Author: Don Muret

Arena Manager: UFC Arrived With a Plan

Arena Manager: UFC Arrived With a Plan

Posted by | May 14, 2020 | , ,

Playing host to UFC 249 in an empty arena proved to be “surreal all the way around” for Bill McConnell, but it went a long way toward regaining the trust and confidence of all stakeholders involved in live entertainment, he said.

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Video: Digital Sessions With Rob Matwick

Video: Digital Sessions With Rob Matwick

Posted by | May 8, 2020 | ,

Texas Rangers exec talks about Globe Life Field coming to life Globe Life Field, the Texas Rangers’ new $1.2 billion stadium, is starting to see some activity. Players are working out at the venue and about one-third of the front-office staff gathered there over the past week, according to Rob Matwick, the team’s executive vice president of business operations. In the newest installment of VenuesNow Digital Sessions, Matwick discussed the situation with the new ballpark and potential adjustments post-COVID-19 at the 40,500-seat facility. The state of Texas classified construction as essential work, since the stay-at-home orders were put in place in March, and other restrictions have been lifted, resulting in the Rangers slowly ramping their operation back up in Arlington. “Last week, we started batting practice on the field with a couple guys at a time,” Matwick said. “They’re allowed now to come in — if they live in the area — and use the weight room.… Continue Reading Video: Digital Sessions With Rob Matwick

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MGM Resorts Lays Off Entertainment Execs

MGM Resorts Lays Off Entertainment Execs

Posted by | May 4, 2020 | , ,

The MGM Grand Las Vegas Resort & Casino is home to the Grand Garden Arena, where the careers of Prows, Libonati and Jones overlapped. (Getty Images) Mark Prows, Daren Libonati and Cynthia Jones are Vegas veterans Mark Prows, who spent 26 years at MGM Resorts International and oversaw close to 40 venues worldwide, was laid off last week because of the COVID-19 crisis, which has shut down entertainment facilities around the globe. Prows, most recently MGM’s senior vice president of entertainment operations, confirmed the move in a phone interview with VenuesNow.  Daren Libonati, MGM’s vice president of festivals and outdoor spaces, confirmed he was also let go after spending 3 1/2 years expanding the company’s special events business.  In addition, Cynthia Jones, who spent 25 years at MGM and was most recently vice president of corporate ticketing, told VenuesNow she is no longer with the company. Scott Ghertner, a spokesman… Continue Reading MGM Resorts Lays Off Entertainment Execs

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Video: Digital Sessions With Jonathan O’Neil Cole and Chris Lamberth

Video: Digital Sessions With Jonathan O’Neil Cole and Chris Lamberth

Posted by | May 4, 2020 | , , ,

Architects Jonathan O’Neil Cole of Pendulum Studio and Chris Lamberth of Tvsdesign Architecture & Design sat down with VenuesNow Senior Editor Don Muret to discuss the design of venues and how the traditional development of arenas, stadiums and convention centers will adjust over time.

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Video: Digital Sessions With Brad Mayne

Video: Digital Sessions With Brad Mayne

Posted by | May 4, 2020 | , ,

IAVM leader describes how his group is lobbying Congress on behalf of members Brad Mayne stays busy these days coordinating conference calls with legislators to seek federal aid for public assembly venues and working with task forces to support his 7,100 constituents as they navigate the long, dark tunnel of COVID-19 to reopen their facilities. Mayne, president and CEO of the International Association of Venue Managers, spent one hour last week with VenuesNow discussing the shutdown of live events; its affect on IAVM members among the hundreds of arenas, stadiums, convention centers and amphitheaters; and where things are headed for the industry as a whole. “We’re doing a lot of lobbying with the House and Senate,” Mayne said. “We’ve hosted well over 30 phone calls with folks such as Marco Rubio, Bob Menendez and Mitch McConnell. We’ve applied for two things: an extension for that (stimulus) money as well as… Continue Reading Video: Digital Sessions With Brad Mayne

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