SMG Named New Operator of University of Phoenix Stadium
The Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority (AZSTA) Board of Directors selected SMG to operate the University of Phoenix Stadium. Beginning July 1, 2016, SMG will provide full management and operational services for the stadium for five years. AZSTA will receive a $1.5 million up-front capital investment, too.“SMG is honored that AZSTA has chosen our firm to manage the venue, and we are excited to have an opportunity to
“SMG is honored that AZSTA has chosen our firm to manage the venue, and we are excited to have an opportunity to work with the board, the Arizona Cardinals, and Fiesta Bowl in the years to come,” said Wes Westley, SMG’s president and CEO, in a statement.
The University of Phoenix Stadium is the sixth NFL stadium under SMG’s management. Other stadiums include Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana; EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida; Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois; NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas; and the new U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“The AZSTA Board of Directors conducted a thorough RFP process, which resulted in the selection of SMG as our stadium management firm,” said AZSTA President and CEO Tom Sadler in a statement. “We are pleased to welcome SMG and feel that they aligned best with AZSTA’s vision and mission. They represent a tremendous opportunity for growth and look forward to continuing a tradition of excellent execution at all of our major events.”
The management transition will begin immediately and will be completed before the NFL season starts.
“We welcome University of Phoenix Stadium to our SMG network of facilities, and will use all of our resources to present the best in sports and live entertainment to the citizens of Maricopa County,” said Doug Thornton, SMG’s Executive Vice President, in a statement. “University of Phoenix Stadium is among the finest facilities in the country. We recognize the significant role that it plays in the region and the standard of service that is needed to ensure its continued success. We look forward to working with all of the stakeholders in making that happen.”
(Image: Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons)
Notes From the Chair
Greetings IAVM Friends,
At the end of April, the Board of Directors (BOD) had its spring conference call and we wanted to share some key updates with all of you.
- The CEO search is well underway with interviews of the top five potential candidates to take place on June 20 and 21 in Dallas, Texas. The interview committee is eager to meet with this talented pool. As we go through this process, the search remains open so if an additional exceptional candidate appears SearchWide would still review the person’s information for consideration.
- The Interview Committee is comprised of varied voices and perspectives from multiple venue types, international insight, allied, and young professional…all perspectives that encompass IAVM:
- Karen Totaro, CFE – Chair
- Mark Mettes, CFE – 1st Vice Chair
- Doug Booher, CFE – 2nd Vice Chair
- Kim Bedier, CFE – Past Chair
- Jack Lucas – President, TicketsWest and WestCoast Entertainment
- Bob Hunter – Chief Project Development Officer, Maple Leafs Sports & Entertainment
- Lauren Simpson – Booking and Events Manager – Grand Ole Opry House
- Financial reports show year end with the IAVM coming in US$166,560 with a budget of $80,000 (a variance to the positive of $86,560). The key factors in this increase were due to increases in membership, the AVSS program, and PAMC. Great job by all!
- The BOD reviewed an in-depth survey done of our Allied members and discussed the information provided that will assist the BOD as we work toward a review of the conference strategy.
- Request for the Safety and Security programs continues to be strong and has Mark Herrera and his team booked through June. Please review the program options that you can bring to your venue online via the IAVM website.
- Gensler is in the final stages of the IAVM Branding Initiative “Design Phase” and will be having interactive conference call meetings with the Executive Committee in May and the full BOD in June.
- In June, the staff and Executive Committee will be sharing the conference strategy updates with the committees once again for additional feedback regarding the latest information before bringing it forward to the full IBOD on a call in late June and then to VenueConnect in July.
- Upcoming Foundation fundraising efforts will be focused on the committee giving challenge encouraging all committee members to give a minimum of $25 by July 15, 2016.
- The Foundation 30|UNDER|30 Program continues to grow with 73 nominations this year compared to 51 last year which is exciting for all. The 2016 class will be announced at the end of May.
IAVM continues to thrive as we work towards VenueConnect 2016. We have so much to share with you in Minneapolis and we certainly hope that includes introducing all of you to our new president and CEO. Sign up today for VenueConnect 2016 and be part of the next Chapter of IAVM.
The YP Connection, Featuring Matt Hollander, CFE
The Young Professionals (YP) Committee is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to engage the under-30 membership base. One of these ways is by hosting quarterly “Hangouts” with industry veterans.
This quarter, we’ll be having a conversation with 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’ll talk to Matt about what advances he’s hoping to include in this renovation along with a general overview of what is entailed when taking on such a large undertaking.
Bring your questions regarding these topics along with any general career-centric questions to this 45-50 minute conversation with an industry veteran and your YP colleagues.
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. We hope to see you there!
(Image: Joe the Goat Farmer/Creative Commons)
I Am Venue Management: Russell Read, CFE, CMP
You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.
If I wasn’t doing this I’d be a: From an early age, I knew that I wanted to create. If I wasn’t having the time of my life creating environments for artists and audiences, I would be creating some form of art. Over the last few years, I’ve been lucky enough to travel and re-discovered my love of photography. I’ve got an amazing picture hanging in my office right now of a wall. Yes, a wall. This was a fortress wall built in the 1600s in Obidos, Portugal – so it is a really cool wall! If you want to imagine me in retirement, picture me with a camera around my neck, a passport in my pocket, and a smile on my face!
Most impressive person I’ve ever met: Bob Hope! I was part of a load-in crew for a tribute show that was honoring him. We had been working for 36 hours straight. The first real break was when Bob was interviewed on the set. I, of course, took my chance at a nap and found a comfy spot on the loading dock. When Bob was done with the interview, he passed me on the dock and took the time to stop and thank me for all the hard work. What an awesome guy! Here is my favorite Bob Hope quote: “I’ve always been in the right place and time. Of course, I steered myself there.”
John Sweeney: Innovation at the Speed of Laughter
Improv is having a moment. What was once considered a slacker art form for college students and actors is now taught to businesses worldwide as leaders discover the transformational power of active listening, agreement, and play that improv offers its practitioners.
One of the art form’s greatest practitioners and instructors is John Sweeney, owner and director of the oldest comedy club in the U.S., the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We’re happy to have him as our closing keynote speaker at this year’s VenueConnect on Monday, July 25, 4:15 p.m.
Sweeney believes that innovation is always a reflection of individuals reacting from a mindset of fear than one of discovery. His keynote will focus on how to apply improv-based behaviors and skills to positively influence innovation in the workplace.
We recently asked Sweeney a few questions about discovery, innovation, and improv.
What is the Mindset of Discovery?
John Sweeney: It is a state of being in which you are able to gather information and instinctual data very fast, reduce the level of initial judgment, and increase your ability to be nimble and action biased. It is when we are behaving as our most innovative selves and working at our most our most innovatively productive level.
Why do so many companies have difficulty in creating a culture of innovation?
JS: Culture is the sum of the behaviors of the many individuals who make up the team. Their individual behaviors are hard to metric, hard to mandate, and sometimes even hard to encourage. That is why I see so many companies focusing on the tools they can build and buy (like software and other technology) and the specific skills they can teach (like design thinking or brainstorming techniques). They miss the mark on the behavior part of innovation and allow it to fall off the radar.
What is the biggest challenge business professionals struggle with when learning improv concepts and how do you overcome the challenge?
JS: It is a tie—reducing judgment and fear of failure. Our recommendation is that they find ways to practice both in a safe environment that allows them to slowly build up the behaviors needed for innovation at work
How has a career in improv and public service changed you over the years?
JS: I try to live a life that embraces “Yes And.” This helped me on stage and continues to help as I grow our business and give back as much as I can. Our family and our company continue to ask two questions, “What can we build and who can we help?” As an improviser, I know that I have everything I need at all times to deliver innovation. That drives me to live a life of service.
(Image: Facebook)