Amway Center Orlando, Florida

While employed by Populous, the Partners of Venue Solutions Group assisted the City of Orlando and the Orlando Magic in their transition from Amway Arena to their new home, the Amway Center. We worked with the team in the development of their procedures and protocols for operating the state-of-the-art complex. We also advised on television placement, path of travel, FF&E specifications, storage allocations, event staffing, preventive maintenance, emergecy evacuation, and security.

PROJECT DETAILS• 18,000 seats• 1,400 club seats• 58 suites• 60 loge boxes• 4 bunker suites • Opened: October 2010

CHASE FIELDPHOENIX, AZ - 2006

As employees of Populous in partnership with IFG, the partners of VSG were engaged by the Maricopa County Stadium District (MCSD) to perform a comprehensive facility condition assessment of Bank One Ballpark (now Chase Field). The scope included architecture and interiors, major systems, structure, mechanical roof, technology, foodservice and included a capital expense matrix. As a follow up to the first condition assessment, VSG partners have been engaged by the MCSD in 2009, 2011 and 2013 to participate in subsequent analysis to update the condition assessment. This included benchmarking the condition of Chase Field with Minute Maid Park, Miller Park and Safeco Field.

Cumberland County Civic CenterPortland, Maine

Venue Solutions Group was retained by the facility’s Board of Trustees to review the existing operations of this 35 year old, 7,000 seat arena.

In preparation for a $33M renvoation, the Board took this proactive approach to ensure that a building with new features, technologies, and systems would be operated in the most efficient manner possible, thus reducing any potential net operating loss.

VSG’s review included an analysis of current and projected staffing levels, security procedures, box office operations, event services, booking and marketing efforts, and risk management.

Ms. Beth EdmondsChairperson, Board of TrusteesCumberland County Civic CenterOne Civic Center SquarePortland, ME 04101bethedmonds@gmail.com

FIRST ENERGY STADIUMCLEVELAND, OH - 2010

As employees of Populous, the Partners of VSG were engaged in 2010 by the NFL’s Cleveland Browns to conduct a full Facility Condition Assessment of

then Browns Stadium (now known as First Energy Stadium). The scope

of work included architecture and interiors, major systems, structure, roof, technology, foodservice, and included

a capital expense matrix.

While employees of Populous, the VSG Partners were engaged to provide operational assistance through the design process of this new 12,000 seat arena which opens November 2011. We reviewed the design documents, offering comments from an operator’s perspective that ultimatley impacted the operating costs in a positive fashion. Once the construction phase began, we then worked with the City on preventive maintenance, FF&E specifications, operating proforma development, event and full-time staffing levels, start-up procedures, and pre-opening planning (including grand opening). We also assisted the City in the development of an RFP for private management, identifying qualified firms and providing interview and selection criteria.

Ford CenterEvansville, Indiana

PROJECT DETAILS• 12,000 seats• 21 suites with 360 total suite seats• 80 loge seats• 500 club seats• 9 locker rooms• 3 loading docks, 1 food service

loading dock• 180,000 lbs of rigging capacity over

the stage• Opening 2011

INDIANA STATE FAIRGROUNDSINDIANAPOLIS, IN - 2011-CURRENT

Ms. Cindy HoyeExecutive Director

Indiana State Fairgrounds1202 East 38th Street

Indianapolis IN 46205-2807 (317) 927-7500

Venue Solutions Group began our relationship with the Indiana State Fairgrounds in 2011 while our Partners were employed by Populous. We lead the Pepsi Coliseum renovation discussions, representing Populous, and after the creation of VSG we continued to work with the ISF in a variety of areas. We have provided security assessments, guest experience benchmarking, plan reviews of the proposed renovations, and general operational consulting.

Our services have been used at ISF to create a more professionally managed facility, increase the safety of fans and employees, improve the guest experience, and provide reinforcement of ISF management decisions.

While employees of Populous in 2009, the VSG Partners were engaged to conduct an analysis of the parking lots at Keeneland Racecourse. Founded in 1935 and covering over 900 acres, Keeneland is one of the top thoroughbred facilities in the United States.

Our scope of work included:

•Layout of permanent and temporary parking lots•Creation of ingress and egress paths of travel•Identification and positioning of equipment•Shuttle routing•Staffing for money collection, direction, and security•Cash management procedures

Keeneland RacecourseLexington, KY

McLANE STADIUM

Mr. Brian NicholsonAssociate Vice President

Baylor UniversityOne Bear Place #97111

Waco, TX 76798-7111Ph. (254) 710-8242

After providing design review services to Populous, the chosen architect for Baylor’s new $250M football stadium, VSG was engaged directly by the University to continue providing operational consulting.

The design review encompassed a complete examination of functional spaces, room adjacencies, door locations, and path of travel. It included the areas of box office, food service, operations, merchandise locations, and athletics and special event production spaces.

Our direct scope with Baylor included analyzing potential non-football event activity, furniture, fixtures and equipment, advising on potential safety and security issues, and guiding the University on a search for a contract management firm. The underlying goal of our work was to increase revenue and operational efficiency to reduce costs.

Over the last 10 years, VSG Partners have worked with Major League Soccer, which represents the U.S. and Canada’s highest level of play.

Our work has included Guest Experience Benchmarking that is designed to identify strengths and areas of opportunity as relates to the guest experience and customer service initiatives. From ticket purchases to parking to concession to cleaning to security to event staffing, our firm has helped numerous MLS facilities improve their offerings to fans.

We have also presented in league meetings on such topics as safety and security and crowd management.

Major League SoccerUnited States of America

• 2007 MLS All-Star Game, Dick’s Sporting Goods Park• 2010 MLS All-Star Game, Reliant Stadium• 2010 MLS Cup, BMO Field• 2011 MLS All-Star Game, Red Bull Arena• 2011 MLS Cup, Home Depot Center• Empire Stadium• Jeld-Wen Field• Livestrong Sporting Park

Mr. Evan DabbySr. Director-Operations

Major League Soccer420 5th Avenue, 7th Floor

New York, NY 10018

While employed by Populous, VSG Managing Partner Russ Simons was engaged to provide operational assistance through the design process and startup of this new $450M ballpark for the San Diego Padres.

Russ’ particpation included interviewing employment candidates, writing protocols and procedures related to preventive maintenance, customer service, maintenance, and transitioning from construction to operations; writing FF&E specifications, operating proforma development, event and full-time staffing levels, start-up procedures, and pre-opening planning (including grand opening).

PETCO ParkSan Diego, California

PROJECT DETAILS• Opened 2004• 42,445 seats• 58 suites• 5,000 club seats

PNC ARENARALEIGH, NC - 2006 & 2011

Mr. Jeff MerrittExecutive Director

The Centennial Authority/RBC Center1400 Edwards Mill Road

Raleigh, NC 27607(919) 829-8132

As employees of Populous, the Partners of VSG were engaged by the Centennial Authority to conduct a full Facility Condition Assessment of the PNC Arena (formerly the RBC Center), home of the Carolina Hurricanes NHL club and the NC State Wolfpack Men’s Basketball team. The scope of work included architecture and interiors, major systems, structure, roof, technology, foodservice, and included a capital expense matrix. In addition to the two (2) Facility Condition Assessments, we also conducted a Design Feature Analysis that compared their guest amenities with those of similar, but newer, facilities.

QUICKEN LOANS ARENACLEVELAND, OH - 2012

Venue Solutions Group was engaged by Cavaliers Holdings to conduct a full Facility Condition Assessment of Quicken Loans Arena, home of the NBA Cleveland Cavaliers. The scope of work included architecture and interiors, ADA/Accessibility, major systems, structure, roof, technology, foodservice, and included a capital expense matrix.

RALPH WILSON STADIUMORCHARD PARK, NY - 2011

As employees of Populous, the VSG Partners conducted a Facility Condition Analysis for the Buffalo Bills at their home stadium. As part of an overall master plan for the facility, the Analysis considered the condition of the interior finishes, major systems, the overall structure, foodservice, technology, and reviewed any code issues that were present. The project also included the creation of a capital expense matrix.

TCF Bank Stadium / University of Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota

As part of the original architectural services agreement, the Partners of VSG were engaged to assist the University with the startup and grand opening of the stadium, the first Big Ten football venue constructed since 1960. We provided not only plan reviews as the stadium was being designed, but directly helped the University by creating a multi-volume set of books that outlined the scope of work necessary to prepare for a new venue opening. It included such topics as staffing, box office operations, guest services program, transitioning from construction to operation, and developing venue security procedures.

PROJECT DETAILS• 50,000 seats• 37 suites• 57 loge boxes • 1,250 club seats

TIME WARNER CABLE ARENACHARLOTTE, NC - 2013

VSG was engaged by Charlotte Arena Operations, LLC and the Charlotte Regional Visitor’s Authority to perform an operational review of Time Warner Cable Arena, home of the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. The scope of work included an assessment of current operating policies and procedures, capital improvements and long-term facility planning, security protocols, full-time staffing levels and technology for controlling major arena systems.

The process to accomplish the work included a review of past and current operating budgets, operating procedure and protocols, and methods of communication between the two parties, as well as interviews with all stakeholders.