Join industry leaders and AIAI members for breakfast and an interactive conversation specifically tailored to the needs of owners. This pre-conference session is designed for those beginning to explore P3s to gain a better understanding of where they can be applicable. Learn about when P3s do and do not make sense to advance, the major considerations that need to be made when choosing this route, how the model can save money and time when dealing with system repairs and maintenance, and some crucial first steps.

Join us as we kick off the 6th annual conference with Brian Yost, the Chief Operating Officer for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), the destination marketing organization for Las Vegas and Southern Nevada that also owns and operates the Las Vegas Convention Center, one of the largest convention centers in the United States.

In his role, Mr. Yost is responsible for providing leadership and developing the strategy to create exceptional customer experiences and overseeing the operations at the 4.6 million square foot Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of his Las Vegas Convention Center oversight, he leads the business sales efforts for the facility and current planning of an upcoming renovation. Mr. Yost also helps drive visitation to the destination by managing signature citywide sports and special events such as the 2022 NFL Pro Bowl and NFL Draft as well as securing Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.

In this multi-sector discussion, we look at what's happened in the past year across the sports and entertainment industries, as well as a look to the year(s) ahead. Industry experts join us to review the common issues and potential solutions faced by venues across the U.S. The panel will discuss the types of projects they're seeing coming down the pipeline, and where future opportunities lie.

Learn about the highly-collaborative effort to approve and fund the one of the most exciting new stadium projects in the U.S. from those who successfully navigated the process. Through the work of multiple stakeholders and deep community input, Nashville will gain not just an excellent new home for the Titans, but a bustling center of commerce and community benefits as a result. Panel members include a Titans representative, a key attorney and lobbyist to discuss the legal and political components of the project, a public relations consultant and grassroots organizer who engaged supporters for the project, a city planner, and a member of the local sports authority.

Destinations across the US are looking to upgrade or build sports facilities. However, securing funding for upgrading or building these facilities presents a significant challenge. This moderated panel delves into innovative funding mechanisms that you can leverage to bring your modern facility projects to fruition. Learn how other destinations are utilizing these novel solutions and what is available in your destination to add to your tool box!

What business considerations must an owner review before starting the P3 process? This panel will discuss the elements that must be considered as the owners build out the business case for a P3 and share ideas on how to effectively communicate it to the community at large.

Gone are the days when a convention headquarters hotel primarily served group business. The economic realities of relying on one segment simply don't add up for developers, brands, or their public-sector partners who are investing as much as 45% in incentives for projects. How are the savviest owners/operators/developers designing hotels for long-term success? The urban lifestyle resort that also caters to major group business. Come hear from developers and operators who are leveraging new revenue and markets with 'cool' big-box hotels that feature massive pool decks, spas, multiple restaurants and bars, and other features that target multiple audiences. When it comes to economics, the pivot toward leisure can increase value, increase tax revenue, decrease the public incentives needed, and create a better sense of place than ever before.

Join us for an update on the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas as panelists share lessons learned and provide a update on the project one year later. Panelists will also discuss the importance of development in and around convention centers including hotels, affordable housing and entertainment districts.

Sports and entertainment events are revenue generators, but they’re also integral parts of our cultural fabric. Adjacent entertainment districts are evolving to accommodate a broader mix of uses that help fund facility maintenance and extend the game-day experience for a 24/7/365 buzz.

Learn first-hand as we explore entertainment adjacent projects, Thrive City (Chase Center), Amway Center Sports & Entertainment district, McGregor Square (Coors Field), Aloha Stadium Entertainment District, Gallagher Way (Wrigley Field), LA Live, Nashville Yards, and more! We’ll discuss challenges related to early adoption, community benefit and impact, partnership and team structure, sponsorship and site activation, lessons learned, as well as special ordinances and design innovations that propel content-rich outdoor gathering places and successful mixed-use developments. You don’t want to miss this!

Showcasing the Colorado Convention Center Expansion as a case study, this session will include the owner, architect, contractor, and program manager. With hundreds of stakeholders holding them accountable, the team navigated the big ask of expanding an existing facility by 250,000 SF with nowhere to go but ‘up’. Challenges such as a worldwide pandemic and construction above an active convention center required collaboration at all levels. Despite this, the team achieved an on-time, on-budget project that exceeded diversity and inclusivity requirements. Attendees will gain valuable insights into the creative solutions and best practices employed by the panelists, enabling them to tackle similar projects in their respective cities.

How do you address much needed facilities upgrades and achieve sustainability goals without the availability of existing funds? Approaching the half-life of NRG Park’s stadium and convention center complex, the Harris County Sports and Convention Corp. (HCSCC) / NRG Park needed facilities upgrades across their HVAC and mechanical systems, building controls, lighting, water and various other facility improvement measures.  Leveraging advances in technology alongside an energy savings performance contract, NRG Park was able to get $33+ million in much needed upgrades paid for through guaranteed utility and operational savings. These energy efficient upgrades will also reduce CO2 emissions by 241,000 metric tons annually in support Harris County's climate action goals.

HCSCC is leveraging its experience in the development, management, and operations of the NRG Park facilities to now benefit cities throughout Harris County Texas. We will discuss the current initiative with the City of Baytown, Texas.

Join us at this special evening networking reception for all attendees. Enjoy drinks and light fare while meeting with exhibitors, speakers, and conference delegates. 

Is your project a good Public-Private Partnership candidate? Join AIAI experts as they explore what makes a good P3 project and what to consider as you bring your project to market.

The BMO Centre Expansion project is an example of a collaborative and forward-thinking approach to urban development. Through public-private partnerships, innovative financing models, and stakeholder engagement, the project will not only expand the city's convention and exhibition capacity but will also catalyze the evolution of Calgary's culture + entertainment district into a vibrant hub for commerce, culture, and community.Key points of discussion will include:

• Innovative Project Delivery Models: The BMO Centre Expansion project showcases a blend of traditional and unconventional project delivery methods, including design-build contracts, value engineering, and risk-sharing arrangements. By adopting these innovative approaches, the project team has optimized efficiency, minimized costs, and accelerated the delivery timeline.
• Creating Sustainable Entertainment Anchors: Entertainment districts play a pivotal role in shaping the identity and vitality of urban centers. By expanding the BMO Centre and integrating it within Calgary's entertainment district, the project has established an economically sustainable anchor capable of attracting visitors year-round. Through synergistic partnerships with local businesses, cultural institutions, and hospitality ventures, the expanded BMO Centre serves as a catalyst for economic growth and community cohesion.
• Successful Project Delivery Enables Continued Investment and Development

The American Mall was once listed by Consumer Reports as one of the top 50 most revolutionary consumer innovations, ranked alongside things like antibiotics and personal computers.  Today it is estimated that 68% of Americans live within one hour of a ‘dead mall’ and 2 in 5 live near two or more “dead” malls.   28% of Americans had an abandoned mall torn down where they live in the last 5 years.

In many communities the death of the American mall is being turned into a positive.  The large footprint, easily accessible facilities are being reimagined into sports, recreation and well being centers that provide even broader benefit to the community.  In addition, these visionary projects represent the ultimate in sustainability, through adaptive reuse.  We will also speak to the financing.

This session will explore four significant projects: WeStreet Ice Center, UT Southwestern Redbird Mall Renovation, Nexus Park and Austin Community College Highland Campus.

Join this session as industry experts present best practices and lessons learned through experience in successfully utilizing and developing projects with the P3 approach.

Entertainment districts are being planned or are popping up all over the country. While they vary in size, building type, and tenant mix, the collective intent of developers and municipalities is clear: to rejuvenate exhausted or neglected real estate, to generate much-needed tax revenues, and to bolster their cities’ live-work-play-visit image as they compete fiercely with other metros for businesses and residents.Public and private supporters view entertainment districts as potential catalysts for broader urban redevelopment. Learn more about the P3 (Public-Private) partnerships and perspectives that offer a unique synergy between government and business and are drivers for economic development across many communities throughout the U.S. This session will highlight the process that several planned and upcoming entertainment districts are navigating, essential components for these districts to thrive, and other key ingredients needed for success!