Issue link: https://tradeshowexecutive.epubxp.com/i/65565
Advanstar Shifts Powersports Division to Santa Monica BY HIL ANDERSON, senior editor Santa Monica, CA – Advanstar Commu- nications closed its office in Irvine, CA on April 23 and shiſted its Powersports Divi- sion and other key staff to its Santa Monica headquarters. However, about 30 employ- ees are making the commute up and down the dreaded Interstate 405 in style. Advanstar CEO Joe Loggia chartered an air-conditioned shuttle bus to carry the Irvine staff daily from Orange Coun- ty to West Los Angeles and their new digs at Yahoo! Center. Riding the bus not only spares the Powersports staff from a grueling commute, but also allows them to get some work done during the ride by tapping into the bus's WiFi capability. Moving the regional office to Santa Monica will improve operational ef- ficiency and integrated marketing, said Tom Ehardt, executive vice president and chief administrative officer. "Te Santa Monica headquarters houses highly diversified product lines," Ehardt said. "At this time, it made the most sense to bring the Powersports Division under that same roof in order to streamline company marketing, resource coordination and goal accom- plishment with the least disruption to the division's overall operations." Reach Tom Ehardt at (310) 857-7500 or tehardt@advanstar.com LVCC to Expand Parking and Marshaling Space Las Vegas, NV – A vacant lot next to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) will be turned into expanded parking and marshaling space for the center. Te Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) agreed to purchase the 1.4-acre property for $7 million on April 11. "Te new site expands our existing purple parking lot by about 15%," said Terry Jicinsky, senior vice president, operations, for the LVCVA. "It also allows for a more efficient traffic flow, which will ensure better use of outdoor exhibi- tions, customer parking and trade show storage and staging." A new vehicle entrance to the property will be opened on Sierra Vista Drive and the new site will be ready for use around the end of the year. Te purchase of the land was contingent upon passage of a Resolution of Intent to issue $25 million in bonds which was ap- proved with a unanimous vote. Reach Terry Jicinsky at (702) 892-2807 or tjicinsky@lvcva.com www.TradeShowExecutive.com | May 2012 11