VBC

A YEAR IN REVIEW

ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019 Letter From The Executive Director

he Von Braun Center is looking at Each year, the high-level performance nity to learn about the economic impact a very bright future beginning in of our team continues to impress. They of our industry, as well as provide new T2020! The opening of the music hall, continue to raise the bar and exceed the strategies for marketing attractions. restaurant and rooftop bar will com- expectations of our clients. This year, we I am very proud to share that the 3rd plete phase 1 of the expansion of the hosted 500 events with over 700,000 Annual Von Brewski Beer Festival center which began back in 2018. The patrons walking through the doors. We with its over 170 beers brewed by 60+ names and logos of the music hall and would not be able to produce such large breweries from the around the world restaurant will be announced at a press numbers without the many organiza- saw a record attendance this year. The conference on October 29th, along with tions that call the Von Braun Center 6th Annual Family Fun Festival & the first official lineup of shows. The home, such as , UAH Expo continued its partnership with next big expansion project, phase 2, is Chargers, Broadway Theatre League, Free 2 Teach and saw an increase in at- the addition of the new multi-purpose Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, tendance as well. The 6th Annual Mix ballroom, meeting rooms, a new Fantasy Playhouse, Theater Huntsville, 96.9 – Von Braun Center Christmas kitchen and renovation of the North Huntsville Rotary, AUSA Global Force Parade was also a success with over Hall. This project is still in the design Symposium, Space & Missile Defense 80 participants, and spectators lining phase with plans to break ground in Symposium, International Symposium the streets of downtown Huntsville. 2022 with a projected timeline of ap- on Child Abuse, National Cyber Sum- proximately two years for completion. mit, Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Huntsville is growing at an extremely fast pace and I’m delighted that the Von As part of an ongoing effort to improve NEACA Craft Show, and many, many more. You may have heard me say this Braun Center is part of that growth. the facility for efficiency and customer I would like to take this opportunity to satisfaction, an upgraded light-emitting many times before…It is for you, “our customer,” that we continuously strive to say thank you to our board of control, diode (LED) lighting system manu- mayor, city council, city leaders, part- factured by Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting provide an exceptional experience and ensure a successful event. ners, sponsors, clients and patrons. is being installed in Propst Arena. The We could not do what we do without you! upgraded lighting system will feature A few entertainment events that stand full color-tuning fixtures which provide out from this past year which helped Thank you! We are looking forward to colorful light shows and will result in contribute to our large numbers are 2020 and beyond! an enhanced fan experience, as well as Jamey Johnson & Cody Jinks, Chris improved viewing opportunities of both Stapleton, and Marvel Universal Live. It live and televised events. In addition, was also an honor to host the Sincerely, 12 new LED video panels manufac- Governor’s Conference on Tourism, a Steve Maples, CFE tured by Daktronics are being installed. conference which provides an opportu- Executive Director

MANAGEMENT TEAM The VBC Management Team is committed to facilitating and promoting the vision of Huntsville. Steve Maples, CFE, has served as the Von Braun Center’s Executive Director for the past 13 years. As Executive Director, Maples oversees the entire operation of the Von Braun Center. Michael Vojticek, CPA, has been a member of the senior manage- ment team of the Von Braun Center for 28 years.

Left to right: MICHAEL VOJTICEK, CPA, Assistant Director; STEVE MAPLES, CFE, Executive Director

2 THE THE THE MISSION ORGANIZATION HISTORY STATEMENT The Von Braun Center (VBC) is governed by a seven-member The Von Braun Center was built thanks to The Von Braun Center is a multipurpose Board of Control appointed by the Mayor of Huntsville and the foresight of local leaders and a very real facility with the primary objective of the City Council. civic demand. The facility, built in 1975, was facilitating and promoting events and

The VBC is an anchor within its community. Located in welcomed by the community and the demand activities, in addition to generating downtown Huntsville, the VBC offers a beautiful facility for use continued, leading to three additions economic benefit and improving the for local, regional, and national events. The VBC provides within a ten year period driven largely by local quality of life for the Huntsville multiple venues for the presentation of cultural, educational, and civic demand. community and surrounding areas. entertainment, sporting, and social events. The VBC has a staff of proven professionals ready to contribute to the success of your event.

BOARD OF CONTROL

Wayne Bonner, Evans Quinlivan, Dr. Bill Sullins, Dr. John Johnson Randy Schrimsher Steve Thornton Eddie Turner Chairman Vice Chairman Secretary

3 CHRIS STAPLETON BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY - JOURNEY’S “ESCAPE” KANE BROWN

THE WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT A CONCERT LINE-UP TO RIVAL ANY...

4U - A Symphonic Celebration of Prince Girls & Guitars Ray LaMontagne AL A&M Homecoming Concert: Home Free Ron White Rick Ross & Lil’ Baby Huntsville Classic - Ronnie Milsap Alabama Band Master’s Friday Concert Lee Brice & Randy Houser Sarah McLachlan Ben Rector Jamey Johnson & Cody Jinks Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox Black Jacket Symphony - Jeff Foxworthy & John Crist Stephen Fite Children’s Concert Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Jewel Steve Martin and Martin Short “Damn the Torpedoes” Kane Brown The Awakening of a New Year Black Jacket Symphony - KC and the Sunshine Band The Beach Boys Journey’s “Escape” Kinjai Dave Concert The Doobie Brothers Black Jacket Symphony - Lauren Daigle QUEEN’s “A Night at the Opera” The Price is Right Lil Duval: Living My Best Life Tour Bob Dylan The Temptations & The Four Tops Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen Brit Floyd Theresa Caputo Maxwell Celtic Woman TOBYMAC Needtobreathe Chris Stapleton Travis Tritt’s Outlaws & Renegades Newsboys Coasters, Platters, Drifters truTV Impractical Jokers Tour - Ohio Players Starring The Tenderloins Cole Swindell & Dustin Lynch Pentatonix UAH Music Department Collective Soul Persian Music Concert Vince Gill Dancing with the Stars PLT Party featuring For King & Country WEUP 61st Anniversary Dynamic Praise 30th Anniversary Choir Performance Raidotron & Funktree Young Dolph Earth, Wind & Fire Elvis Tribute - Rocket City Christmas Experience Hendrix Fellowship of Christian Athletes VBC EVENTS featuring Tim Tebow CONCERTS...... 75 Firefighters Assn Concert - Michael Jackson & Prince Tribute FAMILY SHOWS...... 10 HAVOC HOCKEY...... 30 494,182 Firefighters Concert - TICKETS SOLD The Original Tams PERFORMING ARTS...... 50 Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons SPORTS...... 2 OCT. 1, 2018- G.O. Live UAH HOCKEY...... 16 SEPT. 30, 2019 Gary Allan

4 JAMEY JOHNSON MARVEL UNIVERSE LIVE

LAUREN DAIGLE BROADWAY THEATRE LEAGUE’S FINDING NEVERLAND

A VARIETY OF THEATRICAL SHOWS THE SYMPHONY... FAMILY SHOWS… GALORE…

Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Disney Jr. Dance Party A Charlie Brown Christmas - presents Disney on Ice Live on Stage Beethoven Eight Earth’s Prehistoric Aquarium Broadway Theatre League presents Susanna Sings Strauss Harlem Globetrotters A Diary of a Worm, a Spider and a Fly Tchaikovsky Five Jurassic Quest BEAUTIFUL: The Carol King Musical The Best of the Eagles Marvel Universe Live Finding Neverland The Young Person’s Guide to Monster Jam Jersey Boys the Orchestra / The Doo-Wop Paw Patrol Live! Kinky Boots Project Sesame Street Live! RENT We [heart] Mozart WWE Live Something Rotten WE SALUTE Celebrating STOMP our Veterans The King & I WIZARD WANDS & LIGHTSABERS The Music of John Williams Huntsville Symphony Orchestra’s Classical 1: Brahms 2

5 ROCKET CITY CLASSIC CONVENTIONS, CONFERENCES, TRADE SHOWS & SPORTS Garver Summit Rocket City Broadcasting Bridal Fair CONVENTIONS & Guidehouse Rocket Fair CONFERENCES HAMA - MiniCon Sneaker Crush HAMACON Taste of Huntsville 35th International Symposium on IEEE SoutheastCon 2019 Valley Hunting and Child Abuse Jehovah’s Witnesses Regional Convention Fishing Expo 20th Annual NCMS Mid-South Training Joseph P. Cribbins Aviation Product The Boat Show AAMA Supplier Diversity Conference Symposium Aerojet Rocketdyne National Cyber Summit Aircraft Survivability Professional Forum National Weather Association AMATEUR SPORTS Alabama Band Masters NDIA - TVC Missile Defense Agency Small Business Programs Conference Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tour- AAU Tournament ism (AGCT) Non Profit University Alabama State High School Wrestling Alpha Kappa Alpha Workshops North Alabama Conference of the UMC Tournament An Evening with David Jeremiah Oakwood Alumni Association Event Alabama A&M Basketball vs UAB AUSA Global Force Symposium Saved in the City Alabama Basketball vs Liberty / Aviation and Missile Technology Consortium SMD Symposium UAH vs Fort Valley State CALEA Southside Church of Christ Homecoming Alabama State Games Church of Highlands Marriage Retreat Tennessee Valley Authority Opening Ceramony Church of the Highlands Twin States Conference Big Spring Volleyball Bash Circuit #AL - 1,4 of the Elite Cheer Company Jehovah’s Witnesses Huntsville Gymnastic Center Cumberland Presbyterian Church NEWBREED Challenge Delta Sigma Theta State Conference CONSUMER/ TRADE SHOWS Alabama Open Dental Laboratory Association of Alabama Regional High School Volleyball DevSpace Alabama RV Super Show Rocket City Classic Dixie District Spring All Star Pool and Spa Rocket City Marathon Exposure Youth Camp Building Home and Remodeling Show Victory Athletics Cheer Competition FAPAC 2019 Conference Celebrations Bridal Event FBI Industry Day Collectors and Shooters Gun Show First Robotics Competition Fall Home and Garden Show Governor’s Job Fair for those with Dis- abilities VBC EVENTS Halsey Food Show AMATEUR SPORTS...... 13 Huntsville Comic and Pop Culture Expo Huntsville Hamfest CONFERENCES...... 53 Kehe Food Show CONSUMER SHOWS..... 26 Mitchell Grocery Food Show CONVENTIONS...... 6 NEACA Craft Show Randolph Under The Christmas Tree TRADE SHOWS...... 6 RecruitMilitary Job Fair AUSA GLOBAL FORCE SYMPOSIUM Retirement Lifestyle Expo 6 STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS BANQUETS, SOCIAL FUNCTIONS & MEETINGS Martin Luther King Jr Unity Breakfast Medical Gala BANQUETS Morning Star Lodge #50 MEETINGS Northeast Alabama FCA Hometeam 5th Annual Black Tie Charity Ball Celebration & Fundraising Dinner Barbizon A Salute to Service - Honoring Our Heroes Oakwood Student Banquet BeEmpowered Seminar Alabama A&M BEST Awards Banquet Oakwood UNCF Gala Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Alabama A&M University Black Tie Gala Omega Psi Phi Founder’s Day Luncheon Alpha Kappa Alpha Debutante Ball Pi Kappa Alpha Founders Day DHI Downtown Awards and Annual Meeting American Cancer Society Belles & Beaus Royal Funeral Home 100th Anniversary Gala Gamma Mu Workshop Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet Societies of 1895 & 2012 Recognition Dinner Herbalife Nutrition KickOff 2019 AUSA Army Birthday Dinner Sparkman JROTC Military Ball Hospitality Sales & Marketing Executives AUSA Veterans Dinner St. John’s Benefit Gala Holiday Luncheon Ball Fantastic Tie the Ribbons Luncheon - HudsonAlpha Huntsville City Schools Teachers Institute Boys & Girls Club Leaders and Legends WEDC Women Honoring Women Huntsville Rotary Luncheon Chamber of Commerce Alabama Update Tie the Ribbons Luncheon - HudsonAlpha Huntsville/Madison County Hospitality Association with Governor Ivey UAW 50th Anniversary Living Life after Cancer Chamber of Commerce Best Places to Work Victorian Cotillion Dinner Dance Madison Co. Schools Institute Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards WEDC Women Honoring Women Chamber of Commerce State of the County Oakwood Alumni Weekend Chamber of Commerce Annual Redstone Federal Credit Union Annual Meeting Membership Meeting SOCIAL FUNCTIONS Chamber of Commerce Armed Forces Redstone Federal Credit Union Employee Celebration Celebration Day 2019 Chamber of Commerce Redstone Update 100 Black Men Holiday Gala Rocket City Alabama Chapter of SGMP - 10 year Anniversary Chamber of Commerce State of the City Alpha Phi Alpha Gala Schwarze Industries Dealers Meeting Address with Mayor Tommy Battle AshaKiran A Ray of Hope Event 2019 - Chamber of Commerce Washington India Festival Tourism Summit Update with Congressman Mo Brooks AUSA Holiday Celebration United Way Breakfast Chamber of Commercce Washington Avion Holiday Party Update with Senator Doug Jones Colsa Holiday Party Chamber of Commerce Washington Crescen-Dough Auction Update with Senator Richard Shelby Dog Ball Christian Women’s Job Corps Circles Event ERC Holiday Party VBC EVENTS Funset Social & Charity Club Hazel Green High School Prom BANQUETS...... 75 Grounds for Hope Huntsville High School Prom GRADUATIONS...... 25 His Way Banquet Jerry Damson Auto Group Holiday Party Holy Spirit Regional School Bash Margarita Ball MEETINGS...... 106 Honoring Dr. Patricia Sims Nutcracker Ball SOCIAL FUNCTIONS...... 46 Huntsville Bible College “Vision” Banquet Omega Psi Phi Huntsville Symphony Orchestra Guild Stars Dancing for HEALS WEDDINGS...... 15 Debutante Ball Torch Technology Holiday Party Julius Scruggs Retirement Dinner Victorian Cotillion Kim Fails Jones Foundation Gala Yulista Holiday Party 7 SPORTS

RENDERING BY MATHENY-GOLDMON

Our Future Looks Bright with

Music Hall, Restaurant & The 2018-19 season of the Huntsville Havoc continues the tradition of fast-paced, hard- New Arena LED Lighting hitting, family entertainment The 16th season On October 29th, the VBC will host a press conference during the Havoc’s Meet the will not disappoint as head coach Glenn Players event to announce in a video presentation the official names and logos of the Detulleo and the team take on SPHL rivals new music hall and restaurant, as well as to showcase the LED lighting by Eaton’s Birmingham Bulls, , Ephesus Lighting being installed inside Propst Arena. At the unveiling, the first , , Peoria Rivermen, , Macon official lineup of shows in the music hall will be announced with tickets going on sale Mayhem, Roanoke Railyard Dawgs, and the the following Friday. . The Havoc have more Earlier in the year, a VBC naming committee (compiled of employees ranging in age, crowns to defend next season as they not only took home the second consecutive SPHL gender, and background) formed to help develop the branding of the two new spaces. President’s Cup, but also set the SPHL Local graphic designer, Crisy Meschieri, was hired to lead the team and helped attendance record for the fourth straight year!. create the names and logos for both spaces. The development of marketing materials (including signage, promotional items, websites, uniforms, merchandise, etc.) will immediately follow. The addition of these two venues at the VBC is part of an ongoing expansion project approved by the Huntsville City Council in June 2017, followed by the ground breaking in August 2018.

RENDERING BY MATHENY-GOLDMON The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey team is looking forward to the 7th season in the prestigious Western Collegiate Hockey Conference. The Chargers will welcome nine schools to the Von Braun Center for the upcoming season with featured promotions and giveaways at each home game. Go Chargers!

RENDERING BY MATHENY-GOLDMON

8 Von Brewski Heads-N-Tails Beer Festival Crawfish Boil The 3rd Annual Von Brewski Beer Festival Heads-N-Tails Crawfish Boil took place on February 9th in the South presented by Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville & Landers Hall of the VBC. This year, we had over 60 McLarty Nissan was a big catch this year! This year’s event breweries and over 170 different beers was held on May 18th in the South Hall. Guests enjoyed for attendees to sample that ranged from IPA’s and Stouts some Louisiana vibes with live music performed by Curley to Ciders and Meads and everything in between. During Taylor and Zydeco Trouble. This family-friendly event the event, attendees had the opportunity to build their also had people getting their faces painted, jumping on own pretzel necklace and stop by the vendor booths. inflatables, playing in an arcade, and enjoying tons of Guests were also able to stroll around the event with crawfish and other Cajun inspired foods! This was the ease and make notes about each beer they sampled in a event’s 9th year. labeled brochure. Until next year’s event…Cheers!

Food and Fun

Family Fun Festival Christmas Parade and Expo Each year, the Mix 96.9 – Von Braun Center Christmas This year’s Family Fun Festival & Expo Parade grows and the 6th annual year was no different! presented by Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville & Landers On the night of December 3rd, people lined the streets McLarty Nissan celebrated it’s 6th year! While the event to see the beautiful lit floats pass by. There were over 80 was still free, attendees were encouraged to #StuffTheTruck floats decorated to the theme of Christmas Around the with school supplies or make monetary donations benefiting World winding their way through the streets of Downtown Free 2 Teach. The entire community came together to Huntsville. Leading the parade was the official Grand raise $9,000 in monetary and school supply donations! This Marshal, 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee co-champ Erin number included a $1,000 matching grant from Siniard, Howard! Santa and Mrs. Claus marked the end of the parade Timberlake & League, P.C. During the event, kids enjoyed all as they passed by on their beautiful sleigh. This parade, sorts of fun activities including bumper cars, an arcade and presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, is a magical an LED photo booth….all while escaping that pesky summer night that has quickly become a tradition for many in the Alabama heat! Family Fun Festival & Expo is a great community. community event that we look forward to hosting each year!

9 HUDSONALPHA’S TIE THE RIBBONS LUNCHEON HUNTSVILLE CLASSIC WITH LEE BRICE AND RANDY HOUSER IN THE WORDS OF OUR CLIENTS You have the BEST staff! They were all helpful and professional. The employees were very accommodating and pleasant. Highly recommended! Edna Fails Cathie M. Mayne KFJ Foundation Retirement Lifestyle Expo Huntsville-Madison County Senior Center This was an overall FABULOUS experience! The special menu and food were wonderful and served hot which is impressive for nearly Thank you to the entire staff of the Von Braun Center for a fabulous 900 guests. From the chef and catering to production to the event event. We continue to receive compliments for how professional and coordinators to security, it was like Mary Poppins...practically perfect organized our conference was. The catering staff did a great job with in every way!!! The event planning was so organized and focused on our meals and breaks. And the production and operations teams had every detail. Production did a great job with lighting and sound. The everything set-up and ready to go. Very well done! draping was gorgeous with the gold inserts and the stage draping was Amy Boyd beautiful. I am most grateful!! National Children’s Advocacy Center Debbie Washburn 35th International Symposium on Child Abuse Symphony Ball Huntsville Symphony Guild The food service staff was excellent and the quality of the food was excellent, too. From the start of our discussions last January, the VBC team that Cheryl Davis supported really took the time to understand what we needed, and did Debutante Ball – Epsilon Gamma Omega AKA whatever they could to accommodate our never-ending list of require- ments. From the Chestnut features in the menu, to the moveable walls for our poster sessions, to the black skirting around the entire banquet Excellent Service! room to make it more elegant and presentable for the event, there was Debbie Moore nothing that was not able to be accomplished, with a smile to boot. I Moore Graduation Luncheon was extremely impressed by the AV team on the day, as well as meet- ing security due to our chance of protesters. Everyone was exceptional We loved working with everyone from the VBC and hope to continue and our event was excellent. I cannot thank you all enough. to have the marathon finish inside the arena for years to come! Cherin Marmon-Saxe Dwayne and Dana DeBardelaben The American Chestnut Foundation Rocket City Marathon

I am always pleased 100% with our Christmas Party at the VBC each year. The food is always excellent, too. Trying to please over 100 at- tendees is not always easy, but I have never had a complaint about the food - always compliments! Liz Beasley Avion Solutions, Inc.

10 Photography: Portraits by Bill Vaughn Photography, Event photos provided by VBC Staff A YEAR IN REVIEW

VBC Event Composition VBC Gross Revenue

SPORT EV ING ENTS $15,000,000 S ION CT C UN ON F 61 F $14,000,000 L ER IA E C 6 N T 3 5 C R O 1 9 E S S A D $13,000,000 E S / H C

3 O O

2 W N

S

S

U $12,000,000

M

E

R

$11,000,000

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1

M

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3

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1

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TI 5 EV N 13 T GS N ME AIN 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 ENTERT

REC LE YC C L Y E C

E R E

L R E C C Y Y C CLE RE

The Von Braun Center diverted 242.56 tons or 485,120 lbs. of trash from the local landfill. The average diversion rate for the year was 77.18%. This included: • Paper, Plastic, Aluminum Cans, and Cardboard - 63,920 or 31.96 tons • Electronic waste - 987 lbs. • Spent Fluorescent Lamps - 714 In regards to energy consumption, we continue to make improvements to the facility to better those results, including the upgrade to LED lighting in Propst Arena. Last year, we reduced our Energy Utilization Index by approximately 2.7%. We have more energy conservation projects slated for the upcoming year.

11 700 Monroe Street Huntsville, Alabama 35801 256.533.1953 www.vonbrauncenter.com