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NOLA Venues Extend Centerplate Deal

Posted by Brad Weissberg | May 29, 2019 | Concessions, General, Pulse

New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome recently announced a $450 million renovation. (Getty Images) Two years plus options at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Smoothie King Center Centerplate has reupped its hospitality contract with New Orleans’ Mercedes-Benz Superdome and Smoothie King Center. Centerplate has been with both buildings since 1999. The Superdome, home of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, has launched a massive $450 million renovation, the first major upgrade for the property since the repairs that followed Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Additions will include a new large kitchen and food-service area in a space currently being used for parking. “There was no RFP required for this purpose,” said Steve Trotter, Centerplate’s regional vice president. “We have a great working relationship with our clients. We had a chat, made a deal, and we remain.” Great relationship indeed. In an annual evaluation of all 32 NFL teams, conducted by the League Observation Program and third-party audits,… Continue Reading NOLA Venues Extend Centerplate Deal

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AudienceView Acquires Vendini

Posted by Brad Weissberg | May 22, 2019 | General, Pulse, Ticketing

Toronto-based AudienceView has purchased San Francisco-based Vendini. “We have a strong alignment”; Vendini office to remain in San Francisco Ticket giant AudienceView has acquired Vendini. The two companies became one Monday after a one-year courtship. AudienceView also owns TheaterMania, WhatsOnStage, LaughStub, ElectroStub and TuneStub. “We purchased 100% of Vendini and all its assets,” AudienceView CEO Mark Fowlie said. “We started conversations in February of 2018 about alignments of strategy and company culture.” Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Vendini is based in San Francisco and AudienceView in Toronto. Fowlie said there was no plan to close the Vendini office and move its activity to Canada. “We believe that it makes sense to have people who are close to their customers, and many Vendini customers are West Coast-based,” Fowlie said. AudienceView has about 180 employees and Vendini about 140. Fowlie does not expect to cut many positions. “There will always… Continue Reading AudienceView Acquires Vendini

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Pasadena Convention Center Marks a Decade

Posted by Brad Weissberg | May 16, 2019 | Convention Centers, General, Industry Events, Pulse

Michael Ross, chief executive officer of the Pasadena Center Operating Co.; Jeanne O’Grady Goldschmidt, executive director of the Pasadena Convention & Visitors Bureau; Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International; and Jon Guynn, vice president of operations for Oak View Group Media & Conferences, celebrate the Pasadena Convention Center’s 10-year anniversary. “We’ve done very well” in 10 years since big rebuild California’s Pasadena Convention Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary May 9 with an evening reception. The event took place inside the convention center’s ballroom with special guests Don Welsh, president and CEO of Destinations International; Pasadena Mayor Terry Tornek; board members of the Pasadena Center Operating Co., which manages the center as well as the 3,000-seat Civic Auditorium and the convention and visitors bureau; hotel partners and more. The event coincided with National Travel and Tourism Week May 5-11. The Pasadena Convention Center opened in March 2009, after a 32-month… Continue Reading Pasadena Convention Center Marks a Decade

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L.A. Stadium District Staffs Up

Posted by Brad Weissberg | May 16, 2019 | Faces & Places, Facility Management, Pulse

Future home of NFL’s Rams and Chargers adds 10 The Los Angeles Stadium & Entertainment District at Hollywood Park — the future home of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers — is staffing up in anticipation of its 2020 opening. Marlene Nations will lead LASED’s legal affairs group as senior vice president and general counsel. Nations was a partner at Dentons. Rosa Shen joins the legal affairs team as associate general counsel. Shen has worked at Thomson Reuters, B/E Aerospace Inc and AEG, where she provided legal advice on matters related to Staples Center and the L.A. Live complex. Michael Beamer is the new vice president of security. Beamer was a member of the security team for the NBA. Blake Paris is now senior director of security. Paris was director of security for Mandalay Bay Resort… Continue Reading L.A. Stadium District Staffs Up

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