Author: Don Muret

Aramark’s Birdwell Makes Seamlessness a Priority

Aramark’s Birdwell Makes Seamlessness a Priority

Posted by | Mar 30, 2020 |

Tech points toward removing payment barriers, says new Sports & Entertainment chief Alison Birdwell was recently promoted to president of Aramark Sports & Entertainment. Birdwell replaces Carl Mittleman, who takes over as chief operating officer of international after Brent Franks left the company. Birdwell has been with  Aramark since 2002, when she was named general manager of Reliant Park in Houston, now NRG Park, which includes NRG Stadium, home of the NFL’s Houston Texans. The Hertford, England, native has been a district manager and most recently a regional vice president for Aramark, covering multiple Super Bowls, World Series and Final Fours. Her hospitality background is in the hotel industry. (This interview was conducted before the event cancellations associated with the COVID-19 outbreak.) What’s your take on the state of food service at arenas and stadiums? The first thing is how rapidly it’s changing, and having been in this industry for… Continue Reading Aramark’s Birdwell Makes Seamlessness a Priority

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Designers Discuss Post-Coronavirus Changes

Designers Discuss Post-Coronavirus Changes

Posted by | Mar 25, 2020 | , ,

Dunkin’ Donuts Park in Hartford, Conn., is fitted with touchless systems that can help prevent the spread of viruses. (Courtesy Pendulum Studio) Alternatives to stainless steel surfaces, adjustments to buffets may lie ahead, they say In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, architects are having internal discussions about how things will change in the design of sports and entertainment facilities to provide greater protection for spectators and venue workers. Expanding touchless technology in suites and clubs, restrooms and office spaces; using materials other than stainless steel to build hard surfaces that are more resistant to germs; and embracing security-related systems such as thermal screening are a few examples that designers are talking about as additional layers of protection. Operationally, expect to see changes in food preparation and presentation and cleaning procedures, they added.  It’s all in the concept stage at this point, but the virus has people talking about what’s… Continue Reading Designers Discuss Post-Coronavirus Changes

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Sources: HOK-Dialog Team Wins in Calgary

Sources: HOK-Dialog Team Wins in Calgary

Posted by | Mar 25, 2020 | , ,

The Scotiabank Saddledome, which opened in 1983, is the second-oldest NHL arena. (Getty Images) Firms to design arena for NHL’s Flames, Calgary Stampede The two architecture firms that designed Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, have been selected to develop a new arena for the NHL’s Calgary Flames. The team of HOK and Dialog, a local company, won the job, said multiple sources familiar with the decision. The Calgary Municipal Land Corp. is project development manager for the arena, which at this point is called the Calgary Event Centre. Asked about a design choice, Clare LePan, vice president of marketing and communications for the organization, wrote in an email, “We have no comment or update at this time.” HOK could not confirm the selection, company spokesperson Annie Merrill said. Dialog officials in Toronto did not return a phone call for comment. HOK and Dialog collaborated on the design of Rogers Place,… Continue Reading Sources: HOK-Dialog Team Wins in Calgary

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Venues Industry Fights an Unseen Enemy

Venues Industry Fights an Unseen Enemy

Posted by | Mar 21, 2020 | , ,

The concert scheduled to open the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Field was postponed, along with most other sports and music events. (Don Muret / Staff) Execs speak on how COVID-19 rolled across the business landscape Sports and entertainment venues will mark March 12, 2020, as an inflection point. On that Thursday, with fear escalating over the spread of the COVID-19 virus, multiple sports leagues canceled or postponed their seasons. The day before, many NCAA conferences had put a halt to their men’s basketball tournaments, some in awkward fashion. The Big East Conference, for example, waited until halftime of the St. John’s-Creighton game to cancel the event at Madison Square Garden. (The NCAA later canceled all of March Madness, as well as most spring sports seasons.) Then the NBA suspended its season. Over the course of Thursday, the number of postponements and cancellations came crashing down in dizzying fashion.  For live… Continue Reading Venues Industry Fights an Unseen Enemy

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Greensboro a Microcosm of Virus’ Havoc

Greensboro a Microcosm of Virus’ Havoc

Posted by | Mar 15, 2020 | , ,

OPENING DELAYED: The Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts had been scheduled to open this week. (Courtesy Greensboro Coliseum Complex) N.C. city deals with effects on multiple venues, including new PAC The COVID-19 outbreak in the U.S. has brought the live sports and entertainment industry to a standstill over the next several weeks, and Greensboro, a city of 295,000 in central North Carolina, provides a vivid snapshot of the crushing impact on all public facilities. The city runs about 10 venues, many of them part of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. A new performing arts center was scheduled to open downtown this week.  “We’re used to controlling the schedule, the whole aspect of events,” said Matt Brown, managing director of the coliseum complex. “You open the doors at a certain time, you tell people where to go sit. The nature of our job is direction and defining.” “Now, we’re sitting here… Continue Reading Greensboro a Microcosm of Virus’ Havoc

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