Subjects were geared towards the advanced ice technician, including ice-painting techniques and Zamboni operation. The classroom and hands-on training were conducted by renowned experts and SMG's vendor partners. The Ice School was lead by Greg Tesone, GM Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, Tim Vogt, Regional Director of Operations, Ryan Weiss, Operations Manager & Ice Technician based at the BOK Center and Tulsa Convention Center in Tulsa, OK and Phillip Ransford, Director of Operations at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, LA. The industry's best-in-class vendors who participated were: Cimco – Toromont, Jet-Ice, ImageOne, Polygon (formerly Munters), Sports Systems Unlimited/Athletica, and Zamboni.
Ice School is an SMG Operations initiative under the Corporate-lead SMG – O.S.C.A.R. (Operations Support through Communications And Resources) program. SMG holds the philosophy that the management and operation of its venues is local, with support from Corporate through defined Best Practices and standards.
Training such as Ice School is one of many ways SMG Corporate Operations supports its venues. “We at SMG strive to excel at venue management. Our Best Practices are derived from experience and knowledge that has been accumulated over the more than 34 years SMG has been operating venues. This knowledge base, along with the constant energy to improve, is a tribute to our staff. The Ice School is one of many ways we challenge ourselves to improve our work in producing and marketing the world's leading events, and providing guests with the best experience attainable,” said Michael Godoy, Executive Director of Operations, who leads the Operations division from SMG's Corporate Headquarters.
