MARCH MECCA REVITALIZED RETRO: BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE ANCHORS AN ALL-INDIANA NCAA TOURNAMENT
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
MARCH 2021 VOLUME 20 | NUMBER 3 VENUE SNOW.COM MARCH MECCA REVITALIZED RETRO: BANKERS LIFE FIELDHOUSE ANCHORS AN ALL-INDIANA NCAA TOURNAMENT
K3 Full-Range. Compact. No Compromises.
Introducing K3: a versatile loudspeaker satisfying all your requirements for mid-size events and venues without any compromises.
Completing the K series line, K3 boasts an optimal mechanical design for reduced weight, Panflex™ variable directivity, laminar vents
for a powerful, linear low-frequency response down to 42Hz, and class-leading SPL. Optimized for audiences of 1,000 to 10,000,
K3 reduces the need for amplification and dedicated subwoofer, making it faster, more straightforward, sustainable, and economical
to deploy. It’s ready for your next event. l-acoustics.com
L-Acoustics_K3_LSA_9,25×11.125_US.indd 1 9/23/2020 4:24:56 PM
C 15
READY FOR PRODUCTION:
The Factory, a performance
venue to be completed soon,
is part of a development in
Chesterfield, Missouri.
O
N
MARCH 2021 | VOLUME 20 | NUMBER 3
T
E
N SPOTLIGHTS & FEATURES
1 6 S E C U R IT Y 4 4 S P OTLI G HT: CA LI FO R N IA
T
COVID-19 and the changing nature of traditional An eventful stretch in San Mateo; the future of
threats keep security pros and venues busy. Glendale’s Alex Theatre; and an award-winning
stadium’s time is done in San Diego.
2 8 TO M W I L S O N
4 8 BA N K E R S LI F E F I E LD H O U S E
A builder of arenas and brands, he has helped
shape sports in the Motor City. How a $360 million refurbishment will make the
Indianapolis arena state of the art while keeping
COURTESY VENUE
S
3 6 S P OTLI G HT: TE X AS its beloved retro feel.
P H OTO C R E D I T H E R E T K
Reed Arena is eager for shows; the state of Lone
Star State music; and what’s new at COTA.
ON THE COVER: Rendering of the bowl at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis seen from a new standing
area in the upper level. (Courtesy Venue)
M MARCH 2021 3
PUBLISHER
OVG Media & Conferences
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
Rob Knapp rknapp@oakviewgroup.com
SENIOR EDITOR
Don Muret dmuret@oakviewgroup.com
REPORTER/EDITOR
James Zoltak jzoltak@oakviewgroup.com
EDITOR/REPORTER
Eric Renner Brown ebrown@oakviewgroup.com
HOT TICKETS/TOP STOPS
teamboxoffice@pollstar.com
EUROPEAN EDITOR
Gideon Gottfried gideon@pollstar.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Christie Eliezer, Philip Brasor
DESIGN
ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER
Pat Lewis
36
SOMETHING TO YELL ABOUT: PRODUCTION DESIGNER
Texas A&M has created an “amphitheater” Karina Pacheco Rodriguez
setup for events at Kyle Field. ADVERTISING & MARKETING
MARKETING DIRECTOR
Samantha Le sle@oakviewgroup.com
ADVERTISING
IN EVERY ISSUE
Rich DiGiacomo rich@venuesnow.com,
310-429-3678
Brij Gosai (U.K.) brij@pollstar.com
+44 (0) 207-359-1110
To Subscribe to VenuesNow
email subscribe@venuesnow.com.
515-362-7480
F RO NT ROW
For information about your Subscription
BOOKINGS 559-650-8546
5 LOAD IN Annual Subscription Rate: $249 (U.S.)
Venues Line Up to Offer 52 TODD RUNDGREN BRINGS
COVID-19 Shots CONCERTS BACK HOME OAK VIEW GROUP
Racetracks, stadiums and arenas How a rock cult hero is PRESIDENT,
convert to mass vaccination MEDIA & CONFERENCES
putting some local flavor Ray Waddell rwaddell@oakviewgroup.com
centers. into a new virtual tour. VICE PRESIDENT, OPERATIONS,
MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Jon Guynn jguynn@oakviewgroup.com
10 Q&A: LAURIE JACOBY 53 LIVE! LANDMARKS VICE PRESIDENT,
Barclays Center EVP on her new gig, RodeoHouston, an annual SALES AND SPONSORSHIPS,
the ultimate ’70s concert and the highlight, will return MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Aki Kaneko akaneko@oakviewgroup.com
aura of this year’s Nets. for its 90th year in 2022.
SENIOR DIRECTOR, INTEGRATED SALES
John Walberg jwalberg@oakviewgroup.com
S E C TI O N S 54 LIVE! ROUNDUP SENIOR DIRECTOR, FINANCE
Maggie Nguyen
Punching it up: mnguyen@oakviewgroup.com
13 CONCESSIONS A big bout in Big D. SENIOR DIRECTOR,
Legends Wins Super Bowl MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Erin Grady, egrady@oakviewgroup.com
With a Per Cap Record
SENIOR DIRECTOR,
Fans spent average of $132 D E PA R TM E NT S MEDIA & CONFERENCES
for food and drink, $80 Taylor Johnson, tjohnson@oakviewgroup.com
for merchandise in Tampa. COORDINATOR,
8 INTERNATIONAL BEAT MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Alexa Benudiz, abenudiz@oakviewgroup.com
15 CLUBS 12 FACES & PLACES MARKETING DESIGN MANAGER
COURTESY TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
Darrian Warach
Factory Fresh: New Club 54 HOT TICKETS
SALES COORDINATOR,
Going Up Near St. Louis MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Live music veterans Elaine Lai-Lakusta
team up to build and elailakusta@oakviewgroup.com
open suburban venue. BOX OFFICE LIAISON
Bob Allen ballen@oakviewgroup.com
CIRCULATION MANAGER,
MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Jodi Di Pasquale
VenuesNow is published monthly by OVG Media & Conferences LLC, 1100 Glendon Ave. Ste. 1000, Los jdipasquale@oakviewgroup.com
Angeles, CA 90024. Periodical Postage Rate is paid at Fresno, CA. EXECUTIVE EDITOR,
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VenuesNow c/o OVG Media & Conferences LLC, 1100 Glendon Ave. MEDIA & CONFERENCES
Ste. 1000, Los Angeles, CA 90024. Andy Gensler agensler@oakviewgroup.com
4 M A RC H 2021
FRONT ROW
Venues Line Up to
number of football stadiums are
vaccination sites.
While vaccine supply issues
and harsh winter weather have
hampered some venue vac-
cination distribution plans,
venues like Dodger Stadium in
Los Angeles, Spokane Veterans
Memorial Arena and Charlotte
Motor Speedway in Concord,
North Carolina, have begun
or completed initial rounds of
Offer COVID-19 Shots
vaccinations.
At Charlotte Motor Speedway,
where the venue has partnered
with Atrium Health and Honey-
well, nearly 16,000 were given
Racetracks, stadiums and arenas convert to the first of two vaccine doses in
January, with the second doses to
mass vaccination centers around the country be administered a few weeks lat-
er, according to General Manager
Greg Walter.
The racetrack, which had al-
BY JA M E S ZO LTA K how public assembly facilities made venues suitable for such ready teamed with Atrium — the
A
have responded to the global uses apply in terms of vaccination facility’s health services provider
health and economic crisis. sites. during major events — on admin-
growing number Since March, stadiums, arenas, A coalition of live event indus- istering COVID tests, became
of venues across the convention centers, fairgrounds try leaders (including VenuesNow involved after Honeywell CEO
nation, many of them and other venues have served as parent company Oak View Group) Darius Adamczyk , Atrium CEO
at least limited in their COVID-19 testing sites, food and addressed a letter to President Joe Eugene A. Woods and Carolina
ability to offer their personal protective equipment Biden offering “the full support Panthers/Tepper Sports & Enter-
usual fare, are joining distribution hubs, test kit assem- and resources of the live event tainment President Tom Glick,
the effort to vaccinate millions of bly lines, jury service locations industry” to help achieve the who all live in Charlotte, put
Americans against the coronavi- and physically distanced voting administration’s ambitious mass their heads together about how
rus pandemic. and ballot processing centers. inoculation goals. The NFL has they could have an impact on the
It’s just the latest example of Many of the same attributes that made a similar overture and a vaccination rollout and reached
K E V I N M C CA RT H Y
BANK SHOT: A line forms around the racing oval
at Charlotte Motor Speedway as people await the
opportunity to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.
M A RC H 20 2 1 5
FRONT ROW Load In
ARMS AT THE READY: The site at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena hoped to be giving 5,000 shots a day by the end of February.
out to the speedway. mance indicators in terms of a.m. appointment, according to team who has been integral in
More than a year before the processes and numbers of people Honeywell Supply Chain Officer working with this collective group
pandemic struck, Charlotte Motor served, but one thing that im- Torsten Pilz. to pull this off and she said to
Speedway — which in a normal pressed Walter was the emotion “Some people were anxious me, this has been like preparing
year hosts more than 100 events expressed by people who came to and couldn’t wait,” he said. “I saw for three Panthers NFL games.
as well as the Coca-Cola 600 in the track. many people leaving this area We’ve had to reinvent so many
the NASCAR Cup Series — had “People would drive out, you with tears in their eyes. They had things. This fall we reinvented
worked with Cabarrus County would see tears in their eyes. Peo- hope.” how fans could come to a Panthers
health officials to model what a ple were yelling, ‘God bless you. “This is exactly the kind of way game during a pandemic or how
mass inoculation would look like, Thank you so much. I can hug that Bank of America Stadium they could come to the (Atlantic
leading to a mock drill in January my grandkids again,’” he said. should be used — for the benefit Coast Conference) championship
of 2020. “It was a very emotional event of our community,” said Glick, game. We were able to use some
“We already had the blue- over those three days that we did president of Panthers owner Tep- of those lessons but today we’ve
prints, if you will, of what this not anticipate. It was incredibly per Sports & Entertainment, at a done something differently for the
would look like,” Walter said. rewarding that you were making news conference after the clinic very first time. My advice to my
That turned out to be fortu- a difference in the lives of people opened. colleagues at other venues (is) be
itous, since racetrack staff had in our community. There’s a real Asked by VenuesNow what ad- open minded, put yourself under
C O U RT E SY S P O K A N E P U B L I C FAC I L I T I E S D I ST R I CT
little more than a week of lead sense of collaboration amongst vice he would give to other venues pressure, learn a new way to do
time to put together its COVID-19 other venues and entities in this looking to conduct vaccination things and do it with great part-
vaccination distribution plan. town and I’m heartened to see clinics, Glick said thorough ners like we have in this effort.”
Walter said that after the how people want to lean in and planning and an examination of The combination of Honeywell
pandemic shut down events help one another. There’s a willful how things went at the speedway providing technology, Atrium
last March, he and the general sharing back and forth, wanting made for a smooth process at handling the medical aspects
managers of the other seven to see others succeed.” Bank of America Stadium. and the speedway with its event
tracks across the country owned Enthusiasm was evident. The “I think this has been really expertise was the kind of winning
by parent company Speedway first appointment on Friday was at well thought out and everybody formula that Walter expects to be
Motorsports had been challenged 7:30 a.m. The first person arrived has been alive to giving a great repeated elsewhere.
by President and CEO Marcus at 4:52 a.m., Walter said. level of service but also looking at Those coming to the facility
Smith to reach out and find ways That was the case a week later things we can do to improve,” he got to drive right onto the track
to assist their various communi- when the action then shifted to said. “I guess what I would say to and eventually into the track’s
ties in coping with the crisis. the Carolina Panthers’ home other stadiums and venues is, we NASCAR Cup garage to receive
“Within two weeks we were field at Bank of America Stadium, would definitely encourage you their shots. In total, it took about
doing mobile testing here at where Atrium and Honeywell to do it. It’s a great public service. 45 minutes to go through the pro-
Charlotte Motor Speedway,” held drive-through and walk-up It’s a great way for our venues to cess, including an up to 30-min-
Walter said. vaccinations. The first person be used. It is different. I spoke to ute post-shot observation period,
The track hit its key perfor- arrived at 6:30 a.m. for an 8 a member of our guest relations Walter said.
6 M A RC H 20 2 1
One family whose car broke unison and then you throw in the to work, he said. The arena has also on the availability of shots, accord-
down at the track was even given National Guard as well,” Meyer served as a smoke shelter when ing to Tom Martinez, chief deputy
a ride home, he said. said. “After multiple conver- wildfires ravaged the Pacific North- general manager of the California
“Our company culture is to sations and conversations I’ve west late last summer and into fall, Exposition & State Fair.
serve others,” Walter said. “When had with venues throughout the and as a shelter for homeless indi- Sacramento County was ad-
you put others ahead of yourself, nation, I’ve pretty much told (the viduals between May and August. ministering the Moderna vaccine
your business plan will always be arena’s partners), you’ve got to Two of the largest venue in the fairgrounds’ pavilion,
successful.” rely on us to handle the flow and vaccination sites were at Dodger which houses animals during the
Across the country in eastern the logistics of what’s going on, Stadium, which has also served annual summer fair run, while
Washington, Spokane Arena we need to rely on you guys to as a testing location and a polling Kaiser was administering the
opened as a testing site in Jan- handle the medical aspect of it place, and Petco Park, home of Pfizer vaccine and expecting
uary, according to Matt Meyer, and getting the shots in arms and the MLB Padres, in San Diego. shipments from Moderna as well,
the director of entertainment at everything that’s associated with Smaller venues, like Roy Wilkins Martinez said. Kaiser is set up in
the arena and the First Interstate that, so what we’ve done on the Auditorium at Saint Paul (Min- the facility’s Expo Center build-
Center for the Arts. venue side is we’ve taken all the nesota) RiverCentre, where area ing, where various arts and crafts
Meyer said he had already printing, all the ancillary items educators were vaccinated, are exhibits and entertainment are
been working with Community that are popping up, we’ve been also part of the effort. offered during the fair, he said.
Health Association of Spokane taking control of that and han- Anti-vaccination protesters who In addition, the 800-acre, mile-
on a plan to administer 80 shots dling all the logistics for that.” blocked and misdirected traffic wide facility is housing homeless
of the Moderna vaccine a day He said the vaccination pack- outside of Dodger Stadium shut individuals who’ve tested positive
when Washington Gov. Jay Inslee age each person gets is as many as down the city-run clinic in the and others considered susceptible
announced that the arena would 10 pages long and there are also stadium parking lots for about an in 63 FEMA-supplied trailers,
be a mass vaccination site. consent forms. hour on a recent Saturday and win- while also continuing to adminis-
The facility was positioned to “I’ve got my event managers ter weather forced a postponement ter COVID-19 tests. The trailers
administer 500 vaccinations per managing that, managing the on the second day of a mid-Feb- are spread out and those who’ve
day, with a goal of handling 5,000 standby list, the equipment list of ruary vaccination clinic run by tested positive are isolated from
people a day by March, with the items we’re pulling from the con- Centura Health at Broadmoor others, Martinez said.
process expected to last through vention center and theater since World Arena in Colorado Springs, Kaiser administers vaccines
May, Meyer said. we own and operate those and Colorado. seven days a week, while the
“For the most part, it’s going to by doing that it’s opened things At Cal Expo, the California state county is on hand on weekdays.
be dependent on the allocations up where their focus is strictly on fairgrounds in Sacramento, two The testing facility also runs
of the vaccine and how many getting people through as quickly vaccination efforts, one adminis- Monday through Friday, but for 12
we’re going to be getting on a as possible and so far, it’s working tered by health care group Kaiser hours each day, Martinez said.
weekly basis,” he said. quite efficiently,” Meyer said. Permanente and the other by the “They say when life gives you
Along with CHAS, the arena The arena received some county health department, are lemons, make lemonade and Cal
has been doing drive-up testing compensation from the state, and inoculating 700 people per day. Expo is striving to make the best
since the beginning of December, the testing and vaccination efforts The goal is for each to ramp up to lemonade possible and meet the
Meyer said. People are being have allowed some staff to return about 2,500 jabs a day, depending enormity of this moment,” he said.
brought inside the arena for the
inoculations, given weather and
the ability to handle more daily
visits than would be possible on a
drive-through basis.
Meyer said he has been on calls
with colleagues, “hearing what
other venues are doing, how it’s
working.”
“I took a lot of that informa-
tion, a lot of diagrams and put it in
front of everybody and we decid-
ed to pull it indoors,” he said.
So that no vaccine goes unused,
the venue has initiated a standby
list, he said.
“What’s been great about this
whole process is you’ve got the
Department of Health, you’ve got
(the) Spokane Regional Health
District, CHAS and then the
arena, all these different staffs,
C O U RT E SY CA L E X P O
we’re all working together in
SHOT TALK: California
Gov. Gavin Newsom (cen-
ter) discusses Cal Expo’s
drive-through vaccina-
tion program with other
state officials.
M A RC H 20 2 1 7
FRONT ROW Load In
INTERNATIONAL
12 to March 5 at the Blue Square,
sold out immediately, according AUSTRALIA
to The Korea Herald. In fact,
BEAT
demand for VIP seats was so great EVENT GENIUS SIGNS THREE FESTIVALS
that the tickets, which normally Lost Paradise, Wildlands and For
cost 150,000 won ($134), were the Love on board with platform
going for 400,000 won on illegal U.K.-based Festicket, which
secondary ticket sites. entered Australia in 2018, is
A look at events making It should be noted that while
distancing rules were eased,
expanding there via its Event
Genius platform, which it bought
news around the world theaters are still allowed to sell in 2019 along with Ticket Arena.
seats only up to 50 percent of their Event Genius in early February
capacity. announced its first deals Down
BY G I D EO N G OT T F R I E D The situation became so Under with three festivals — Lost
intense that the star of the show, Paradise, Wildlands and For the
Ock Ju-hyun, went on social Love — offering “end-to-end
media and asked the public to ticketing, cashless, and event
ENGLAND and natural ventilation, a key “please allow only those who management.”
factor with regards to the spread really love the show to attend.” Lost Paradise will return to
A VENUE FOR THE COVID AGE? of COVID-19. The audience sits The entire run will finish up Glenworth Valley outside Sydney
The Vertical Theatre Group in balconies that can accommo- May 1. Dec. 28-Jan. 1. Normally drawing
talking to financial partners date groups between four and Tickets for 14 of the 18 perfor- 10,000 patrons, it canceled in
The Vertical Theatre Group, 12 people, or designated “social mances of “Man of La Mancha,” 2019 because of raging bushfires
founded in August, is talking to bubbles.” starring superstar actor Cho and in 2020 as a result of corona-
potential financial partners about The Vertical Theatre is modu- Seung-woo, also sold out imme- virus.
a design it has produced for a new lar and has a capacity of 1,200 to diately after being postponed Melbourne collective Untitled
venue that could host live perfor- 2,400 people, depending on the three times. The musical will Group’s Wildlands sold out its
mances with social distancing distancing rules in place. run through March 1 at the March 6-7 dates at the 25,000-ca-
restrictions while still turning a Charlotte Theater in eastern pacity Brisbane Showground.
profit. Seoul. For the Love — Untitled
The group features producers, SOUTH KOREA In addition, the musical Group’s music, lifestyle and ocean
creatives and technical specialists “Monte Cristo” extended its run festival — which in the past staged
working with the team of Lon- ‘WICKED’ DEFIES GRAVITY for three weeks until March 28. in Bali and California, stages this
don-based Stufish Entertainment Run of 25 performances in The show opened in November year at McCallum Park Perth on
Architects. Seoul sells out immediately but was paused for two months March 13, the sold-out Birrarung
The structure is planned to be With the relaxation of social because of stricter social distanc- Marr Melbourne on April 3 and
tourable and free-standing. It has distancing rules in Seoul, stage ing rules. Doug Jennings Park on the Gold
a roof to protect the audience and musicals have returned with a “The Last Empress” also Coast on April 17.
stage from the elements but open vengeance. Twenty-five perfor- extended its run after being post- Christie Eliezer and Philip Brasor
sides to allow for optimum airflow mances of “Wicked,” from Feb. poned three times. contributed to this report.
GO WITH THE FLOW: Open
sides allow for better airflow
in The Vertical Theatre
Group’s creation.
C O U RT E SY T H E V E RT I CA L T H E AT R E G RO U P
8 M A RC H 20 2 1
P O L L S TA R A N D V E N U E S N O W P R E S E N T
P O L L S TA R A N D V E N U E S N O W P R E S E N T
PRESENTED BY:
PRESENTED BY:
JUNE 14-17, 2021
JUNE 14-17, 2021
The Beverly Hilton | Los Angeles, CA
The Beverly Hilton | Los Angeles, CA
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
*LIMITED TIME HOLIDAY PRICING AVAILABLE
* LIMIT ED T IM E H O L ID AY P RIC IN G AVAIL AB L E
For more
For moreinformation
information and to register
and to registerplease
pleasevisit:
visit:
LIVEWEEK2021.COM
LIVEWEEK2021.COM
TH
TH AA
NNKK YYO
OUU T
TOO OU
URR SSPPOONNSSOO
RRSS
FRONT ROW Q & A
Laurie Jacoby’s
New Adventure
Barclays Center EVP on her new gig, the ultimate ’70s terday. He reached out to me when he
was leaving and heard about my sit-
concert and the aura of this year’s Brooklyn Nets uation. He was one of the first people
to reach out. We haven’t spoken since
BY A N DY G E N S L E R I’ve accepted the position, we’ve just
been texting. I don’t officially start
until March 1, but it’s great to have
that resource and a good relationship
with somebody like that.
NYC FIXTURE: So you are one of the most be-
Laurie Jacoby
loved executives in our industry. I
is joining Bar-
clays after 22 know because I saw the standing
years of work- ovations at the Pollstar Awards
ing for Mad- when you won (three!) Venue
ison Square Executive of the Year Awards. But
Garden. this is a tough business with lots
of hard-nosed negotiations and
egos — why all the love?
I have never worn my title on my
sleeve. I am, first and foremost, a
music fan, that really knew from the
very first concert that I ever went to
that this is what I wanted to do.
What was that concert?
I’m going to date myself here: It was
Loggins and Messina, Steely Dan and
E
the Doobie Brothers.
arlier this month, COVID and cooped in a small space. Is there a more ‘70s lineup than
Laurie Jacoby was named You just feel out of sorts, so I really that?
executive vice president and needed to take some time and figure I grew up in Long Island. It was at
chief entertainment officer of out what the next big move was. And the Nassau Coliseum, and I was in the
Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, John Abbamondi (CEO of Barclays nosebleeds, the very, very last row —
where she will oversee pro- Center and the NBA Nets) in Brook- I’m talking can’t get any higher in the
gramming and marketing, including lyn came forward early, and that building — but I felt the magic. I was
the booking of concerts. No stranger planted the seed very early on. like, “Oh, my God. I want to do that.”
to the highly competitive New York This is corny, but I still get excited
market, Jacoby worked for 22 years for What’s it like with a new CEO? Are when the trucks roll in. I’m like, “Oh,
the market leader, Madison Square you rethinking everything? my God, I’m part of the team. I get to
Garden, where she won three Pollstar It’s fresh energy because almost the do what I want to do.” Not everybody
Venue Executive of the Year awards. entire executive leadership team are gets to have that dream realized. I’m
Here, she discusses the new gig, the pretty much brand-new hires. There’s a fan first and I have enthusiasm for
ultimate 1970s concert, what having a few who were part of the organiza- every job I do.
a championship team does to a venue tion or part of the company with Joe
and, of course, seeing “The Beard.” Tsai, but it’s so exciting because there In the live business, it’s easy
are so many who are part of the exec- to get into difficult situations
Congratulations on the new job. utive leadership team who are coming without great partners or com-
Thank you. I’m over the moon. It’s in on the same footing and we all have munication between artist, agent,
C O U RT E SY B S E G LO BA L
awesome. It’s just so funny how life is. great ideas. John’s put together a great manager and the building and
I always say the only constant in this group of people. I felt there was a yet, you’ve somehow come out
world is change, so you have to ride it kinship and it was really important for smelling like roses, at least ac-
and here I am. me that the culture of the workplace cording to the standing ovations
be one that I felt aligned with. at the Pollstar Awards.
It wasn’t a lot of time between I like to talk, I’m a good talker, I
jobs in the scheme of things. Are you in touch with your prede- have no fear. I talk to people who are
I needed some time to figure out cessor, Keith Sheldon? disgruntled and unhappy. They could
what I wanted to do especially during He actually just sent me a text yes- walk in the building that way, and my
10 M A RC H 20 2 1job is to turn it around and make sure
when they leave they have a smile
on their face. I always see it as I am
hosting the biggest party for them and
whatever they need, how can we help
you? Life is unpredictable. A truck may
show up late, it might have a weather
delay. I’ve dealt with power outages.
I’ve dealt with two parts of a tour that
are not getting along. I have dealt with
almost everything. The thing I come
away from it with is that if you can talk
to people and they know that you care,
and that you are listening, and you’re
trying to find a solution, that goes a
long way. That’s what I try to do.
I think that’s pretty normal for this
business, but you’re talking about
Madison Square Garden, for 22 they see me, they’re going to be taken it, I wasn’t living anywhere near there,
years and the amount of shows care of and that I’m not going to drop it was like, “OK, updates are happen- THE TOWN
they do and tickets they sell. the ball. I understand the pressure ing here. People are meeting there. SQUARE: Protest-
ers gather May 29
They’re always on the top of our they’re under. I’ve had many people Change is happening.” I just remember
outside Barclays
arena chart every year and with tell me I helped alleviate a lot of their every day when, unfortunately, while Center to demon-
the caliber of guests, fans and worries when they walked in and all those incidents were happening, strate against
sponsors, there may be no more realized, “Oh, my God. It’s fine. It’s that nothing was happening inside police brutality in
pressurized place to work. chill, we’re going to be good.” the venue. There was a lot happening the wake of George
I feel if I can do that, I can do outside the venue. Floyd’s death while
almost anything. It actually em- When you were at the Garden, in police custody in
powers me, because I have no fear. how did you view Barclays? Do you think you’ll program in Minneapolis.
I also don’t mind making a call and New York is a very competitive a way with that in mind? Are
introducing myself to somebody I marketplace, and so a lot of times there opportunities for the town
don’t know, and letting them know, I was a little limited with avails, so square?
“I’m around. How can I help you?” sometimes it was just purely a matter There’s ways to enhance it. I’m not
I’ve befriended a lot of people. I’m of dates being available. But look, on the job yet. I have lots of ideas. But
not going to name names, but I’ve they were competition. No doubt I think there’s ways to enhance it and
had to deal with some people that about it. When they opened, and to encourage it and to tie it into events
were not the most pleasant, and every new venue has a honeymoon that are happening inside the venue as
then by the end of the night, they’re phase, the Garden transformation well. There’s great opportunity there.
giving me a hug. You’re not going was still occurring at that time, so
to win every person over, but by we didn’t have the full slate of avails. You’ve worked in a building where
and large, I’ve been able to make I think everybody has to do the best sports franchises have achieved
them feel comfortable. People are that they can for the venue they greatness and it looks like these
intimidated by playing in the New work at. I’m friends with everyone Brooklyn Nets are on their way.
York City market. If it’s their first in every single venue. I know every What does it do to a building
time playing an arena in the market, person that’s in our market looking when you have a championship
they already have a set of nerves at venues. team in terms of programming?
before they walk in the door. How’s First of all, the vibe of the building,
the show going to go? Are they going It’s interesting how Barclays it definitely helps and enhances it. I
to get a good review? Is the sponsor seemingly organically became a have people reaching out to me, and I
going to be happy? Is the band going town square of sorts for Brooklyn know what they want right now, they
to be happy? Is the catering good — when there’s a protest or celebra- want to come to a Nets game and I’m
it’s all about the food. I take all that tion, which it wasn’t at all before it not even there. I have people who
into consideration and I try to diffuse was built. are like, “Oh, hey, congratulations.
situations before they flare up. And Obviously in front of Barclays, and Oh, wow, you’re in Brooklyn.” I know
it has nothing to do with the venue. Barclays Plaza, is a natural space to exactly what they want. So it’s excit-
It’s just life on the road. There’s also gather. The Garden has no place to ing to be at a building that has that
managing all of the people that come gather. You have the sidewalk and then vibe and that has a team that has the
and hang out, because usually it’s not you have the street, so there’s not that potential of the Nets because it only
the artist. It’s the manager, the tour natural place where all roads and liter- adds to the allure of the venue.
manager, the record label, everybody ally all subways lead there. This sum-
G E T T Y I M AG E S
has a stake in it. And it’s just trying mer, it became this area where people Have you seen James Harden’s
to make them all feel welcome and felt safe and they could speak their beard?
make them feel like they’re a part of mind and it really became the place to Yeah, of course, but I don’t think we
it and build those relationships to the be. And also, it was where people got can get too close right now with the
point where they know the next time information from. Just from watching COVID protocols.
M A RC H 20 2 1 11FRONT ROW Faces + Places
MANAG E ME NT
Elevate Sports Ventures named
ALEXA FUENTES head of
sales at Circuit of the Americas.
Fuentes was manager of brand
alliances for Major League Soc-
cer. The racetrack hired Elevate LAWRENCE WENDI
to support ticketing and premium PERYER STURGIS
hospitality sales, strategy and
service.
strategy officer. Peryer was chief
revenue officer. The company
VenuWorks hired QUINCY hired WENDI STURGIS as
KECK as the general man- chief revenue officer and NEAL
ager of The Yard in Johnston, GILBREATH as director of
Iowa. The central green space, LMN’S JULIE ADAMS, OSAMA QUOTAH AND PAMELA TREVITHICK sales. Sturgis was CEO at Yext
scheduled to open this summer, Europe, and Gilbreath was vice
will feature regular event pro- president of sales and business
gramming including concerts, Architectural Visit Plano in Plano, Texas, development at Front Gate
a splash pad, and a seasonal lighting and named STEVE YEARWOOD Tickets.
ice-skating rink. Keck was the design firm association and SMERF (social,
in-house Ungerboeck Event Auerbach military, educational, religious
Trainer at the VenuWorks corpo- Pollock Fried- and fraternal) sales manager and Patron Technology promoted
rate office. lander pro- appointed OLIVIA WOOD- JIM BARCZAK to senior vice
moted BAR- WARD to event services coordi- president of revenue, RACHEL
BARA J. nator. BULLOCK to senior vice
San Francisco-based check- WOHLSEN BARBARA president of operations, DOUG
out-free technology company to associate. J. WOHLSEN LYONS to senior vice president
Zippin hired GARY of product and marketing, and
JACOBUS as senior vice pres- MIKE CLOW to senior vice
ident of business development. Hornets Sports & Entertainment, president of engineering.
Jacobus most recently was with which owns the NBA’s Charlotte
SSP America, which operates Hornets and operates Spectrum
the food and beverage con- Center, named TAMARA DAN- Oak View Group Facilities hired
cessions at airports and other IELS senior vice president and MARC MULHERIN as general
travel locations, and is formerly general counsel. Daniels was vice manager at the Fort Smith (Ar-
of Aramark’s Sports and Enter- president and general counsel of CHARLES R. REBECKA kansas) Convention Center and
tainment division. the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights CONNER III JONES MARK ARANCIBIA as general
and its other properties: the manager at the Jackson (Missis-
Henderson Silver Knights, Hen- sippi) Conven-
Event technol- derson Event Center, Lifeguard CHARLES R. CONNER III tion Center
ogy software Arena and City National Arena. and REBECKA JONES were Complex.
company elected to the board of directors CHERRE
Ungerboeck for the Maryland State Fair & MILLER will
hired CASEY Nash- Agricultural Society Inc. return to the
JESSMON ville-based Jackson Con-
as chief promoter Out- vention Cen-
information back Presents JOHN HILL ter Complex
security offi- hired AMY was named as assistant RODNEY
cer. Jessmon CASEY HELBERG director of general man- REESE
was business JESSMON as director sales and mar- ager. For Moody
information of Atlanta keting for the Center in Austin,
security officer operations. AMY Cobb Galleria Texas, OVG Facilities named
at Equifax Workforce Solutions Helberg was HELBERG Centre and the TIM VOGT vice president of
before joining Ungerboeck, which vice president of Cobb Energy arena operations, MICHAEL
is based in the St. Louis suburb of booking for Live Performing JOHN OWENS vice president of
O’Fallon, Missouri. Nation in Atlanta. Arts Centre. HILL booking, VERONICA CANTU
Hill was director vice president of marketing and
of hotel sales for ANSEL GARDINER director of
Performing arts and media fa- Loudspeaker manufacturer the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly finance, and RODNEY REESE
cilities planning and design firm Renkus-Heinz named DUDLEY Hotel and Convention Center. was named general manager of
LMN Architects added JULIE MCLAUGHLIN national sales Legacy Sports Park in Mesa, Ariz.
ADAMS, OSAMA QUOTAH manager and GARRISON At the corporate level PETER
and PAMELA TREVITHICK PARKIN Western regional sales Ticketing platform Lyte named ZINGONI was hired as senior
as partners. manager. LAWRENCE PERYER chief vice president of development.
12 M A RC H 20 2 1Concessions
L
distanced setup.
egends Hospitality smashed the “The availability and menu
selection is what drove the per cap
record for Super Bowl food and retail
Fans spent average of $132
up,” Smith said. “You could pretty
for merchandise in Tampa
much walk up to any counter at
spending Feb. 7 at Super Bowl LV in will, get what you want and get
for food and drink, $80
back to your seat.”
Tampa, Florida, a function of factors such as In addition, concessions pric-
ing was at a premium as is typical
concession stand lines shortened by restrict- for the Super Bowl. Souvenir so-
das cost $14 and domestic beers
ed venue capacity during the pandemic. were $13, but there were also “fan
friendly” priced items such as $5
BY D O N M U R E T
The per cap was $132 for food “This was a Super Bowl like no hot dogs and nachos, a trend that
and drink, covering general other,” said Dan Smith, pres- started two years ago in Atlanta.
concessions and premium dining, ident of Legends Hospitality. High-end items for Super Bowl LV
plus $80 for merchandise. The “The confluence of factors that included the BBQ platter ($22),
numbers are for game day sales went into the planning was just smoked wings ($20) and a double
at Raymond James Stadium only, surreal. cheeseburger ($18).
Legends officials said. “In my 45-year career, I don’t “Particularly at a Super Bowl,
The previous Super Bowl remember having to put all of that nobody is there to save money,”
record was $95.41 for food and into the mix and to come out with consultant Chris Bigelow said.
drink sales in 2017 at NRG Stadi- a plan and then on top of the plan The numbers sound right, con-
Legends Wins Super Bowl
um in Houston, where Aramark have five to six contingency plans sidering suite catering runs $400
runs concessions and catering. ready to activate at any given to $500 a person, said consultant
For retail, the old record was time.” Mike Plutino, founder and CEO of
Super Bowl 50 at Levi’s Stadium Legends, the Tampa Bay Food Service Matters. Those fig-
in 2016, where Legends posted a Buccaneers’ food provider, never ures were the range at Hard Rock
$65 per cap. really knew how many fans would Stadium and Mercedes-Benz
With a Per Cap Record
In Tampa, the official game be in the stadium. The expected Stadium, site of the two previous
G E T T Y I M AG E S
attendance was 24,835 in a capacity was all over the map, Super Bowls, Plutino said.
stadium that seats 65,890. Doing Smith said. Regardless, virtually Raymond James Stadium has
the math, fans spent about $3.28 every point of sale was operat- 195 suites, and all were sold for
million for food and drink and ing to provide quicker and more the Super Bowl. There were fewer
$1.99 million on retail items. efficient service in a socially occupants in the suites because of
IT’S ALL GOODS,
MAN: A merchan-
dise vendor was
feeling good about
things at Super
Bowl LV in Tampa,
Florida.
P H OTO C R E D I T H E R E T K
M A RC H 20 2 1 13social distance measures, said Pe- higher considering that, for the dise, ship it and are done, Smith of the shift at Raymond James
ter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive first time in its 55-year history, the said. Stadium, with reverse ATM
vice president of club business Super Bowl was held in the home “Demand for the product machines installed for fans to
and league events. venue for one of the competitors, actually started early and we convert cash to a debit card to
“There was likely a heavier the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. were limited in terms of setup use at concession stands.
concentration of premium dollars Others say the number was facilities because the NFL “It was smooth,” O’Reilly
that propped up the per cap with strong and pointed to what was Experience was limited,” he said. “There’s no going back
less general concession fans,” most likely a less corporate crowd said. “We had to follow all the on all-mobile Super Bowls. We
Plutino said. “They had the flying to Tampa to attend the safety protocols, so given the checked with our team on the
high-paying customers all over game and take home Super Bowl footprint that was established, I concessions side and there were
the place and were lighter in the souvenirs this year. don’t think we could have done really no issues. We messaged it
bowl.” As part of its exclusive with 10 cents more. The sales velocity pretty hard on the lead-up. Give
O’Reilly touched on Super the NFL to sell Super Bowl was unlike any Super Bowl I’ve credit to Visa, which is one of
Bowl per caps Feb. 10 during his merchandise, Legends took over been a part of.” our partners and on the cutting
annual postmortem on the event the team store, which is run by In general, the higher spend edge on this and has helped a lot
during the Stadium Managers Fanatics for Bucs regular-season on food and drink fell in line of buildings do it effectively.”
Association virtual seminar. A games. There were about 20 retail with a trend many NFL teams For Legends now, it’s wait until
crowd of less than 25,000 in the locations inside the stadium, in- experienced during the regular next year. The vendor runs both
stadium resulted in shorter lines, cluding the main outlet, but with season because of faster speed the food and retail at SoFi Stadi-
which produced a better experi- increased protocols in place, it of service with stadiums filled to um, the new $5 billion palace in
ence, O’Reilly said. wasn’t the easiest space to access a fraction of capacity. Inglewood, California, that will
“The reality is, you’ve got a during the Super Bowl, Smith “We’ve always said the aver- play host to Super Bowl LVI.
lot less — almost no — pregame said. There were also some porta- age customer has $20 more to “It’s in L.A., one of the most
hospitality,” he said. … “It was a ble merchandise trailers outside spend if we can move the lines fan-friendly, nicest stadiums
later-arriving crowd than normal of the venue. faster,” Plutino said. yet to open to fans,” Smith said.
for the Super Bowl because a lot The real story was that the The move to cashless conces- “We’ve already started the plan-
of people are (typically) inside the NFL’s vendors worked closely sions and an increased focus on ning for that one and given the
secure perimeter early enjoying with Legends in-market and mobile ordering also expedited (large) footprint we’ll have there,
hospitality.” produced goods as they needed service as teams eliminate cash hopefully, we’ll be through this
Some experts thought the mer- them on site. Typically, suppliers transactions as a safety mea- pandemic. That one will be the
chandise per cap should’ve been produce Super Bowl merchan- sure. Super Bowl LV was part pinnacle of Super Bowls.”
C O U RT E SY L EG E N DS
BIG GAME SEAFOOD SPREAD: Ice scupture and appetizers in a premium area at Raymond James Stadium.
14 M A RC H 20 2 1Clubs
D
uring the coronavirus pandem- Merker, excitedly sharing some of
his favorite aspects. “The acoustics
open suburban venue ic, seemingly every day has brought are phenomenal. Once you walk in
BY E R I C R E N N E R B ROW N
team up to build and
the venue, you’re in a grand lobby
Live music veterans
news of another venue closure. For that and these giant windows go up two
stories. So you have a natural sun-
reason alone, the existence of The Factory is light coming into the venue, this big
industrial vibe.”
a breath of fresh air – a state-of-the-art new Concessions and lavatories have
elegant designs, the backstage
club, built from the ground up and set to amenities are top-flight, and The
Factory’s sightlines are “unreal.”
open as soon as it’s safe. And, importantly, its trucking
docks and production capabilities
Situated in Chesterfield, “When you go buy a venue, you will be able to accommodate many
Missouri, a suburb 20 minutes have the hurdle of ‘Hey, what can we large shows that play arenas.
west of St. Louis, The Factory will fix? What’s it gonna cost?’ because In terms of booking, expect a
serve as the high-end centerpiece you’re dealing with an existing little bit of everything — except
of The District at Chesterfield, a structure,” Merker said. “Since this for touring Broadway, given the
372,000-square-foot mixed-use was built, really, from the ground regional clout of venues such as the
development that’s already home to up, all of that was thought of in Fox and the Muny.
a Main Event entertainment center, advance. ... Usually, you pick these “Our programming will be a
a Topgolf and a Residence Inn, and things apart and you find things that lot different than something like
will soon host several other dining, are wrong with it. I haven’t found the Pageant,” Merker said. “I’ll
shopping and entertainment anything wrong with this one.” program it a lot more like an active
Factory Fresh: New Club
attractions. Merker arrives at The Factory PAC. We’ll be doing kids shows,
Going Up Near St. Louis
It’s not something the venue’s after stints at Huka Entertain- we’ll be doing some adult contem-
talent buyer, Dan Merker, who ment, where he worked on Gulf porary. With our location, we’ll do
was born and raised in St. Louis,
would’ve seen coming as a teenag-
er going to shows at the likes of The SIGHT LINE: A view from the
Pageant and Mississippi Nights in stage at The Factory, which
should be completed by the
the late ‘90s.
end of March.
“When I was growing up, this
area where (The Factory) is was not
developed,” Merker said. “West
of where I grew up was basically
farmland, and that goes all the way
back to 2000. ... If anybody really
wanted any entertainment, they
had to drive 20 to 30 minutes to go
downtown to see it.”
Enter Michael Staenberg, who
has developed more than 200
shopping centers and who, through
The Staenberg Group, bought the
land several years ago where The
District now sits.
“With the population of Ches- Coast festivals including Hangout, a lot of country ... we’re surrounded
terfield and the surrounding area Tortuga and BUKU New Orleans, by the country crowd.”
of the county just continuing to and Outback Presents, where he The Factory broke ground in
grow, Michael saw an opportunity spent the three years preceding the February 2020 and construction
with some real estate that he had pandemic as vice president of tour- is on pace to be completed by the
purchased to really build out an en- ing. When friend and Partisan Arts end of March. Merker’s uncertain
tertainment district,” Merker said. agent Hank Sacks connected him when exactly it will open and noted
The digs might be new, but the with Brian Carp, The Factory’s chief that markets such as Chicago and
brains behind The Factory are as operating officer, Merker jumped at Kansas City will need to come back
seasoned as they come. Early on, the opportunity to book a room on online for St. Louis to become a
Staenberg turned to his friend his home turf. (Carp has a similarly touring reality for many acts.
Steve Schankman — who defined sterling resume, having logged time But when it does, the St. Louis
C O U RT E SY V E N U E
the St. Louis market and others with the Fox and Boulder theaters in area will have another high-end
regionally through Contemporary Boulder, Colo., with Z2 Entertain- venue at its disposal,with program-
Productions, which he co-founded ment, and as general manager of ming curated by one of its own.
in 1968 — to help develop the idea House of Blues locations in Dallas “I’ve always wanted a venue to call
for the venue, which will be able to and Anaheim, California.) home in St. Louis. There just weren’t
hold anywhere from 900 for seated “The detail that has gone into the right opportunities,” Merker
shows to 3,000 at full capacity. this venue is incredible,” said said. “Then this one came.”
M A RC H 20 2 1 15VIGIL
VIGIL
THE NEW LOOK OF
VIGIL
T
VIGIL
he coronavirus pandemic has
added new layers to the challenge of
securing venues and events, but it’s
not the only concern keeping industry
professionals up at night as more tra-
ditional threats remain and bad actors
have adapted tactics to the degree that even
low-tech, lone-wolf attacks can achieve deadly
At the same time, some experts warn that
attacks such as the 2017 suicide bombing fol-
lowing an Ariana Grande concert at Manches-
ter Arena point to the need for closer scrutiny
of perimeter security, for instance.
New actors with different causes, some
included under the umbrella of domestic
terrorism, have also emerged.
Safety Act program.
Ali points to attacks involving knives, a lone
gunman and one person driving a large vehi-
cle as high-impact events that are “unsophis-
ticated, low-cost and a lot harder to manage,
but just as deadly.”
A serious issue with which all venues must
come to grips is queue security and post-event
and economically devastating results. “What we have seen is that these bad clustering, as was the issue in Manchester,
Nearly a dozen sources interviewed by actors have figured out they don’t need to according to Dan Donovan, founder and
VenuesNow regarding trends in event security fly a commercial aircraft or figure out ways managing partner of security firm Strato-
as the pandemic stretches into a second year to skirt screening at an airport. They can do scope, which was hired by Manchester Arena
agree that measures and technologies aimed things that are a lot more direct, a lot easier,” to help harden security following the attack,
at removing as much friction as possible from says Akmal Ali, founder and CEO of Aluma, and consults with many big league facilities in
the guest experience without sacrificing secu- a Washington, D.C.-based risk management North America.
rity have accelerated in recent months thanks and security advisory firm that specializes in In addition, health and safety measures like
to their utility in the age of COVID-19. the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s social distancing and timed entry dovetail
16 M A RC H 20 2 1ANCE
ANCE
VIGILANCE
ANCE
COVID-19 AND THE CHANGING NATURE
OF TRADITIONAL THREATS ARE KEEPING
SECURITY PROS AND VENUES BUSY
ANCE
BY JA M E S ZO LTA K
with the need to secure queues, said Robert threat to the nation.” lis-St. Paul and Charlotte, among others.
Reddick, vice president in charge of technolo- The Safety Act, enacted in 2002 and ad- “What happened in D.C. is of little con-
gy at Show Pros Entertainment Services Inc. ministered by DHS, gives venues and others sequence, especially compared to the riots,
The attack on the U.S. Capitol indicates legal liability protection provided they employ burning, looting, and killing, under the um-
emerging threats from domestic actors and anti-terrorism measures and/or technologies. brella of protests nationwide over the last year,
flash mobs, Ali said. The goal is to encourage deployment of an- but does highlight the need to be vigilant and
“January 6 points out that it’s not going to ti-terrorism measures and products by offer- prepared,” said Damon Zumwalt, president
be your traditional bad actor anymore either,” ing conditional protection from what could be and CEO of Contemporary Services Corp.
said Ali, whose first client after leaving the crippling legal liability. About 30 major league “We’re charged with the responsibility to
DHS was the New York Yankees, whose sta- venues have been Safety Act approved, most in cooperate with clients in orchestrating proper
dium received Safety Act certification. “The the NFL and MLB, Ali said. procedures and safety measures for the partic-
G E T T Y I M AG E S
stereotypes you see on shows like ‘24’ and Not everyone thinks the domestic terrorism ipants and patrons on a daily basis,” Zumwalt
‘Homeland,’ it’s not like that anymore. DHS threat is any more serious than the kind of said. “There is no room for a breach in atten-
has spent a lot of energy in the last three to social unrest and sometimes violent actions tion to detail, preparation and implementation
four months talking about white supremacy that were evident in some U.S. cities over the of these measures on a consistent basis. We
and domestic violent extremists as the No. 1 summer such as Seattle, Portland, Minneapo- have worked with law enforcement agencies
M A RC H 20 2 1 17HANDHELD HEALTH DATA: Clear has
added a digital Health Pass to its plat-
form.
of incidents, he said.
There’s a comprehensive exam at the
conclusion of each year and certificates
are bestowed upon completion of the
academy.
An online version of the academy
is being formulated, Herrera said. He
said in the current environment, with
over the years, but the changing world everyone so focused on the health aspects
“Safety Act participation has demonstrated a greater demand for of reopening venues, there’s a danger in
additional collaboration.” losing sight of security threats.
has been a major factor, Donovan says professional sports
especially in the sports leagues have prepared for many potential NEW LESSONS FOR
threats, including protesters bent on dis- THE NEW NORMAL
world. Professional sports ruption and violence, and have developed Zumwalt said health and welfare
leagues have taken on the uniform security standards. On the colle- protocols require additional training of
challenge and have put a giate level, more work needs to be done, crowd management personnel to monitor
as some colleges and universities have evidence of a vaccine, orchestrate a
lot of sweat equity into it. I followed the lead of major leagues, while temperature check and provide on-site
would not consider them many others have not, he said. COVID testing, to ensure as safe an envi-
Monitoring social media is one way ronment as possible.
soft targets any longer.” that law enforcement and security pro- “We’ll be ready to assume additional
— Akmal Ali fessionals identify potential mob threats, responsibilities depending on the direc-
Ali, Donovan and others said, and while tives of our clients, which could incorpo-
intelligence was plentiful prior to the rate monitoring health status, masking
“There is no room for a Capitol riots, preparation was not up to and distancing when required,” he said.
breach in attention to detail, snuff. “I trust that with all the entities working
on solutions, we will have the ability to fill
preparation and implemen- SCHOOL FOR THOUGHT venues later this year.”
tation of these measures Post-9/11, the International Associa- Larry Perkins, president and CEO
tion of Venue Managers offers a two-year of Perkins Crowd Management Group
on a consistent basis. We course called the Academy for Venue and assistant general manager at PNC
have worked with law Safety and Security. Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, says
enforcement agencies over The AVSS, which has been adapted all security protocols implemented before
to reflect the most current challenges, COVID-19 struck must be incorporated
the years, but the changing including the pandemic, focuses on as- as part of reopening strategies for dealing
world has demonstrated a sumptive risk analysis and incorporating with the pandemic.
it in incident response plans and emer- “Threats still exist and we must not
greater demand for addi- gency action plans, said Mark Herrera, forget to include these measures in our
tional collaboration.” who oversees the program for IAVM as COVID-19 plans,” he said. “These secu-
— Damon Zumwalt the trade organization’s director of educa- rity elements are layers needed in today’s
tion and life safety. environment. Even so, we still try to
“We want to ensure all venues’ incident balance effective safety and security with
response plans reflect the altered oper- customer services. A blend of elements
“From guest services, with ating conditions stemming from the cur- are needed to give the appearance of easy,
all the training we’ve been rent health environment,” Herrera said, unintrusive security measures,” he said.
noting that the AVSS includes at least one Jeff Spoerndle, vice president with
pushing out, along with exercise at a member facility in which event staffing and security outfit WESS,
messaging that takes the building employees as well as academy which services venues across the county,
attendees participate. said health and safety protocol enforce-
guesswork out (of what’s Herrera said IAVM works with law ment are duties that will be added to front
expected of customers), enforcement and other government agen- line staff responsibilities and “it’s crucial
the entire landscape from a cies to keep members abreast of trends to train staff to be vigilant.”
and tools, adding that securing a venue “There are a lot of different things
health, safety and security ideally involves close cooperation with going on in the world that we have to
standpoint is going to be dif- such entities. take into account,” he said. “We must
C O U RT E SY C L E A R
Attendees are taught to identify be- have multiple layers to respond to those
ferent, but they are going to havioral patterns that indicate a possible threats. The threat level is increasing,
get the best in guest service threat and to use a guest services ap- whether it’s international, domestic,
and experience.” proach as an initial response to suspicious protests, other factors. It’s critical that our
individuals. The gist of the academy is staff is vigilant. These are serious threats
—Mark Herrera to teach participants to prepare, plan, re- and large venues are targets.”
spond and recover in the face any number The question remains: Are venues
18 M A RC H 20 2 1You can also read
