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In this episode of The Good Stuff presented by the Sonoma County Winegrowers, hosts Virginie Boone and Karissa Kruse talk with Rich Franklin, Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Oak View Group, Acrisure Arena & AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds.

Rich Franklin serves as the Vice President of Corporate Partnerships for Oak View Group, Acrisure Arena & AHL Coachella Valley Firebirds. In this role, he oversees corporate partnerships for both OVG, Acrisure, and the Coachella Valley Firebirds, the American Hockey League affiliate of the Seattle Kraken. He is also a co-host of ‘The Inches Sponsorship Sales Podcast,’ a podcast that looks at how digital is changing sports marketing diving into the struggles and issues you face in the sport and event sponsorship space.

Rich has over 30 years in Sports/Media Sales & Management, Event/Sponsor Activation Management, Fundraising, Management, and Business Ownership. He has a B.A. in Communications/Advertising from the University of Washington with additional professional certificates from the University of Michigan and Northwestern University. Rich used to own his own wine shop in Washington state, and has served as a board member of Easterseals Oregon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing exceptional services, education, outreach, and advocacy for individuals living with autism and other disabilities.

Oakview Group (OVG), established in 2015, is a leading professional sports and real estate company specializing in the development and management of sports and entertainment venues. With headquarters in Denver and regional offices in Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, London, and Toronto, OVG has a global presence. The company has developed notable venues, including Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, home to the NHL’s Seattle Kraken and the WNBA’s Seattle Storm; UBS Arena in New York, home of the NHL’s New York Islanders; Moody Center in Austin, Texas, hosting the University of Texas Longhorns basketball teams; and Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert, California, home of the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds. OVG has also expanded its influence by acquiring trade publications such as Venues Today and Pollstar and has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability signing The Climate Pledge, striving for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Acrisure Arena, located in Greater Palm Springs, California, is a premier entertainment venue that opened in December 2022. Spanning over 300,000 square feet, the arena has a seating capacity of approximately 11,000, featuring modern suites and four premium hospitality clubs. It serves as the home of the Coachella Valley Firebirds, and includes the adjoining Berger Foundation Iceplex, which functions as a year-round community gathering space and training center for the team. In partnership with Live Nation, the world's largest event promoter, Acrisure Arena hosts a diverse array of events, including concerts, sports, and family shows, attracting over one million visitors annually.

The Silvercrest Compound at Acrisure Arena is an exclusive outdoor VIP space. It features a full bar, a variety of food options, and recreational activities including a 9-hole mini golf course, pickleball, half-court basketball, and bocce ball. The Silvercrest Compound opens 90 minutes before puck drop for Coachella Valley Firebirds games and remains accessible until the end of the second intermission.

The Coachella Valley Firebirds are a professional ice hockey team based in Coachella Valley, California. As the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the NHL's Seattle Kraken, they compete in the AHL's Pacific Division. The team began play in the 2022–23 season, with home games at Acrisure Arena.

Our Partnership was announced on December 17^th, 2024. The sponsorship includes TV advertising, in-arena advertising, sponsorship of the Firebirds’ annual pre-season dinner, exclusive collaborations for premium and season ticket members, sampling nights of Sonoma County wines, opportunities for fans to visit Sonoma County, a billboard that says “Drink Wine. Drink Sonoma County” on interstate 10, and more. We are kicking off our first activation as the sponsor of the Cactus Cup NCAA College Hockey Tournament January 3rd and 4th. Where we will be doing giveaways, pouring Sonoma County wines in the Silvercrest compound in between games, meeting players, coaches, and fans, and there will be Sonoma County wines by the glass available to purchase.

And finally, Virginie and Karissa share their Tuesday Night wine picks!