Atlanta, where SunTrust Park and Mercedes-Benz Stadium have opened this year and Philips Arena is undergoing major renovations, was a fitting spot for our annual conference on venues, franchises and ticketing. Attendees got a look at both of the new facilities as part of the event earlier this month.
PHOTOS BY BYRON SMALL / ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE
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“Our building … was built, as were a lot of venues, where you go, you get a hot dog in aluminum foil, and you watch a game. That just doesn’t make sense anymore.”
STEVE KOONIN
Atlanta Hawks and Philips Arena
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Jessica Gelman of Kraft Analytics Group
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Mark Lamping, Jacksonville Jaguars
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Amy Latimer, TD Garden, and Kevin Warren, Minnesota Vikings
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Mayu Arita, Georgia Power Co.
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Georgia Tech basketball coach Josh Pastner
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Eric Phillips, Delta Air Lines
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John Collins, On Location Experiences, on the “Future Fan Experience” panel on the conference’s opening morning.
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Jared Smith, Ticketmaster, on the “Future Fan Experience” panel.
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Jamey Rootes, Houston Texans, on the “Future Fan Experience” panel.
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Bryan Perez, AXS, on the “Future Fan Experience” panel.
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Batter up! Dimensional Innovations’ Alex Divine ...
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... and SME Branding’s Sophia Kelly take cuts at SunTrust Park.
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Sixth annual Michigan Sport Business Conference
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The sixth annual Michigan Sport Business Conference took place in Ann Arbor earlier this month. Jason White, Beats By Dr. Dre global head of marketing, and Turner President David Levy (below) were among the industry figures taking part.
Photos by: MICHIGAN SPORT BUSINESS CONFERENCE
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Dhani Jones served as Michigan Sport Business Conference emcee. Below: Allen & Co.’s Steve Greenberg and Palace Sports & Entertainment’s Arn Tellem sit for an interview.
Photos by: MICHIGAN SPORT BUSINESS CONFERENCE
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Taking the wraps off Target Center remodeling
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The Target Center reopened Oct. 12 after its 18-month, $145 million renovation with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Among those taking part were Target SVP of marketing William White (second from left), Timberwolves and Lynx CEO Ethan Casson and Chief Strategy Officer Ted Johnson (center), Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges (with scissors) and Target Center VP and GM Steve Mattson (right).
Photo by: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AND LYNX
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Dolphins, local police visit school
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Miami Dolphins players, along with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Miami Dolphins President and CEO Tom Garfinkel, and NFL and Dolphins staff joined members of the North Miami Police Department and Broward Sheriff’s Office to show support and take part in a ride-along.
Photo by: MIAMI DOLPHINS
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V Foundation event launch
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The V Foundation held a launch party for its first Victory Ride to Cure Cancer, set for May 19. Board of directors member and former CEO Nick Valvano and communications director Katie Sweet were on hand.
Photo by: V FOUNDATION
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Toast to extension
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Joe Gorder, chairman, president and CEO of Valero Energy Corp., and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan were joined by tour player Jimmy Walker (center) on Oct. 4 to announce a 10-year extension of Valero’s sponsorship of the Valero Texas Open in San Antonio.
Photo by: VALERO TEXAS OPEN
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NFL’s Hudson at RIT
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NFL CMO Dawn Hudson gave a Gasser Lecture Series talk at Rochester Institute of Technology on Oct. 13: RIT President Dave Munson, Hudson and Saunders College of Business dean Jacqueline Mozrall.
Photo by: SAUNDERS COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AT RIT
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Bullish on sports business
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At the University of South Florida’s Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management MBA program event Oct. 9: Moez Limayem, USF Muma College of Business dean, and speakers Tim Leiweke of Oak View Group, Brendan Donohue of the NBA 2K League and Jeff Wilpon of the New York Mets.
Photo by: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
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Please submit photos for review of industry conferences, parties, product launches and openings showcasing the people and personalities at the event. Include the event date, location, names/titles of those featured along with credit information. The photo specifications are as follows: 300dpi, tiff, jpeg or eps color images. Submit digital photos for review at: photo@sportsbusinessjournal.com or send color prints to: Faces & Places, c/o Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal, 120 W. Morehead St., Suite 310, Charlotte, NC 28202.
