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 In its first foray into foreign venues, VenuWorks, which is based in Ames, Iowa, has just completed a Consulting Arrangement, which included a detailed, comprehensive plan for the new Rioarena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with GL events USA, one of the top venue management event organizer companies in the world. The Rioarena arrangement covered the gamut of venue operations, including budgeting, staff recruitment and training, marketing and advertising, event programming, and tenant negotiations.

"To be able to assist a dynamic organization such as GL events is a tremendous opportunity for VenuWorks," said Steve Peters, President/CEO VenuWorks.

GL events is regarded as one of the top event organizers in the world. The company originated 28 years ago in France. It operates venues in Europe, South America and Asia. The venues range from exhibition centers, convention centers, stadiums and sports halls, theaters and concert halls, and reception venues. The company reported total revenues of $1 billion (U.S.) in 2007, a 27 percent increase over 2006.

The Rioarena was completed in time for the 2007 Pan American Games and is part of the infrastructure being built in Rio de Janeiro to bolster its bid for the 2016 Olympic Games. Rioarena is a multipurpose indoor facility, a unique venue in South America, with a total capacity of 15.000 people, the site is suited for every type of major sporting events and large concerts. Rioarena is located within a walking distance of the Riocentro, the Convention and Exhibition Centre of Rio de

Glenn Mon was Senior Conusltant for VenuWorks on the Rioarena project. Mon has vast experience in venue management has included General Manager of the Louisiana SuperDome, Vice-President/Stadium Manager at Joe Robbie Stadium in Miami. Mon also served Stadium Director for four NFL Super Bowls in the mid-90s.

"Glenn has extensive experience at venues that have hosted Super Bowls, NCAA Final Fours and college football bowl games," said Peters. "He is the best person to help us develop a comprehensive plan that incorporated achieving maximum revenue with an eye toward ensuring the security necessary for an event such as the Olympic Games."

For his part, Mon found his Brazil experience, "fascinating," and told Facilitiesonline that the world’s concert and events promoters will do well to keep an eye on the Rioarena. "There is a lot of economic growth, and a proliferation of construction, including retail areas and luxury condominiums, around the area where the Rioarena is located. This bodes well for the future of this facility."