2023 Women Of Live: Kim Stone
President, UBS Arena | Executive Vice President, OVG East Coast
Sustainability remains a priority for Oak View Group and its venues, and they have the achievements to back it up.
“UBS Arena achieved carbon neutrality from operations in October 2022 and we are the first OVG owned and operated venue to receive LEED recognition,” says Kim Stone, who joined OVG as an executive at the arena, home to the NHL New York Islanders, in summer of 2022.
On top of that, in the near future, “UBS Arena will become a zero-waste venue, diverting at least 90% of waste from landfill; on-site solar generation will become a part of the arena’s overall renewable energy plan; EV charging stations will be available in Belmont Park Garage and so much more.”
That mindset continues at the service level, with celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis recently partnering with OVG as a culinary ambassador bringing new hospitality options to the arena. “We are proud of our community food program where we distribute all unused food to local food banks after events,” she says, adding that more than 3,000 pounds of food had been donated as of October.
Momentum continues thanks in part to a new Long Island Rail Road from Manhattan’s Grand Central Madison, which brings people from New York City to the arena in 30 minutes.
“I’m especially excited about having the opportunity to host Bruce Springsteen for two shows this April,” adds Stone, who called that a bucket-list item.
She says it’s personally satisfying that UBS Arena has multiple women in leadership roles, while OVG’s executive committee is 50% women. (Oak View Group is VenuesNow’s parent company.)
“There is always room for growth in this department, but I’m confident that we are heading in the right direction, and I’m proud of the progress OVG has made to strengthen their own DEI initiatives.”
With highlights including shows from Harry Styles and K-pop phenoms at UBS Arena, Stone’s favorite recent performance hits a little closer to home.
“My son’s fifth-grade fall assembly was the most special because it’s his last one in elementary school and I got to be there in person,” she said.
