Curtain call: Longtime FWCC employees bid farewell to an old friend

After 58 years of entertaining, enriching and entrancing event-goers, downtown's iconic "flying saucer" arena is switching off its spotlights for good.

This Sunday's "It's Goin' Down" celebration will be the final public gathering inside the arena before remediation and demolition begin in early 2027 as part of Phase 1. The $701 million convention center expansion and modernization will follow in Phase 2.

While the Fort Worth Convention Center is widely recognized for its space-age silhouette, it's the folks behind the scenes who have truly fueled its meteoric rise to fame.

Before the saucer takes its last spin, we took a moment to chat with three longtime Convention Center team members. Here, they share special memories, last-minute miracles, favorite celebrity encounters and closing thoughts on a venue that felt like a second home for a collective nearly eight decades of service.

Gina Castillo, field operations supervisor, 28 years

Castillo started in the sales department as a booking coordinator and worked in that position for about eight years. In 2006, she became an event coordinator and was promoted to her current role in mid-2010.

Castillo and former coworker Amber Delong with the big booking “book” in the late 1990s before the days of specialized venue software. “No one was allowed to have an eraser anywhere near this book!” Castillo said.

Best show you worked?

One of my favorite events was in 2009, when I had the opportunity to work on a show called “Get Motivated,” a one-day seminar designed to help audience members sharpen their business skills, leadership abilities and motivation. The event was held in the Arena, with an overflow area set up in the exhibit hall. Approximately 15,000 people attended, making it an exciting and memorable event for our team.

The lineup of the motivational speakers was incredible and included former President George W. Bush, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, motivational speaker Zig Ziglar, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and NFL quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Being part of an event that had such a positive impact on thousands of people was truly one of the highlights of my career.

Favorite/most memorable celebrities you met?

To name a few, I worked with Joe Montana, Emmit Smith, Drew Brees, Magic Johnson, Cher, Miley Cyrus, Elton John, Julie Andrews, Laura Bush, Chuck Berry, Former President George W. Bush, Former President Barack Obama, ZZ Top, Kid Rock and many more.

Funniest/most interesting request?

One of our booked conventions had a dog rescue as one of the booths in their expo. About an hour or two before the show opens, the client calls and says that the dog rescue that was supposed to fill the booth called and cancelled.

The client was in a panic, so I offered to assist in finding another dog rescue. I went to our sales department and between the two of us, we were able to get a local dog rescue here to fill the empty booth.

Last-minute miracle you successfully pulled off?

Finding the dog rescue within an hour was truly a miracle. They were here and ready by the time the doors opened.

Favorite memory that has left an impact on your life?

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fort Worth Convention Center was transformed into an overnight shelter for members of the homeless community for approximately 90 days. Being part of the Public Events Department during this time was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.

I had the opportunity to work directly with the homeless community and assist with providing a safe place to stay, meals and COVID-19 screening. This experience taught me the importance of compassion, teamwork, flexibility and serving our community during a time of great need.

Anything else you’d like to add?

In 2003, I had the honor of working with Cher. She held a concert in our Arena and told me that this was one of her favorite venues because of the wonderful acoustics. Cher is a very down-to-earth professional, and I loved meeting and working with her for this event.

In 2010, Elton John performed in our Arena. His personal staff came in and was able to beautify the green room for Elton. One of the unique items that was brought in for him were hundreds of glamourous sunglasses. I was told that he would choose his sunglasses on his way to the stage for each performance.

I will always hold onto the great memories I made in the Arena. Whether it was concerts, the circus, seminars, sporting events, conventions or wonderful family events, each one holds a special place in my heart.

Although it is sad to see the Arena go, I look forward to the future and all that the renovation will bring. I know this transformation will create opportunities for larger conventions, seminars and events, bringing even more people to the great city of Fort Worth.

Joy Bradley, national sales manager, 26 years

Bradley spent six years with Will Rogers Memorial Center and the last 20 with the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Best show you worked?

Back in 2018, I booked a concert in the Arena with a little Korean band called BTS. Fort Worth was one of only six cities in North America to host them. It took six months of planning, which included every division of FWCC, the City’s JEOC staff, Fort Worth Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security, Downtown Fort Worth Inc. and Visit Fort Worth, so it was truly a downtown community effort.

Our phones rang nonstop from the time the promoter released ticket sales all the way through the beginning of the first show. There were two shows — Saturday and Sunday — and they sold out in 12 minutes. The fans started lining up outside on Wednesday before the first show on Saturday. Homeland Security closed Ninth Street and completely fenced in General Worth Square, and Downtown Fort Worth Inc. provided sanitation stations for five days. We had to use a bay of the exhibit hall for the merchandise sales, which sold out before the first show. It was the last huge concert in the Arena, and I’m honored to have been a part of bringing BTS to our city.

Favorite/most memorable celebrities you met?

Julie Andrews, Elton John, three American presidents (George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump), Van Cliburn, Colin Powell, Navy Seals Marcus Luttrell and Chris Kyle, Don Henley (The Eagles).

Funniest/most interesting request?

Back when we hosted Ringling Bros. Circus, I received a call from a lady who read me the row number and seat number on her ticket and asked, “Can my 2-year-old see from there?” That one took some quick thinking.

Last-minute miracle you successfully pulled off?

In 2017, one of our convention clients had contracted a “puppy station” for their event as a relaxation area during their breaks. Their supplier cancelled the morning of the event. Our client was frantic and said “Dogs, can you get me some dogs!?” My colleague, Gina Castillo, and I contacted our local animal shelter and asked if they could bring us dogs. They were here with six dogs, as well as handlers, within two hours. The client was so happy and four of those dogs were adopted that day.

Favorite memory that has left an impact on your life?

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, our Arena became a shelter for our homeless population. Although I was not directly involved with the day-to-day, I am so very proud of our Operations Team, who worked tirelessly to assist some of the most vulnerable in our community. Our staff truly went above and beyond.

Anything else you’d like to add?

One of my goals for the Arena was for us to host a Cirque du Soleil show. I started working with the Cirque staff in 2013. Not only was negotiation much different for an international show, but we conducted structural engineering studies to make sure that the Arena ceiling could accommodate all of the equipment needed to keep their performers safe. We achieved our goal and we hosted Cirque Verakai in 2017.

I’m so very thankful for the opportunities my position affords to learn about so many different industries, cultures and customs. It’s truly the best job I’ve ever had.

Blake W. Moorman, director of sales and marketing, 23 years

Best show you worked?

There are two: the Obama for President Campaign Rally in 2008 and the Fort Worth Diocese Catholic Bishop’s Ordination in 2014. Both were very moving public events. One for its historical significance and the other for its mere pageantry.

Favorite/most memorable celebrity you met?

President (then Candidate) Barack Obama.

Funniest/most interesting request?

Clients asking us, with a straight face, if we can find additional space for them when all the space in the building is used!

Last-minute miracle you successfully pulled off?

Believe it or not, but this happened this year. We had a concert in the Arena and suddenly, an attendee ran to me in a panic saying the stage crew’s cordless microphones were dying and that they needed batteries. I asked how many and he said eight to 10! I ran from the Arena to the Admin Office in hopes of finding eight to 10 batteries. Thank goodness we had them and I got them back in time without interruption to the show.

Favorite memory that has left an impact on your life?

I’m a huge music fan of all genres, so having the opportunity to see and hear both Van Cliburn play the piano and Luciano Pavoratti sing was very moving for me. And then to also see and witness the All-Star Funkadelic’s (an iconic R&B funk band) mothership land in the Arena, I can say I’ve been from one spectrum of the musical sphere to the other.

Anything else you’d like to add?

As a native of Fort Worth, I spent a lot of time at events in the Arena prior to working here. My first concert was when I was a teenager and my cousin took me to see Prince, my high school baccalaureate took place there and I remember taking my nephew and niece to the circus there. Thank you for the opportunity to share.