Like a bunch of Walking Dead zombies, people are leaving their desks, walking around downtowns, searching for tiny monsters. Pokémon Go is the most popular app in years, and it’s causing everything from car wrecks (please don’t Poke and drive) to finding dead bodies. You thought Twitter brought the world together. Nope. It’s Pokémon Go.

You might be saying, “I’m in a venue, what does this have to do with me?” Fair question, to which I respond, “You have tiny monsters in your venue and people are going to visit you to capture them.”

“America’s stadiums are proving to be a rich hunting ground for those players who are doing their best to catch ‘em all,” Sports Illustrated reported. “So far fans and teams have posted screenshots with all manner of Pokémon appearing in the home turf of the Panthers, Brewers, Redskins and more.”

One venue is capitalizing on the app, which is being used an average of 43 minutes and 23 seconds a day, according to data from SimilarWeb.

The Durham Bulls Athletic Park (DBAP) in North Carolina plans to sell $5 tickets for gamers to search for the monsters in its stands, seats, and empty field from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. on Tuesday. All the proceeds will benefit Second Chance Pet Adoptions.

“Over our last homestand we found that the DBAP proved to be a hotspot for Pokémon, with characters popping up in all areas of the stadium,” Bulls General Manager Mike Birling told WRAL.com. “The problem was, many of the Pokémon were on the field, and our fans weren’t able to catch them. [Now], we can make sure no Pokémon at the DBAP goes uncaptured.”

Are you obsessed with the game? Have you opened up your venue to gamers? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.

(Image: Milwaukee Brewers/Twitter)

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The Education Corner in the IAVM booth (#1435) at VenueConnect is a great place to meet others and learn from experts who will help you succeed in your professional development. Here are a few highlights you can expect to experience.

IAVM Textbook Authors
Saturday, July 23, 3:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 24, 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Steve Camp, CFE, retired venue Manager
Lee A. Esckilsen, CFE, CHE, associate professor, Johnson & Wales University
Adonis “Sporty” Jeralds, CFE, clinical instructor, University of South Carolina
Kimberly Mahoney, PhD, assistant professor, sport management, University of New Haven College of Business

Stop by and meet the authors of the IAVM textbook and get it signed. They’ll be on hand to talk about its content and any other questions you may have. There will be a special VenueConnect attendee price of $75 for the book. They’ll lead a session “Maximizing the Use of the IAVM Textbook” (Monday, July, 25, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.) in room 101 ABC.

We’re also offering a special VenueConnect attendee price of $39.99 for The IAVM Blueprint: Event Management by Kimberly, Mahoney, PhD.

Meet and Greet with UpStart Keynote Speaker
Saturday, July 23, 4:30 – 5 p.m.

Phil Gwoke, generational expert and keynote speaker with BridgeWorks, LLC, will be on hand to meet attendees and discuss managing multiple generations in the workplace.

Career Resource Center
Saturday, July 23, 3:30 – 5 p.m.
Sunday, July 24, 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Mark Gnatovic, senior vice president of SearchWide, is sharing his vast experiences and resources with IAVM attendees looking to gain insight on positioning themselves, or their company, for success in today’s job market. Also be sure to stop by for Mark’s guest appearance at the The Venue Podcast: Career Edition on Sunday from 10:40 – 11 a.m. at Booth #1347.

Sustainability Committee
Sunday, July 24, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Come by to speak with the IAVM Sustainably Committee about all of your ‘green’ questions. Also don’t miss their two Fireside Chats on Sunday: 2016 Sustainability VenueDataSource Report – 11:55a – 12:15p &  The Evolution of R22 & How it will Affect your Future Refrigerants – 12:20-12:40p.

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If you are a young professional (YP) or student attending VenueConnect 2016 this July, you will not be alone! Thanks to numerous new initiatives through IAVM and the IAVM Foundation, like the 30|UNDER|30 program, the Minneapolis area will be flooded with young professionals and students with an interest in the venue management industry. If this will be your first VenueConnect conference and trade show, here are some quick tips on how to get the most out of your experience.

UpStart: Emerging Leaders Experience

If you do anything while you are at the conference, be sure to attend UpStart on Saturday morning. This awesome educational and networking session was started last year. It is a great way to connect with other young professionals and students within the industry, learn from educational sessions targeted directly to the millennial generation, and meet veterans in the venue industry. For more information on UpStart, visit http://www.iavm.org/venueconnect/upstart-2016. Special thank you to the IAVM Foundation and Western Kentucky for continuing this great program!

Meet People

You’ll quickly see that VenueConnect is like a huge family reunion for many of venue industry veterans. It’s a great conference to reconnect with old acquaintances and make new contacts, as well. Search out other young professionals and get to know them. Look for opportunities to meet experienced people in the industry. There will be countless opportunities to network!

Interact with the 30|UNDER|30 Class

This is the second year for this great program that works to engage young talent in the venue management industry. And thanks to the IAVM Foundation, SearchWide, and Ungerboeck Software International, each 2016 recipient has been awarded complimentary registration and a travel stipend to be at VenueConnect. The group will be recognized at the Venue Industry Awards Luncheon on Monday, July 25, and should be out in full force all weekend. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with them! As a YP myself, I want to thank IAVM and the IAVM Foundation for their generous support in the Build An Amazing Future campaign. It is initiatives like these that are truly making an impact on young professionals in the venue management industry.

Experience All that VenueConnect has to Offer

Attend the educational sessions—each day you’ll find that there will be sessions tailored directly to your venue type or topic of interest. Hit up the Trade Show floor—even if you don’t have buying power now, learn what is out there and meet our friends within the Allied sector. Some day, you will have buying power, and you’ll look to those companies to meet your needs. Attend opening and closing keynote speeches, the awards luncheons, and the closing party. Find other socials and dinners to go to with new and old friends. VenueConnect truly is a great conference, especially if you make an effort to get the most out of i. And look around you, other young professionals and students will be all over!

*Special note: For those of you who are not YPs, look out! This year at VenueConnect, we want to meet you and pick your brain. You have been warned! 

(Image: Orange Photography)

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Please welcome our newest members who joined IAVM in June 2016—a total of 73 new members. Thank you for being a part of the association!

Also, let us get to know you better by participating in the I Am Venue Management series. Please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story to share your story and photo.

Robert Anderson, US Cellular Coliseum
Jessica Armstrong, California Polytechnic State University
Stefanie Arnold, Oregon Convention Center
Daniel Bernbach, MGM Resorts International
Robert Bleibtrey, US Cellular Coliseum
Erik Chappell, Golden 1 Center
Phil Charleston, US Cellular Coliseum
Donny Collins, US Cellular Coliseum
Julia Cresci, US Cellular Coliseum
Chris Crosby, US Weight Inc.
Kevin Curran, Golden 1 Center
Nikki Dalbey, US Cellular Coliseum
Ramin Daryabigi, Golden 1 Center
Ricardo Durham, RFK Stadium
Ian Dyer, Ohio State University Athletic Facilities
Dylan Evans, Golden 1 Center
Jane Everhart, US Cellular Coliseum
Steven Friedlander, Auerbach Pollock Friedlander
Tracey Gardner, Mississippi Fair Commission
Dugan Gauer, Oregon Convention Center
Kevin Gilson, Ohio State University Athletic Facilities
Amy Glover, Lansing Center
Mike Haramia, Henderson Engineers Inc.
Sandra Hastings, US Cellular Coliseum
Russ Haynes, Sacramento Convention Center
Ryan Hixson, Oregon Convention Center
Rick Hodges, Oregon Convention Center
Brandy Humphrey, Golden 1 Center
Randle Jackson, Travis County Exposition Center
Maurica James, Lansing Center
Mike Jenzeh, Magnation Water Technologies
Laura Jonen, US Cellular Coliseum
Johanna Kodlick, Weis Center for the Performing Arts
Mike Kontranowski, Hufcor Inc.
Leamon Kreutziger, Lansing Center
John Krivacic, Golden 1 Center
Jamie Laird, Mississippi Fair Commission
Lorraine Leveronne, Kentucky Exposition Center
Michael Linck, OSRAM Lighting Solutions
Rodney Little, NCR
Michael Logan, Iowa Events Center
Glen Lucero, Pepsi Center
Andriana Magness, VStar Entertainment Group
Dustin McCuiston, Ohio State University Athletic Facilities
Danielle Messam, RFK Stadium
Donald Miller, Discovery Green Conservancy
Kyle Morphy, Stantec Architecture – Sport Studio
Don Morris, Ohio State University Athletic Facilities
Richard Nelson, Planglow USA
Trevor Newman, Neal S. Blaisdell Center Department of Enterprise Services
Hans Niska, Kansas Expocentre
Yessenia Nunez, US Cellular Coliseum
Krista Olson, Golden 1 Center
Chan Onechanh, Golden 1 Center
Stephanie Onwubere, RFK Stadium
Katherine Oskey, Dothan Civic Center & Opera House
Alex Ozenberger, TEAM Coalition
Jeff Penner, Stantec Architecture – Sport Studio
Michael Pomares, Golden 1 Center
James Rasmussen, Golden 1 Center
Ty Richards, Lansing Center
Sam Sayad, Golden 1 Center
Matthew Schick, Golden 1 Center
Ken Stark, US Cellular Coliseum
Zach Sterling, Ohio State University Athletic Facilities
Steve Tebbs, Golden 1 Center
Courtney Tetreault, Neal S. Blaisdell Center Department of Enterprise Services
Michael Tischler, Temple University Liacouras Center
Colby Tucker, Oracle Arena / O. Co Coliseum
Mert Tuzlu, UpLifeUSA
Shelaine Warren, Ohio State University Athletic Facilities
Charles White, Portland Center for the Performing Arts
Jessica Wickey, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida

(Image: Judy ** via photopin cc)

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Here’s an intriguing statistic: 50 percent of the buildings included in the VenueDataSource “Firearms in the Venue Study” had to take some action in response to state or local open carry laws. To be the first to know what they needed to do, come to a workshop and fireside chat at VenueConnect in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

VenueDataSource representatives will contribute to the workshop, “The Impact on New Gun Laws on Public Venues” (Saturday, July 22, 9-11 a.m.) along with panelists Andy Jabbour (founder and president of Gate 15), Russell Read, CFE (vice president of operations at the AT&T Performing Arts Center), and Marcus Travis (guest and security services manager for the Minneapolis Convention Center). Attendees will learn about recent gun laws and how venues are complying with them. This will surely be a highly engaging workshop.

VenueConnect attendees can also be the first to obtain the results from the “Firearms in the Venue Study” at a fireside chat presented by the Research Committee on Sunday in Booth #1347 from 1:10-1:30 pm on the trade show floor.

Be sure and visit VenueDataSource anytime during the trade show at IAVM Booth #1435 and talk to the members that help provide valuable information for the association.

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iCommit, IAVM’s member referral campaign, is now in full swing. Will you commit to help IAVM build a stronger association and a bigger network of like-minded leaders? We hope so! You did an amazing job last year, so let’s continue working together to grow your association.

If every member strives to add just one new member, we could DOUBLE our membership. Realistically, we are targeting a minimum of 300 new professional members by December 31, 2016. With the addition of the Venue Group Membership program, these numbers are very attainable—all new members will count toward your total. As of today, 107 venues have signed up. So talk up this program, also.

What’s In It For You?

More members mean more collaboration, a bigger and more diverse network for you, and a greater pool of experts to create inspiring and motivating educational sessions.

Besides feeling good about supporting the industry, for each new member you refer, your name will be entered into a raffle to win one of five, $500 Apple gift cards to apply toward the purchase of any Apple product, sponsored by Ungerboeck Software International. The more members you refer, the more chances you will have to win. The grand prize will be a complimentary registration to VenueConnect 2017 in Nashville (value $895). In addition, the IAVM region that adds the most new members will have one CVP application fee waived; the Region Director will choose the recipient within that region. The campaign ends December 31, 2016.

*The gift cards will be mailed to the winners in January 2017.

To ensure you are eligible to win one of the prizes:

• make sure the new member lists your name in the Application Section titled, “Who Recommended IAVM To You?”
• enters “iCOMMIT” in the Promotional Code field in the Professional/ Allied Membership Application
• for new members only, the $150 one-time initiation fee will be waived—the applicant benefits, too

Contact me or Summer Beday, member care manager, at 972.906.7441 for a copy of the recruitment tool, “Why be a member of IAVM?” – for speaking points to encourage prospects to join.

We value and appreciate your support of IAVM!

(photo credit: SimpleSkye via photopin cc)

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This year, the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) leadership made three distinct decisions that have changed the associations’ course that has its members excited.

The first decision was the hiring of a new president and CEO—the long-standing, forward-thinking industry leader Brad Mayne, CFE.

The other two, critical decisions are the interwoven “Re-Brand” and “Conference Strategy” initiatives, both of which have been a year in the making.

“It was essential that the new IAVM brand have many fingerprints on it—and it does. Hundreds of members provided input along the way, and months of collaboration with the staff and leadership of the association ensured that the final outcome would embody the passion, commitment, and contributions of the great collective of people at the heart of IAVM,” said Lauren Wanski, design manager with Gensler’s brand and analytics studio in Chicago.

“While our ‘Re-Brand’ highlights who IAVM is and where we are going, it resulted in the driving promise of ‘inspiring leaders, building expertise and CREATING CONNECTIONS FOR LIFE’—what an impactful way to truly share what IAVM is all about,” said Karen Totaro, CFE, 2015-016 IAVM chair.

In turn, the “conference strategy” is focused on just that statement as it builds on some very key goals:  Protect the intimacy and focus of the sector conferences, preserve the cross-sector networking and knowledge sharing enabled by VenueConnect, secure the IAVM marketplace as a thriving hub for Allied and Professional connections, grow the relevance and value of the overall conference experience and, finally, provide the opportunity to integrate private meetings into the design of the conference in future years.

“I’m most looking forward to the strong focus on sector tracks. This structure will make it easier for me to justify in my budget attending the conference or sending my team members to the conference,” said Erin Jepson, CMP, 2016-2017 chair of the VenueConnect Program Committee. “The opportunity to participate in an event that brings the incredible minds that plan each of the sector conferences to the VenueConnect planning table is an opportunity not to be missed next year in Nashville.”

All three decisions had very inclusive processes to ensure IAVM members’ voices were heard.

“The results are better for it,” Totaro said.

IAVM’s 92nd annual VenueConnect will be held at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 7-9, 2017.

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More than 100 attendees participated in “The Impact of New Gun Laws on Public Venues” workshop at VenueConnect on Saturday, July 23. Andy Jabbour, founder and president of Gate 15, facilitated a panel featuring Russell Read, CFE, CMP, vice president of Operations at AT&T Performing Arts Center; Marcus Travis, guest and security services manager at the Minneapolis Convention Center; Frank Ingoglia, IAVM’s research manager, and Mark Herrera, IAVM’s director of education. The goal of the workshop was to educate attendees about recent gun laws and their impact on venue operations.

Ingoglia opened the workshop with select research findings from the “Firearms in the Venue Study” by VenueDataSource. For example, 66 percent of states have permissive open carry laws, 41 percent of venues that serve alcohol on premises in a state that prohibits open carry are still compelled to allow open carry, and 33 percent of venues have had to increase security due to open carry. The full presentation will be shared on Sunday, July 24, during a Fireside Chat in booth #1347 from 1:10-1:30 p.m.

Following the study presentation, panelists shared their experiences dealing with gun laws.

“Depending on where in Texas, for example, the law is interpreted differently,” Read said. “And it will take a long time and legislation to fix the law.”

Many workshop attendees also shared their thoughts and experiences about the gun laws.

Sherman Bass, CFE

“If it’s important enough for NFL fans, it should be important for fans of Disney on Ice,” said Sherman Bass, CFE, general manager of the Amarillo Civic Center Complex in Texas, comparing how sporting events are excluded from open carry laws compared to other events.

David Causton, regional vice president of the SMG Convention Center Division and general manager of McCormick Place in Chicago, suggested that IAVM help define what a venue is.

“We should work with other coalitions to help the venues be excluded,” Causton said. “We should advocate for a certain security designation.”

IAVM’s Industry Affairs Council is currently working on a position statement regarding the new laws and public venues, and it welcomes member input.

Herrera closed out the workshop by reminding attendees to be very strategic on how they manage their events.

“You need to profile,” Herrera said. “Not people, but behavior. Encourage frontline staff to be aware of unusual behavior.”

(Images: Bruce Challgren)

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Keynote Speaker Daymond John entertained a packed room of attendees during Saturday’s Opening General Session at VenueConnect 2016, telling them the world needs venue managers now more than ever before.

“You’re way more important than you’ll ever understand,” John said, reminding them that in a troubled world it’s entertainment and communal gatherings that help raise people’s spirits.

Touching on his thought that “every aspect of business is selling experiences,” John offered his “Five Shark Points” to help attendees remember what they should do or how they got to the places they are in life.

1. Set a goal: “We become what we think about most of the time,” John said.
2. Homework: Study and know what has happened in the past and how it will affect you in the future. Know your industry inside out.
3. Amor: “Love what you do, but love your family more. Consider how you’re offering experiences at home,” John said.
4. Remember you are the brand: Be aware that everything you do is available to everyone else in this social media age.
5. Keep swimming: Never stop moving toward your goals.

John presented his points as he told attendees his life story accompanied by a DJ who played old-school hip-hop and rap songs. John’s showmanship was on full display, and the crowd loved it.

After his address, he walked the trade show floor and met with several exhibitors, illustrating once again he recognizes the importance venue managers have in delivering experiences to others.

(Image: Bruce Challgren)

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At the 91st annual VenueConnect in Minneapolis in July, the International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) announced a new “Conference Strategy.” Along with new president and CEO, Brad Mayne, CFE, and an interwoven “Re-Brand,” this strategy will reshape and improve IAVM’s conference offerings starting with VenueConnect 2017.

The conference strategy builds on five key objectives:

1. Protect the intimacy and focus of the sector conferences
2. Preserve the cross-sector networking and knowledge sharing enabled by VenueConnect
3. Secure the IAVM marketplace as a thriving hub for Allied and Professional connections
4. Grow the relevance and value of the overall conference experience
5. Provide the opportunity to integrate private meetings into the design of the conference in future years

“I’m most looking forward to the strong focus on sector tracks. This structure will make it easier for me to justify in my budget attending the conference or sending my team members to the conference,” said Erin Jepson, CMP, 2016-2017 chair of the VenueConnect Program Committee. “The opportunity to participate in an event that brings the incredible minds that plan each of the sector conferences to the VenueConnect planning table is an opportunity not to be missed next year in Nashville.”

The development of the conference strategy contained very inclusive processes to ensure IAVM members’ voices were heard.

“The results are better for it,” said Karen Totaro, CFE, 2015-2016 IAVM chair.

To learn more about the development and future implementation, please watch the Conference Strategy presentation below that was given at VenueConnect 2016 and provides an in-depth overview of the strategy development and the steps IAVM will take moving forward. We also have a Conference Strategy brochure as a companion piece.

IAVM’s 92nd annual VenueConnect will be held at the Music City Center in Nashville, Tennessee, Aug. 7-9, 2017.

The post IAVM Conference Strategy for VenueConnect 2017 appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 Arena Management Conference (AMC), recognizing deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Jessi Armstrong—Student Internship
California Polytechnic State University

Favorite Team?
My favorite sports team is the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
My best sports memories come from being able to sit behind home plate at Angels Stadium. I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to do so since I was a kid. I have grown up at the stadium and loved the atmosphere and learning the game ever since.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
I am currently exploring several avenues such as marketing and in-game promotions for sports games, working and managing various events, and taking on public relations tasks to aid to a variety of clients. All of these areas have sparked my interest, and I hope to continue to explore and grow in these fields.

Favorite quote?
“Have the courage to be exactly who you are without apology.” — Iyanla Vanzant

Danny Bryant—Young Professional Scholarship
Arena & Pavilion Services Manager, The Classic Center

Favorite team?
Detroit Tigers, Liverpool FC.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
Being in the stands my senior year at Central Michigan University as my Chippewas upset Michigan State 29-27 after a last-minute onside kick recovery and a game-ending field goal.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Probably a dog. You get to go all the fun places with your humans, sleep the rest of the time, chase around the ball and Frisbee, and pretty much get loved on by everybody. Plus you get to defend the house from the scheming neighborhood squirrels and cats.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
Homer Simpson as “Pie Man.” Like most of Homer’s ideas that go awry, his heart was in the right place as he was avenging Lisa’s embarrassment. Plus, he made the underwear on the outside of the shorts cool, laying the path for Quail Man and Captain Underpants.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
Aside from owning and operating my own mini-golf course, my dream job would either be opening my own venue or running one of the historic soccer venues in England.

Renee Musson—Industry Women Scholarship
Associate Director, University of Florida Stephen C. O’Connell Center

Favorite team?
University of Florida Gators.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
In 1991, when Billy Joel showed up at our sold-out Garth Brooks concert and they played a few songs together. It was incredible.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
I would love to be a real-life superhero, like Clara Barton, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Mother Teresa, etc. Women whose superpower was to never give up and to change lives. On a fictional note: X-Men’s Jean Gray. She has amazing telepathic and telekinetic powers and is a caring, nurturing, fantastic leader. She is also fierce and shows that with power comes responsibility and struggle.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
I would love to be a director of an arena at a university that supports the growth of its students through real-world work experience and professional development.

Favorite quote?
My favorite quote changes depending on the situation but my lifelong favorite: “The first 100 years are the hardest”—spoken by my father many, many times during my life. It was his shortened version of “Life’s a tough proposition, and the first hundred years are the hardest” by Wilson Mizner.

The post Announcing the 2016 AMC Scholarship + Internship Recipients appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation opened its online silent auction last week, and the bids are rolling in. By bidding on items, you’re helping increase the positive impact of the venue industry by funding research, education, and resource development.

Supporting the venue industry is important, and here’s why.

“The potential return on the venue investment expands when led and operated by an educated, experienced, and capable workforce that can identify, prevent, and respond to problems, protect the millions in their care on a daily basis, and ensure financial viability and for the landmark assets in their communities,” the IAVM Foundation said. “As the world and the industry becomes more complex, the need is greater than ever to ensure that each and every public assembly venue has a professional workforce, base of knowledge, and adequate resources to ensure safety and enjoyment of the public, security of assets, and business results that contribute to economic development and quality of life.”

The online silent auction includes collectibles, tickets, fitness items, and more. If you would like to donate items for the auction, please email Sandra Franklin.

The post IAVM Foundation Silent Auction Now Open appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

You, as an IAVM member, are our most important asset. Without your commitment to the association and to the venue management industry, we wouldn’t be here. Because of your support, we are featuring member profiles in our I Am Venue Management series. If you are interested in participating in the I Am Venue Management series, please visit http://www.iavm.org/i-am-venue-management-share-your-story.

If I wasn’t doing this I’d be an: electrical engineer.

Most impressive person I’ve ever met is: my stepfather. Our family lost him to lung cancer, and he taught me a life lesson of how to be an “upstanding citizen of society.”

I unwind by: taking the free days to play golf or find time to travel with my friends and family.

On my desk right now is: a small golf bag holding pens that look like golf clubs. A gift from my fiancé to remind me that even through the tough days make sure you find the time to enjoy the little things in life.

My favorite IAVM conference I ever attended was: the 2015 VenueConnect in Baltimore. I am currently in the Mentor Connector Program, and I am really looking forward to the progression of this program. I am also looking forward to attending Venue Management School soon.

If I were on the other side of the seats, I’d be a: football operations coordinator.

One trait an up-and-coming venue manager should have is: patience.

One up-and-coming venue star in the industry is: Clara Poole recently with UTA College Park Center and now settling in with the Irving Convention Center. Clara has not only been a great friend but a young professional who shows a lot of inspiration and optimism.

One of my goals for this year is to: become a better manager, as well as, an inspiring leader to those I work with. Continue to give back to the community and industry who have helped me reach the level I am at today.

How do you plan to help elevate the profession? Continue to inspire young professionals to become more involved in our industry and how to be better prepared for local and world issues.

Where do you see new growth opportunities in the profession? In the types of multipurpose facilities that are being designed and constructed. This would include the continuing innovative technology of enhancing a “smart stadium,” security and infrastructure, and customer-service programs.

How do you stay current with industry trends and developments? Touching base with connections that are currently implementing these trends and developments. Reading up on reviews and stories of who, what, when, why, and how these trends are improving or affecting our industry.

Who are three people you’d invite to a dinner party and why? David Beckham, Arnold Palmer, and Bill Gates. All of these great figures were very successful in each aspect of their industries. Success comes to everyone in different ways. Sitting down with them would get me to understand that there are different paths to take in order to achieve your goals and reach your ambitions.

Zachary Reed is assistant director of UT-Arlington Maverick Stadium.

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Today we begin a new series spotlighting some of our favorite Instagram photos we’ve seen from the past week. The photos will be from venues around the world and lean more artistic than marketing. And if you haven’t followed us on Instagram yet, now is a good time. We may just include your photos in a future post.

Behold, this week’s top five!

Guns N’ Roses are about to go on and they are ready to rock! #notinthislifetime

A photo posted by CenturyLink Field (@centurylink_field) on Aug 12, 2016 at 8:55pm PDT

A beautiful reflection shot of the Long Beach #TerraceTheater This theater is so enticing, it’s hard not to snap a photo even before you cross the street to reach it! : @southerncali_ #LBConventionCtr

A photo posted by Long Beach Convention Center (@lbconventionctr) on Aug 23, 2016 at 6:29pm PDT

Pandora making #Smashville look

A photo posted by Bridgestone Arena (@bridgestonearenaofficial) on Aug 25, 2016 at 7:41pm PDT

Chicago Bears fans Stephen & Georgia flew in all the way from New York for a special engagement photo session at Soldier Field. Their photos turned out spectacular! Best of luck to these two Bears fans. ⬇️❤️ Interested in special occaision photos at the stadium? Email RGarner@soldierfield.net or call 312-235-7169 : http://www.bonphotage.com/bonphotage/soldier-field-engagement-session

A photo posted by Soldier Field (@soldier_field) on Aug 22, 2016 at 2:35pm PDT

#CINvsJAX projected game time temperature: 78°F aka perfect pool weather. #Jaguars

A photo posted by EverBank Field (@everbankfield) on Aug 25, 2016 at 12:27pm PDT

The post Our Top Five Favorite Instagram Photos of the Week appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

The IAVM Foundation is proud to announce the Joseph A. Floreano Scholarship + Internship Program recipients for the 2016 International Convention Center Conference (ICCC), recognizing deserving individuals who demonstrate leadership, character, community involvement, and the potential to be future leaders in the venue management industry. The Foundation also offers scholarships + internships to a variety of other IAVM conferences and schools, click here to learn more and to apply. Thanks to the support of committed donors, together we are Building Amazing Futures. Click here to learn more about the Foundation’s annual campaign.

Aaron Batson, CVP—Young Professional Scholarship
Assistant Supervisor of Event Setup at Orange County Convention Center

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
My favorite memory would have to be attending my first Florida Gator football game in 2008. It was my first time even in a college football stadium, and I happened to be in the marching band. My first time ever in the stadium was marching in front of nearly 70,000 fans! YIKES, what an experience.

If you could be any superhero, who would you be and why?
If I could be any superhero, I would want to be Batman because of the amazing gadgets, toys, and vehicles he gets to drive around. Of course, saving a city every few years would be neat as well.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
It may be just Olympic fever talking, but I would love to one day run a special events venue for the summer Olympics somewhere in the world! I’m crossing my fingers that L.A. is able to host the 2024 Olympics!

Favorite quote?
“You don’t have time to be timid. You must be bold, daring.” – Lumiere (Beauty and the Beast)

Do you have previous experience with IAVM?
My past experiences with IAVM include hosting three IAVM Florida Chapter Meetings (20010, 2013, 2016), serving on the Young Professionals Committee (2010-current), serving on the Convention Center Committee (2016-current), attending VenueConnect and VMS at Oglebay as a student intern, and creating the foundation for the College Partnership Program to be introduced in 2016-2017.

Jane Luneau—Scholarship for Industry Women
Booking & Services Intern at Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center

Favorite bands?
I love music of all genres. From Latin infused pop like Pitbull, to forgotten bands of the 90’s like the Goo Goo Dolls. Famous or unknown, in my free time you can find me anywhere with live music.

Your favorite sports or entertainment memory?
My favorite memory is the 2016 Alamo Bowl. This was my first night as an intern at a stadium- the Alamodome. Although I was never a sports fan, the minute I stepped onto the field I was sure of what I wanted to do, and what I was meant to do with my life for the very first time.

What is your ultimate dream job in the industry?
I hope to one day be the General Manager of an arena or stadium with a professional sport tenant.

Favorite quote?
“To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” – Oscar Wilde

Do you have previous experience with IAVM?
I belonged to a great group of conference interns at Venue Connect 2016 in Minneapolis. This experience made me even more excited to be part of what is to come at IAVM.

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Managing public assembly venues is a complicated business. Venue professionals are coordinating detailed logistics in order to ensure smooth event execution and working to safeguard the lives of everyone in the building, all while delivering a memorable event experience. From the client’s perspective, one of the most important things we can do is enable the client to focus on its event production. That is accomplished when venues are proactive and have an effective event planning process that allows them to be responsive to client needs.

IAVM’s new reference series, The IAVM Blueprint, provides an in-depth exploration of topics fundamental to successful venue operations and is written for industry professionals. It is the first in the series explores the topic of event management within all types of public assembly venues and is designed to assist new event managers and serve as a resource for current professionals.

If you have a new event coordinator, an intern eager to learn, or another employee seeking opportunities for professional development, the blueprint is a perfect place for him or her to start. It provides the foundation for successful event management within public assembly venues. We discuss the overall event planning process, the foundations of effective event planning, a typical planning sequence, and address event planning tools and resources. We examine the event management process from both the front-of-house and back-of-house perspectives and address issues related to parking, transportation, event personnel, crowd management, safety and security, as well as a variety of miscellaneous potential event responsibilities. After completing The IAVM Blueprint: Event Management, your staff is in a better position to then learn how to implement these strategies and processes within a particular venue.

In addition, we compiled sample industry documents from a variety of venue types across the United States and internationally. Samples include event resumes, event staff information sheets, incident reports, pre-event checklists, post-event reports, staffing estimates, event contracts, and others. Samples were graciously provided from IAVM member arenas, convention centers, stadiums, and theaters. These samples are an incredible resource for those venues creating new processes and procedures or those simply looking for ideas to update existing documents.

Effective event management requires a cooperative effort and productive communication between all units of the organization. This new publication serves as a practical tool to assist new event managers with those important responsibilities and as an ongoing resource for industry professionals.

The IAVM Blueprint: Event Management may be ordered online at www.iavm.org/iavmblueprint.

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Growing up, I was passionate about sports and would spend most of my time playing the sport of the day at a local park with friends. It was fitting when I reached college, with a lack of superior athletic ability, that I found a sports management program. I saw it as a career solution as my dream of being a professional athlete was crushed in middle school.

Like most millennials, I was blind to the fact that a degree doesn’t guarantee a job. Fortunately, I found one of the rare, paid internships in the industry coaching youth multi-sport camps. This was the best—I was getting paid to teach youth the fundamentals of the sports I grew up with. Unfortunately, the internship came to an end and the offer that followed was in a different city and felt too risky.

The struggle was real after that as it seemed every interview just lead to more frustration. Then I received a call from a guest speaker I kept in touch with. He had a friend looking for part-time help with a “sports” photography company. You know, the ones that take your high school team photos. Later he called again, asking if I could drive a truck to help supply and set up 4-on-4 flag football tournaments. “Of course” were the first words out of my mouth, and I took off on separate trips to Dallas and Miami, where I built key relationships for the future.

A full-time job was still a need and due to my work with the camps, an opportunity to teach an extended kindergarten/after school program became available. This was very rewarding work that I enjoyed but there was still something missing. I wanted to do the work I studied in college. My resume was everywhere and humility had become my best friend.

Then my phone rang and it was another friend of the guest speaker. He was looking for people to drive a truck up and down the east coast setting up lacrosse tournaments. The school I was at graciously allowed me to take a leave of absence for the summer and I hit the road. Most of our time was setting up sponsorship activations and documenting the impact to help with renewals, but it allowed me to work with several different organizers and pick up what I did and didn’t like about their event operations.

The summer ended and I went back to teaching. The following spring, I received an email from a friend I made helping out with the flag football tournaments. The company he was working for had part-time jobs helping with promotions of a professional sports team and assisting with events at a sports complex. I signed on for both not knowing where either would lead while continuing to teach, as both jobs had odd hours. The promotions expanded my grass-roots marketing knowledge and allowed me to be a part of the in-game entertainment segments. The event assistant role taught me a lot of the procedures I still implement today, with a few tweaks of my own.

A year later, an event coordinator role opened up and I was finally offered the opportunity to prove my worth. Here I took over the operations of an adult soccer league while managing other clients at the facility. However, it was the ownership in the adult soccer league, something I knew little about, that really fueled my passion to find efficiencies and grow a business.

Since that journey, promotions and new jobs have followed, but the lessons I learned on this four-year expedition helped mold who I am today. For some, it’s about being in the right place at the right time and for others it’s about the journey. The one thing that we all have in common is that hard work, dedication, jumping at opportunities (near or far!), and a strong network will be your lifeline in this industry.

(Image: Events DC Facebook)

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IAVM is expanding its podcast circle with a new series, The Venue: Coffee Break with Alexis and Shelley. It is an addition to the successful series, The Venue, which airs monthly and is a call-in show that includes live chats straight from the headlines of IAVM’s VenueNet member forum and issues we face every day.

The Venue: Coffee Break will also include live chats and will be hosted by IAVM members Alexis Berggren, director of event services at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and Shelley Ellis, general manager of the Visalia Convention Center. It will also include special guests.

The first episode of the new series was live at VenueConnect 2016 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and featured Mark Gnatovic, senior vice president of SearchWide, a company that provides executive search services to convention centers, arenas, exhibition, and event companies. During this episode, Mark discussed how resumes have changed in recent years, the impact of LinkedIn, and what each of us can be doing on LinkedIn to stay relevant.

Future episodes will cover a range of topics, and will be designed to educate and entertain. The second episode will be The Venue: Coffee Break “Human Resource Edition.” Alexis and Shelley will discuss human resource issues and employee evaluations with Kelli Zohar-Davis, SPICE training manager at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Other upcoming topics will include:

• An interview with Brad Mayne, CFE, IAVM’s president and CEO. During this interview, we will all gain insight on Brad’s first few months as president and CEO, the future of IAVM, and ask Brad the question: “What would you tell your younger self when you first started this industry?”
• Book Club Edition – The first book that will be featured is The Girls Guide to Being a Boss (Without Being a Bitch): Valuable Lessons, Smart Suggestions, and True Stories for Succeeding by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio. This one is sure to have some laughs. Grab your copy.
• Social Media Success Stories – Alexis and Shelley will interview a firsthand expert in our industry.
• Venue Horror Stories – We each have them, and we want to hear yours. Let’s laugh together.

Listeners can expect to have fun, relax, sit back, and enjoy chatting along with Alexis, Shelley, and special guests, but also hear about venue related trends and news content you crave.

“We want to provide information to IAVM members and listeners in an alternate way while having a lot fun,” Alexis and Shelley said. “We are all in this together and this podcast won’t be perfect. We will definitely have fun and we will make fools of ourselves at times, but we love what we do and we want to share our passion with others and want to hear from each of you. We are all on this journey together and the more we can share the better we can each become at what we do.”

Take a coffee break along with Alexis and Shelley! The next podcast will be Friday, October 7, and you can register here.

The post IAVM Launches New Podcast Series—The Venue: Coffee Break with Alexis and Shelley appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Deadline to submit nominations for the 2017 Charles A. McElravy Award is Nov. 30, 2016.

The Charles A. McElravy Award may be awarded annually to an IAVM Professional, Honorary, or Retired member who, in the opinion of the IAVM Board of Directors, has made the greatest lifetime achievement to the welfare of IAVM or profession.

The following criteria are established for the McElravy Award nominees:

1. The nominee must have been an IAVM Professional, Honorary, or Retired member in good standing for at least 15 years total (though not necessarily consecutively).
2. The nominee needs to meet the minimum service to IAVM requirements for Honorary Membership, but is not required to be retired. The following criteria must be met for a member to be eligible for consideration for Honorary Membership: 1) Attendance at no fewer than 10 Annual Conferences (VenueConnect) during the past 15 years; 2) Attendance at no fewer than five Region Meetings during the past 15 years; 3) Service as chair of at least three international or two Region committees during the past 15 years; 4) Service as: Director of IAVM or officer in a Region at least once during the member’s tenure with IAVM or b) Program chair for an IAVM venue-specific or specialty meeting during the member’s tenure with IAVM or c) Member of Board of Regents, Board of Trustees, or Board of Governors during member’s tenure with IAVM.
3. Any member in good standing may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, a minimum of three examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to IAVM and/or the industry (for example: leadership, accomplishments, professional service/activities, projects/results).
4. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination letter.
5. No IAVM Chairman of the Board (or past president) is eligible for consideration until the third annual conference (VenueConnect) following his/her term of office.
6. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Legacy of Leaders).

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to IAVM President and CEO Brad Mayne, CFE, and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business Nov. 30, 2016.  If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke at 972.538.1025.

The post 2017 Charles A. McElravy Award Nominations Open appeared first on International Association of Venue Managers.

Deadline to submit nominations for the 2017 IAVM Foundation Legacy Award is Nov. 30, 2016.

The IAVM Foundation Legacy Award may be awarded annually by the IAVM Foundation Board of Trustees to an individual or organization who, in the opinion of the IAVM Foundation, has made a significant financial and/or non-financial contribution to benefit the mission and objectives of the IAVM Foundation. The Foundation Chief Executive Officer will provide evidence the nominee meets the criteria.

The following criteria are established for the Legacy Award nominees:

1. The nominee may be from any membership category of IAVM or from outside of the association in a related field.
2. Any current or past contributor to the IAVM Foundation may make a nomination, which must provide, in writing, specific examples of the nominee’s outstanding contributions to the IAVM Foundation.
3. At least three letters of recommendation must accompany the nomination.
4. No IAVM Chair of IAVM or IAVM Foundation Chair is eligible for consideration until the third VenueConnect following his/her term of office.
5. Previous recipients are ineligible (and may be found on our website under Legacy of Leaders).
6. Nominations must be submitted to the IAVM director of governance & operations no later than Nov. 30, 2016.
7. The award may be given posthumously.

The nominations and letters of recommendation should be written to IAVM Foundation CEO Brad Mayne, CFE, and submitted to Rosanne Duke electronically. The nomination letter and all letters of recommendation must be received by close of business Nov. 30, 2016. If you have any questions, please contact Rosanne Duke at 972-538-1025.

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