By Sara Picchioni Williams

Populous-designed TQL Stadium was awarded the Prix Versailles Sports 2022 World Title — the world prize for architecture and design from UNESCO.

The Prix Versailles is an original program with the aim of fostering better interaction between the economy and culture. It underlines the role economic agents across sectors can play to enhance, embellish and improve living environments. The honor is awarded annually to the world’s top project in each category based upon innovation, creativity, reflection of local heritage, ecological efficiency, and the values of social interaction and participation which the United Nations holds in high regard.

“We are thrilled that TQL Stadium has been honored with the Prix Versailles World Title,” said Jonathan Mallie, senior principal at Populous and design lead of TQL Stadium. “We worked closely with ownership to create a truly remarkable, one-of-a-kind soccer experience for the people of Cincinnati and the world. Its design stands apart due to its bespoke nature, combining innovative technology, cultural influences, and impeccable interior artistry to create an iconic experience.”

The World Judges Panel, selected to evaluate the year’s best in contemporary architecture, was chaired by philosopher Gilles Lipovetsky (France), and included the architects Thom Mayne (United States), Lu Wenyu (China) and Thomas Vonier (United States), the designer Jasper Morrison (United Kingdom), the disc jockey Charlotte de Witte (Belgium), the filmmaker Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Chad – France) and the mountaineer Samina Baig (Pakistan).

TQL Stadium, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been heralded as one of the world’s top soccer venues. Earlier this year, the stadium was named the Best Venue of 2022 at the World Football Summit Awards. TQL Stadium opened in 2021 as the new home for Major League Soccer’s FC Cincinnati, pairing a world-class soccer atmosphere and energy with a design that truly reflected the Cincinnati community and history.

TQL Stadium was one of two U.S. projects to win a 2022 World Title, and one of just three projects in the U.S. named to the initial World Selection group among the four major categories of airports, campuses, passenger stations, and sports. The MLS stadium was selected from a group of six World Selection projects in sports, which included Etihad Arena (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), Nakia Arena (Tampere, Finland), Tochigi Sports Park – East Area (Utsunomiya, Japan), Stade de Luxembourg (Luxembourg City, Luxembourg), and Al Thumama Stadium (Doha, Qatar).

A striking design from afar and up close, TQL Stadium defies stasis by wrapping itself in over 500 mass-customized aluminum fins. When viewed from down Central Parkway, these articulated aluminum façade elements create the stadium’s signature form: a singular twisting motion that signifies the tension between two teams about to take the pitch. When viewed straight on, they provide a glimpse into the stadium, fostering a heightened sense of anticipation for the match within.

The stadium is one of the league’s largest, and includes The Bailey, the club’s legendary supporters’ section that hosts more than 3,000 fans at the steepest permissible slope, creating an imposing wave of sound that crashes over the pitch below. It pairs this atmosphere with interior hospitality at its finest. The high-design clubs and suites take inspiration from historic Cincinnati architecture, materials, and cultural elements, from the city’s Roman emperor namesake to Cincinnati’s robust brewery scene.

On the exterior, TQL Stadium connects directly to its neighborhood with a plaza entrance that is nestled into Cincinnati’s urban fabric, inspired by monumental public places such as the New York Public Library and the Spanish Steps in Rome. With views overlooking the Over-the-Rhine district and downtown, the plaza serves as the end point to the traditional supporters’ march to the match.

Sara Picchioni Williams is with Great Ink Communications.

By Kelly Luecke

Wendy Edwards has been named Managing Director of VStar Entertainment Group (VStar), one of the premiere producers of live family entertainment experiences in both the U.S. and internationally.

Since joining VStar in 2017, Edwards has assumed a number of positions, initially serving as Senior Vice
President of Touring Operations and Executive Producer. Early endeavors included managing the construction and day-to-day operations of a new modern facility in the Twin Cities, which consolidated the production studio and costume shops into one corporate headquartered facility; and overseeing production and operational logistics during VStar’s 2018 acquisition by global live entertainment leader Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

In 2021, Edwards added Vice President Operations & Production to her title and was tasked with a massive relaunch of VStar productions post-pandemic. In addition to relaunching domestic tours of PAW Patrol Live! “The Great Pirate Adventure,” Trolls LIVE!, Cirque Dreams Holidaze, and the international tour of PAW Patrol Live “Race to the Rescue,” Edwards also produced and relaunched the Blue Man Group domestic and international tours in 2022, including a redesign of the World Tour.

Edwards will work to launch VStar’s third collaboration with Nickelodeon, PAW Patrol Live “Heroes Unite,” in February of 2023.

Prior to joining VStar, Edwards toured for 14 years with various production companies, beginning her career as an Audio Engineer and continuing to advance through the technical, production, and operations trades serving in positions as Stage Manager, Performance Director, Production Manager, and Technical Director in the touring show divisions of family entertainment companies.

In addition to freelancing for key projects such as the 2016 Kellogg’s Tour of Gymnastic Champions and
2015 COPA America Centennial opening and closing ceremonies, she also served as Director of Production for both Premier Exhibitions, Inc. & Feld Entertainment’s Circus Division.

A native of Florida, Edwards earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, with a concentration in
Technical Communications and a minor in Resource Economics from the University of Florida.

Kelly Luecke is Director of Public Relations, Affiliate Shows Division for Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group.

By Tricia Gonyo

VenuWorks announced that Larry Gawronski, CVE, will retire from his position of Executive Director of the Topeka Performing Arts Center effective December 31, 2022.

“A veteran employee of VenuWorks, Larry has provided a passion for our industry, our events, and our patrons throughout his career,” said Steve Peters, CVE, president of VenuWorks. “I want to publicly thank Larry for his loyalty to VenuWorks and I wish him well as he closes this chapter and begins the next.”

Gawronski has led the Topeka Performing Arts Center for the last seven years. Prior to his relocation to Topeka, Gawronski held similar roles with VenuWorks in Ottumwa, IA and Vicksburg, MS.

“The Board of Trustees for the Topeka Performing Arts Center would like to extend a heartfelt ovation to Larry for his great achievements for TPAC during his tenure. His tireless love of the arts has touched thousands of patrons and artists of all ages through this venue, and his legacy is appreciated and will be remembered,” said Jeff Parker, Chair of the TPAC Board of Trustees.

“I have spent my entire career working in public assembly facility management across the country. My time working for VenuWorks has been an honor,” Gawronski said. “Retirement is the next chapter in my life.”

VenuWorks has begun a national search for Gawronski’s successor. Interim responsibilities, the selection process, and onboarding will be directed by VenuWorks Vice President Tom Richter to ensure a smooth transition.

Tricia Gonyo is Vice President – Sales & Marketing for VenuWorks.

By Richard Oliver

The historic Alamodome, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in May 2023, is showing no signs of slowing down as it approaches that milestone. Indeed, the downtown San Antonio stadium has never been busier.

From August through early December, the Alamodome enjoyed one of the most successful runs in its history, hosting five headline concerts that drew nearly 230,000 fans and generated more than $31 million in gross receipts. The events included the Motley Crue and Def Leppard Stadium Tour, Bad Bunny, Rammstein, Grupo Firme (pictured along with the venue’s Steve Zito and Michael Flores), and Elton John.

Additionally, the Dome saw more than 170,000 spectators attend seven University of Texas at San Antonio football games, including the Conference USA championship on Dec. 2.

The Bad Bunny concert broke the facility mark for gross ticket sales for one show when more than $11 million was recorded for the Sept. 8 performance. A crowd of 54,000 was on hand for the show.

In total, the Alamodome held 135 event days in 2022, with a similar schedule planned for 2023, exceeding the average of 115 event dates in previous years.

“There is little doubt that the Alamodome has emerged as one of the most diverse, popular entertainment venues in the country,” said Patricia Muzquiz Cantor, Director of Convention & Sports Facilities for the City of San Antonio. “From compelling sporting events to the world’s biggest concerts, the Dome is a unique destination for performers and fans alike.”

That won’t be changing anytime soon. In coming months, the Alamodome will host events including WWE Royal Rumble, the San Antonio Spurs’ attempt to break the NBA’s single-game attendance mark, the Valero Alamo Bowl, NBC All-American Bowl and the return of the XFL spring football league. The venue also has added stadium concerts featuring P!nk and Red Hot Chili Peppers, currently on sale, as well as additional major concerts to be announced.

Additionally, roughly $109 million in capital improvements are planned for the facility by 2028.

Steve Zito, CVE, General Manager of the Alamodome, acknowledged “those promoters who helped make us so successful,” including the Valero Alamo Bowl, Live Nation, Feld Entertainment, University Interscholastic League, Cheer Power, NCAA, San Antonio Home and Garden Show, San Antonio Sports, the Spurs and AEG, among others.

“None of this would be possible without the countless hours and commitment from the team of the Alamodome,” Zito said. “We always focus on our ‘One Team’ philosophy, and that team has many players. San Antonio has become a very viable market for all genres of entertainment, and over 30 years the Alamodome has been the centerpiece of that.”

Richard Oliver is Communications Manager for the Alamodome.

By R.V. Baugus

IAVM’s live training on safety and security, perhaps better known as “the Mark Herrera Traveling Road Show,” was a huge success when IAVM’s Herrera recently brought his Critical Incident Training to the team at the Tampa Convention Center.

The community-wide training brought a spotlight to the importance of safety and security and especially in the realm of suspicious activity.

“This training completely changed my perspective,” said Kirstin Albert, Communications Coordinator, Tampa Convention Center. “Mark’s approach to handling suspicious activity with a customer service approach was eye-opening and something I will certainly apply to real-life scenarios. There have been so many instances when I have seen something that didn’t seem right, but I didn’t know how to address the situation. Mark gave us the tools to know what to do in those scenarios.”

Indeed, one of the major components of Herrera’s training is to “keep one’s head on a swivel” as best as possible and aware of all surroundings. Not only that, but that advice applies to everyone who works at a venue, not just a person carrying a safety or security title.

“I appreciated the reiterated message that security is everyone’s responsibility, and not just on the security team,” Albert said. “It made it impactful to all of us and helped unite the community in this mission.”

Albert appreciated not only the practical hands-on teaching but was happy to see the local coverage that the training generated.

“Mark was also very engaging with his presentation and gave great examples to make the lessons memorable,” Albert said. “He was effective at getting attendees involved and making information specific to our center.

“We had four TV news stations cover the event, so it was great publicity for Tampa Convention Center and the city and let the public know that we’re committed to safety and security. Every venue should take part in this valuable training.”