. You will forever be a part of the history of that venue. Enjoy every minute.

How do you see convention centers evolving in design over the next five years?

MH: I think we will continue to see an emphasis on the non-traditional spaces for networking and impromptu meet-ups. I think this will continue to shape the selection of furnishings as well as redefine where and how technology is deployed within the convention center.

Please sign-up here to join the hangout and let us know if you want to be one of the eight face-to-face participants. You can also choose just to view the interview. See you on Friday!

Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will offer food and beverage options at low prices when it opens next year, venue leadership said. For example, look at these price points:

$2 – Non-alcoholic beverage products with unlimited free refills (at freestanding refill stations)
$2 – Dasani bottled water; hot dogs; pretzels; popcorn
$3 – Peanuts; pizza; nachos; waffle fries
$5 – 12 oz. domestic beer

“We focused from the beginning on building a unique fan experience at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a goal of helping those who visit to leave the stadium with great memories shared with family and friends, not aggravation and frustration about their experience,” said Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur M. Blank in a statement. “We have listened to the concerns of the fans on the food and beverage experience and have responded to those concerns in a way that honors our commitment to providing the best possible fan experience at our events.”

Speed and quality of service will be improved, too, with more than 670 concession points-of-sale, self-service soda refill stations not near concession stands, and whole-dollar pricing.

“To truly reimagine the food and beverage experience, we needed to first and foremost offer fans the best value possible,” said Mike Gomes, senior vice president of fan experience, in a statement. “Value starts with pricing but also includes improved quality and freshness, a variety of options that can appeal to all fans and the best speed of service – all of which we have delivered on through Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s innovative approach to the food and beverage program.”

(Image: Atlanta Falcons)