VBC A YEAR IN REVIEW VON BRAUN - center
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VBC VON BRAUN CENTER A YEAR IN REVIEW ANNUAL REPORT FISCAL YEAR 2018-2019
Letter From The Executive Director
T he Von Braun Center is looking at
a very bright future beginning in
2020! The opening of the music hall,
Each year, the high-level performance
of our team continues to impress. They
continue to raise the bar and exceed the
nity to learn about the economic impact
of our industry, as well as provide new
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 Huntsville Havoc, 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
NEACA Craft Show, and many, many fast pace and I’m delighted that the Von
As part of an ongoing effort to improve Braun Center is part of that growth.
the facility for efficiency and customer more. You may have heard me say this
many times before…It is for you, “our I would like to take this opportunity to
satisfaction, an upgraded light-emitting say thank you to our board of control,
diode (LED) lighting system manu- customer,” that we continuously strive to
provide an exceptional experience and mayor, city council, city leaders, part-
factured by Eaton’s Ephesus Lighting ners, sponsors, clients and patrons.
is being installed in Propst Arena. The ensure a successful event.
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 Alabama
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
for use continued, leading to three additions economic benefit and improving the
downtown Huntsville, the VBC offers a beautiful facility
for local, regional, and national events. The VBC provides within a ten year period driven largely by local quality of life for the Huntsville
and civic demand. community and surrounding areas.
multiple venues for the presentation of cultural, educational,
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 The Price is Right
QUEEN’s “A Night at the Opera”
Lil Duval: Living My Best Life Tour The Temptations & The Four Tops
Bob Dylan
Lyle Lovett & Robert Earl Keen Theresa Caputo
Brit Floyd
Maxwell TOBYMAC
Celtic Woman
Needtobreathe Travis Tritt’s Outlaws & Renegades
Chris Stapleton
Newsboys truTV Impractical Jokers Tour -
Coasters, Platters, Drifters
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
494,182
featuring Tim Tebow CONCERTS..........................75
Firefighters Assn Concert -
Michael Jackson & Prince Tribute
FAMILY SHOWS................ 10
Firefighters Concert - HAVOC HOCKEY............. 30
The Original Tams PERFORMING ARTS....... 50 TICKETS SOLD
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 RENT
Sesame Street Live!
We [heart] Mozart Something Rotten
WWE Live
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 Tennessee 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
Alabama Governor’s Conference on Tour- Business Programs Conference
AAU Basketball 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 Ultimate 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
with Governor Ivey Association
UAW 50th Anniversary
Chamber of Commerce Best Places to Work Living Life after Cancer
Victorian Cotillion Dinner Dance
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Awards Madison Co. Schools Institute
WEDC Women Honoring Women
Chamber of Commerce State of the County Oakwood Alumni Weekend
Chamber of Commerce Annual Redstone Federal Credit Union Annual
Membership Meeting Meeting
Chamber of Commerce Armed Forces
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS 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
Address with Mayor Tommy Battle Schwarze Industries Dealers Meeting
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
His Way Banquet Jerry Damson Auto Group Holiday Party GRADUATIONS..................25
Holy Spirit Regional School Bash Margarita Ball MEETINGS...........................106
Honoring Dr. Patricia Sims Nutcracker Ball
Omega Psi Phi
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS....... 46
Huntsville Bible College “Vision” Banquet
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 &
New Arena LED Lighting The 2018-19 season of the Huntsville Havoc
continues the tradition of fast-paced, hard-
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, Fayetteville Marksmen,
Ephesus Lighting being installed inside Propst Arena. At the unveiling, the first Knoxville Ice Bears, Pensacola Ice Flyers,
official lineup of shows in the music hall will be announced with tickets going on sale Peoria Rivermen, Quad City Storm, Macon
the following Friday. Mayhem, Roanoke Railyard Dawgs, and the
Evansville Thunderbolts. 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
gender, and background) formed to help develop the branding of the two new spaces. took home the second consecutive SPHL
Local graphic designer, Crisy Meschieri, was hired to lead the team and helped President’s Cup, but also set the SPHL
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
Parade grows and the 6th annual year was no different!
This year’s Family Fun Festival & Expo
On the night of December 3rd, people lined the streets
presented by Mercedes-Benz of Huntsville & Landers
to see the beautiful lit floats pass by. There were over 80
McLarty Nissan celebrated it’s 6th year! While the event
floats decorated to the theme of Christmas Around the
was still free, attendees were encouraged to #StuffTheTruck
World winding their way through the streets of Downtown
with school supplies or make monetary donations benefiting
Huntsville. Leading the parade was the official Grand
Free 2 Teach. The entire community came together to
Marshal, 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee co-champ Erin
raise $9,000 in monetary and school supply donations! This
Howard! Santa and Mrs. Claus marked the end of the parade
number included a $1,000 matching grant from Siniard,
as they passed by on their beautiful sleigh. This parade,
Timberlake & League, P.C. During the event, kids enjoyed all
presented by Redstone Federal Credit Union, is a magical
sorts of fun activities including bumper cars, an arcade and
night that has quickly become a tradition for many in the
an LED photo booth….all while escaping that pesky summer
community.
Alabama heat! Family Fun Festival & Expo is a great
community event that we look forward to hosting each year!
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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 StaffA YEAR IN REVIEW
VBC Event Composition VBC Gross Revenue
SPORT
EVENTING
S $15,000,000
S
CTION CO
UN 61 NFE 9
$14,000,000
6
F
IAL
REN
SOC
13
TRAD SHOWS
5
CES
$13,000,000
E/CONSUMER
32
$12,000,000
$11,000,000
1
TS
13
5
M EE
VEN
GS 13 N
TE
TI N
E
NM
ENTE R TA I 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
RECY
LE
CL
C
RECY
E
CLE
CY
RE
CLE RE CY
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.
11700 Monroe Street
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
256.533.1953
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