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History of SMA

The first informal gathering of what was to become the Stadium Managers AssociationSM was held in Memphis, TN in January 1974. This small group of dedicated industry leaders wanted to establish a meeting that centered on stadium specific issues, i.e., day to day opertions, problems, etc. The idea of an annual stadium managers seminar was born. Col. Robert Sigholtz (formerly of RFK Stadium) was given the task of organizing the first official seminar. He continued in this capacity through 1985 and chaired the Seminar each year. This began a vital source of information, guidelines, and needed resources for the unique stadium industry.
 
Stadium managers throughout the U.S. and Canada were invited to attend. At the beginning, the meetings were limited to stadium managers and a few industry related sponsors.  Early attendees were some of the “giants” of the stadium industry: Bill Cunningham, Oakland-Alameda County Stadium, Bob Wachter, Kansas City Arrowhead, Glenn Walsh, St. Louis Stadium, Tom Leigler, Anaheim Stadium, Jim Hardy, Los Aneles Coliseum, Gordon Walker, Exhibition Stadium, Toronto, Joel Ralph, Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia, Herman Graves, Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Glenn Redmer and Carl Buck, Cincinnati Riverfront Stadium, Don Collins, Astrodome, John Hoaglin, San Diego Jack Murphy Stadium. 
 
Some early sponsors were American Seating (Ray Kenega, Don Spadola), HOK Architects (Ron Labinski), Rent-A-Tarp (Jim Curry and his Dad) (now Covermaster). Some of the other early attendees were Charley Sims, Ottowa, Don Poss, Minnesota (on loan to Miami), Harry Renaud, B.C. Place, Bill Wilson, Rose Bowl, Irv Alsobrook, Gator Bowl, Jacksonville, Ray Ward, Oakland-Alameda County Stadium.
 
Consideration was given to associating with the IAAM (then the International Association of Auditorium Managers), however, the stadium managers voted to remain an independent organization
 
The meetings were informal with the stadium managers leading the discussions and participating in panels with an occasional industry related lecturer invited.

Beginning in 1986, the responsibility of managing the Stadium Seminar Committee was placed in the hands of Harry Renaud with B.C. Place; Rick Nafe with Tampa Stadium; and Bill Wilson with the Rose Bowl. Rounding out the first official Stadium Seminar Committee was Jerry Bell with the Minnesota Twins, Gabe Paul, Jr. with the Milwaukee Brewers and Jim Minish with Giants Stadium. Jerry Oliver with the Florida Suncoast Dome and Bill Turner with Anaheim Stadium were also eventually appointed to the Committee.

Following the format development at the 1986 Seminar in New Orleans, the Stadium Seminar Committee became what we know today as the SMASM Annual Seminar and in 1991 SMASM became an officially incorporated industry trade association.

The SMASM Annual Seminar continues to meet each year directly following the Super Bowl.

SMASM is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of 6 regular members and 1 corporate sponsor member.

Seminar History

Phoenix, AZ

Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, February 2-6, 2020

Board of Directors

President - Matt Kastel, Stadium Manager, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Past President - Troy Brown, Vice President, Stadium Operations; Cleveland Browns

Vice President - Mario Coutinho, Vice President, Stadium Operations and Security, Rogers Centre

Treasurer/College Director - Justin Durfey, BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium

Director-At-Large - Matt Kenny, Vice President of Stadium Services, Kansas City chiefs

Director-At-Large - Angie Nix, Director, Guest Services, Levi’s Stadium, San Francisco 49ers

Director-At-Large - Kelsey Smith, Manager, Ballpark Operations, T-Mobile Park, Seattle Mariners

Corporate Director - Nicole Andrews, Managing Director, Global Sales, Matrax, Inc.

Ex-Officio - Annual Seminar Chair - Rick Nafe, Retired Vice President of Operations; Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field

Ex-Officio - Legal Counsel - Mike McCormick, Principal; MCMcCormick & Associates

Ex-Officio Annual Seminar Vice Chair - Jim Folk, Vice President, Ballpark Operations, Cleveland Indians

Ex-Officio Alumni Chair - Joe Abernathy, Vice President of Facility Planning & Engineering; Busch Stadium

Emeritus Director & Historian - Bill Wilson, Retired Stadium Manager

Hollywood Beach, FL

Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort, February 3-7, 2019

Board of Directors
President - Troy Brown, Vice President, Stadium Operations; Cleveland Browns
Past President - Tony Pereira, Vice President, Stadium Operations; Arizona Cardinals
Vice President - Joe Aberanthy, Vice President of Facility Planning & Engineering; Busch Stadium
Treasurer/Secretary - Matt Kastel, Stadium Manager, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Director-At-Large - Matt Kenny, Vice President of Stadium Services, Kansas City chiefs
Director-At-Large - Mario Coutinho, Vice President, Stadium Operations and Security, Rogers Centre
College/University Director - Justin Durfey, BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium
Corporate Director - Nicole Andrews, Managing Director, Global Sales, Matrax, Inc.
Ex-Officio - Annual Seminar Chair - Rick Nafe, Vice President of Operations; Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field
Ex-Officio - Legal Counsel - Mike McCormick, Principal; MCMcCormick & Associates
Emeritus Director & Historian - Bill Wilson, Retired Stadium Manager
Ex-Officio Annual Seminar Vice Chair - Jim Folk, Vice President, Ballpark Operations, Cleveland Indians
Ex-Officio Alumni Chair - Jim Minish, Retired Stadium Manager

Coronado, CA

Hotel del Coronado, February 4-8, 2018

Board of Directors
President - Tony Pereira, Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field
Past President - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Vice President - Troy Brown, Cleveland Browns
Treasurer/Secretary - Matthew Kastel, Maryland Stadium Authority/Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Director-At-Large - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Director-At-Large - Matthew Kenny, Kansas City Chiefs Football Club
College/University Director - Justin Durfey, BYU LaVell Edwards Stadium
Corporate Dierctor - Troy Hoberg, Hunt Construction Group, an AECOM Company
Ex Officio - James Minish, Retired

Huntington Beach, CA

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, February 5-9, 2017

Board of Directors
President - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Past President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Vice President - Tony Pereira, Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field
Treasurer/Secretary - Troy Brown, Cleveland Browns
Director-At-Large - James Minish, Retired
Corporate Dierctor - Troy Hoberg, Hunt Construction Group, an AECOM Company
Corporate Dierctor - Matthew Kastel, Maryland Stadium Authority/Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Marriott Harbor Beach Hotel, February 7-11, 2016

Board of Directors
President - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Past President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Vice President - Tony Pereira, Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field
Treasurer/Secretary - Troy Brown, Cleveland Browns
Director-At-Large - James Minish, Retired
Director-At-Large - Mike McFaul, Unaffiliated
Corporate Dierctor - Troy Hoberg, Hunt Construction Group, an AECOM Company

Los Angeles, CA

Loews Hollywood Hotel, February 1-4, 2015

Board of Directors
President - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Past President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Vice President - Tony Pereira, Seattle Mariners/Safeco Field
Treasurer/Secretary - Troy Brown, Cleveland Browns
Director-At-Large - James Minish, New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority
Director-At-Large - Mike McFaul, B.C. Place Stadium
Corporate Dierctor - Troy Hoberg, Hunt Construction Group, an AECOM Company

Palm Springs, CA

Omni Rancho Las Palmas, February 2-6, 2014

Board of Directors
President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Past President -David Scott, US Road Sports
Vice President - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Treasurer/Secretary - Tony Pereira, Safeco Field
Director-At-Large - James Minish, New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority
Director-At-Large - Mike McFaul, B.C. Place Stadium
Director-At-Large - Troy Brown, Chicago White Sox
Corporate Dierctor - Mike Grindle, BASF Performance Floors

Miami Beach, FL

Eden Roc Renaissance, February 3-7, 2013

Board of Directors
President - David Scott, US Road Sports
Past President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Vice President - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Treasurer/Secretary - Tony Pereira, Safeco Field
Director-At-Large - Barbara Casey, Raymond James Stadium
Director-At-Large - Mike McFaul, B.C. Place Stadium
Corporate Director - Mike Grindle

Rancho Mirage, CA

Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa, February 5-9, 2012

Board of Directors
President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Vice President - David Scott, US Road Sports
Treasurer/Secretary - Steve Maki, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
Director-At-Large - Dennis DaPra, PNC Park / Facilities
Director-At-Large - Barbara Casey, Raymond James Stadium
College/University Director - Mark Burk, Rice-Eccles Stadium
Corporate Dierctor - Mike Grindle, BASF Performance Floors

Huntington Beach, CA

Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach, February 6-10, 2011

Board of Directors
President - Joe Abernathy, St. Louis Cardinals
Past President - Jim Folk, Cleveland Indians
Vice President - David Scott, US Road Sports
Treasurer/Secretary - Barbara Casey, Raymond James Stadium
Director-At-Large - Steve Maki, Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
Director-At-Large - Dennis DaPra, PNC Park / Facilities
Corporate Dierctor - Mike Grindle, BASF Performance Floors