Mike Albert

Review of The Harvey B. Gantt Center for...

To whom it may concern - preferably someone with s...

To whom it may concern - preferably someone with some authority ...

My name is Michael Albert and I am the owner and creative director of Charlotte Video Ventures, a local video production company. On Saturday, September 14th, I was a vendor for the Yemane/Byrd wedding at your center. My job, obviously, to film the event for the couple.

I just wanted to let it be known that my experience with your venue was horrific. Beginning from the initial contact with Chanel and continuing on with your security staff. First, having to use the loading dock was completely ridiculous. All of my equipment, comparable to the photographer's (which they were able to carry in through the front door) could have been brought in through the front door eliminating the need to deal with your security officer in the dock. He was rude, condescending and frankly disrespectful to me from the minute I pulled in. From waiting for two elevator rides, having orders barked at me and then a contradiction between him and Chanel about me setting up my equipment, only to get yelled at again to move my vehicle. This was completely unnecessary and avoidable. The guard in the dock couldn't even tell me how to get to a parking lot.

Next, the inability to move via elevator from the 2nd floor to the 4th without having to wait on a guard was ridiculous as well. Then I had the pleasure to interact with your female security captain. A pompous, condescending woman who evidently doesn't value her job or has yet to be trained to deal with the public. One of the photographers came in the front door, a male guard met him and blaring over the radio, the captain was yelling "tell him to go to the other door." So, bordering on being late for the event, as I was, he had to walk another block only to be let in the other door. No sign in, no bag inspection, nothing.

As the evening continued, the security staff remained impolite, Chanel was absolutely worthless in answering any questions from any vendor or guest, and this captain was nothing but a militant racist to me and rude to everyone. One guest even asked me for batteries for his camera because when he asked to go out to his car he was told "once you leave you can't come back."

Without continuing to write a book - I'll sum this up ... Two other vendors and I had a discussion during this nightmare and agreed that not only will we never accept a job that involves your venue, but we will recommend to our clients that they choose another venue as well.

As a US Army Military Police combat veteran, a retired police officer and SWAT Team Commander and now a small business owner I have quite a reach to recommend any place else but the Harvey Gantt Center for any event.

Michael Albert